Irondragon Forge ClayWorks

Probably a good move, it should last for decades.

Ringing the anvil in the garden, may he rest in peace, ya done good Frank.

In the last picture, it looks like the screw is riveted to the handle. Might be good to be able to fold it up for storage. Either way it's a good looking cork screw.

I have case hardened gun parts using Kasenit which has been replaced by Cherry Red hardening compound. It works very well on flintlock frizzen's.

I volunteered to turn it into a SETI Project dish, but they weren't interested, so it sits in the side yard upside down as a home for the critters like chipmunks.

Every once in a while, we all get dinged by a moderator, just don't take it personal and move on.

Just remember, "if can be fixed, it's not a mistake".

Welcome aboard, I agree with the prior posts, so no sense in repeating. I have found hitting hot steel into something else, even as simple as a bottle opener or s hook is very stress relieving and a good way to warm up before starting something like a knife blank. "if a knife you hope to win, forge it thick and grind it thin".

A belated welcome aboard. We have many veterans on the site (myself included) USCG '64-'70 Vietnam era. We also have a lot of folks in your situation, due to many things but TBI is one along with PTSD. We have found hammering on red hot steel is very therapeutic. Get it hot and hit it hard is a motto. I still learn things after 30+ years (on & off) at the anvil and am far from where some are even after a short time at the craft but I try not to let it bother me.

Yep, only in my case it was a bigger taller tractor with a front end loader. Gotta love hydraulic assist and a supportive wife, who always has some very heavy stuff to move around outside. I used it the other day to move a large steel mounting bracket for the old ten foot satellite dish that was so heavy both of us couldn't begin to pick up one side. Moved it from one side of the house over to the shop about 200 yards, so I can cut it apart with the plasma cutter.

I would start by soaking it in a vinegar bath overnight.

I've even found pieces of barbed wire in my charcoal.

You're welcome, somewhere in the back of my mind, I had seen that post in the garage journal. Nice to know I'm not totally senile. prior to that I had never heard of J. Hyde & sons a rather obscure manufacturer I think.

Looks like a J. Hyde, New London Vise Works to me (Joseph Hyde & sons). Looks like it is in good shape and a bargain at $100 U.S. for a 5 1/2 in vise, as long as the screw & screw box is good. This from the Garage Journal.

I have found some hard to get books through the ILL (inter library loan) system, you might ask them about that.

I like both the Bowie and Toothpick, especially with coffin handles.

My brother was like that, may he rest in peace.

Very good article, thanks.

Bubble Alumina is made by Zircar Ceramics and others. Commercial link removed.

Welcome aboard... I hope you have read about not doing any grinding, milling or welding on that fine anvils hardened face. I think the serial number on the right is 210508 and Taylor substituted his T for the 1. If so someone with a copy of AIA may be able to verify that and date it. I think the Trexton logo was used on the later Trenton's.

I agree with John B about the 90° bend, easy to turn them down cold. On that style a nice penny scroll would look very nice.

That along with availability at least here in the U.S. although we went with bubble alumina.

MRE= three lies in one... Meals Ready to Eat. Das I like the heart & inscription. Pick up some Tea candles they can set behind the heart when they want to.

I use Forney brass rods, they come in several sizes.