SoCal Dave

How did you attach the suction cups to the tentacles? They fit perfectly and I can't see any welding marks. Nice job.

You are best to have a 20 amp breaker. I have a Lincoln 125 and use a 12/3 100 foot cord to run the welder without issues. I do not use it for anything structural except for furniture items, tac welding, and small repairs. For everything else, I like my 220 Lincoln Arc welder. 110's just do not have the fire power to penetrate thick steel. Shop use and home use are two different things. Most homes weren't wired for welders. The washer/dryer plugs are usually 20 amps and may work. For your welder, you may need 10/3 wire and that can be expensive. Good luck.

I have an existing branch with leaves that I've decided to add a branch about half way down. I think it needs a branch there. I want it to look natural and it would be very difficult to cut the branch, add the branch, and then add the bottom half of the branch back for the Y. How would I scarf the branch I want to add?

I'v seen video's of Mark Aspery forge welding branches together. They are end to end, but I want to forge weld a branch in the middle of a larger branch. I've looked but haven't found any video's on how to do this. Any suggestions?

To take the neutral point, the definition of a curmudgeon is "a person (especially an old man) who is easily annoyed or angered and who often complains. I have seen many of Mr Powers's postings and I find them informative, and he has something to contribute. I would miss his input if he "shut up". However, He is a master curmudgeon and that means a grouch to me. I think it is the tone and way he presents his postings that may offend some. I don't expect or want him to change but I do understand some possible objections to his manner.

Punches, chisels, fullers, projects, endless ideas, up to you. Good luck

I purchased an AC Lincoln arc welder from Costco a 1000 years ago. I tried repairing a pipe corral gate and when I accidentally dropped it, the welds broke. So, I signed up for the welding classes in my local adult school. Of course, they started me off with O/A cutting torch, O/A welding, arc welding and then tig and mig welding. I to enjoy welding and have each type of welder listed above. A great day is when I get to use each type of welder.

It seems that when we face the tragedies and hardships of life, we find our finest hours. I am always impressed by the words of people who have such little time left. "To live the remaining moments well".

The blacksmithing stuff is made in Mexico. Go to IMS, (industrial metals supply) and they have tons a pre-made, fabricated textured bars, scroll work, forged items, for gates, etc. This reminds me of the old time farrier who makes his own shoes, and the new horseshoer who buys any kind of horseshoe he may need. Even the farrier who made his own shoes buys the new anyway you want it shoes. It's a sad note.

I've posted this before, but I think it's appropriate for the time. The facts may stair you in the eye, or the greatest demonstration of blacksmithing skills may be in front of you, but if you are not in the right frame of mind, you will miss everything.

Francis: wow, I've never heard the reason for tapering square was to coordinate with the shape of the molecules. I've seen diagrams of body centered cubic structures, and face centered cubes, but that is at the atomic level. When viewing the structures from a microscope, they look like the shapes of different sized cells, irregular in shape. I'll have to think about that.

Do you have electricity to the garage, large enough to run a few electric tools, lights, heaters, fans, power equipment, etc. If there are no cars in the garage, how nice that will be.

You should look at Adam's Forge website. They have lots of different classes and beginning classes. They have all the needed equipment to start and great instructors. Also, this april, the California Blacksmith Assoc. is having it's spring conference and it should be great. Very expensive but worth it.

Mechanically speaking, just looking at the anvils, the hardy hole is cut through the thinnest portion of the anvil. Think about what it would take to make an inch hole through the thickest part of the anvil. Also, practically, if you hardy tool gets stuck, you can tap it out from underneath easily near the heel.

Your eyes are worth more than your Pole Vice. Blind or near blind, you won't be forging.

Thanks guys for all the info and idea's. I have a saddle maker/repair guy who works with all kinds of leather and he repaired it. Replaced the tire tread looking material with leather and copper rivets. This should work fine, but if it doesn't last long, I will contact "Peacock". Again, thanks for the postings.

Just beautiful!

Hey Frank: I remember when I took your classes we would bank the fire and just put a stick in the ash dump to allow a little air movement. When we came back from lunch all we had to do is start turning the blower. Of course, I was never gone to long as I always wanted to get back and start forging.

BOUTON 5907 Wire Side Shield Safety Glasses I purchased these many years ago from anvilfire. The Green #3's provide protections but are not available at anvilfire anymore. They come with side protection.

Very, very cool!

Thomas is right. We need to know a little more about you to help you properly. I assume you are starting out since you asked these questions. First, welcome to IForgeIron. The purchase, if the price is right, would be a good place to start. The anvil may be a horseshoers type anvil and you can do great stuff with one like that, but I like to see you with a blacksmith anvil. Many blacksmith's have the same type of forge. The price is critical and may be an offer you can't refuse. A note, Mr Powers is a Master Curmudgeon, but, once he knows you, he is full of information that will help you in your endeavors. Good luck with your adventure into blacksmithing.

My favorite method is to leave the nut on so long that it rusts so much it becomes a weld. Still possible to brake apart, sometimes.

I think this is called "being on your medication". Or to much of a good thing can be bad. Or, to much time on your hands.

Chris: Not knowing the specific type of steel you are using, it is difficult to know exactly if canola oil will work. You can at least try it if it is the only oil you have. But, you don't want to just harden it. You need to temper it, run the colors, to reduce the brittleness. Where are you located? If your lucky, maybe someone on this website lives near you or a blacksmith group could help you. Good luck.

Chris: I'm not sure if your hammer is tool steel. A picture might help. Heat treatment depends on what you are going to use it for and what kind of steel it is. There is a difference between annealing, normalizing, and heat treating. So, what do you want to use the steel for? If you just annealed it, it might be to soft for your needs and may need to be heat treated. Good luck.