windancer

I believe it is the cast version, yes, It only took me 12 years to find one for sale. Have wanted one for a long time. They are hard to find! Dave

Thanks, Glenn! Dave

The blacksmith's Cookbook, Francis Whitiker Dave

Mr. Uri Hofi

My brand-new Hofi Hammer was delivered today. I could not be happier with it, now If I just have the strength left to swing it! 1.3 KG = 2.866 pounds Will get it polished up later this week! Dave

After doing MUCH more reading... I found an old, used large cylinder pipe thing that is filled with crystals that turn blue when they get too wet. Put that on the incoming air line and that cured the moisture problem from the compressor. When they turn blue to empty them into a baking sheet and put them in a slow oven. They turn white again when they are dry, put the back in and you are good to go again. Thanks to all for posting! As an aside: I found a smaller tool like this an auto supply for I think around 50 bucks. Dave

I haven't done anything about this yet- will post back after a few tries. Thanks to all for posting their ideas. Whatever I come up with has to leave both my hands free to guide the work. Dave

Tho this is an older thread, lots of good ideas here... Thanks to all for posting Dave

I want to use the air chisel in my HF planishing hammer to incise straight lines. Anyone have any simple ideas, or perhaps you actually have made this mod, to prevent the chisel from rotating? Thanks, Dave

Thanks, Thomas. So I guess I wasted my 50 cents

Can anyone help me ID this? Found in a box of tongs- doesn't seem heavy duty enought to work metal- maybe a layout tool? Thanks, Dave

My wife passed away on Easter morning. We had a small intimate gathering on her birthday [a couple weeks later] and a friend made some small packets of ashes for those who wanted to take them and/or spread them on our remote property. I made individual candle holders on steel Trillium plants for everyone who attended [Trillium were her favorites as they are the first plant that blooms in the spring]. I am currently working on small Damascus knives that will each contain a pinch of her ashes and a titanium staple saved over from my first surgery. This post was why my mind went there right away. Didn't know I would ever need the idea but it turns out I did. Thanks to all for being here. Dave

Can't work the way I used to Working on customer knives for another couple weeks, then will give it another try. Thanks to all, again, Dave

Thanks to everyone for the info and opinions and suggestions. My swage is identical to the pic in Jeremys second post. Thinking maybe I was sliding the stock too far into the swage and not leaving enough room for the material to expand. Will play with it some more and see what happens. Dave

I bought a swage that forms the rough shape of a leaf. Not the veining, but the end taper and general shape. I have tried everything I can think of to make it work. Anyone have one that works? How do you use it? Thanks, Dave

No local supplier for brass propane forge fittings. Anyone have an online source for 1/4 needle valves, quick disconnects, hoses? Thanks, Dave

Will look into cartridge heaters- thank you! Yes, moisture.

I remember a year or so ago I stumbled across an ad ~ not here on IFI~ for a siphon blast cabinet media heater. The ad I am asking about was for a small cylindrical heating element that was kept in the blast cabinet buried at the bottom within the media. I want to read more info but cannot find the ad. Anyone else see the ad and know where? Thanks

My wife will be surprised!

Thank you so much! My wife found this in a small shop and got it for me for Christmas just past- it came from the shop with a small sticker that said "What is it?". Knife sharpener is kind of ironic since I am a knifemaker Thanks again! Dave

So how is the tool used?

Can anyone tell me what this tool is and what it is used for? Thanks, Dave

I know and understand that most folks HATE blade coatings of any kind. I would still like to try some and judge for myself. Many factory knives are being done with newer products that appear to hold up better. Please don't give me all the negative reasons why they are 'bad'- have heard them all for years. Anyone have first-hand recent experience with black blade coatings that work? What did you use? How has it held up for you? Thanks, Dave

It sure is- Thanks for remembering! Dave

A few years ago I bought burners from a fella named Steve [can't remember his last name, it was unusual and started with a 'G' I think] they are unblown and work much better than any of the other burners I have used over the years. His contact info went with my last laptop and I want another burner for a forge I am rebuilding, There are a ton of folks making/designing burners but I have my mind made up and want another from Steve. Anyone remember his last name or have an email address? Thanks, Dave