tonyw

So the bracket would fit flush against the wall?

just stickin my neck out here, but I thought Vulcans weren't so great

Fantastic write up Mikey! I love it! I think it is fascinating how all this works, and I really appreciate you explaining it. Does your book have more stuff about and like this? Perhaps I will ask for a copy for my birthday.

thankyou stroupe. I was really expecting the drill to go for much more than what it did, which was a pleasant surprise. And no, I didn't even bid on that forge. I really think the $130 it went for was more than it was worth....

Thank-you Jim and notownkid for your responses. So even though I am still puzzled about what happened to the bearing, I will try to get some more appropriately sized ball bearings to put in the thrust plate. As far as the flywheel being off balance, there is no bearing on the flywheel shaft--just metal against metal. (that's how it is for the rest of the gear shafts too.) Since it wobbles probably about 1/16" - 1/8" is that something to worry about? If I keep the shaft well greased, will it be fine?

Thank you very much Jim. The first picture shows "No. 65R" in the casting, and the second picture shows the beginning and ending of "Buffalo Forge" I do have the table and support shaft--I just haven't got it cleaned up yet. That's why its not in the picture. As far as the bearings, I did not see any brass pieces at all....??? Are you saying the bearings do need to be spaced evenly? How is the limit screw supposed to be, if it has been modified? And about feed screw gear on top...in your picture, the teeth are pointing up. is that the right way to do it? I'm sorry about all these questions; please don't let this take up too much of your time! EDIT: I looked at some more pictures and saw that the toothed wheel on top is supposed to have the teeth up. and the limit screw is supposed to come up from the bottom. And this thread should probably go in the machinery section, I just realized.

So I bought this neat little drill press on a local auction website for $24 (plus $3 for tax and premiums). And I didn't really do any serious restoration work, just derusting and wire brushing and cleaning up grime and dirt and lubing things up. The gears and everything run quite smoothly now. But I can tell that the shaft the flywheel is on is either bent, or the hole the shaft runs in (bore?) is worn, at any rate, I can tell the flywheel is just a teeny bit off balance. Is this something to be worried about and should it be fixed? The other thing is about the bearings. I had heard that there were bearings in the drill press, but I couldn't find any. Then I found some super-tiny ball bearings on the work table, and realized where they had come from--between two grooved disks that were in between the end of the feed screw and the end of the drilling shaft. BUT, the number of bearings that I found on the table (they had fallen out accidentally without me noticing) weren't near enough to fill up the bearing race. So, did I accidentally lose half the ball bearings? I looked and looked but never did find any more. Will the bearings do fine? If the bearing race is not all the way full, will it cause uneven wear? I tried to find information on drill press bearings, but came up empty-handed. Honestly, I feel kind of dumb asking such a simple question, but it is bothering me! I also was wondering about the auto feed mechanism. It really feels clumsy, but perhaps it will work better once I get a chuck mounted and actually start drilling. What has your experience been with the auto feed? Here are some pictures for what they're worth.

Thomas, was this part of your original post? "search on "spark testing" and the "quench and break testing" Most tools like wrenches are medium carbon and so not the best for blades. Ag tools designed to be in the dirt were often high carbon for wear resistance (plow shares, disks) At your current level may I commend to your attention "Step by Step Knifemaking" by David Boye which is available online now. Now what I would suggest for someone wanting to do "art" knives but for reusing ag scrap it's a sturdy start." I was reading this thread and read the above quote as your reply; then I reloaded the unread content page, clicked on the same thread, and read your above post, which is different than the original one I read. ??????????????????? weird stuff.

WOO HOO! I got it this evening for $24!!!!!! Pick it up tomorrow. Oh, and the other thing is that a little rivet forge with a tiny blower that had a bent blade went for $130!! in the same auction.

how do you pound it down into the stump?

Is the line down the middle of the face in the second picture indicative of being cast?

Thank-you for that information, Jim. Your shop is beautiful!

and you're in virginia too, eh?

thanks. What's a reasonable amount to pay? $100? Not sure what that would be in pounds....

Anyone?

There is a buffalo forge drill press on a local auction business's website. I would like to get it, but know nothing about these tools. Or if the drill is even in good shape. Mind taking a look at the pictures and telling me what you think? thank you for your time and advice. (pictures from enlistedauctions.net)

I was wondering about the forge myself. I think I see a tripod of green sticks lashed together for the forge stand.

I feel sorry for you, Snailforge. I really wanted to see the process too; thank you for trying. This website rivalry: is it really worth it? Admittedly, some people are hard to understand.

I want to be surprised. PM sent.

Woo hoo!

(human) Babies, right? I just saw that somewhere on here at IFI, I think, but can't remember where.

If you're truly scrapping the blade, I'll take it!

Okay, so the firepot isn't terribly close to burning up when it gets that hot? that is good to know. thanks for your help

So my cast iron forge pan gets reddish to high orange when I've got a big fire (like for welding) going? Would you all recommend claying it, or if I am careful can I go without clay? Would rammed pottery clay work? Here's a couple pictures--the color balance is a little off as far as the color of the metal--it didn't get yellow. first picture with flash, 2 and 3 without

looks like my first tries. Keep practicing