Daswulf

You won't get bashed, just that many beginner questions have been asked and answered over and over so in searching you should be able to find answers. Some answers are from very knowledgable members that are no longer with us or not as active as they once were. Some of that knowledge is gold and well worth searching and reading. If you have trouble finding the answers you need please do ask. We can answer, or point you in the right direction.

Any steel used as an anvil will be harder than the hot metal you are forging on it. The best thing to do is get started forging and learning the skills. It's easy to get caught up with little things before you start. Once you learn and practice the skills things start getting easier and you worry less about misstrikes and denting whatever anvil you use. Practice on the cheaper anvils and if you get good and start selling what you make and you can save that money for more material and maybe even a nice new anvil. Rail and sledgehammer heads are often mentioned because they are everywhere and Work if you don't have much money or other options. Even as a cheap alternative to test the waters and see if it is for you before spending a bunch of money. I think George got it with work hardening on the rail. Even a big name anvil could get dented with a misstrike. Main thing is to hit the hot metal and not the anvil.

That would make a nice improvised anvil.

Congrats on the new shop Rojo! Pretty nice for a first.

Looks like they had a great teacher. Well done!

I have the same block. Haven't utilized most of it yet but it is a great swage block at a great price. One thing it is not is a regretted purchase.

Got the trailer packed up "mostly". This is tomorrow if there is anyone close wanting to go. I never tend to get many photos as it is always a busy fun time. If I get any good ones I will post them.

Scott, just use real duct tape and caulk. Nothing wrong with mixed media sculpture. Could add in rope. Duct tape wouldn't survive too long outside tho unless maybe clearcoat would preserve it some. Could use the real foil duct tape. Maybe just paint it a duller grey. Lol John. I have kind of welded myself before but it doesn't stick well. I have also jabbed welding wire through the meat of my finger once somehow clearing a jammed feed wire. Still not sure exactly how it happened but it involved threading it through my finger really fast with wire snippers and took a while and a lot of pain to remove. I also sometimes unintentionally add blood to some work. Pretty sure most of us have done that at some point in making something.

The last part stands tall in my book as well. I've found people find uses for my art that I hadn't even thought of lol. I can do just fine at just finding bits and bobs and forging and or welding stuff up into a creation but I for one shutter more at a commissioned design. Funny how that works for different people. I can definately do many commissioned ideas but some shut me right down with a kind of writers block. I've never had an issue selling Any old thing I've made, for the sake of making it, for the right price. And I hold out for what I feel is a fair price as to the work. Some things I thought I would get to keep but someone liked it and wanted to own it for my price. Nothing wrong with any structural adhesion as long as it works Scott. I only name pieces that I feel attached to after I make them.

I would think they would show up with etching. You could also get a can of visible dye penetrant. It is a spray on and will show any cracks. Magnaflux is one such brand.

Looks a little toasted. The box didn't have a bunch of dust in it, did it? Are they titanium or stainless?

Good idea Les. Couldnt hurt to try other than the price for the good ones. But in all honesty, it is worth Way more to Not get limes. Found a few on me a month or so ago but not dug in thankfully.

If that is just dirt on the horn it looks Great from what I see in the picture. Give it a wire wheeling cleanup and a stand and use it. Or just a stand and use it. Use will atleast clean up the face over time.

Nice job Jono. Sounds like a nice gift idea.

Man, That sounds like a dream for me! I'd be asking if I could move in lol. Nice work! Glad the guy that got injured was in good hands.

Nice work Jennifer. The tongs look great. Billy, nice work on the tiki torch holders. They look like a great marketable item. Sorry about the thieves. Hopefully your ins. takes care of you and karma takes care of them.

Nice work JDV. I like the added thumb.

Thats pretty neat. Any chance of making another set of jaws to save the cork ones from burning up with using the vise for welding? Even as is might be good for tacking the pieces, or its intended use with wood working. Nice score. Never saw one like that before. Have seen the framing clamps but not a vise like that.

Like the old school chalkboard. Very curious vise. Do you know its intended use?

Learn something new every day. Thanks George!

Just like the mechanics car is the last to get fixed.

Awesome score John. And a very nice gift as a thank you.

I have a pattern set separated as well. The ones all together are easier to trace out on a sheet at once and multiples for plasma cutting out. The individuals are good for using up smaller pieces of sheet. The three petals in the middle look good. The pattern I use uses 4 there. The rose looks good so its just a little different look. I found colors to run fast once they started with copper. Maybe I was heating too fast but I had water on hand to quench and stop it when I had the color I wanted. Went too far a couple times and had to reclean the copper to start over. I'd suggest testing on a coupon first to get a feel for how it reacts.

Nice work John.

This years PAABA Compass in Museum hammer in is on saturday july 22nd. This is always a don't miss event for me since I have done it for a few years and am permitted to attend kid free lol. It is always a great time. As usual I will take my travel setup and welcome others to share it if they don't have their own. It will be under a canopy to keep out of the more extreme elements whatever they might be. The event is from 10am-3pm. Never enough time. I will be there earlier. We make items to donate to the museum gift shop to help support them and the living history they continue. Please check out the PAABA website calendar or Compass Inn museum in Ligonier Pa. website for more info.