Tommie Hockett

Sorry bud I have no knowledge to share but that is a beautiful tool!

Yes sir I understand it perfectly. Thamk you

Awesome!

Thanks for the info Charles. O like the look of the one with the multiple tuyere's around the circumference of the bowl..... but i am jumping way ahead of my self I still have to build the one that you and I were discussing. Chellie saw the air mattress pumps that you directed me towards at our Walmart. I am hoping to get around to building it soon. I have been busier than a one legged man in a you know what contest haha. Have a blessed one fellas and thanks again for the post Charles!

Also please let me know if you write an article for a magazine!

I haven't been able to get brain tanning down yet. I may have to get with you for some pointers one day. In lieu of neats foot oil you could go with saddle soap as slag suggested. Or call up tandy and see if they have any leather softener that isn't flammable 

Wow you learn something new every day! Cool info

I tan my own hides. However I am no expert so take what I say with a grain of salt. I have never tanned a cow hide but from what I have read it produces three different thicknesses of leather, the thickest being on its back. If you could get ahold some of that it should work. And you are correct if it was softened using neatsfoot oil it would make it water repellent as long as the tanning process was done correctly and the skin was properly pickled. Or if you could get ahold of a bark tanned pig skin that would be excellent. However that would run into some money. Just my 2 pennies worth.

Thank you iron dragon I appreciate the advice 

The wife and I got our new anvil stand complete. We raised it about 2 inches. It is much better now. I also built a vise stand for our little bench vise. And the wife is working on sculpting the bicks on our rr anvil.

Yep as j newman says pee on it. Its nasty but it will get it done.

@DJT, I really appreciate that! And I drooled over the 396lb mousehole for a minute but not for 2 grand.... but there are very few things in this world that I will shell out that kind of money for haha.

@littleblacksmith, thanks for the review on the store. I may have to go check them out in the near future.

@ThomasPowers, Thank you for the review on the anvil. As for the tpaat method, I figure that I am probably just being impatient so far I mention anvils to most everyone I talk to. I even mentioned it to the owner of a little hippie dippie coffee shop that I stopped in the other day lol. I had one hit but as soon as I mentioned an anvil I litterally sae his eyes flash dollar signs. So I passed on that one. 

So in conclusion I reckon I will excercise a rarely used muscle.of mine call patience hahaha. Thanks guys!

What do you guys think of vulcan anvils. It is posted on craigslist in Paris Texas. Alas can't post pics yet. (Glenn is working on it) so it weighs 100 lbs and the top looks good, it has some chipping on the edges. So assuming that the ring and rebound tests are good do yall think that it is worth $275? 

Also if this doesn't pan out what is everyone's opinion on just getting a new anvil of a good reputation?

I found a store called Texas ferriers supply in kennedale Tx they have new ferrier anvils they are $275 for 65lb'ers. Has anyone ever had any dealings with this store?

We have a good vertical rr iron anvil. We were just cruising through craigslist and decided to share our thoughts here. Maybe get some advice.

Im purty close but I reside in the great state of Texas! But right across the border in the texoma area.

Welcome aboard sir and thank you for your service!!! As mentioned above try a jabod or a tim lively washtub forge. Aldo if you have 27 extra bucks go to amazon and get tim lively's movie or instructional video... whatever it is termed as lol. I think it is called bladesmithing unplugged. It is very interesting this man shows you how to use a hole in the ground for a forge and a block of steel for an anvil. Anyway have fun and thank you again!

Howdy guys and ladies long time no talk. No forge time as of yet but I did get around to re lining my forge and cut some bois d'arc blanks for hammer handles, also working on a new anvil stand. I need one just a bit taller and it has to have a back end big enough to mount my rail plate for the "hardy holes". I am hoping to finish my nail header and forge a few nails this week.

P.S. does anyone have any idea why I can't post pictures anymore? It gives me a big black triangle with an exclamation point in the middle..... I took a screen shot of it........ but I cant post pictures lmbo 

That is sweet! Ive seen some of thise on prepper sites they go for no less than $200 from what I saw and that is for mass produces poc.

Awesome tomahawks!!! I really like the 2nd one. Does the hile in the middle open a fire hydrant?

3 hours ago, Tubalcain2 said:

Mom want's a dog, dad does not want a dog,  so they'll compromise.... and get a dog. that's how things roll 'round here, anyway. 

Not around my place! I wear the pants in the family.... and she told me I had permission to say that too

@Jasent I'm glad things went better today. Makes things a lot more enjoyable. I cant wait to see the tongs when they are completed!

I have the same exact harbor freight machine.... i agree it works decent for wood but real.... make that extremely slow going on metal. Don't get me wrong I love harbor freight it is great when you're on a budget and they have some good stuff but just remember the old addage you get what you pay for. I don't know how to post a link but maybe someone here can help there is a thread called NWG no weld grinder. I plan to build one also, check it out it may give you some ideas. I understand about the time crunch I'm working 80+ hours a week... but if you really want it you will find some time. Have your wife come out there with you while you work then you can spend some time with her and maybe she will get bit by the bug also!

16 minutes ago, stejens said:

 I manged to melt the small pieces on the stove in a steel milk pan, with my t-shirt over my nose and mouth to not breathe anything in, probably not the safest option so I will definitely seek some safety information.

Go and buy a hot plate and do it ouside. Still not the safest option, but it is way better than doing it in the house. They cost abput $10 American here at Walmart... if yall have those in th UK

Wow so not to sound ignorant but this explains what yall are all talking about quad state. I had no idea but didnt want to ask lol. I will save up and the wife and I will join yall next year. I would like to meet yall!

32 minutes ago, ThomasPowers said:

Long Pig Smoker?

Donner once told me that long pig was quite tasty when smoked..

13 minutes ago, Charles R. Stevens said:

Tommie and Brian,  I will be happy to answer questions about side blasts. I even have a chart some where related to tuyere size and fire deapt for coal forges, and recommended stock ranges. 

Thanks Charles. I will most definetly take you up on that offer... After some sleep if I hurry I can get 2.5 hours before the next job rolls around lol

I really dont know what to tell you there buddy... I cant really tell that it does. But I am a noob also... 

My forge is about that big and I burn charcial in it. However my wife and I forge out of opposite ends. Also I have decided to build a couple of side blasts for us or to try actual coal. The ashes keep clogging up my tuyere If i forge for longer than an hour.... Not sure if that is helpful or not... just my experience so far. I have nothing to add on heat treating.

44 minutes ago, JHCC said:

The lead I'm saving for the treadle hammer head is the little bits of foil from inside dental x-ray film packets. I've got three dentists' office saving them up for me. 

Thats purty awesome I would have never thoight about lead from a dentist office. Sorry for taking over your thread.

Irondragon I am about to send you a PM