Mark Ling

Thank you Elijah and thank you too arkie! The texturing is done with two tools. I have a bottom tool in the hardy and then a hand hammer. The bottom one is textured using a cut off wheel in the angle grinder, giving somewhat random but somewhat parallel lines in. Then same with the face of the hammer. If I was just using a hammer, as I rotate the bar the anvil face would damage the texturing on the other side. Then you Get the steel hot, and place on the bottom tool and strike with the hammer rotating as you go. Hope this helps! Littleblacksmith But by the way Gergely, I really like those candle holders! A simple piece but fun to look at. Loving it, keep it going. Hope your thumb gets better!

that is a neet Idea Jclonts82! I like that alot. Littleblacksmith

Thanks yall! littleblacksmith

My dad got me one of those for my birthday, really cool things! as for uses, I could see if you do alot of sheet metal work that it could possibly come in handy, I am constantly finding hand says and restoring/sharpening them and same with cross cut saws, so im planning on using it for its intended purpose... Littleblacksmith

Ive been there, nice group of guys, used to buy my coke there. Peresonally, 65 is a little light, but you can still do most things on it that you could a 100lber. That vulcan isnt bad for a first anvil. It is better than a block of steel in my opinon, price is what you think is good. Littleblacksmith

That's a dandy little thing. Ive thought of making one that resembles like a 700lb one of wood and put it outside my shop to fool visitors....And then Ide go and pick it up and lift it over my head and really fool 'em. Littleblacksmith

Now ain't that nice of him. That one is almost identical to the one I got, except the plate you rest the workpiece on was missing so I had to weld/forge a new one. Littleblacksmith

we got a new dog a few months ago, my mom wants another one, but dad is saying no, that one is enough! I think thats what they said about having kids, but there's three of us. The dog we got is said to be a cattle dog. but she isn't that protective to be a LGD it seems, though we havnt really been in any situations yet to really test that theory out. She really likes chasing rabbits, so she may not get along with chickens, I think she would be fine with goats maybe. She would maybe learn some manners. Littleblacksmith

Na, I don't got them, but I want them! One of my brothers and me want to get goats, and I want chickens, but parents think they wouldn't last a week with all the coyotes, foxes, bobcats, and everything else that is smart enough to now a good meal! at our old place we had chickens, they were fun. we will occasionally have a chicken, or some sheep wander over from the neighbors. Littleblacksmith

I know what you are saying about the green grass all summer, kinda weird! have you tried soaking the head in oil to expand the wood, or just put in another metal wedge. depends on how loose it is. If it is just a little wiggle it can be fixed most times, if it is loose to the point where it is about to fly off, re handle. Thank you! That rams head was based off of a video I sent your Husband in a message a while back. I was surprised how simple they are. Littleblacksmith

don't you got goats to mow for you? Yes Mr. Powers, It is quite nice to put a face with a name. I hope to meet you and all the others some day. Oh and Mrs. Hockett those hammers look good so far. the one on the right I would replace the handle, but the other one looks fine to me, How do they fit?

Oh I really like your new profile pic now Mr. Powers! that is a sweet looking hammer. Littleblacksmith

that's almost exactly what I was thinking of when I said that! I see Mr. Powers you changed your profile pick, will take a while to get used to. I like it though better than the Big letter that used to be there. Littleblacksmith

don't think iv'e heard that either! sounds like something you'd order at one of those fancy restaurants where they give you a big plate with a little piece of food in the center with grass on top. Littleblacksmith

I did have to smile a little bit when I saw the line "well, Phooey". I dont think I've ever heard anyone say that! Littleblacksmith

"It doesn't have to be pretty to work well, just to sell" DF in the shop. Littleblacksmith

I wish I could convince the parents to haul me up there! Littleblacksmith

also, to help with the fish mouthing, you can dome the end of the piece, so that when it does fish mouth it just brings the corners back square, and you have little to no fishmouthing. if this makes any sense. Littleblacksmith

happened during heat treating? its impressive that it is now 2 peices, and not just a crack. I feel your pain. we have just hit 1,500 replies! Littleblacksmith

probably an edger blade. check if it is first hardenable before go through all that trouble. Heat up above critical, quench, if it hardens, well, you have hardenable steel. You said you have files, and "just tools that I need to put more effort into" like what? that would help us be able to help you easier, if we know what you have. Do you have clamps, or a vice to hold it in place while you cut and file it? do you have a hack saw to cut out the rough shape? now if you have a forge ( all we mean is a pit in the ground with an air source and a bag of charcoal, you will need this at least to heat treat it), and something to use as an anvil (sledge hammer head, piece of railroad track, block of steel, etc) and a chisel, you can cut out the shape with a chisel, or forge the profile, now to forge it you would need something to hold it with=Chanel locks/vice grips, something to hit it with=smooth face flea market hammer, and your PPE.. Blades have been made for hundreds of years with out power tools, ain't no reason why it cant be done now, its just lots of people think it cant be. I have never made that style of blade, nor am I knifemaker, but for a while I was in your shoes, you just slowly build up your toy tool collection. Littleblacksmith

those hammers have not been heat treated in the picture, and so they arnt finished ground, that rounding hammer hasnt even seen the grinder in that picture. Forge to finish, how it should be! Thank you JHCC! Littleblacksmith

This is from last weekend, forged a couple hammers. These hammers I didn't have a striker for, but that morning I put together a blacksmiths guillotine, and so I just used that for it. Let me tell ya, those hammers take alot when your are using a hand hammer and not a 12lb sledge! also a plant hanger and my first rams head that is on the handle of a dutch oven lid lifter. Littleblacksmith

also I'd reforge the cutting end down thinner after you grind it square. I bought one like that one a while back that was beat up and had to do the same thing. Littleblacksmith

Hey NH, I'm in college Station Texas, ain't the closets, but who knows, maybe you'll be in this area some time. If so, let me know, we can light up the forge maybe and I'll show you some stuff. Littleblacksmith

JHHC, did you bend that rebar cold? Just wondering cause I didn't see any scale. littleblacksmith