Daswulf

Great write up Andy. Well done.

I was going to make an assumption about terminology, but without the link it would be just that. Tho, I've never heard of anyone tempering in oil. Quenching yes. But I'm no bladesmith.

Ok. Almost looks to me like the pivot bolt isn't seated properly. Usually the rounded head part of the bolt seats into a notch or two to the bracket. I think I see a space and also the nut looks to have been replaced, as far as I've seen they are a square nut there. No big deal on the nut really. But what about the screw? Ask him to wind out the handle till it comes out and get good pictures of the threads. that's the make or break item.

Um, I think what they are saying is to put in your general location in your profile. aside from that, Hello, and welcome aboard Bigfoot. Hope you find IFI usefull, and be sure to post your progress (and failures) and have fun reading the wealth of knowledge here.

They are all good but that heart one Is really nice. I have to ask did you make a heart shaped punch? Glad your getting back into the swing of things.

This is out of thinner material then I thought would work but it all worked out. that night it worked out well. Normally I would have went with a different handle design but I gave the idea of your style you went with a try and so far like it. I will check back but after forging the rest of the night with it I like it. the hold and leverage is good and I dont feel much weight in it and honestly it does everything I need it to with the fire. But I will check back with final thoughts.

Papy, I like its character. I'd keep it as is but it isnt mine lol. I think I'd keep it as is and come up with a horror story to rival that of Dr. Frankenstein's monster. just me and I'm weird.

my answer is get them to send a picture of the screw itself. if the screw is good, from the other pics the vise looks good. it'll just need a lil work. a vise screw/box is the most expensive part to fix/replace. Usually not cost effective.

That Is a neat forge. It can be welded as others have said. My curiosity has me now, I'm wondering if cast could do that from either Moisture or being too cold and heating up rapidly?

Jeremy K and I explained them above. Probably the pivot joint. My guess is The guy may have cleaned it up but didn't take apart the pivot bolt and outer jaw and it could be rusty in there or just tight.

I only mention checking the screw for wear to see if the vise is worth buying, not as a cause for it sticking.

Well a good picture of the screw itself. You want to know that the threads are not worn out. That's probably it.

I would ask to see a picture of the threads on the screw. If that's alright then it could either be that the spring needs adjusts or the pivot bolt and flange need cleaned or adjusted.

JLP, physics of certain things for me barely sink in. Other things make perfect sense to me. So, sometimes I just have to see for myself. Tho I wasn't arguing. So after using these two other pokers ( since they were there and premade), I decided to give that design a shot. The wooden one was light and I liked it but some joint in the handle delaminated and I had this other poker looking thing which is heavy and a bit awkward. So after giving the style you show a try, I love it atleast after one night so far. Good control and balanced. Thumbs up. I didn't forge weld the handle since I'm not good at that yet and even had a nicer scroll on it before messing that up but what the hay. It's comfortable in the hand and works great.

Just for ideas sake, last year it was roses for my mother and brothers wives. I'll have to think something up for this year. I'm bad at being a last minute shopper let alone maker.

Welcome aboard skooby. Great score on the kit. As as for the spike knife, don't bother trying to heat treat it but finish it out and keep it to look back on.

Good looking Tongs. so the looseness is at the rivet? you can tap them cold on the anvil with a hammer on the rivet to tighten them usually.

I stand by my assessment from what I see in the photo.

Excellent JLP. if you find it please post it. lessons are best. it's been tough trying to get out to any groups for me lately. I look forward to when I can.

Yeah I'll keep trying here and there when I can. lessons sound like the ticket. I know it's not my forge because a friend forge welded in it when her was here. I've read on it I just dont practice enough.

If you didnt say it was forge welded I wouldnt know. Nice work. hope I can forge weld as well one day.

Looks good and if it has good rebound on it then it is a good anvil. sorry I can't help with the maker. Get it mounted and start making stuff on it. See if you can sell the stuff you make and if you can then it'll pay for itself.

Since the mount bracket is home made I'm going to guess that the pulley is just being used for taking up space on a u bolt that is holding the bracket on or for some other purpose but they are not original to that vise. If it's a good price and the screw and screw box are good then all the other parts can be fairly easily fixed or remade.

Very cool design BillyO. Only thing I would add is some stick on felt where the guitar neck will be in contact with it.

Now Make something in there!