Irondragon Forge ClayWorks

To be honest, I don't know. I buy spring stock from several gun parts suppliers and go by thickness. I harden them in oil and temper with molten lead in my bullet casting pot set at 700 degrees F.

That's about one of the best fire pots I have used.

If it runs too slow thin it with a little WD40.

You really shouldn't need a machinist to make one. It's a pretty simple affair. Mine is 12in (30.48cm) long made from flat stock that fits in the slot of the hub 3/16in (0.476cm) thick and 3/4in 1.90cm)wide with a hole drilled for the handle on one end.

Welcome to IFI Keith66... have you read this yet. READ THIS FIRST I'll measure the crank arm on mine for you in a few.

That's how most of us made it to geezer hood.

Welcome JD60... I always suggest reading this to get the best out of the forum. READ THIS FIRST The coal we get for the BOA is on par with the coal that Kane & sons sells and a lot cheaper (especially if you can pick it up).

Here's an idea, using the same for handles, try for snake hooks. I've made some for friends and they loved them. They use them to relocate critters from areas where they aren't welcome, but don't want to kill em.

You could always make one. I have made many springs for muzzleloaders and it's fairly easy.

You have to tie your shoes? I thought that's why they invented Velcro.

He could always hijack a thread once in a while, as you know happens all the time. For that matter there are many sections that don't deal with smithing and we would be happy to just jibber-jabber with him.

He did an outstanding job on it. If you would please tell him we miss his presence on the forum.

Did your other thread about this not help? Things online can be wrong or downright dangerous.

Ok I'll be first... This is my first stand been in use 30 + years. This is my second one. A RR tie sunk several feet into the ground with concrete to hold it. My latest one to take with us to meetings & such with the Cavalry pack forge & 55 lb anvil.. A flywheel base and rectangle tubing. Pictures taken for the Show me your vise thread in 2017.

My wife uses a 800 g (1.76 pound) French cross peen as her favorite hammer. It's a little light for me as I'm used to a 2.5 pound (1134 g) cross peen. It always amazes me she can move hot metal just as fast as I.

Welcome to IFI... have you read this yet? READ THIS FIRST Knowing where in the world you are located would help, hence the suggestion to edit your profile to show it.

The four forges at ESSA are three burner monsters. They were designed by a local smith so students could work out of both ends without crowding with each others stock. They are gas hogs to say the least but ESSA has a 1000 gallon propane tank to feed them so life is good.

Furnace cement is used for sticking firebricks together not a good substance in a forge.

That's a great looking stand and the projects look good too. Just don't let the new anvil take all the credit for the work. You might give it a swelled head.

Don't know about that but it does bring earthworms to the surface to go fishing with.

I had one like that (rubber handle), I wrapped it with tape used for tennis racket's which solved the problem of the grip irritating my hand.

Welcome to IFI, have you read this yet? READ THIS FIRST Your Colombian looks like a good one. Have you read about not doing any grinding, milling or welding on the hardened face?

Nope, I'm not a very good teacher and haven't the patience.

The "best way" would depend upon where in the world you are located due to regulations. Another factor would be what resources are at your disposal like do you have access to a large tank for electrolysis or soaking it in 10% white vinegar? Do you have the proper PPE to use a wire brush on an angle grinder? Do you have access to a sand blaster? Do you want to spend money on commercial products (Naval Jelly or Evap-O-Rust etc. So many variables. Myself I would go with what arkie & Chris said, cupped wire wheel & angle grinder, after cleaning wipe it down with BLO.

I will guess that you are going to use them in a side blast forge...yes.