Shamus Blargostadt

Thank you for the comments guys. Great information

not sure if this is an appropriate place for this but hoping it falls under 'fabrication' and some folks here might be able to advise. I'm looking a good way to cut stainless steel (milk can) without work hardening it and cutting on a curved surface. I don't have access to a plasma cutter and not sure what the best approach might be. Hole drill on low speed? Step drill bit?  It's a $130 investment so I'm nervous about ruining it and don't want to experiment. I haven't worked SS before.

Thank you!

I thought it must be really hot in there from the number of guys that get pulled out by medics. BTW - I really liked what you said about praying for your work.. and how you don't know how God feels about Forged in Fire but you know how he feels about you (or to that effect.)  That was great!

I really enjoyed watching this episode, nice work! I'd love to hear about the behind-the-scenes details too. All of the guys seemed really good this time. That first round strength test was brutal... I think that guy has a sadist streak in him.

I really enjoy most of his interviews and the "free form" style of just hanging out and talking about random stuff. Looking forward to watching the one he had with Elon Musk yesterday.

OH! Perfect! Thank you very much! Purchased.. and will post a review in the book review section after a read it

Interview by Joe Rogan. Much of it is Joe asking questions like "what is tempering?" and "how do you sharpen a knife?" but I found it to be a very interesting interview despite the dumb questions. This guys work is amazing.

not to be contentious but I spent a good deal of time looking through book reviews and searching. Looked through all 8 pages (twice) but no topics about pattern welding. I did that after searching for "books" and found a post about the section.

Figured it was not quite appropriate to post a request for a reference in an area reserved specifically for reviews so I posted here.

That being said... ANYONE HAVE A RECOMMENDATION?  Ideally significantly less expensive than the cost of paying someone to spend a day showing me how to do it  

This is not my first stop.. I've been searching the web, searching amazon (found the $1,300 one already) and searching here and blade forums before posting.

just to re-iterate.. looking for a reference that shows how to make the different patterns, what kinds of steels to use, how to make folds and cuts, how to do canisters... etc... I catch bits and pieces of info mentioned in forums but mostly people seem to keep this stuff to themselves. Unfortunately I can't afford a class.  This is the most knowledgeable crowd I've found on the interwebs.. figured if there is a good book someone here will know.

Can anyone recommend a good instructional how-to book for pattern steel? Patterns, steels to use, etching, canister methods.. etc...  I'm clueless, looking for some clues.

I love the way you did the handles

for my scales, I just did four of some really porous spalted maple, and two blocks of pretty dense burl. They soaked up about 1/3 of my half gallon jug. They did turn out really nice though.. so if I had found an outstanding deal on ebay or etsy and paid $10 each for them I've already saved a bit (considering shipping costs) on just the resin.

I found a pretty informative thread on a penmaking forum. Since nobody has responded here (and the viewing is high) I'll post the link for those interested.  The short answer is "not really"

http://www.penturners.org/forum/f43/alternatives-cactus-juice-140444/

Thanks Jclonts, I got this same setup. Really happy with the way it performed!

I'm doing my first round of scale processing, using a half gallon of cactus juice. I was wondering, does anyone know if there are alternatives for hardeners/resins that cost less than this product that do the job just as well (or perhaps even better?) It seems to be very popular. I'm using a vacuum for infusing and oven for curing process.

I have several maple burls and some spalted maple and some other spalted wood I need to stabilize.

Praying for you and your family Thomas

Very well done. I really got a lot of information from the detail you went into and watching how you shaped the metal using different hits and level of force. The quality of the sound and video shots were such that it was easy to forget I was watching a video.

I love that graceful plunge line. Wish I could get mine that sharp and clean.

Good video there Lou! 

oh I see, thank you! This sounds perfect

5 minutes ago, Jclonts82 said:

All is inclusive with the pump and chamber, no extra fittings required. you only need enough liquid, whatever youre using, to cover the work piece. I suggest using a quart jar inside the pot so you dont need as much liquid. also if it foams over the jar, it will be collected in the pot and you can just pour it back in when done. 

 

I also used the pot by itself with 1.5 gallons of linseed oil and soaked a bunch of wood blanks at the same time for a larger project. If doing this, make sure the foam doesn't hit the intake by the gauges because the pump will suck it into itself, and is probably not healthy for it... again, ask me how I know...

is that the right link? It doesn't appear to include a pump https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NP311CU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1#feature-bullets-btf

Just want to make sure I'm looking at the same think you have. Sounds perfect!

On 6/26/2017 at 11:47 AM, Jclonts82 said:

PS if you buy the pot kit from amazon, the hose has a rectangular insert in it that unscrews out, if you don't unscrew it it wont attach to the vac pump...

Thank you J - you are using second link? The description says "3 Gallon GlassVac Aluminum Chamber". Do you have to fill it up with 3 gallons of stabilizer compound, or just enough to submerge it?  Or do you just fill a jar with your wood, submerge it in the jar, then place the whole thing in the chamber?  Did you have to buy more things for that (eg: vaccum pump) or is everything included in that item?  Really like the price!

On 6/26/2017 at 11:34 AM, Steve Sells said:

look up Cactus Juice

thanks, Steve. This guy has just what I'm looking for.

Rogers, OH is about 50 miles NW of Pittsburgh. It's a tiny no-light town whose main attraction is a massive flea market every Friday. I acquired my favorite 3lb forging hammer from there for $20. Also a good place to find vises and anvils, occasional tongs. Also found some bits of brass there for a dollar that made very nice fittings for knife handles.

I started out with a Sears 2"x42" grinder/sander for around $100.. with some modifications (removing a bunch of crap that's in the way) it does the job until  you're ready to go for one of those big-boy 2"x72" monsters.

If you're hoping to get lucky with an anvil, hunt down metal salvage yards.. make friends, tell them you're trying to find an anvil to blacksmith. I got a 150lb gem for $50 from a junk yard. It's beat up but does the job. It was covered in rust and looked like junk when I got it but after a few seasons of beating on it, it has come to life.

not directly related to metal but hoping this query is relevant enough not to get me cuffed.

I have some really good wood that I've aged and some burals I'm ready to cut open, and some really beautiful spalted maple I'd like to make into proper knife handles. I tried  an el'cheapo method of heating minwax wood hardener in a canning jar with my scales then sealing it and letting the vacuum created by cooling impregnate the wood but they still cracked on me.

Can anyone recommend a vacuum chamber build or ready-made product suitable for this? I'm hoping to keep it under $200 if possible, for something that will work for a couple of years.

thank you!