Fe-Wood

going for the gold!

I've been trying to decide which gas saver to get. I have found two different ones with about a $100.00 differance in price. I'm not production but when I use it, I'll use it for a while. See links and please give me your feed back! Thanks http://rmgsupply.com/products/GENTEC_GAS_SAVER_OXY_ACETYLENE-2216-343.html http://www.smithequipment.com/products/pdfpages2008/page68.pdf

Ahhh to be in sunny california. Daffodiles are out and glorious, Iris's too. I'm with you divermike! Values, principles and a good garden!

Nice one tom! Now that summer is coming, shade will be a nice thing too...

Here's a link to anvilfires registry Doesn't look like its had many new registrations... I'm trying to come up with a touchmark too.

I'm with frosty & tech413, I build my own. If you have the time and tools, you can build a really good one for WAY less than others sell for. But if you just want to get smith'n, I recomend a Chili forge too. They get good and hot and have good adjustments and features.

Ha, wudaya know! Did it all by itself

I'm not sure how to post a link to another thread but look at www.iforgeiron.com/forum/f11/square-corners-9347/index2.html Page 2. Mark Aspery does an excelant job of explaining the process.

I like naturally asperated burners because they are quieter and I think as adjustable or more than power assist. After being tuned right, its easy to get the required flame type. For one, It dosn't seem like a power blower can be idled like a naturally asperated one. Actually, I've never used and blower type forge. I've only used a blower type furnace for casting and it had its issues too. Casting when the power went out one day was a real drag. One of my next projects, after I get a good burner design is a naturally asperated furnace for a #8 or 10 Crucible.

Well, I can't figure out bentiron's post eather, so I'm off you frosty- It's a shame, I seem to be going GRAY and my wife says she going to SELL the old COOT

Welcome!! who me? chalanged?...always. Don't swet it martensite, I can't spell for beans. Takes me forever sometimes to post...

Very nice work. While looking at it I thought it was bronze. Nice perportions and fealing. Hope your wife came out OK. How long did it take to make?

The best fo both worlds, don't try this at home...or ever! YouTube - Thermite Experiment

Nice idea and drawing frosty- If it were me, I think I would mount one on at least the back two corners, think tripod. Post vice, tongue jack, adjustable leg. One could use the other side for another tool...as you suggested.

So, would non conventional be compairable to unreasonable? I've always felt staying within convention is a simple place to hide and not for me! G.L.U.G-G.L.U.G.!! Heres a funny story- I was talking to the 20 something year old daughter of a friend of mine about driving on the snowy roads from our last storms. She had a problem staying on the road because it was slippery. She said it wasn't her falt she slid off into the ditch. I asked who's falt it was....The roads!!!! she said.

Hey! Thats my Hammer!!! the 100# er in the First photo in the last group! Nice book! Remind me, I have one about 3" thick. Haven't looked at it in years. Bought it some 30 years ago. Don't remember the name but it is a tool catalogue...

Another plug for Mark Aspery. He has book out, don't remember the title that has a step by step discription for making tongs. I think he starts with 1/4" X 1/2" material and draws out the rains for scrolling tongs.

Must be really hard to get them (thermites) in possition for welding.... Glen, so true!!

Ok, Ok, I'm not trying to xxxx anyone off or personaly attack anyone. Actually I have no need or interest at this time to cut or weld a used fuel tank. And yes I have done it in the past without incident, the pucker factor was quite high too... My use of the street crossing analogy was to bring to light the simple dangers surounding all that we do. My main point was and is the shearing of information and how important it is. I see from all the good perspectives raised by all replies (sharing of information) that safety and what is safe for one is not safe for the other. When I read the question, I came to it from MY experiance perspective, not that of total ignorance of the potential dangers. It just ercks me when people with-hold information that can help a project go smothly, it alway has. I was the kid standing on the sidelines asking the questions, still am, although not a kid anymore. One thing I do know however, I know what my personal limitations are and I don't need a six pack of liquid currage to help me over the rough spots. I go more for the refreshing aspect. By the way, Frosty, How do you make thermite? I want use it for forge welding... Good Idea? Sorry, couldn't resist. There's more I could say about the expansion of knowlage and a chalange etc. but I get it on this topic. Something along the lines of " if you don't know how to ask the question, maybe you shouldn't try". Thanks Guys-

The wold needs more places like that, especially in my neck of the woods... Thanks for the link Wagonmaster!

Based on my experiance having bought only one LG hammer. Look closely for brazing repairs on sow block, clutch system, pitman arm and cross head. Check for clearance/modifications on ram guide, bent and worn toggle arms and head (if you can pull a toggle arm, this will give you an idea how much the head socket has been worn). Be sure there are adjusting shims on ram guides and crank shaft babit bearings. Check hight of both dies to see how much has been removed. Also, look at clutch fork for repairs or severly worn forks. These are some of the parts that are no longer available or costly to repair. Also, go to Little Giant Power Hammer Very informative. For referance, I bought a basket case but rebuildable 100#er for $1200.00 It was 25 miles from my house, so I could pick it up. Most of the ones I'd seen before that were anyware from $1800.00 (Needed work, no motor) to $7000.00 (rebuilt) depending on condition. They all had additional shipping charges. Hope this helps Be sure to check all pins and arms for slop and alignment as these are the parts that go most. Also, plan on replacing the spring for good measure.

OK, I see your collective points. I guess my point is that you can't prevent someone from doing something by with-hold information if they have their hart set on it. You can only help them understand the risks. Here is an everyday example; Guy askes me how to cross the street. What do I say? Don't cross, its to dangeriuos? Cars wizzing by. He REALLY wants to be on the otherside of the street and is being persistant. Do I suggest he look at oncoming traffic, or to maybe try judging how far cars are progressing in relation to how long it will take him to get across the street? Or do I tell him to go to a cross walk and wait for the light? Just for the sake of argument, what if the guy tried to wire the 32700 volts or the other guy tried to cut the tank, and they were killed. Would you feel good because you told them not too or bad because you might have been able to save them by giving them the proper information and in doing so clearly explained the risks by example so they could truly understand.

Beautiful Work!! Congratulations!!!! Yes, we do need to bring smithing into the art world. It's not just a craft anymore! Well done.

Something about Bellew's question on the merits of cutting a gas tank vs. fixing a 55 Gl drum really got to me. He asked a good question and got some really good advice for and against the merits of such an indeaver. The part that got me was the with-holding of information on how to SAFELY do this. As blacksmiths and people that work with our hands and minds, questions of this sort will always come up. I don't find it wise to with-hold information that can make someone's project more safe or successful. If they are committed and serious about doing what they are questioning, no level of discouragement is going to stop them. It is their choice, hopefully armed with the best information they can get. I think as a society, we rely on the warnings of others to avoid taking personal responsibility for our own actions cause and effect. The reason I like this forum more than the others I belong to is the commitment to sharing information, ideas and hopefully good safety tips. One persons way of doing and or explaining how to do things is rarely complete. Personal circumstances are always different, tools, skill level, experience, etc. If everyone shares their experience and their understanding of the risks involved and ways to offset that risk, I think the questioner would be able to decide weather or not to continue with that project. Thats why I believe forums like this are so important. One can ask a question and get answers from a broad spectrum of experiences. I think there is a basic assumption that someone who asks the question is smart and aware enough of their personal limitations and experience to judge whether or not they should undertake a particular task. I mean, just about everything discussed on this forum carries some risk to body and property. All we can do is hope to educate and get educated in the process. Any comments?

Post pitures for those of us who dream of a place like that, but may never see one....