Zeroclick

So I went down to the scrap yard and traded in an old radiator from the house for the same weight in scrap. The spring is 20mm and the biggest piece is 35mm, so I am pretty happy and whilst I was there I also saw what might be the start of a treadle hammer build but didnt have my wallet so will have to go back on Monday and see if it is all still there.

Yes we got some at work they work really well for half the power usage and no warm up. But certainly in the UK work out to the same price as getting the thinner LED fittings.

I know I even said he can come and visit any time he likes

I keep offering to buy it off him to help him clear some space in his workshop but he is determined to keep hold of it

I didn't know that, but they aren't to much of a problem we get a few midgies but they tend to stay under the trees on the other side of the garden.

So it's not mine to keep but a friend has let me borrow this for the scout camp forging. It is a nice little anvil and really easy to lift about. I wondered if anyone might be able to hazard a guess on the make.

Well I already have a side blast in the forge that is about the same size. It it just not collapsible to reduce space for travel. I did consider a JABOD forge before I was given the tank.

Wow that really be a radical change, and I do really like the idea for a shop forge. But really I need them to take up as little space as possible and be to get these in the boot of my car along with everything for a sale and demo day.

I have seen that technique and will be giving it a go, really just wanted to push myself a bit. I was going to make a few pairs the hard way so I can get a better technique. But it got really hot it looked like I had been in a pool in my clothes.

Thank you, I have waited just over a year to give them a go building up to them and I'm glad I did but can already see how to improve the next pair hopefully I will start them tonight. I may now be addicted to making tongs.

So I made my first set of tongs yesterday after shying away from it a bit. I started with 16mm square and set them to hold 8mm round, I want to do a bit more tidying up on the handles after looking at the pic. But they are good and solid and hold the stock really well.

So I got this old water tank a couple of days ago with the intention of making two light weight potable bottom blast forges. The tank is about 24" across and has holes already at the top and bottom. At the bottom the hole and legs are just the right size to fit the black iron pip I had from my original forge. I will be burning coke with it to keep smoke to a minimum, I was just hoping to get some advice on a couple of points. how deep would you cut the forge I only intend on using them for smaller pieces I was thinking somewhere between 6 to 8 inches. I was thinking of lining it with clay rather than sand so that when transporting it can't shift around. I have seen a lot of references to digging into the ground to get the clay but that isn't an option for me so what kind of clay would be best to buy. ie fire clay or just regular air drying clay. Thanks, Luke

That is true I think you would need a bigger shop than mine as it would eat up alot of space.

This water tank followed me home today when I went to visit my mentor he had askes his landlord if I could have it Think it might be a bit big for a gas forge . I think I will turn it into two light weight portable forges. It almost seems like it is meant to be the hole on the bottom and the legs are all just the right size to fit the pipe that I have already from my old bottom blast.

That seems nice and simple I will go with that. Hopefully I can get a test one put together in the next couple of weeks. I have some wood ready for the Jabod, just need the bricks and cat litter.

Hi, I just want to check when you say about the cheap cat litter is it bentonite clay or calcium silicate. I only are because I was looking at what is for sale in the UK and it is all made up of the calcium silicate. Would this have any effect or should it still be ok to use.

Do you mean something like this so that as I reduce the air it can redirect it out to prevent that whine.

My idea was to put together a JABOD for me to use and as an example for the kids. The camp I will be doing this will actually be made up of all three units so ranging from the beavers to the scouts so the age range is 5 to 14. I like the idea of getting the older ones build forges. But that might be a seperate meeting when i can dedicate the time or build it up over a few weeks. I was hoping with camp just to spark their interest in the craft. I may end up using a bit of both, and swapping the blowers to best suit the age group that i have on. The advantage is i can rotate them so one pumps the air whilst the other works on their piece and swap over it would keep them out of mischief. That would work towards 4 of the current badges unless they change them again. I do really like this idea for the older ones. The hand pump does like a good option for what I have planned. With the blower i was going to use a 3/4 ball valve like on your original JABOD.

That is true they are an endless source of free energy I do like the idea of using the manual pumps to save on power issues, and I am leaning towards the charcoal just to further ease the learning curve for the kids. I did consider the path of making some bellows but I dont think they will have time with all the other activities they will have to do.

Hi All, So may be doing a bit of hands on experience with our scout unit, at the summer camp we have. The site is in the middle of nowhere so no access to mains electricity and no cars on the site. I was thinking of taking two forges with me, from what I can see I have the option of getting a hand powered blower similar to the ones being used on the JABODs or I could go with a 12v mattress inflator and then wire up a battery pack to run both. or could I use a rechargeable battery version of this? I am tempted to not go with the hand blower option just because I want to be able to focus on what the kids are doing. Rather than having to keep the fires going. I am thinking of using soft coal or even charcoal as the fuel. I will be running them for the majority of the day as the kids will be broken into groups and rotating constantly through the day. Any advice would be great thanks. Luke

Cool thank you it looks really good.

The lamp is just beautiful, what size material did you use. Also how did you do the texturing. I got some more work done on my first commission. The stamping is all done and they are mounted, overall I am pretty happy with it just got some finishing work to do tomorrow and then the client is connecting them on Monday.

I got my new flypress into the workshop and on to its new stand. It is a sweeney and blocksidge number 3, and it really was a lot heavier than I thought it would be.

So my wife got the basket all planted up today and it didn't just fall apart so I'm taking it as a success I also swapped the screws I was happy with the silver counter screws I put in so swapped for black flat heads. Suits it a lot better.

Thank you