pnut

Dirt, a soil with high clay content a couple inches thick will do the trick for zero dollars and zero cents. Pnut (Mike) You can also shape a ducks nest or any other shaped firepot you need with minimal hassle when you use clay. It will make your forge more versatile. Clay and a couple fire bricks will work for a lot of projects and you can reshape the configuration if you need to.

I can't seem to find it right now but I think sreynolds posted about using shoeing nails for making flame finials. If I can find it I'll let you know.. Pnut (Mike) Found it. Projects and materials for a beginner. Posted by Arkham. I don't know if you'd want to make them as they do have a point but......

Some junkyards have handheld spectrometers for testing mystery metals. You said you have access to a lab perhaps they have one. Maybe even a jewelry store but I'm just guessing about that. Pnut (Mike)

Colloidal silica is used as an epoxy thickener. You may be able to to find it at boat dealership or supply retailers. It's also used in food believe it or not. Pnut (Mike)

You other smithin brothers can't deny......

Frosty, I'm not planning on building a ribbon burner anytime soon, but the real time research and development happening is amazing to follow. Pnut (Mike)

Dragging the tool across the magnet will magnetize the tool. Remember in second grade dragging a magnet across a nail100 times to make the nail magnetic? Pnut (Mike)

Look for a blacksmithing group or classes near you. You'll learn more and learn faster than trying to figure out on your own or by watching YouTube videos that might not be good info to begin with. Nothing beats in person face to face learning. Pnut (Mike)

If you don't know what you're doing an air hammer can be dangerous. If you're just starting to get into smithing just focus on learning proper hand hammering technique. That's difficult enough without making it more complicated than need be. I looked up Hart Co. I have a sister in Hardin Co by Ft. Knox. If I visit her anytime soon I'll let you know. Pnut (Mike)

You need to do both. Hammer and grind. I thought you were asking about a belt grinder or air hammer. On a tight budget either might be out of reach. How much experience do you have with belt grinders or air hammers? I'm not sure where Hart Co is but If you get up to Grant Co I'd be more than happy to help you out any way I can. Pnut (Mike)

Blacksmithing usually is considered hammering hot steel. You use a grinder for finishing. Pnut (Mike)

You could close it to further comment. Pnut (Mike)

Can't really tell there was anything wrong with it. Good job. Better results couldn't be asked for. Pnut (Mike) You should be able to pass it on to someone when you're gone. A good anvil lasts many lifetimes. That one is already on it's second generation hopefully it will have many more descendants of yours working on it in the future. Use it in good health.

I don't think Hammerheart is disagreeing with his overlooking proper PPE practices. I do believe he was offended you said someone needs to come to his house and smack some sense into him. In certain parts of the country that is enough to start a real fight face to face and rural KY is just such a place. Hammerheart stated more than once in more than one post he'd be more thoughtful about PPE and in the future he'd have his son wearing theproper PPE. I'm sure it's the"someone needs to come down there......" that he took exception to. Just my thoughts on the subject. I'm sure over a cup of coffee in a cafe this wouldn't have happened. Text communication being what it is misunderstandings are going to happen. Pnut (Mike) '

Looks good. I bet it comes in handy pretty often. Pnut (Mike)

j.morse, could you post a picture of it please? Pnut (Mike)

Ausfire, that is the same basic method used in third world countries. Dig a pit get it burning and cover it up. Pnut (Mike)

There's info in new edge of the anvil on making a spring fuller like the one above minus the hardy shank. 36 in. round bar flatten the middle 8 inches and bend into a circle leaving the jaws about an inch apart. Pnut (Mike)

For sure be careful listening to YouTube videos. I watched one and the guy keeps saying he's making blacksmith coal!! Not reliable sources. I second Mother Earth News. I have M.E.N. guide to homemade power it's chocked full of good info. Pnut (Mike)

Welcome to IFI, check out forges 101 thread. Bricks take a long time and use up a lot of fuel to heat up if they're hard firebrick and If they're soft firebrick they won't stand up to the rapid heating and cooling in a forge for very long. Kaowool and castable refractory are the way to go. Someone with a lot more experience will be by to help you before long. Good luck and welcome to the addiction. Pnut (Mike)

A hand file would make it harder to go too far and do something you may not like down the road. Pnut (Mike)

It would be a shame to chip the edge cause it's too sharp. Pnut (Mike)

Only a guess, but they kinda look like crimpers to me. Pnut (Mike) Buuut, the angle is right for working on a hoof.

I'd use it for punching. Pnut (Mike) Like eventlessbox said fix the mushrooming and maybe rehandle it. That crack might hurt.

Copperheads also have a spade shaped head. Not a definitive way to identify a poisonous snake but another indicator on the check list. With frequent handling corn snakes become pretty agreeable. Pnut (Mike)