MotoMike

Thanks Das since I have enough for probably 4 heads, I'll try the first without.

I acquired a piece of white oak about 3x6x15 that I'd like to use for mallet head. Also enough ash to make handles for the rest of my life. on the hammer head, assuming I go the easy route and make a square rather than round head, is it desirable to band the head? If so, how would your band a square cross section?

They look great Shawn. I like the drop point best. Are the 5160?

That is beautifully done. the profile is just the way I like them.

Thanks guys. I'm all ears.

Man, that is a sweet shop Jim. that boot scraper looks too close to the wall to use.

Thanks Shawn, Me too.

Got the guide wheel plate, adjustable platen and tool rest built today. Should be welding it up soon. Thanks Mudman, me too.

I have I think 7 tongs now. 3 I made. 4 I bought. If I had bought v bolt tongs in 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4 first, I'd probably only have 3 tongs still. I have a very nice set of wolf jaw tongs from a reputable maker that have almost no trigger time on them. to me V bolt tongs are without doubt the most useful tongs I have. like these.

Thanks Shawn. going to steel mart tomorrow to nose around their cut offs for the idler wheel plate and platen parts.

I can see why you got the commission. they are very well done.

Not so oppressively hot today, so spent some time in the garage today working on the tracking wheel assembly.

Too bad indeed, Frosty. Quality work takes time.

Thanks Das I was surprised how coordinated he was spinning the allen wrenches around. Thanks ID He did pay attention and got what was needed right off. He did get side tracked though. once he figured that the set screws released the jet tube, he pulled it out and replaced it and locked it in probably 5 or 6 times.

Hope it turns out great for you. Yeah, it was a huge engine. turned probably about 40 rpm. there was more than a second for each of the 4 strokes. the exhaust was a big straight pipe sticking straight up about 10 inches around. each exhaust beat was a loud boom accompanied by a huge smoke ring it blew out the top. very cool. full disclosure, this was more than 20 years ago.

My striker and I took a break and did a little burner maintenance.

Coming soon Frosty. thanks

There are several native sites in that area. There is Jerome which is up on a mountain. kind of a artist/hippy enclave the last time I was there, but Jerome's history is copper mining. several museums in that area. And the biggest single cylinder engine I've seen. gasoline, had a fly wheel about 12 foot in diameter. used to pump water from the mines in the old days. They started it for us. quite interesting. I made the mistake of visiting in July. The year it was 128 in Lake Havasu City. The old saw "it's a dry heat" did not impress me. AC broke on the Taurus too. Wife even less impressed than me. they put blocks of ice in the pool where we were staying too keep it cool enough to swim. Have fun.

Sounds like a good woman Irondragon. I'll tackler one project at a time, but I do like the idea of a hydraulic press. maybe from a log splitter.

Now you tell me!!

That is one thorough and well thought out design. I'm a layman, but I think you covered all the bases. beauty

That is a beauty. A beast but looks like the screw is still fresh and square. love to see what you do with her.

thanks for that Shawn. been eyeballing potential vendors. One upping you not likely, haven't even forged a knife. I have a set of course belts coming to help me with the setting up of the machine.

Made of A2 hardened to 58-60 RC. lots of back and forth to decide on a 5/8 design to keep the text legible. I like it. I made two home brew touchmarks of 5160, and they do work ok, but I only had my initials in it. adding my city and state were beyond me.

Dang Shawn, what did you do move your forge outside? It was only 94 today in my smithy without the forge lit. Knife looks great. 1/2 inch? man, that must have taken some hammering.