bigb

I've been selling some steel and a couple post vises, I didn't really intend on selling any of my anvils but a guy is real interested in my small Swedish anvil. I've had it about 20 years and I don't remember how much I paid. Rebound is 90%. Any ideas as to a price that is fair? It's in Tucson, AZ.

Dave, how do you split the 1/8" stock? Dremel?

I'm planning to make a fullering tool and I am thinking of making the hardie like this so I can drive a wedge to firm it up. I understand some hardie tools you want to be able to install and remove quickly but that would not be the case with a fullering tool. What do you think? (Idea and picture credit to Black Bear Forge)

Yes I know all about you guys and your chilis My cousin in Los Lunas raises them and word has it he is pretty stingy with them. Every time I go thru Hatch I load up. Thanks!

I have welders and angle grinders, and literally tons of steel. Is there a good write up on how to make a swing arm fuller? Thanks for the chimney tip, hadn't thought about that. My first chili I made in a trough after I had shaped it, I put it in and angle iron trough and used a hand chisel to crease it, only 2 creases but I was real happy with how it came out. I now have a large bucket tooth that I use to open the crosses, I welded it to a solid plate so it points up. It's about 5" across, comes to a wedge point and is very hard.

Thomas, I do not have a fuller. My first chili took forever but it came out great. I am a little better equipped now and yes I did learn to leave the pipe long. Someone told me to make it square first then put the creases in it and round it out.

Sounds like a good idea, I need some new ideas.

I like the 1/2" size but I made several sizes so folks can choose, 3/8", 1/2", 5/8" and 3/4". The 3/8" can give me more trouble if not careful as they distort so easily if they're not hot enough. I'm also going to make some 3/8" copper ones.

Updating to report I was able to finish making 74 crosses for our New Mexico reunion. The reunion got postponed to Labor Day so I took advantage of the extra time and worked on other projects first. I ended up using the cross peen hammer only while the steel was still orange hot and only had to dress it twice for the whole production. All cleaned up and protected with museum wax. Next on to some Mesquite cutting boards and maybe some fiddlehead ferns. May try some chili peppers too, but they do take me forever.

That was a good read, thanks. I'm going to try a couple of options and will post the results.

I've had good success with a brass brush adding some color to my work, has anyone used a copper brush and how did it work out?

Thanks everyone, I am doing the texturing hot but maybe stretched the working time out too long and it cooled. Good idea on making a texture hammer Frazer, I certainly have plenty of hammers to spare, Farmall that's a great idea

I am making some textured crosses with this old Bell System Stanley hammer I picked up somewhere, it was already sharp like a chisel and works great for the texture I want but it starts to deform quickly after just one cross. Should I be cooling it in the quench bucket as I am using it? Or just keep dressing it? I have several cross pein hammers I could sharpen in case it's a matter of the Stanley being too soft, one of them is a new Peddinghaus but not sure I want to be grinding on that one. Or if it's just the way it's going to be I'll keep dressing the Stanley, it's not a big deal I have a grinder right in the work space. Pics below of the Stanley, a finished cross (brushed with brass brush and waxed) and the Peddinghaus Thanks in advance

We had a Beetle in the desert and no problems with heat till the GF moved to Vermont and brought the Beetle. I remember after one drive down the cold highway spending several hours plugging every drafty hole I could find.

Thanks for the info, I didn't know (or forgot) that Mr. Mankel made forges. I have one of his anvils and real happy with it. Frosty no I did not speak to "Flaco", just Googled. Without an area code it could be anywhere although a Western state would be more likely. I Googled it again but this time I put "Horseshoeing" in front of the phone number and came up with more info, he is from San Jose, CA and George is spot on with the date: (Click on the pic for more info)