JHCC

Joel, rather than impugning Frosty's and ThomasPowers's experience, here's a serious suggestion: take some time to write a primer on the proper use of the punch press in a blacksmithing shop, with a comprehensive review of possible safety issues and how to avoid them, the strengths and weaknesses of the punch press (and how to maximize and minimize them, respectively), and so on. I'm not challenging your assertion that a press can do what a hammer can; I'm challenging you to show us how it can. I've seen enough of Frosty's and ThomasPowers's interactions here on IFI (as well as those of many of our senior curmudgeons) to know that they may be opinionated, but they're also open-minded. If you have indeed figured out a way to use a punch press safely and effectively, let us know.

I only read one letter of one word, so my understanding is even greater than yours.

Unless you need the money, I’d say keep it. There’s obviously a metalworking gene in the family, and it would be great if the little guy could get started on his great-great-uncle’s anvil!

Yes, the uterus is THE strongest muscle in the human body. I’m not envious, but I am in awe!

THE TANK IS CLEAN!!!

Hi, Paul1024, and welcome to IFI. If you haven't yet, please READ THIS FIRST!!!! The Holland anvil is made by IFI member foundryguy. You can send him a personal message to get the information you need.

In addition to which, the leg muscles are some of the strongest in the body and therefore are capable of putting the most power into a human-powered hitting machine. If there were some way to hook a treadle hammer up to a uterus, all our problems would be solved!

The collection of metal in the back of my minivan has grown to the point that I have to warn passengers that the clanking noises from the back do NOT mean that we're about to break down.

Probably more trouble than it's worth. A little online research tells me that the shaft is probably 1045-ish and the tube is likely to be around 1025. The interesting thing is that the tube is likely to be DOM (Drawn Over Mandrel) rather than welded, so I'm wondering if I have any applications that that would be good for.

Das, are you suggesting that I might be able to resell them? How would I go about doing that?

I think that image is from the video series Christ Centered Ironworks did about the “Hardy Hammer” that he built. I won’t post the link (it violates the TOS prohibition against linking to religious content), but it’s easy enough to find on YouTube.

Grabbed this bit of roadkill from the shoulder of the highway on the way to the airport. The blue piece is hollow and appears to fit over the other solid piece. Some kind of linkage, I guess.

The first round of sealing was on the outside. If there’s still any leaking, I may run a bead of silicone around the inside corners.

I know: we are easily confused. I already sealed up the outside with some silicone, but I haven’t yet checked it out for leaks. If there are any, I may give this a try. Thanks!

Not to be confused with a dead friend's water heater, of course.

A rather violent-looking bowl -- perhaps "ET too brutish"?

Finally, a blade maker who wants to get into ornamental smithing! Usually, we have to twist people’s arms to get them to learn basic smithing techniques before they start trying to make swords!

Saw that on your Facebook page. Very impressive!

If you're looking for something on YouTube that is meditative and shows high levels of craftsmanship (although, alas, not in blacksmithing), check out the channel from the Corning Museum of Glass.

Another thing that would have been good to know a few hours ago!

Welded on diagonal braces (two each in all four corners) and a central support down the middle of the firebox: It is MUCH more solid (i.e., without wiggle-wiggle) now. I’ll probably add a shelf at some point per Frosty, but I think we’re good for now. Also siliconed the seams of the bosh. I decided to use the old air intake off the JABOD, both because it works well and also as a memento of that particular forge. (Note the drain valve for the bosh, salvaged off a friend’s dead hot water heater.)

I’m just trying to get this hobby off the ground....

We’ve come a long way since this disaster, haven’t we?

I’ve got some more of the stock I used for the tong rack, so I can make some beefy diagonal braces from that.