MilwaukeeJon
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One added bit of info. I did a 2nd tempering cycle, during which time I used a steel bar, two spacers and a C clamp to remove a small warp. In a rush to get back out to the shop I rapidly squirted the whole thing with cold water from the kitchen sink. My thought, perhaps mistaken, was that folks rapidly cool objects on which they are letting the colors run. Bad idea for me to quench right out of the 410 degree oven?
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What else would be helpful to know? Normalized three times before quench (10-15 minutes, heated to orange color...can say that my gas forge seemed a tad hotter than normal). Also, I did not overheat blade during grinding/polishing.
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Forged a larger kitchen knife from 1084 this weekend and thought all was well but after sharpening and honing it is clear the blade lacks integrity. Specifically, the edge crumbles pretty badly when chopping a 1/4" thick piece of white oak (using a hewing stroke as with an axe). Also, when I polish the blade with green compound on the buffing wheel (soft) the edge shows evidence of hair like pieces coming off. Not good! Looking back, it seemed as if the whole making process went well. however I did do a second heat treat because the quenched blade initially had a nasty warp (the straightening process involved reheating the blade to orange, bending/lightly hammering out the warp, reheating to critical and quenching again in 140m degree canola oil). It may be worth noting that the after the first quench the blade looked better, more like my other more successful blades (right color, large black flakes that came off during the quench). The second heat treat did not do the same. Any assistance on where you think this went wrong would be appreciated. No big deal messing up this knife and maybe I can use it for light duty work in the kitchen. But certainly am interested in not repeated whatever mistake I made. Thanks in advance for your advice.
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Treadle hammer mechanics?
MilwaukeeJon replied to Blister Fingers's topic in Power Hammers, Treadle Hammers, Olivers
I’ve seen that...beautiful old machine. -
Treadle hammer mechanics?
MilwaukeeJon replied to Blister Fingers's topic in Power Hammers, Treadle Hammers, Olivers
Thanks Glenn. Neat to see that old beauty in action. -
Treadle hammer value?
MilwaukeeJon replied to Jason Fry's topic in Power Hammers, Treadle Hammers, Olivers
Jason that is a neat machine. Sent you a PM. -
Treadle hammer mechanics?
MilwaukeeJon replied to Blister Fingers's topic in Power Hammers, Treadle Hammers, Olivers
Thanks. I did not know that. -
Treadle hammer mechanics?
MilwaukeeJon replied to Blister Fingers's topic in Power Hammers, Treadle Hammers, Olivers
Great idea. I need to keep messing around with drawings. The wall mounted spring could cause some bodily harm if the hook end let go and flew back at me! In theory, and again this is just playing around with the mechanical concept and not necessarily logical or practical at all, would a kind of “see-saw” logic work for a hammer of this sort....with a nearly central balance or pivot point and a rear spring between the extended (think twice the normal length) sledge handle and the floor? This of course makes use of the basic fulcrum idea, and would include a sledge on the end of the “effort arm” and a spring under the “resistance arm”: And would one gain more power by sliding the sledge handle into a longer metal pipe (or “arm”) to gain more leverage? This could lead to the creation of a totally ridiculous looking 10’ or 15’ long see-saw hammer! By the way, some lids on historical American and European desks (1790-1840 or so) use internal L shaped interior brackets with heavy balls on one end that act almost like a hidden sash weight, helping the lid open and close more gracefully. -
Treadle hammer mechanics?
MilwaukeeJon replied to Blister Fingers's topic in Power Hammers, Treadle Hammers, Olivers
Thanks much Frosty. Regarding studs, I do know what they are. I was talking specifically about adding an external reinforcing stud on the outside of the wall (in drawing) but probably not needed. Will play around with this design a bit and I appreciate your helpful input. As for the hinge for the handle an old-style blanket chest hinge with equal 8-10” long plates would possibly work nicely. And I think I can handle the screw hole dimensioning and not get too confused.......have been building furniture with traditional hand tools for a long time now. Just very new to smithing as well as any sort of metal fabricating and machine making. -
Treadle hammer mechanics?
MilwaukeeJon replied to Blister Fingers's topic in Power Hammers, Treadle Hammers, Olivers
Fantastic! I’m a bit confused by the wall/gate hinge mechanism. Is the wall stud vertical? If so is the spring attached high on this stud and then also partway up the handle to keep it elevated? Thanks in advance. -
Treadle hammer mechanics?
MilwaukeeJon replied to Blister Fingers's topic in Power Hammers, Treadle Hammers, Olivers
I will, prior to building, try out the power of dropping this 20lb sledge from 12"-15" (with no added force) on some hot steel this weekend. Photographs to come.... -
Treadle hammer mechanics?
MilwaukeeJon replied to Blister Fingers's topic in Power Hammers, Treadle Hammers, Olivers
JHCC, that certainly is true....but I'm still curious. Sure as heck wouldn't want to drop that big sledge on my toe from 12" up so it might do something to some really hot steel. My work is just for fun and is pretty small scale (small headed hammers, knives, etc). Maybe this gizmo will do something useful. If not, I'll definitely report back on the nature of the failure, which as with my many past failures will teach this newcomer some valuable lessons. All good! -
Treadle hammer mechanics?
MilwaukeeJon replied to Blister Fingers's topic in Power Hammers, Treadle Hammers, Olivers
No fabrication skills. Was thinking of a wound wire cord (1/8” I think) for the “rope”. I’m lifting and dropping the weight with the foot lever so does the wire chord suffice? -
Treadle hammer mechanics?
MilwaukeeJon replied to Blister Fingers's topic in Power Hammers, Treadle Hammers, Olivers
I'm not going to use this on my good anvil (1901 French pig), so another bottom anvil option is needed. Should I get a cheapo Chinese cast anvil or should the bottom striking plate/anvil be higher quality steel? -
Treadle hammer mechanics?
MilwaukeeJon replied to Blister Fingers's topic in Power Hammers, Treadle Hammers, Olivers
Quoted here is my earlier post from this thread and I appreciate all the insightful responses. Just for fun I'm going to make this leg powered sledge hammer. It unquestionably is crude, inefficient, stupid, probably an all around lousy idea....nevertheless I feel like giving it a go just out of stubborn curiosity. Here is a sketch: Any thoughts on what the bottom anvil should be? The sledge presumably is pretty hard steel. I have a striking anvil that is pretty soft faced but should I go with something different? What kind of weight/size should this bottom anvil be and what kind of stand/stump should it be on? Other design thoughts that I need to take into account? There will be an iron sleeve on the pivot end of the sledge handle for reinforcement. Again, I realize this is a goofy concept but I'm not inclined to make a treadle hammer and don't want a power hammer (I don't do heavy work). I'm also dealing with some rather feisty tendonitis, so this might help my elbows a bit. Thanks in advance.