Steve McCarthy

Camera was facing the sunlight so the pics didn't turn out real good. Still need to put spacers between sow block and frame, and..... well, there is a lot still needs doing. Shop is a complete mess. Hand to move half of it outside to get the hammer in.

So Steve, I'm assuming that you didn't use the forklift this time . . . ;)

Thanks Bernie. Can always count on you to salt the wound. I wasn't even one of the front row hecklers on Saturday!!!

Anyhow, got it set in with out major incident. Sure am glad it comes apart though. The base and frame was all my 8N and jib pole wanted.

Yesterday I finally got my hammer home. I traded for it at BAM confrence four weeks ago. It is a Modern Power Hammer made in Grinnell, Ia. It's had lots of modifications done over the years, and I need to sort out a drive for it and have a set of dies made. Today I made a 4" Oak base, got it put together and set in the shop. Peacock had a lot of helpful suggestions for getting it into running shape. Pounding Out the Profits has quite a bit of information about the company. From it's descriptions, this hammer had to have been made between July, 1904 and September 1905.
Anybody have pictures of a running Modern? Maybe tomorrow I'll get some pics posted. Right now I've only got $425 in the hammer. Needless to say, I'm pretty excited.

A guy walks into a bar and when he removes his cap, there is a frog firmly attached to the fore part of his head. The bartender is aghast and says, "What the heck is going on? The frog replies, "He started out as a wart on my XXXX."

Now that's funny. Thanks Frank

I've got a surprise I'm bringing with me. It's not somrthing to eat . Something I've been wanting to do for years.

Gee thanks Phill. Now I'll be awake nights for a week just wondering. <_<

I'll be there.

I made a trip to the scrape yard today. Haven't been in about 3 months. It was rainy and cold, and after about 1/2 an hour wondering around I was on my way out empty handed. Then I made one last look at a pile about 2 foot deep and saw the words "Acorn Iron & Supply". A little bit of digging by hand and then the help of a forklift revieled a perfect 4x4 Acorn table. The scrape yard guys thought it was a grate cover for a manhole. 980lbs at scrape price was a pretty good buy. Not sure if I'll build a stand and set it up or try to sell it. Anyhow, it's mine now.

Aw, Tim didn't say with what Beth. Most any of us could fill em with BS without even trying.

Frosty The Lucky.

That's about the funniest thing I've heard all day. Thanks for the smile Forsty.

That little wack on the head hasn't dimmed the lights any has it?

It was a treat to see this hammer in person. Phil posted lots of pictures during his anvil/sowblock reapir to this hammer. The pictures looked great, but man you ought to see this hammer!!!! Very professional job.

Go to Bamstie.org and open the news letters. Im not sure which issue maybe last November. Anyhow one of them has a pretty good how to on forging afrog

Bummer. I'll be at the in-laws next weekend so may try to stop by Saturday to look if you are going to be home.

So did you descide to go with the purple and green?

Check out http://www.bamsite.org/ click on "Coal Map". These are the BAM coal deposites around the State.
Bob Alexaner is in DeSoto and Bob Maes in Millersville.

Are you a BAM member? Our next meeting is March 17th in Cedar Hill. you ought to try and make it.

There is a very good tutorial here.

http://www.incandescent-iron.com/

Where are you at Wayne?

Clowns like that don't deserve to own even one anvil.

And you are who, the anvil police? I'm sure for the right price you can rescue them all.

The March BAM meeting is in Cedar Hill. Be sure and try to make it.
Good to have ya.

Nathan sure gets around. I took this class Dec. 3rd at Mark Hemmer's shop in Pacific, Mo. I made a 2 1/2 lb rounding hammer. I also would recomend taking his class. Nathan is a great guy, and excellant teacher.

I saw Frank demo this in St.Louis in 2009. Great demo, great smith, great story teller.

You really been busy John. Good looking hammer.

I welded up mine out of 1/2" plate. It has a 1/2" thick x 1" wide lip all the way around. Having this lip lets it just set in the hearth without being attached. Some will tell you to mount it flush so to make it easier to rake in fuel. I have not found it to be an inconvience to me. Make yourself a proper rake and I doubt that it will be a problem. Even with the fire pot 4" deep, you should have 3 or 4" of coke above the top. I have a slot cut in the lip around my hearth but not in the lip around the fire pot. This works well for me, but consider all options before you make a final descision,

I've had good luck with TheLeatherGuy on ebay. Price was fair and product was just as described,

There used to be a blueprint by John Bennett on exactly this. Maybe John could post a picture.

A big OOORAH and SEMPER FI to all my fellow Marines.

Happy Birthday

Try surpluscenter.com for inexpensive ac and dc blowers.