Daswulf

Well a couple good photos could help you save even the cost of one bag of charcoal. I'm sure if there were anything obviously wrong with the setup we could point it out. Or just run with it and find out if you can afford to experiment.

Thanks Benton.

Sean, I've heard not to use the charcoal briquettes. Use lump charcoal, real charcoal, not the pressed stuff. You mention it may be your forge setup. Have any pictures of it? Those would help determine if there could be an issue there.

Thanks Nodebt, please do share your work. And what Frosty said about the ant. How big is it? If I'm seeing the gears right they look like spider gears so it's probably a big ant. JHCC, I had ended up looking that up it is a strange song indeed

Saw a couple vids on FB. Thats awesome, and I can only imagine the radiant heat off that sucker.

Frosty, I'm sure I will make it work out no need need for bbq armadillo on the half shell. Nodebt, Welding on that stuff would be bad news. It was bad enough just from the oils left in the chain. So yeah , respirator and fan blowing the fumes out was necessary. I just used some non- galvy tin for the form. Worked out fine just had the shape a bit off but it's better now.

LOL, Thanks Brian. Crossdawg, Thanks, and go for it. it was fun to make.

Cheating? When there are no rules, there's no cheating. Nice looking fish! What was the starting stock?

Those are some cool dragon heads 58er. They would make great cane toppers. Nice looking roses as well.

I have heard 4140 is a good hammer material. I was just curious as you stated you used mystery metal , and were wondering about your results.

It works? That's what counts. Did you do a spark test to guesstimate the metal? did it harden from the quench in oil? Going through the motions means nothing with the wrong steel and no desired results from it. But, you made a useful hammer. If it works, it works.

It Was greasy. when I work more with it I will try some things to clean it a bit more before hand just to help the odds.

Mine will be a 9 banded. well it's what I'm working at.

It has been a bit of a challenge. I Am pleased with the way the chains look tho. It is getting the pattern I was looking for.

Lol. I'll have to look that up when I get home.

Little more progress on the little guy last night. Two nights ago I welded up most of the front section of the shell. To do over again I would weld up a skeletal structure of the final shape I wanted for a better picture and fitment. The form I used to be able to weld the chain from the back side deceived my mind a bit and I used more chain then I needed so I will need to trim the lower portion. Live and learn. Also the shape wasn't quite right so I took it to the forge and worked the shape over the horn of the anvil. Next will be to weld up the chain parts that are right by the head.

Kyle, what Thomas said, and pictures would help. My guess is what Thomas mentioned, could have been cast iron or wrought iron.

It would be hard to mis that one hanging on the wall. Nice.

Thanks D.C. I make some rough stuff believe me. I try to refine techniques and the work as I go. Seeing what I can improve on helps me do just that. Also I see others amazing work and work towards getting there one day.

Wow Flux, that is a nice swage block!

Nice looking assortment Aus!

I would think specifics would count in the question, like what steel and what does it call for in the heat treat. I don't know much but I know specifics count. And if Stormcrow was guiding you on what he had more experience with I would ask him. Hope it works out. And yeah, 2 tempering cycles already? Doubt bad bad things would happen. Haven't heard the dunking in water thing after the tempering cycle tho. I'll have to re read what I've read.

Judson, you are an animal! Nice work.

Nice work Benton.