fireater

2 hours ago, SReynolds said:

 

14 minutes ago, ThomasPowers said:

There used to be an effective treatment for such idiocy---cf  The Darwin Award; unfortunately schools are very down on allowing students to self implement it these days.

When I get a student who doesn't want to do the basic foundation work; well they cease being a student of mine. (Much along the thread about customers you want your *competitor(s)* to have).

Perhaps if secondary education was more geared towards apprenticeship like settings where students who knew what their plans for after high school were would be able to experience the work environment of the careers they choose before wasting time and money on degree they won't use.

It reminds me of the edge of a quarter like the ones made after '64  that are pressed metal instead of silver.

14 minutes ago, SReynolds said:

I simply don't get it either, but from reading many threads/posts on the popular Facebook Blacksmith Community forums, folks have no intention to learn basic skills such hammer control as nails, scrolling hooks, candle holders and simple welding techniques. They jump right into swords and say old school is bunk, but don't quite employ the term "Bunk" if you catch my point.

I think the popular TV shows have forged (pun intended) a new era of wanna be smiths who are a flash in the pan.Not something new, mind you.....my guitar instructor has seen plenty of kids arrive demanding to learn an ACDC or Metalica etc.song and skip basic format.

I think the big problem is instant gratification. My generation is hooked on it. Its not just blacksmithing its everything. My high school shop class first day kids that have never touched a tape measure before let alone a hammer or a saw want to build some piece of  fine furniture or the other before they ever learn the basics

What if I modify a jack stand for use as a base for my vice?

On 10/19/2016 at 9:28 PM, JHCC said:

No, but a nail header is a fairly easy project. Do a site search on "nail header" for ideas and instructions. You'll start by making a thin square punch if you don't have one already, so that will put another tool in your rack. (You may have noticed this already, but a blacksmith is a person who makes the tool to make the tool to...wait, what was I making?)

Perfect! I'll need a square punch as it is. I was thinking of possibly using nails that I make to hang hooks on a coat rack or something. Kind of a way to bring my woodworking and blacksmithing hobbies together. And it just so happens that your tip JHCC led right to a set of nicely detailed instructions on IFI.

3 hours ago, SReynolds said:

From whst I gather on the INternet

Most folks begin their smithing exploits by forging swords and knives. And the argument IS that basic skills are bunk a waste IF time and needless.

Thanks for choosing common sense.

Sorry for the format. My ohone will not operate correctly on this forum. It hates IT. Thus misspelled wirds.

In my humble newbie opinion bladesmithing is an art. The idea that one could pick up a hammer and pound out a sword with no previous  knowledge of how metal moves under the hammer, or the craftsmanship required to make a simple hook is hilarious. you don't build a house without know how to drive a nail, why would you attempt to forge a sword without knowing how draw out stock 

Correction "Blacksmithing" is an art and a perquisite to bladesmithing.

9 minutes ago, JHCC said:

No, but a nail header is a fairly easy project. Do a site search on "nail header" for ideas and instructions. You'll start by making a thin square punch if you don't have one already, so that will put another tool in your rack. (You may have noticed this already, but a blacksmith is a person who makes the tool to make the tool to...wait, what was I making?)

Perfect! I'll need a square punch as it is. I was thinking of possibly using nails that I make to hang hooks on a coat rack or something. Kind of a way to bring my woodworking and blacksmithing hobbies together. And it just so happens that your tip JHCC led right to a set of nicely detailed instructions on IFI.

1 minute ago, Frosty said:

Yes, it's a decoration NOT an anvil. The face and horn are for wire size work say straightening nails, NOT forging nails. I think vises got these decorations stuck on them to appeal to folk who want a tool that does everything. None do.

Frosty The Lucky.

Understood, Good thing I'm really interested in the "vise" part of the vice. Finding this one saved me a pretty penny somewhere down the road.

Just now, JHCC said:

No, but a nail header is a fairly easy project. Do a site search on "nail header" for ideas and instructions. You'll start by making a thin square punch if you don't have one already, so that will put another tool in your rack. (You may have noticed this already, but a blacksmith is a person who makes the tool to make the tool to...wait, what was I making?)

Perfect! I'll need a square punch as it is. I was thinking of possibly using nails that I make to hang hooks on a coat rack or something. Kind of a way to bring my woodworking and blacksmithing hobbies together.

If you post pictures and give some more information we can help you a lot more. I'm pretty new around these parts of the internet as I see you are. So welcome aboard and remember details are prior research are key! The old guys on here know a whole lot and they're usually willing to help. But they don't get grumpy if you research before you ask, and provide plenty of details.

12 minutes ago, JHCC said:

Nails are another good warmup and make great giveaways.

I watched a smith make several of them this past weekend, can they be made easily without a nail header?

I have a 150# anvil,

12 minutes ago, JHCC said:

It's no use for serious forging, so don't even try. 

Great find!

but could it be used for say small copper pieces?

Thanks for the idea. I gotta say you guys here have been a wonderful help and I hope to have some finished work up soon for you guys to see.

The swivel and the jaws both move amazingly well considering it has been laying unused for who knows how long. If this keeps up it'll feel like

10 minutes ago, Frosty said:

Nice, how's it move? Don't beat on it like it was a leg vise bench vises aren't intended to take a beating. It must be like waking up Christmas morning every time you go look at your inheritance.

Frosty The Lucky.

for a long time!

Have you ever used a vise that has a horn on it like this one does? 

Absolutely! I am beginning my first project this weekend. I have picked some simple "J" hooks to start with as they require the use of some basic skills and will be good practice. plus I have enough stock to make dozens of them.

Yea I kinda cut the F off but that is what it says. What about the picture before it with the 4 vertical lines then the U shape and 1 vertical line?

Found this vise among the tools I recently inherited. Finding this beauty made me very happy 

That was my assumption but thought I'd ask to make sure. Any ideas on the other markings?

I had a little extra time today so I did as suggested and cleaned up my anvil and took some better pictures. Here you can see the cast date and the word fisher. Can't decide if the date is 1922 or 1822.... I think 1922. Any ideas on the 15 or the markings on the base in the 4th picture? 

1 hour ago, Latticino said:

From the photos the forge grate/clinker breaker looks to be in rough shape.  Hard to tell though as it is pretty out of focus.  This is a fairly critical element for effective coal forging, so you might want to look into correcting this. It also appears that you have the air connection made directly into the forge inlet, without an ash dump.  I urge you to take a look at some of the more accepted solid fuel forge designs to update this connection to one that will be easier to use and maintain.

Hammers look like a good starter selection, though you might want to get yourself a 2 or 2 1/2 lb. crosspeen at some point in time.  I find with a fairly blunt peen (around 1/2" radius), it is a hammer that is used a whole heck of a lot in my forging.  Depending on what stock you plan on using for knife forging you may need to draw out the width of the blade before setting bevels.  The blunt cross pen is great for that.

Sweet anvil...

Yes, the whole thing could stand a good cleaning, Thanks for the tip on the hammer, I'll look into adding an ash dump into the air connection.

OK so I did some more research into general tools of the trade, would I be correct in saying that this is not actually a hammer, but a punch?

Any ideas on the use of this hammer, or if its even a blacksmiths hammer? It was lumped in with a bunch of other tools I ended up with. No manufacturer's mark on it. If more pictures are needed I can post those later today. Just wondering if anyone has any ideas from the general shape of the head.

Thanks Daswulf, perhaps after my shop is in order I'll clean it up a little better.

So I have this anvil, and I can't figure out the brand. I know these aren't the best pictures as it was getting dark out. The closeup of what I'm guessing is a logo of some sort is the only marking that is cast in the anvil. No serial number, no company name, nothing. Has anyone seen any markings like this one before?

The first three pictures are my shop in all its current messy glory. The fourth picture is my anvil which is sitting in the barn for now. The fifth picture is the assortment of hammers I ended up with minus a few ball peens. And the last image is the object I sometimes use as an anvil, I have no idea what it came off of.

Duly noted.