windancer

I will give the Linex folks a call tomorrow and see how bad they want to hurt me. Glen, how much linseed? Thanks again- Dave

Nothing inside but the paint- now long gone. I will throw in some black beauty tomorrow and see if that makes a difference. The drum isn't water tight so liquid is out. I wouldn't want the gunk in the yard and we live above a lake, so it would be even worse. Maybe the BB will absorb the gunk, will give it a try. Thanks for the ideas! Dave

I have been using a tumbler modified from a HF concrete mixer for a few years now and I LOVE IT!! [i covered most of the outside with thick felt to cut down the noise [not quiet, but much better]. My favorite medial is punch-out drops of all sizes and shapes, mostly 1.5 inches and under.. Have tried many, many others and much prefer the steel drops. If I list all the things I have tried this post will be so long nobody will read it :) When removing forge scale it generates a lot of nasty, semi-oily dust that gets all over the shop and all over the work being tumbled. Years ago I tried adding a cup of Tide powdered laundry detergent [dry, I don't use liquids of any kind in the tumbler] and that produced tumbled parts that had nasty, semi-oily black Tide FIRMLY coated and stuck to everything. It was nearly impossible to get off and the only result was hours and hours of extra work to get off. Does anyone have something dry they actually use themselves to capture the black forge junk? I just took blades from the tumbler and they are coated with the forging residue. Many tools in the shop have a light coating of this gunk that I will have to wash off in several steps. What do you use? Thanks, Dave

Guess that would depend on who is swinging it! Dave

Another great knife, John, and I will remember seeing this non-kitchen cutter :) Dave

I found that I was using the belts too long. Not because they were worn but because the longer you stay on a grit the more scratches you are making. I try to do the absolute minimum with each grit. Get to the next higher grit as quickly as you possibly can to reduce the depth and number of scratches you are making and then having to sand back off. I had a man who ended up being a good friend forge a knife in my shop. After watching him for 10 minutes I said to him "I have bigger hammers". He said "I know". 15 or so minutes later I asked why he was not using a heavier hammer. He didn't miss a blow- and all he said was "Bigger hammer, bigger mistakes". I won't grind a blade with anything coarser than 50 grit. And I only use it to mark out my base grind. And I don't lean om my grinder at all. All I want to do, gently, is remove metal with the least damage as possible. Bigger grit, bigger scratches. Most makers I have seen use pressure when they grind and it works well for them. Find what works for you. Dave

Like all your knives, John, I like it! You have a great design eye to go with your smithing skills. The 'junk' bar in the center fits nicely. Great job! Dave

Thanks for sharing that with us! Nice old Chevy truck- mine is a '68 :) Dave

Thanks, Rashelle. I think I understand now :) I have added balls to the end of all my tongs. That gives me a way to index my hand placement. So the 'open' style rings are the ones I use. Dave

Sorry guys, too thick to understand the concept of squashed tubing. will someone post a couple pics so I can understand? Thanks Dave

I like both blades! Will make beautiful knives, Steve. Dave

Terrific idea! I like it! Dave

Thanks, Steve. Just one of many operating out there with their minds going every second to figure out a way to cheat someone out of something. Dave

Thanks! Dave

Like the knife and love the guard! Good job! Dave

You can add me to your 'ranter' list. You could have removed the paint in about the same amount of time you spent with your post and replies. Dave

Simple but elegant. I like it! Dave

Careful with wheels- need some way to lock them securely. Awful lot of fire to tip over or roll away..... Nice job- show us the first thing you make with it :) Dave

Nice tool! Yup- more dies :) Dave

Not until I try the material and be sure it works correctly. Dave

If you check YouTube under Dave Hammer he has a series, start to finish, about building a forge and burner and lists the suppliers where he got the parts. Dave [Evans, not Hammer]

Ordered from the bow place, it came and looks good. Haven't used any yet- probably not for a few days. Will post a pic and more info when I do. Dave

Good work! Graceful looking and functional. Isn't striking fun? Dave

Hope you did something very special for your friend- that is quite a gift he gave you! I think most new smiths make some problems with their first anvil- mis-hits, glancing blows, missed materials, etc. If it were mine I would jut use it as is. Dave

Elaine was hospitalized again late last night and it is serious. Please keep both of them in your prayers and for those of you who know Bill I am sure he would like to hear from you all. Dave