Daswulf

That's a nice piece CT. The painted flower piece is an excellent contrast. I like how you wrapped the wire pieces too.

Hi Deathcat, sure, check out Charles Stevens " box of dirt" side blast forge. http://www.iforgeiron.com/topic/44842-just-a-box-of-dirt-or-a-simple-side-blast-forge/#comment-463468

I hope it works out for you. It looks like a cool hawk. You'll make more . Couldn't hurt to practice punching and drifting a bit so the next ones turn out better, thicker, and stronger.

I've seen and heard of many people using hardy tools in the post vise.

Is that stress cracking around the eye? If so I'd be a little concerned about breakage in use. I like the idea. not bad for a first punched hole. The more you punch the more you get to know how the metal reacts and moves. You might have had the metal a little too cool while drifting.

ok, I found a bucket with some of my early attempts. may or may not be firsts but they are failures.( learning experiences.) But, we get better after. included is one of my first RRspike bottle openers, some knife fork and spoon sets, my first pair of tongs, and other failures." learning experiences". we build off that and get better. I'm still far from ok but I am always working on it and not afraid to show where I came from when I can.

All well done Gergely! wow. Thanks for sharing. they will be in the inspiration folder haha.

looking forward to it LB. heres tonights fun for me. my horses may be getting worse haha. I really need to make my new punches.

Yup, great idea LB. For some reason I really like the top ones texture look.

Thanks Joe, keep at it. Thanks Dick, please do try it I would love to see some others takes on it. I talked with a neighbor down the road that boards horses, I'm still waiting to hear back. He did trade me some old tongs for a couple plastic 55gal. Barrels I had sitting around. BigGun, that was a good score. A thousand shoes? Sounds like a big project. Hope you share once it's done.

Wow that is a clever idea.

Dang, I never find deals like that.

Nice score Robert!

Thanks Robert

I love him Aus! The double barrel shotgun parts work great at the head. I'll get on it after Newyears. By the way Happy New Year to Australia

Well if you are forging a snake you need to punch the eyes and nostrils. A nice sharp chisel can do the mouth. For my snake eyes i took a round tapered punch and drilled the tip to make a divot so it has a surround ring and a central more raised eye. ( I still plan to improve on that punch and make several sizes and styles.). Then a pointed punch for the nostrils. ( again I have plans for different shapes and sizes.) there are way better tool makers then me lol so I'm sure a little searching here on punch making will steer you in a better direction.

Punches can be made cheaply from sections of coil springs salvaged from cars. They don't take a lot of hammering to make and can be ground or filed to what shape you want. I try to heat treat mine but if it's just a shape punch that won't get heavily pounded you could probably get away without a heat treat on them since they are harder then the heated steel you will use them on. I have some new shapes I need to make myself.

Thanks Old Timer. These are something that can be done with some nuts, bolts and nails for the legs. I generally like adding spider gears for the spider abdominal. You should give it a go.

Thanks Zeroclick, Robert.

Hi Old Timer, welcome aboard. If you check out the "metal sculptures and carvings" section you will find many posts with eye candy inspiration there. I look forward to seeing what your minds eye ends up creating, be sure to post what you come up with.

I like the design and the look. I hope you post some pictures of it handled.

Yup. For the 1hp I have to suit up with my leather welding coat, gloves, safety glasses, and face shield. And you really have to be mindful of stance and how you hold the piece to the wheel. If it takes the piece from you let it go. It pulls the piece down and back. I have a rubber stall mat under it so nothing ricochets off the concrete floor. So far I haven't had a wire wheel throw anything at me but little wire darts.

Nice work Brazer!

I won't say how good I am. To me I'm never good enough. Others can tell me something I make is great but I can pick it apart. Off of 51 Papys story, tho my dad would tell me "everything you touch turns to dung. Well he has a little different opinion now but still. I want to improve always. How good am I? Never great, sometimes good enough, and I always could do better. Thats where I would like to be one day. "Good!"

He looks great as is. Now I'm really itching to make some of those guys. But a drill chuck showed up in a box of goodies last night and a mosquito may be first.