Woody

my prayers are with you all Woody

While everybody seems to be concerned about UV rays damaging the eyes remember that the primary radiation given off by forge fires and hot metal is infrared rays. Welding goggles for A/O welding provide the protection that you need, but many types of eye protection that protect the eyes from UV do not also provide IR protection. When in doubt seek the advice of a qualified professional like an opthomologist. What that will cost you is much cheaper than all the accessories you will need for your new white cane and dog. Woody

Several years ago I came across a product called Macote which was a powder that you mixed with water and sprayed on Kowool as a hardener and protective agent. It was as good as ITC 100 and it was about $7 per lb and 1 lb would do the inside of the average gas forge. I tried to get some more of this stuff today and found that it is no longer available. While ITC 100 is a great product and does a teriffic job, it is a bit pricey at $36 and change for a pint. Does anybody know of any other product that is comparable to ITC 100 but lower in cost? Thanks Woody

Bob my prayers are with you for a complete and speedy recovery. Woody

Ken: Thanks

Is that my friend Roy Hepner standing in the back row on the right, blue shirt and black vest. Can't tell from the picture but it sure looks like him. Hi Roy Woody

Ezra, I have no idea since I have not seen the picture, may be some sort of guilders paste finish. Woody

Very nice, exceptional work it's beautiful.. Woody

Jim there is a product called Spagsorb, it is polomarized peat moss, very light in weight, picks up oil like a sponge, it is hydrocarbon selective, that is it will pick up petroleum products but not water. Works much faster and better than kitty litter and much lighter if you have to pay for disposal, they charge by the pound. Woody

Ed, you are in my thoughts and prayers, get well soon my friend. Woody

Take the bar to the belt sander, grind away everything that don't look like a knife. Heat to non magnetic, quench in oil, temper, polish, put hardware and handle on it, sharpen, make sheath. Woody

AM I got my retractable extension cord at Sears. You might also try HF, or Grizzly Industires. Woody

I have a Craftsman retractable reel 25 foot extension cord suspended from the rafters near the center of my garage. This allows me to reach a anywhere I need in the garage. The other extension cords in the garage are usually draped over what I am working on or wrapped around my ankles. Woody

Clark: The blue thing in the foreground is definately a pen. Woody

Very Nice Rich. You do exceptional work. Woody

My recommendation would be to bite the bullet and buy commercially manufactured insulation. Neoprene will definately burn and will give off very toxic fumes when it does. The object of insulation is not only to keep the heat and/or cold where you want it, it is also helps to prevent the rapid spread of fire. That is not saying that all insulation is fire proof, but all the commercial stuff has been treated to be at least somewhat flame retardant. Think of all the valuable tools you will have in your shop and decide if you would want them protected by insulation that resists the rapid spread of fire or one that accelerates it. Remember that the cheapest thing we can get is often the most expensive thing we can own. Woody

Mart: I would recommend you make everything portalbe/movable when you first set it up. After you work with it a while you will find things you want to change. Once you have come up with the best arrangement for "you" then you can anchor everything solidly. An arrangement that is ideal for one person can be another's nightmare. Remember the only correct layout is what works best for you. Woody

Not all filter masks are created equal. There are different filters for different toxic substances. In addition they have ratings as to how much they will filter. Best thing to do is go to your local safety supply house and check with them. NOTE that I said Safety Supply House, not the local hardware store that sells rubber gloves, goggles and a couple respirators. Check with the safety professionals. They have charts and tables that identify the proper filter for the hazard. Then you must be fit tested for the respirator, one size does not fit all. The little paper filters with the rubber bands that go around your head are useless, unless they have a NIOSH Approval printed on them. Once the protective packaging on respirator filters has been opened, the filters begin to absorb moisture form the air and degrade so they need to be changed periodically. The life of the filters can be extended if the respirator is stored in a tightly sealed plastic bag when not in use. Woody

Perhaps this swage block is part of a GPS Treasure hunt game. Woody

Sam: I would highly recommend that you anneal any file before hammering on them. Some have a tendency to shatter if not annealed first. Nothing like a workshop full of red hot shrapnel to get your attention. Woody

Smitty: I have never purchased a knife kit from Texas Knifemaker's Supply but I have purchased other knife components from them and I have found them to be a very reputable company. I have no doubt that they make a fine quality blade as well. Their prices while not the lowest are reasonable and they ship promptly. Woody

First there was the Loch Ness Monster, then the Roswell, NM incident, and now the levetating NH Swage Block. I tell ya guys it's getting spooky out there. Woody

The holes are handling holes, where they used special equipment to hold the anvil during construction. Woody