Lou L

Then you have successfully bragged. That is a sweet anvil that many here, though otherwise morally refined, would consider stealing from you. Congrats on the find....hope you are using it soon. Lou

Just saw a superb demonstration of the beauty of the JABOD by Torbjörn Åhman on YouTube. His channel is a pleasure to watch in general but this video is perfect for newcomers to see exactly what the JABOD is all about. He doesn’t, however, use a trench.... https://youtu.be/m-R6iY-mY-Y His videos are very family friendly and he practices safety and good smithing in all regards. He doesn’t speak so cursing isn’t even an option. Lou

I have to be honest...I’m very, very glad no one was video taping me during my first forging session. You are brave! Have a load of fun but, more importantly, be safe! Wear your personal protection. Use tongs that hold the stock well or, better yet, use long stock so you don’t need tongs. Go in with a plan..like maybe to make an s-hook or whatever pleases you. I went in with no plan and just mashed a piece of rebar. I still have it and I get to laugh at myself every time I see it in the shop. Wish I had an s-hook to look at instead.

Welcome aboard , Gub410. You will be hearing a lot of requests from members here so that we can help you, so I’m going to try to get some of it out of the way now: The first thing you need to do is read this. It is important! https://www.iforgeiron.com/topic/53873-read-this-first/ You can introduce yourself here... https://www.iforgeiron.com/forum/22-introduce-yourself/ For anvil ideas check out this thread: https://www.iforgeiron.com/topic/52308-a-collection-of-improvised-anvils/ Please read as much as you can about safety. Much of what you see on YouTube is not the best or safest practice. My pet issue is to advise people new to smithing to put more effort into getting good tongs that can hold the 1600 degree steel without it going flying. Anvils and fancy forges will come. You need to learn to find everything you need on this forum without help so I won’t provide you the link to ideas for a forge. Instead, I’ll give you the word you need to search for. Look up JABOD (just a box of dirt) for an easy to make forge that will do everything you need for a long time. Welcome aboard, Lou

I have checked every used tool/machinery place in CT and they all deal with industrial stuff: CNC, huge presses, mills, etc... I know this state is rife with old machinery because it was once loaded with manufacturers. I live minutes from the old Colt Firearms factory and a dozen other historic manufacturers who are either reenvisioned or closed. I can’t figure out where all the old equipment went. I have one more contact with an old machinist/metalworker who still runs his own shop. He is the older brother of a friend and promised an introduction. He is apparently a collector and “knows things”. I’m waiting for my promised trip to his shop that is, as I’ve been told, nearly impossible to navigate.

I seriously want to understand more about your forge. I failed to make my trip out to Morrell Metalsmiths this vacation week to get some bituminous coal so I won’t be able to experiment with this for a while. Still, I’m highly intrigued with the possibilities of having the best of both worlds.

Wow, Shack! How do you find stuff like this in CT? I’m trying to find places holding on to equipment like this and can’t, for the life of me, find a thing. I guess it’s all about knowing someone. If you have any possible contact send please PM me. I’m on the hunt for a small press.

Just because I love the challenge of searching the internet I tried but it seems they try to hide the dimensions of the cylinder assembly. I couldn’t find an alternative because I have nothing to compare. Since yours is missing you may be stuck paying the $185 for the new one from Grizzly. I found one discussion about this here : https://weldtalk.hobartwelders.com/forum/equipment-talk/metal-working-tools/28809-bandsaw-hydraulic-cylinder Apparently those cylinders tended to leak. I followed some 9f the advice in that short discussion and all the options were close in price. I don’t think that the slightly lower price is worth the chance it won’t work. Buy once, cry once. Lou

The water tank for a side blast/water cooled tuyere is basically just an open tank. It is not a closed system. I was concerned that antifreeze would evaporate out and did not bother adding it. I would love to make my next one out of stainless steel; however, I would likely fail in my attempts to weld that box up. I know nothing about welding stainless. I've been keeping my eyes open looking for a stainless bosh pre made and have considered ways to convert an old sink.

I bumped into this article while scouring the news. It was linked off of a story that was linked off of a recent story. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7013766.stm The story is of a tribe in Tanzania who are Blacksmiths by trade. They are deemed “untouchables” by other groups but are still indispensable. The first photo depicts a 20 year old blacksmith demonstrating how he learned to make flux. He chews charcoal and the saliva-charcoal mixture fluxes the work. Has anyone heard of this? Is anyone willing to try it? Interesting story either way. Lou

Will that paint be applicable on my tank that already has rust damage?

Just don't go too thin with the rounding hammer so you have no meat left to add texture. You are almost guaranteed to burn it..in a coal forge at least. This is a testament for going to blacksmith meet ups, classes, or finding a forging partner. I got so much out of JHCC's visit that one day and, to be honest, I think he did too. In showing me something he ending up refining his own understanding. Lou

John, I have no real experience with depression but I still offer my support. Feel free to give a call if you need and, of course, post updates here. It's my hope that working on projects (planning, learning, and smashing steel) is a suitable treatment. If that doesn't work I'm currently making pea soup and a number of people have told me that my pea soup is life changing. Lou

I was just thinking on this very problem and did some searching. I found that some of the rubber based sealants like Flex Seal are rated to temperatures of 350 degrees. My water cooling tank never even boils. I'm considering trying it out.

Welcome aboard, Scott. I have to tell you something, your question may be no joke...but they will likely be turned into puns on this forum!

I had to go a do more research. It’s fun to dig through history! Anyway, I changed my mind based on about two hours of reading. I’m running with Thomas Ibbotson. He made anvils among other things. I found a draw knife online with his marking and it is “THOS(?)IBBOTSON”. I wasn’t certain of the “S” but it fits with what you have nearly perfectly. I’ve never heard of that maker before now and I’m willing to bet he may not even be in Anvils in America. Cool. It is definitely rare. Just don’t assume that means it is priceless. Enjoy your anvil! I found that the little bit of history I got on my Isaac Hill made me love it just that little bit more. Lou

I’m guessing (and I mean seriously guessing) that it is a Sanderson made in Sheffield. It clearly says “Sheffield” on the lower portion, but the name above is tough. I think it ends with “son” and Sanderson was a family of anvil makers in Sheffield. The slightly larger “X” to the left of the lettering should be a clue but I need to go to bed no matter how much I enjoy doing the historical research.

That is stunning work. Thanks for sharing. Oh, how did you get the patina? Did you roll water right off the back end of them?

How about their mascot, Eddie, looming with a hammer in his hand instead of an axe. He can be surrounded by piles of scrap. I would buy a few of those! Now to go listen to some Maiden.....

On top of that, I would suggest to you that you use 1080 or better if you plan on making a patterned knife.

Welcome aboard Michael! Start making things and sharing pictures. Be prepared for the curmudgeons to bash you if you are unsafe or insist you know more than you do. Just think of it as having chosen five or ten new drill sergeants! I can’t say enough about the power of blacksmithing to keep a person centered and focused. My advice for you: Get good tongs! Seriously, avoid the frustration of terrible smithing, mis-hits, and dropped work. Tongs=sanity. Lou

Micheal Cochran, I only know,you from here as someone who is always the voice of reason. Your advice has always been thoughtful and supportive. You are someone on IFI I look forward to learning from. I can’t imagine that ain’t who you are in all aspects of your life. Don’t listen to the demons and don’t give them power. I know it is easy to say and a lot harder to do... The best advice I can give you is to let go of ego. Our inner desire to control the outcomes in our life is often our undoing. Allowing and embracing the reality that others in our lives and the universe itself have a say is healing. I am thankful for your post here. It means that you trust us...all of us...and that is not taken lightly. Much respect and love to you. Lou

Thanks for the input Latticino, it is an excellent point and I think my friend will not mind some artistic license practiced here. This is what happens when an artsy type dude designs a knife for his inexperienced friend to forge. But that’s exactly why I come here. I think I will like the straighter handle that sits on contrast to the curved blade. Plus, the grind on that design is much, much easier to accomplish. I think I can figure out how to forge that design with limited alterations to my current method. ThomasPowers, I assumed it would snap like a twig as soon as I try! I am thinking about using a piece of angle iron, some washers, and a bunch of small c clamps. I’m hoping to slowly tighten the clamps on occasion during the first temper cycle if it needs it. I imagine I’m going to learn what you know soon enough. Have to find out just how much it can take some way! There is no substitute for misery when you want some good learnin’....

Excellent news! Thanks for the heads up, Glen.

Thanks. I’ll go for the slow method on both counts. I’ve seen and read about people clamping the knife between two pieces of steel during the temper in order to straighten it. I think I’ll build one of those rigs ahead of time just in case.