pnut

I found a free pdf of a book on z library that might help. It's titled hydraulic system design fundamentals. Here's a link. I think I'm allowed to post it. If not I'll find the ISBN number for you and complete title and you can still get it. https://1lib.us/book/2515254/a19ed2 Pnut

I can attest to the ease of construction and functionality of the tongs in that blueprint. I ended up making a couple pairs of different sizes. I was a little skeptical but was pleasantly surprised. I still use them occasionally. Pnut

Welcome. Have you seen these threads? You can be forging tonight if you put your mind to it. Welcome aboard. Be safe and remember it's supposed to be fun. Pnut

If you can find a copy of this book it explains all the math needed to build a press. It's a textbook from a class. It even has review questions. Pnut

There were some cows on the highway yesterday in Cincinnati. Shut the highway down for a while. Anymore the only place you find copperheads in KY is down towards the Jackson Purchase area in western ky. There's cottonmouths all over ky though. Rattlesnakes and black widows too. My neighbor caught a bobcat on his surveillance camera the other day.

Has anyone tried the Harbison Walker greentherm26LI bricks from DI? Pnut

Corn burns fine in my trench style and brick firepot jabods. Gets a little sticky in the brick forge but not anywhere near as sticky as the slag from burning coal in it. Pnut

You could always build a jabod until you decide upon what design you want and with an improvised anvil you could be forging today and building up those skills. I was looking to build a propane forge for about two years and my greatest regret when it comes to blacksmithing is all the time I spent not forging because I was waiting on the perfect forge or anvil etc. When it finally clicked I was forging within a couple a days with less than twenty dollars invested. Getting started I believe is the most important step. Welcome aboard, be safe,and remember it's supposed to be fun Pnut

I was just searching through some old bookmarks and found this blog from about a person making orishigane that you might be interested in. link removed Pnut If you can't find a chapter just search mypeculiarnature orishigane (chapter number) and you should find it. Exemple mypeculiarnature orishigane (3)

That's a lot of money to spend on a hobby you've never actually done before. It would be terrible to spend that much money and then realize it's not something you really enjoy and have to go through the trouble and time to recoup your investment. Blacksmithing is hard work and might not be everyone's cup of tea. My suggestion would be to find a class or a person you could maybe visit and get the feel for blacksmithing and if it's something you would want to continue doing. Short of that there's a world full of improvised anvils for free or close to it. I might be a lone voice in the wilderness but spending nearly two thousand dollars on a tool to use in a craft you may not enjoy seems crazy. Just my two cents. If you're absolutely certain about purchasing an anvil I'm partial to Holland Anvils. Pnut

If you'd like to get started quickly and without much financial investment I recommend these two links. https://www.iforgeiron.com/topic/44842-just-a-box-of-dirt-or-a-simple-side-blast-forge/ I think I got started for about $10US. Pnut

The link is for a paper. I believe you can view it for free. Pnut

I believe that's used in thermite welding rails. It looks like the ones I've seen used on right of ways. Here's a link to a version used in the UK. It's a little different but it will show you the general idea. http://www.railway-fasteners.com/news/what-is-railroad-thermite-welding.html Pnut

This may be helpful. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0305440310004449 This book is chock-full of good info but pricey. Maybe find it at your local public or university library. "Tales of the Iron Bloomery (Northern World) Bert Rundberget ISBN 978-9004278790 hope it helps with citations etc Pnut

No problem. I just happened to see it yesterday when I checked up on new activity. Pnut

I'm not Thomas, but yes there was. About inadvertently using thermite iirc. Pnut

Try to remember to only make one change at a time so you'll know exactly what difference it has made. It's not as easy if you change multiple things at once to pinpoint what's responsible for what. I'd also be willing to bet that if there's any smiths close to you they might be willing to trade some hard firebrick for some of the soft ones you have. Either way you'll eventually have to replace them whether you use soft or hard firebrick. I don't have any experience with soft firebrick but the hard ones wear out pretty quick. Pnut

It'll take a few wheels but you can definitely do it. If it's a long piece of rail you could probably score it with the disc and lift it at the score and it should break. Pnut

Positive thoughts on their way. Pnut

Looks pretty well worn right in the center like it's been striking a drill or chisel for a very long time. Pnut

Mark Aspery also has an excellent video titled "Scarf Theory" if memory serves me correctly. Pnut

Then they'd also need a chair to sit on. Pnut

I just burn any rags with mineral spirits, BLO, or other oxidizing solvents on them. Better safe than sorry. Pnut

The place I go to had some 1045, 1020, and 1018 drops last time but we're out of high carbon 10xx steels completely and couldn't tell me when they'd be getting any more. Pnut

Did you notice their hammers? Pnut