Michael Cochran

I've looked several places for good projects to practice my arc welding but haven't found much im willing to try yet. Does anyone have suggestions for good projects, especially some that might be some kind of tooling for smithing or some other kind of useful project. I'm not looking for those suggestion like "get a piece of plate and run a bead down it." Thanks in advance.

Knots, did you finally get your cut done? I'm using a cheap cut off wheel for a wood saw cutting through 1" square grating without too much trouble. Just have to remember to go slow and steady.

Where are you from? I'm looking for some of those beauties around here but haven't yet. I have a few more yards to look at before I give up.

Thanks, mjenki, im looking for it now.

Or you could try to replicate the ones on eBay. Find a big slice of round and drill it in a spiral and weld some pipes to pegs that'll fit the holes you drilled. At least that's what I've thought about doing.

I'm not sure where I messed up but Im rereading my answers and going back to my backseat and being quiet now.

If the coals are glowing bright red they will be able to heat your workpiece. The time it takes for the metal to get to temp can vary widely depending on a number of factors. Obviously the bigger the piece the longer it'll take. 1/4 inch steel will heat in very little time but if your using 1/2 or 5/8 it'll take considerably longer. Proper fire management will also make a difference. It's one of those things that you'll learn as you go. It just takes time and patience to figure out.

My first forge was a very similar design but I used an old freon bottle cut off instead of a break drum. And I'll admit I tried the briquettes because I saw a lot of talk about using charcoal. I'm not sure where you live but if you are near a walmart or similar store check by the grills and you should be able to find lump charcoal, either a red bag marked 'royal oak' or a brown bag marked 'cowboy brand'. They both work well enough for general forging but I have to caution you about using it on exotic steels and carbon steels for tool and knife making. I've seen where a lot of people have had issues when used for those purposes, something I have not experienced myself. Another suggestion would be to research how to make your own charcoal using pine and other softwoods (construction debris for example).

I have used store bought charcoal for a while now and never had any real trouble with it. Just to be clear you are using lump charcoal and not charcoal briquettes right? Briquettes will burn way too fast when you add air and will cover you in a shower of sparks. What kind of forge setup are you using? Do you have any pictures of it?

What kind of coals? Charcoal you simply light it and let it heat up. Coal is similar from what I understand but I don't know the specifics since I've never used it. once burning you add a little air and that's when the magic happens.

What is the book you show a picture of? I might like to find a copy of it to put in my reference section :)

Are you talking about the big scary one with teeth you see in cartoons? I have a small one somewhere sized for rabbits if it'll help I can measurements and pictures and you can scale it up. I have thought about making a few more but can't figure out a good spring temper yet so I have to wait a little longer bad link removed

According to minedat.org it's goethite and limonite. So I guess I have no idea how to find it lol. http://www.mindat.org/loc-175945.html

I tried to reply already a few days ago but it looks like it never went through. I know of an old iron mine probably 30 minutes away from me. I just can't find out who owns it so I can ask before i trespass. There is a stream near it that I plan to try the magnet on a string trick I keep hearing about and hope to be able to get on the old mine property to see if they might've left a little something when they shut it down from what I hear 50 years ago. Iron ore is like coal around here, it's everywhere, you just have to find out where you can actually get some.

I don't have any experience with bayonets but in the pics it almost looks like the blade had a little tit that was in the handle steel. Is that what I'm seeing? Is the butt integral? If it's not, you could pull them off and grind out a new blade to find the handle. It's not a project I'd do with unknown steel though, I'd suggest some 1084 or 1095.

Have you considered using a flexible supply line like this one? http://www.lowes.com/pd_13931-72906-CSSD44E-24+P_0__?productId=3130603&Ntt=gas+line&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dgas%2Bline&facetInfo=

I agree with greywolf, that picture is ideal for a winter card. Makes me think of a place I wish I could be. Is you shop on the ground or do you have it elevated a little? You might try something I've seen before. I've seen a few different barns and shops that have a board under the door firmly attached to the shop. It forces you to pick your feet up a little on the way in and out but might help keep from freezing shut.

That sucks so bad. I'd wanted to hit him too. Better luck next time.

I did that on my second attempt to weld a billet. The fireworks were amazing until I realized some of it landed on my shirt and was getting to my skin. First attempt too cold second too hot third just right. :)

Do you have pictures?

Nobody, do you buy yours local or from someone on the web?

Temper and harden are not the same thing. I by no mean want you to misunderstand me but even though there are several guys on here who can help, I would suggest also checking out the guys at bladesmithsforum.com

Can you give a little more info? What steel, how big etc. As frosty pointed out shallow mean not nearly enough. I use over a gallon of veggie oil for small knives less than 8" long and under 1/4" thick. Definitely need to read up on heat treat procedures. It'll help you out in the long run.

I've never been there but just a quick suggestion you can use or ignore. I'd take a small try square and run it down the length of the bar with a scribe of some kind right in the corner. It might not be ideal or perfect but it might help.

I have seen a few different recipes but never one that mentions dreft by name. The only dreft I know of is a liquid so I am unsure how you'd use that. Maybe someone more knowledgeable than I will see your post and have something for you. If you add your location you might find someone here is not far away. edit This is the wrong sub forum btw. Maybe one of the admin can help you move it to a better place.