Goods

Make a few hooks in preparation for a Labor Day demo, felt odd not having anything to sell last time I did it. (Still a lot more things to make!) Also, hardened and temper a hammer made yesterday at an IBA chapter hammer-in. I brought both the face and the peen to non magnetic keeping the eye relatively cool, quenched in warm oil, then tempered at 400F for 2 1/2hrs. It started life as new 1.5”x1.5”x4.75” 4140. I had the help from a couple other members striking. Overall, fairly pleased with it, but plenty of room you improvement. (Next time I need to make a smaller slitter!)

Someday, maybe, I’ll make it to Jennifer’s level.

I saw the pic’s from that junkyard from picker’s post. They look like a pretty large stock diameter. How big of a hammer are you planning to make? Or is the picture just misleading?

David

Any chance they have Saturday hours?

Thanks!

JLP, I’ll reduce the angle on it a bit. It began life as a 52100 roller bearing from a 2000ton mechanical press, it should hold up with a steeper angle.

Made a few more ginkgo leaves for a lamp project I’ve been working on... 18 down out of 51 needed.

Also, finally finished the heat treatment on a hardy cold cut and started my first attempt at a basket twist.

(Sorry about the image sizes, can’t seem to figure out how to reduce the size on this iPhone...)

You could raise the casters 1/16”~1/8” and put steal pads in front of them at the correct height. That way when you raise the hand the stand will tilt back onto the casters to roll around, but still have a solid support for forgiving blows. 

1 hour ago, jlpservicesinc said:

Hows it feel in the hand? 

Honestly, the handle could be another half inch taller. It’s little tight on my hand, but should be good for him.

Thanks for the compliments! My first real project was a claw hammer that I gave to him for his birthday last November. It’s funny how I have given all of my finished item away as gifts or donations. I never have anything to show it people when they ask to see my work. Maybe someday I’ll get more time in the shop!

Thanks Again,

David

Finally got the hacksaw ready to go with back to see family. I’m pretty sure my father will be happy with it. Functions great, but not quite as clean as I would like.

Just an observation, you may want remove the brass coupler from the “T” fitting. That should help induce more air.

Very interesting thoughts. With a propane forge the by products are carbon dioxide and water. That could be a reasonable source of hydrogen... 

I have hard several discussions on hydrogen embrittlement at work, but not realty studied it. Very interesting indeed, but I doubt that’s the case here.

I’ll have a loop to swing over the end or the tension lever. Have refinement to do on the end of the lever, but need to get the pins in before I do too much more.

Also, this is inspired by the hacksaw that is show in use in volume 3 of Mark Aspre’s books. Not my own invention...

Not done with it yet. Still have to make an internal scroll/brace for the handle, refine the radius at the tensioner pivot, and drill for the pins and rivets. Overall clean up and coating as well. At least a few hours of work.

Haven’t posted any work up till now, but I thought I’d share the latest project. Visiting family in two weeks and need to have a Father’s Day gift ready. Well I hope this turns out. Still a few hours of work to do, just need to have time available when it’s not raining...

Scientist, I got started with blacksmithing as a result of my son building a bucket forge very cheaply on his own. While it worked (kind of), it was very difficult to manage the fire, and it burned through fuel very quickly. (It was enough to get him going and to pull me into the addiction...) I would not recommend using this setup at all. Go with a JABOD concept and modify it to your resources and needs.

I’m now using an old machine controls cabinet laying door up on a stand, filled with cat litter. The forge is outside, so when we’re done, let it cool, clean out the clinkers, close the door and the weather is kept out of it. It’s miles ahead of the bucket forge concept.

See if you can hookup with a blacksmith organization near you. Time with other smiths will make a big difference with the learning curve on everything.

Enjoy!

FYI, Indiana Blacksmith Association (IBA) conference is coming up the next weekend at Tippon County Fairgrounds. Check out their website. I plan to be there Saturday, June 1st! Not sure where your at in IN, but they have satellite groups all around the state.

Thanks alexandr! Truly an inspiration!

Alexandr, those lamps are beautiful. Any chance you could post a picture showing more detail of the lower portion of the post. I’m very intrigued by the design!

-David

Speaking of the IBA, there is the St Joe Valley Forges satellite branch near you and they meet the 4th Saturday of the month. Not familiar with that branch, but if they’re anything like the group at Vernon, give them a shout. I’ve personally enjoyed every moment around the IBA members I’ve met and learned a lot! Check the IBA site for details.