Blacksmith Jim

Sometimes there is bluegrass or folk playing on big open shop nights. At home, I usually don't listen to much, but I have started plugging my iPod into some computer speakers while I tinker on stuff. Right now that assembling a drill press or working on bicycles. I haven't been able to do much forging at home the last month or so. Amazing how a newborn and winter weather will do that to ya. When the iPod is going, I've been listening to Bassnector or Sublime.

I recently dug up a rasp in the back yard. It was very thick with rust. I soaked it in vinegar for a few days, then wire brushed it by hand. It came out a lot cleaner.

I want to forge some titanium.. Got any drops around I saw a guy with a great pair of titanium tongs one time.

I think I've heard of it being done with TIG, like mcraigl suggests.

Got any pics?

Welcome aboard Jerry. It is always nice to see more Oregonians around here.

Yeah, that is the same model I have. I like it, it has served me well. Right now I don't have it bolted onto anything though... I just finished a work bench frame though. I need to put the top on it, bolt the vise down, and start assembling the drill press :)

Bummer. I think they might get upset if you just start cutting it up.

I got a 25$ gift certificate at barnes and noble. I'm thinking of putting that towards a copy of Machinery's Handbook.

Archie this is great! Thanks for sharing How are you controlling the rate of flow of the oil?

Is the oil coming in under pressure? What is the apparatus you are using to deliver the oil into the forge?

The home built side blast I use has a 1/8th washer on the front of it. It's been working fine for quite a while. I'm about to make one out of 1/8th. If it burns through then I'll make the next one bigger ;)

hibjib, You are right about the clinker. I burn coal in my side blast, and if the clinker starts to build up, the blast will just burn a hole through the middle of it. So you end up with clinker donuts instead of clinker burgers. I haven't burned charcoal, but I would imagine it wouldn't smoke and burn off as many gasses as coal does when it is coking up. Usually mine is done with the ugly smoke within about 10-15 minutes of starting it up.

Sounds really interesting. Got any pictures or a more detailed explanation of how it's burning the waste veggie oil?

Propane is heavier then air. It is not advised to use it in low spaces like basements, where a leak, or unburned gas could gather, causing a potentially explosive situation. Also, welcome aboard :)

Looks pretty set up! Plus its a side blast, so it gets an extra thumbs up from me :)

Hmmm.... I was thinking about making a slot punch the other day.... Maybe I'll do that with one.

Do some tapers and scrolls and hooks. Look for a post vise as your next tool purchase. After you get comfortable doing tapers and scrolls and hooks, etc, then look at some blue prints that you want to do. If you don't have the tools to do them, then start making the tools. Have fun Oh, some people aren't a fan of the anvil you purchased, others are OK with it. I think it will be better then a rail or a random hunk o' something, but I think down the road you will want an upgrade. Nothing wrong with all that. Congrats and Welcome :)

Glad to hear the favorable report. I picked up a few pieces last week, and might pick up more later. I've been making tools out of coil spring, but figured this would be fun to try. Now I just need to figure out what tools I need to make from it...

Heck, it looked like he couldn't even afford a hammer handle! :o

Glenn, I noticed the wiki appear a while back, and haven't seen much happening with it yet. One thing I thought it might work well for would be rough drafts of blue prints. In case people don't have a good place of their own to work on them. Just thought I might throw that out there. My apologies for thread hi-jacking..

It made me want to start trading my work for goats.. I wonder where I could find an interested party...

The bags they came in and in 6 gallon plastic buckets. Some coal I get from friends big coal piles, and I've found I need to clean that. So I drilled holes in a bucket, and I fill it a bit, then run a bunch of water through to clean it, then dump the clean coal in a different bucket. Some stuff I've bought is pretty clean though and I don't need to worry about it, so I leave it in the bag..

Nice find, thanks :)

I wish they put the pictures on line Our newspaper doesn't either..