Duckpond

Hi all, i just bougt a swage block, and want to build a stand for it. I like the sloted idea, but was wondering how do you lift it out to turn it around. Mine is a 15 inch by 5 inch of unknown origin. Im hoping with a cleanup i will find a makers mark

go to a glass supplieror glazier as there is a special heat resistant glass for this application. I had to replace the glass in my slow combustion stove andthey supplied me with a piece cut to size. From memory it was not expensive either

thats great i got two demos to do soon, and was worried about what to make
great ideas and advice

I havent seen a half round grinder before either. what do u use them for?
If its useful I'll send the apprentice out to pick one up from the tool supply store.

I am building one similar, using a large pizza oven style outer shell, and 2 x 44gal drums as the chambers. will post pics when its finished

I have used hand crank blowers, bellows and electric fans, and prefer electric hands down. U need a damper to regulate the air. Old airconditioners and clothes dryers are good sources of blowers. Too much air is better than not enough as u can choke it back if needed.

Naked anvil, there awesome ideas, can u make them into blueprints so there easier to find.

I like the way there so well explained and the simple diagrams are step by step but not cluttered. I also apreciate the fact that they use easy to get stock, and basic tools and skills. Perfect projects for beginers without the suite of tools already. Also would be useful for more experienced smiths after fast tools

I made a jig out of 30mm round bar, i cut a section about 50mm off, added a handle, and drilled a 10mm hole in it . I use it to make 10mm rivets and 10mm punches. I slide the punch down tll it grabs, and mark that spot, then tidy the high spot with a fine file.

I am building something similar out of an old beer keg, with a grid part way down and an opening at the bottom. I pour the chunks in the top, mash with a steel pestle, made of pipe, the bits fall through, and the large stuff stays in the top half. It is neat and contained.
I like the spring loaded idea, i will look at rigging that up too.

I have just built a charcoal forge, andam buildinga hood, more to protect the roof of the shed and catch sparks than to extract smoke, i find the forge does not smoke much if the fire is right. The side draught would remove smoke better, but not protect the roof.

I intend to put a whirlybird extraction fan on the top of the chimney to help draw any smoke away, but doubt that it will help much as there will not be the suction to pull the smoke into the hood, only clear any smoke that drifts into it.

I think it depends on what your main objective is.

Hi Everyone
My name is Kirk, and im learning blacksmithing in Perth WA

I have built my own forge at home to practice and occasionally go to the BAWA club in Claremont. I will post pics as soon as i take them,

Its a charcoal fired forge with an electric blower.

Im also in the process of building large charcoal kiln for making my own charcoal, it uses an anerobic pyrolosys method, and makes excellent charcoal with less smoke than other methods

i am a professional self employed landscaper, not a smith but an artistic hobby turned full time job. I price as high as i can because:
no one pays your pension, sick, holiday etc,
if u sell it cheap people do not respect it,
you are not forcing them to buy it, so if they dont like the price they can go elsewhere or go without
if you charge too much u can drop your price if u charge too little u rob yourself

if u charge a cheap price will anyone charge u less for groceries, car repairs etc.
however u must distinguish friends from customers. i dont work for friends because if you charge full price they get annoyed, if u dont they think you and your work is worthless

i make my own axe, hammer and other handles. I rough out the shape with a table saw, then mark the piece with the shape i want. I use a draw knife to get moe of the shape, and then a spoke shave and rasp to clean up. I finish with sandpaper and linseed oil.

how do u do the brass cap thing?

wtf did u cut that with??

After reading all the posts on neighbours and forges the one theme that shines through seems to be consideration and cooperation. Or being good neighbourly. I talk to my neighbours about my woodwork, metalwork and blacksmithing as well as loud parties i like to have. I try to offer compromise and flexibility. All my neighbours have my phone numbers, and will call me before calling the police or fire brigade. As a result we all get on very well, and trade fruit, vegetables, repairs and the like over the fences. We live in the middle of suburbia, but have created an old fashioned country town vibe by being fair and understanding of eachothers different lifestyles

Hi, im in Perth Western Australia.
I have been into making stuff for ages, and am setting up a coal forge at the moment.

does it matter about the type of coal going in?
what sort of place sels domestic quantities of coal? im in Australia so brands are no help, but just the type of place

i built a charcoal retort also known as a pyrolyzer or charcoal kiln,
i used a 44 galon drum with a beer keg inside and returned the volatile gasses to the fire chamber. It works well, and i intend to build a larger one from brick and iron. I also wondered if i could coke coal in it.
I googled coking coal, and go a few industrial recipies, indicating that a temp of over 2000C was needed, however i doubt that forges get to that temp, so perhaps the coking done in a forge is less complete or something. Dunno

does anyone know a way to check if coal is coked enough?