Chris C

Couldn't figure out where to put this request, so I am here..........where I am!!!!! Just hope it's the right place so I don't face the wrath of a moderator. I melted the side out of my plastic Lowe's bucket filled with Vermiculite today. Guess I got my hammer head too close to the side. So I've got to find a couple of metal 5 gallon buckets/cans. But I'm pulling up a blank and can't think where I might find used ones. Do auto lubrication centers still buy grease in those cans? Paint used to come in them but the manufacturers have switched over to plastic paint cans. Been racking my brain for the last couple of hours and can't think of any place that might have them. Of course I can get them new through Amazon, but they are $20 each plus shipping. I'd rather wash the remaining contents out of a couple of free ones! Any thoughts?

Looks like a nice one GolFisHunt. How are the threads?

NICE!!!!!

It's a very interesting tong, isn't it, CGL? I can see a lot of uses for it with flat bar. But you have to be real careful because if the jaws aren't EXACTLY parallel, the flat bar will twist from side to side.

Nothing seems to be a challenge to you, Justin.

That's easy..............Dolphin Jaw tongs.

You definitely have my prayers on your back, Randy. God Bless and may he bring you good results and a speedy recovery. Oh, and I'm praying for your surgeon also.

I've seen work benches...........and electricity for that matter...........in soddys.

Do an underground..............sort of a Soddy. Put your forge and anvil on wheels. That way you can roll them back into the soddy when they aren't being used. That'll protect them from storms.

Oh, I've got a question about that punch. After I did some belt grinder work on the punch, I noticed it wasn't perfectly straight, so I'll pop it back in the forge tomorrow and get it straightened. I know to taper the "hammer end" of the punch to combat mushrooming, but should I slightly crown the striking point?

"Buddy"? Don't have buddies. I'm a loner. Heck, my brother has only been to my home 2 times in the 21 years I've live here and he only lives 45 minutes away up in Oklahoma City. Ah, but Thomas, you had the $75. I just blew my "stash" on my belt grinder. I've been considering building a Tire hammer, but it would be a slow, slow process because I'd have to do the welding myself and materials would have to be from the scrap yard..................which, as you know makes for slow building. As poor a welder as I am, I'd have to weld it three times just to make sure it held.

Yep, CGL.. Sure can't afford to buy one and I've got this really nice piece of axle that'll be great for hammer heads. Sure wish I could afford a power hammer. This material doesn't like to move, even when it's almost white hot.

Now THAT's a picture!

Got some more work done on my hammer head today. Feel something like a blind man trying to ride a bicycle through a bunch of traffic cones. Made my first punch today. Now I need to get on the grinder with it. Did the initial bevel on 8 wood carving blades today also.

Lookin' good CGL.

I wore a full beard from 1976 until 2016 when I just went to a "circle" beard. Wore a ponytail for about 7 years and got tired of the look.

We sure make a lot of changes as we grow older, huh!?

Same here, Thomas. In fact, one time back in the 70's my parents were vacationing in one of their favorite towns, Red River, NM with Mom enjoying the hummingbirds and Dad fly fishing. I decided to drive out and spend a couple of days and fish with Dad. When I pulled up beside their motor coach and got out, Mom was enjoying her little winged friends and reading a book. I asked where Dad was. She pointed down towards the stream. I walked down to say "Hi" and, YUP, I'm not fibbing, Dad was in waders and was wearing a Sport Coat while fishing the stream. That image of him still sticks in my mind. Couldn't believe it then, still can't and wouldn't if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes. I wore a coat a tie for a lot of years at our family business, but I worked on equipment in the plant so much that I finally traded in my Sport Coat for a heavy canvas apron to protect my "office clothes".........................but no coat and tie, for sure.

Holy-cow, you did a nice job of cleaning that one up.

Hard times, for sure, Thomas. Prayers for you and all your family.

Can't do much more for you or your family, but I've been praying for you. Hang in there.

How are "you" holding up?

Sounds like a good day for sure, Thomas. How's your sis doing?

Oh boy, can I ever relate to that bit of distraction!