Ernie42141

On 10/7/2009 at 9:31 PM, pkrankow said:

Yep, its that easy. When I need to next I am going to take a 5 gallon bucket and add 2-3 gallons of vinegar to it. Something to prevent aerosol vinegar from choking, such as a towel cover, is necessary. I would put the lid on top of the towel, but not lock it down the hydrogen gas needs an exit.

Vinegar also removes rust effectively, and that is likely my next use since I have a pile of small scrap sheet metal from barrel hoops I'm going to try cleaning and pile welding.

Phil

Phil. I use a lot of vinegar to remove rust and such. If you want speed it up ( or dissolve latex paint) grab a cheap crock pot on low temp. Greatly decreases time.  OOPS, forgot to mention do it outside. Can really get nasty.

Team met a great guy today. Sam Stoner local smith and pro knife maker. Wow. Learned so much. Saw this guy forge knives from scratch in MINUTES. so awsome. Words of knowledge.  Whole shop is powered by horses on a treadmill. 

Perlite can be found at just about any garden center store. It's with the soil treatment. We sell it at Lowes.

I found a great huge slab of steel at a local salvage yard. It's not an ASO but great for beginning.  300lb for 10 bucks

Good ideas. Hadn't thought of edge mountings 

Will put the fence on. Thanks for the tip. Do you one day air dry is long enough to wait before a small drying fire?

Thanks frosty. This is my beginner set up to get started. Had one already. Do you think cutting slots in both sides is better than holes for longer stock.  Oops on the spelling, phone uses the auto correct.

How would set up the box you suggested 

That'sounds why I'm asking suggestions for a hole vs. Slots on both sides. Any thoughts.

I like it. Very nice work. Just finished clawing mine. Any thoughts?  Still have to build the rolling cart for it.

I like the suggestion on a mouse hole. You guys think a small hole or slots on both sides. Thinking towards slots. Any experienced member'since advice is appreciated.

Thanks Thomas. I am taking your guys suggestions I do know this thing rings like crazy now hope it quiets down on the stump

Team. Attached are pics of my improvised anvil idea. Block is 14x30x2 1/2 inches. Wondering if I should mount it on my 12 I-beam with ano 8x17x3/4 plate.  Would it help bounce or just set it on a stump?

No harm no foul. Everything I have asked everyone has been super helpful. Found out about an old Amish smith close by that does training. Old skills are best when passed from the pros. Always glad to take the advise of the members who have all the experience.  Hope to pick your brain as well when I get up and running.

And your snide comments are SO helpful.  I'm learning here bud so throttle it down a little

And my forge will be lined with 1 inch plus steel plates I got free as part of an old truck scale. These things are massive and should stand up to any heat I can make with coal and charcol.  If I get good enough may get a gas one. Years from now

Did get it here and I will definitely lose the Portland 

Does everyone think it would be OK without cement to bind. I still have to fill some more?

This is semi brake drum forge, by the way.

Binder and insulation gapping read in a few posts 

Charged and crushed cinder actually

Dull the crap out of your shears. 

Wish me luck. Just started clawing my forge. Clay.sand.embers/ash.and cement.  1:1:1:1/2       I'll let you know how it works

Team. Does anyone member live near Bay City MI? I am moving there soon and would like a contact for questions or reference.

Dude. I think everyone would like to find a stash like that. Besides a gift for the widow give her your phone number and offer to help out if she needs it. That really means a lot.

And to Frosty. Yep I tend to over engineer everything. But thanks for the advise. My forge will be done this week and it's hammer time

I like it. Made a regular one myself. Looks good in front of the house.

If you have a grinding metal recycle yard make friends with the manager. They have lots of good grade stuff they can't grind. I got great deals on huge piece of steel for an anvil. They will usually sell anything they can't sfread. Usually really high grade steel cheap

My metal plate anvil has a big u shaped cut out that was where I was going to weld in the horn.

I want to thank everyone your posts are super helpful for a newbie 

I hope to be able to do knives, axes, and iron work to accompany my woodworking projects.don't every think I'll be doing giant pieces or production scale work.  Just a guy who likes to make things "anythings" that come into the old idea locker on my shoulders.