Chris C

Well, it's a day's drive away from me. I can only ask the seller to drop a ball bearing on it to get a rebound figure. Here's the only picture of it. I've asked for more.

I really like those presentations, ausfire. Good lookin' crosses. Nice work. I especially like the woodgrain concept. Is that done with a textured hammer head? Chris

Just looked up the process in relation to furniture. (since building custom furniture was "my thing" until I retired) Very interesting, to say the least. Had no idea it made the wood highly water resistant. In fact I noticed companies are even charring the wood covered sides of homes and businesses with the process. Very interesting info. Thanks for the name of the process.

Don't know why I haven't been being notified you guys were responding to this question, so just now responding. All very interesting points. My local supplier of wood has some long Hickory planks and I was thinking about buying one (if the grain is straight enough) and using it for handles. I've been watching tons of hammer head videos and noticed most makers seemed to blacken them before shipping and wondered the reason.

Well that's a gold mine, for sure. And "free" is the best price, ya know. I've used files all my life. Always used the standard wooden handles so frequently seen on them. Then sometime back in the late 90's I noticed a golf ball on the tang of a file and now, that's my favorite "hand protector".

Ahhhh, your "Beer Buddy". I can relate, Billy.

I'm looking at two anvils: #1 Trenton. 125 pounds. Flat top and good edges. Excellent rebound. $550 #2 Columbia. 139 pounds. Flat top and mostly good edges. (don't know about rebound yet) $400 obo. I know the reputation of Trenton anvils is really good. I've read Columbia anvils are not "cream of the crop", but darned good anvils with nice rebound. The thing I don't know is how they compare to each other. Given they are fairly equal in condition, would one be more desirable than the other? Any constructive comments would help.

You are correct, of course, Thomas. I just keep forgetting that aspect. I'll try and keep my lip buttoned the next time that arises.

If you don't already wear hearing aids, you'll be shocked at the improvement. Most people don't realize it when their hearing has degraded. I can adjust the volume on my aids.........all aids allow that. Only problem is all they do is raise the volume...........which includes all the distracting background noises. When we are at a restaurant and a nearby table full of little kids gets rowdy, it's actually more effective for me to turn my aids off. Then I can't hear background noises but can hear my wife reasonably well.........because most hearing impaired folks read lips whether they realize it or not. If aids are new to your life, good luck on your new journey.

I know what you mean, Frosty. I made a bowl of popcorn this evening and went out to Coco's resting spot and put some on the mound for him. I always remember the good times. That little guy, with his short legs, took a 7 mile hike up a dusty mountain trail in Colorado in his younger days (about the time of that picture) and he never once asked to be picked up. Fun to watch him trot up and down the trail.........with the little wife and I huffin' and puffin' behind him. I'm sure the squirrels and birds thank me for the popcorm, but it makes me smile when I look the next day and all the kernels are gone. Sure hope he's waitin' for me when my time comes. Chris

Leather works, for sure. I'm sure thousands of hammers have hung from leather loops in history. Chris

I sure hope you're paying that mouse a fair wage!!! Chris

What is the purpose of blackening the handles on hand hammers? Is it just because they are eventually going to get filthy black? Chris

Honestly can't comment on that, Das. The only things (other than my Hot Cut Hardie) I've made at this point have been with rebar. When I get my forge up and running, I'll be able to work out of my stock bin and plan on keeping square and round stock on hand.

Man can I ever relate to that, Billy. We lost our Chocolate Pomeranian 3 years ago this past July 5th and I still miss my little "popcorn buddy" on a daily basis, but especially when I sit down to my nightly bowl of popcorn. RIP Coco. Chris

Ausfire, Being extremely new to beating hot steel, the majority of my projects have been with rebar. I've made steak flippers, coal rakes and fire pit pokers. They've all had twists and re-twists. Everyone who's received one of my gifts has commented they couldn't figure out how I managed to put the "vine" on the item. I know a lot of smiths turn their noses up at the thought of using rebar, but I think it adds a lot of character to what might otherwise be a mundane project. I like your examples with the flattened areas. Will emulate some of that in my future projects. Looks really sharp. Chris

Every sculptor knows that one by heart. Chris

Come-on, I know people have hammer stands they are proud of...................or maybe not necessarily proud of but happy with the way they work for their setup. Chris

Pretty neat. I'll have to play with that in my carving class this semester. It's a beginning woodcarving class but some of the students are advanced and working in architectural carving. Scrolls are common subjects. Chris

Anyone else on the forum wear Bluetooth compatible aids? Chris

JHCC, thanks for the video. If memory serves me, an old mentor showed me that way back when my mind was till open and youthful. I had completely forgotten about it until I looked at the cover photo of the video. It's a pretty nifty way to accomplish laying out spirals with no math knowledge................(in other words, for math challenged people such as myself!) Chris

Now that's a good idea, Thomas. I like that. Chris

(you can always "tell" a gun guy!) Chris

Hmmmmm. I thought it was only last week. I'd have thought it would have shown up in my activities list. Sorry for the bother, Steve. Chris

Cool.............good for both parties. Chris