Ron Hicks

nice bill Ron

I would like to make a small welding table not sure what I need. I havent much room maybe something 30in. X 30 in.? I would like to use it for stick welding,torch welding & cutting. I want casters or wheels on one end like to take it outside. maybe a small leg vise on it. You know, I really dont know. Just dont want to end up with a mess want it to be handy. I guess I need a good thick plate for a top. I could use some advise Thanks Ron

wore works good I use it myself

I bet using a light would help alot- Jr told me about the Gold colored lens I like them. What about the fumes - could I use a fan blowing or would that cause problems? Ive seen the vaccum at the welding supply but $1000.00 I got a wiff or two did not seem to good for the lungs Ron

OK thats what I was after Thanks

How thick should a Bolster block be?

No wish I had one myself

The Best of "Theforge" - Vol. 1 of 3

In my photo albums I replaced a few photos but the thumbnail did not change. But when clicking on thumbnail it would go to the new photo. I tried to rebuild thumbnail but no change. What am I doing wrong? Ron

Is your pipe blowing air across the top of the fire? Not sure on side blast maybe the pipe should be in the lower 1/3 of the fire & angle down?

Maybe you are using to much air blast?

The Village Blacksmith UNDER a spreading chestnut-tree The village smithy stands; The smith, a mighty man is he, With large and sinewy hands; And the muscles of his brawny arms Are strong as iron bands. His hair is crisp, and black, and long, His face is like the tan; His brow is wet with honest sweat, He earns whate'er he can, And looks the whole world in the face, For he owes not any man. Week in, week out, from morn till night, You can hear his bellows blow; You can hear him swing his heavy sledge, With measured beat and slow, Like a sexton ringing the village bell, When the evening sun is low. And children coming home from school Look in at the open door; They love to see the flaming forge, And hear the bellows roar, And catch the burning sparks that fly Like chaff from a threshing-floor. He goes on Sunday to the church, And sits among his boys; He hears the parson pray and preach, He hears his daughter's voice, Singing in the village choir, And it makes his heart rejoice. It sounds to him like her mother's voice, Singing in Paradise! He needs must think of her once more, How in the grave she lies; And with his hard, rough hand he wipes A tear out of his eyes. Toiling,---rejoicing,---sorrowing, Onward through life he goes; Each morning sees some task begin, Each evening sees it close; Something attempted, something done, Has earned a night's repose. Thanks, thanks to thee, my worthy friend, For the lesson thou hast taught! Thus at the flaming forge of life Our fortunes must be wrought; Thus on its sounding anvil shaped Each burning deed and thought. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Where you getting the wrought iron? Are they some of the chain links Ive heard about?

I may tack a lip on it & try it.How far should the lip stick out?& how far down the sides should it go? A guy told me in out of the wind might not need one. I thought I would see what it would do with out one frist. Thanks Ron

I finally finshed the hood - I think it will work pretty good, I did not build a big fire did not even preheat the hood. No smoke in my shed it sucked it all in the hood also sucked ash into the hood. Im only 3 ft. above the peak may add to it to make 5ft. need to make a rain guard - the one thats just a bigger pipe section. I made a new ash dump cover for my fire pot, my old cover leaked lots of air. That old Royal blower will really make it talk now. Fixing my blower next thing on my to do list I took a few pictures of the hood working Ron

Thomas You said it yourself "The poll is the part of the axe opposite the blade so a double bitted axe has no poll." Im not just sure how Abe did it- the idea might be sumthin like this Springfield-Greene County Library -- Bittersweet Thats what I call a single bit ax - thats what Ive heard it call all my life but were just a bunch of dumb country hick's Springfield-Greene County Library -- Bittersweet Poor people has poor ways Ever go Snipe huntin? I need some one to hold the sack

Sure has been lots of knives made from RR Spikes I havent made a knife from a spike myself but can be done. From what ive read it depends a lot of not burning any of the carbon out while forging. Ive allways use springs for knives -like they say not much carbon. this guy here can make a knife from a spike there is tons of post on the Outpost try this The Knife Network Forums : Knife Discussions

Old Abe Split lots of fence rail with a wooden maul and wood wedges (not sure think called Gullets) Ive used wooden wedges in a pinch . Pole Ax is what I have allways called them - isnt the back end of the ax called a pole? If you make a wedge you need to make a sledge to drive it with:)

The ax on top is a Poll Ax Sometimes you have trouble starting a wedge (or a mual bounces off) splitting tough knotty narliy wood. You can cut a slit with you saw or use a Poll ax - swing it or drive it and start the split. A poll ax is a wedge on a handle. When I was a kid Dad would say -I could tear up a wedge in a sand pile. Are you really makin a wedge?

I would not use a mual -single bit ax works for me & I dont miss. Have you used a wedge much? Ive used some bad ones- At one time I split logs into bow staves 10 in.dia. + and 6-7 feet long.Only used Hickory & Osage Orange(if you know what Osage or Hedge Apple tree is it just doesnt fall apart) If the wedge angles is to steep they will jump out. Ive seen them go 7-8 foot in the air for sure knock out your teeth. Ive had it happen on narliy fire wood also The best wedges Ive used were long & slender -the one in the pic.has a good shape. Whats the V groves suppose to do???keep it from backin out? Are you really going to make a wedge?

That must be one fine splintin wedge - I can buy a rick of wood spilt & delivered for $45.00 Have U seen the wedges thats on a Bar? Kinda like a fence post driver. Myself I used a pole ax do my splitin -which I was only burin good red oak easiest spliting when the woods frozen Back in the day I was a splint fool with a Pole Ax , the maul swingers did have a chance:D Ron AKA Paul Bunyon ;)

McR Look on the net trin to find out a bit more I guess Canedy Otto made things up into the 1950,s Also found one for sale on an ebay store a bargin for onl $800.00:o I think it must have Golden fan or something:confused: it had a home made handle also. I think I found a picture of one thats all there with the crank Thats my next project , think I have enough Farmall Red to purdy it up with. maikn a dirty pig dance:confused: Thanks Loads Ron

Thanks Lookin at the side by side for sure different castings. I havent the oilers like on yours. Im sure different year models. I see yours has had the crank handle replaced also - bet it would be hard to find one. Thanks for the photos & all the Good Help Ron:)