pnut

I think you may find it in Practical Blacksmithing compiled by M.T. Richardson vol. four chapter seven Pnut( Mike)

Thank you. I didn't take into consideration the difference in welding temps. Cleared that up. Thanks again, Pnut (Mike)

I understand that it is to harden the face. Im asking why they're not welding a bit into the edge instead Will cast iron not weld properly to mild steel?

Self explanatory I guess. Is this done to conserve the cast iron? Thank you very much I appreciate your help.

Ben, if you can see progress in each of your projects that is what's important. I'm trying to get a little better with each process I undertake. Practice, practice, practice. Progress not perfection is what I look for right now. I also am in the early stages of learning

ThomasPowers , I'm not familiar with the term crayoning on a hard facing. If you get a chance could you elaborate on it please. I would greatly appreciate it as I am eager to expand my knowledge and learn something I'm unfamiliar with.. Thank you in advance for helping. Pnut (Mike)

I seen this when I was about eleven or so and it peaked my interest. I put together a kit Kentuckyrifle. I had to do it on my own though. It came out okay as a kid I was very proud of it. It was stolen when my house was broke into about 15 years ago. I guess it was about three or four years ago watching cable and this video was played between movies. It invoked some nostalgia and also reignited my interest in smithing. Mr. Gunsler is an amazing Craftsman. Thanks for posting this it reminds me of being a kid. Waxing nostalgic, Pnut (Mike)

Thomas, thank you for clearing that up for me. The drill rod at the steel suppliers near me is 0-1. I thought sucker rod was the same. Now I know. I don't see sucker rod around here ever. Maybe because there's no oil drilling. It's used in all types of wells though isn't it?

Long neck, hand grenade, 40oz ,double deuce,or quart bottle? ;-)

Chrigneous, you can use drill rod. Personally I would go with chelonians idea. I'm not sure but I think drill and sucker rod are the same.

Jlpservices, yes that is strange. Different dialects same language Jhcc. You are correct. In a pinchI've used pen caps pencils all sorts of things as units of measurements. Jlpservices, the earlier you are exposed to a language the easier it is to learn.

I'm not trying to argue the utility of either system. For me knowing a few prefixes I can more easily understand a system like metric. Milligram let's me know a thousandth of a gram is being referenced. Grains drams etc are harder for me to keep straight. Regarding when decimals and fractions were invented the zero is a relatively new idea. The metric system is more intuitive to me When I was in school and figured out what each prefix meant it seemed much simpler than miles pounds etc. Being American I Naturally think in inches and yards. But a system based on tens seems simpler to me.

Whose thumb? That's what I meant when I said arbitrary. I didn't mean to imply it wasn't useful. I'm American I think in inches feet ounces etc. To be more concise I should have said the metric system is more intuitive. Tens tenths hundredths thousandths.

Jhcc, I'm not denying the utility of of non decimal measurements but what is an inch based on?

I know what you mean, I have a hard time keeping up with fast typing people. I also feel like what I imagine people with asbergers must feel like. I can't tell when someone is joking or being serious. There's no inflection or facial clues to let you know exactly how something's meant. I struggle with it every time I chat online or exchange text messages.

It's a shame president Carter didn't go through with the switch to the metric system. It seems so much simpler than the arbitrary units like pounds ,yards, miles, cups, etc etc. Metric units make more sense to me. I understand 1000 grams= 1 kilogram, or 100 centimeters = 1meter but not so clear why 12inches = 1foot . Oh well I guess it's not that important just wanted to gripe for a second. Thanks Pnut (Mike)

Kal, I agree completely. At the rubber refinery I worked at I seen a lot of the old timers doing things that were very dangerous at times. Not all of them mind you but a few and their attitude was I've been doing this for thirty years so mind your own business and let me get on with my work. After so many years standing in front of the mill they felt like they could operate it in their sleep. One gentleman in particular got too comfortable and lost his focus just long enough to also lose three fingers. He was the longest serving millman in plant. Goes to show what complacency can get you.

How's it going, If you don't want to spend a lot of money to find out if blacksmithing is for you check out the just a box of dirt (jabod) and 55 side blast forge threads. I don't think you can find a lower cost design. Or easier to build. Welcome aboard and update us on your progress Pnut (Mike)

I know this is an old thread,but I worked in a rubber refinery for many years. Vulcan Corp. In Clarksville TN. Removing the stainless belting from a tire will NOT reduce zinc content in any meaningful way. The zinc isn't in the steel belting it is added to the rubber during compounding along with about silica at about a third by weight which means lots of ash. It seems to me that it would make a poor fuel and probably violate a few ordinances by being used as such. It doesn't smell very good either. If you are worried about giant piles of shredded tires they can be recompounded into New rubber easily. There's far better fuel out there that is much less detrimental to your health than burning used tires. Pnut (Mike)

Olydemon, if you make another like the dragon with just a few tweaks you could have a very good seahorse. I'm gonna have to give some of those a try soon. They look like a good way to practice tapering and bending on the cheap. How big are they to start 3or4 inches?

Nope, didn't get it,frosty . I'm gonna need to have a serious discussion with my secretary. ; ) All kidding aside I neglected to check his profile before I posted. Oh well , I should have known better. I thought it was very strange no one stopped by to say hi and I didn't want him to drift away thinking how rude we must be. I feel much better now. Take it easy, Pnut (Mike)

Hey Bob, glad to meet you. I can't believe I'm the first person to say hello. Have you tried contacting your local ABANA affiliate? If you don't already have a forge check out the jabod and side blast 55 threads. If you do have one everyone loves to see pics. Do you know what type of things you want to forge? There's plenty of info here to keep you reading for quite some time. I apologise it has taken so long to get a response. please don't hold it against us I'm sure it was just an oversight. Everyone really is very friendly and helpful as possible. Anyway glad to see another person interested in smithing. Once again good to meet you and best of luck with your shop. Don't hesitate to ask questions everyone really is willing to help. Pnut (Mike)

Sounds like you've got it together. I've been using a hole in the ground . I have a box to raise it up but the ground is too wet to fill it right now. It'd take forever to dry. It's deep so I don't think it will dry all the way through if I used the dirt , I guess I should say mud right now. Anyway good luck and keep us posted. Pnut (Mike)

Good to meet to you, What kind of projects do you plan on making? I'm sure everyone would love to see your forge. You are in the right place. I'm pretty new to smithing myself but The amount of info here can be a little overwhelming and the combined years of experience among the membership is invaluable. I've learned a lot in the short time on the forum. Good to meet you, Pnut (Mike)

Bowen, there's another user here I think his username is Hollandanvil who is also still manufacturing anvils. Cast steel I believe. He has an outside website just Google it and you can see their products. I might try getting in contact on this forum also if I were you. There's a wealth of info here and countless years of combined experience that they are more than happy to share. Have a productive day. I'm about to head off to work myself. Pnut (Mike)