Randy C

Check with the school's art department. Most sculpture programs include lost wax casting as part of the curriculum.

My press has (2) 4 1/2" cylinders and they evened out by themselves. I was worried about the same thing but it turned out to be a non-issue. I

"Copy" might convey the wrong meaning Hofi. Unless you're copying an original, it's just a pattern. Just as anyone making what would be recognized as a "London pattern" isn't really copying, just carrying on a tradition of a certain pattern. Russel Jaqua was great smith who died far too young. He studied in Italy under Benitone and came to love working on the traditional Italian pattern and wanted to introduce it to American smths. Far from copying, he was honoring a tradition. I understand English is not your first language and I'm sure you want to convey the correct meaning.

a "bit more power"? it's the 155 model, and it only outbeat the 65 by .03 and .07 I'd say that's more than "a bit more power".

I agree with Grant it's great to see improvement, but does bigblu inform they're past customers with older model hammers of these drastic improvements, or just try to sell them a new hammer?

Take a look at this hand forged hawk on ebay. Check out the $242 bid and how many bids it has(25).
http://cgi.ebay.com/BLACKSMITH-CUSTOM-FORGED-SPIKE-TOMAHAWK-WAR-AXE-/260714344382?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cb3c92fbe

I've had a chance to try it and was suprised with the power. It's more than what I need while taking up less room and requiring a smaller/cheaper compressor.

Yeah ... I found out about the DVD at the end of a YouTube video where Hofi talks about his hammers (the video gave absolutely no useful information about how the hammering system works though).

I agree with Monstermetal and Mainley Bob.

Hey guys. I have a question concerning the log splitter valve that I pick up for my forging press. It is spring centered and has 1/2 npt ports but the in and out ports are 1/2" as well. I have noticed that most new log splitters have spring centered valves with 3/4" in and out. Will this be a OK or should I get another? My press will be using a 16 gpm pump and two 4 1/2" bore cylinders if that matters. Thanks

A young friend of mine wants to tie some things together that go into a kiln. He wasn't sure what to use that won't burn up or melt. He was thinking there might be tungsten wire, but I 've never heard of tungsten wire that might be 5 feet in length. Any suggestions on what material he may use. That's all I know about his dilemma.

You should try to show up at the first quarter meeting for NC-ABANA. It's taking place on March 20th. Everyone is always welcome. Here's the announcement that was sent out:
NC ABANA Members,

As usual, I am a little late with the newsletter (about 2 weeks) so you all may not receive it in time to hear about the First Quarter Chapter Meeting.

The meeting will be at Dean Curfman's shop in Morganton, NC, on Saturday, March 20 at 9:00 AM. Doug Merkel and Anderson Phillips will be demonstrating.

Thanks and see you on the 20th.

thats what the little dovetail does it lest you convert any tool in to tooling for this anvil

An adapter plate for mounting your guillotine tool would be a good idea as well.

Looks good man!

Thanks man.

Randy,
Nice videos. How many GPM does your pump put out?

I built mine with 2" of clearance at rest. My brother is building one now and he is going make extra bottom dies that vary in thickness to allow thicker material to be worked. I think that is great way to give your hammer an adjustable stroke.

I just searched "sound proof" on ebay and a lot of affordable, sound absorbing blankets/curtains came up.

Who carries it in the USA or did you get it from overseas?

Has anyone tried this bio-soluble ceramic fiber?

"SAFE" Non-Ceramic Fiber Blanket 1" 8# dens. SW607 HT - eBay (item 140328938749 end time Sep-21-09 07:05:02 PDT)

very nice! In the second photo there is a different base. Did you fabricate that or is it a found object? Great work man.

This is another way to give the auto companies another bailout. The government claims that it is stimulating the economy but it is only stimulating one area of the economy. If they were serious about stimulous, they would give everyone a tax credit. Not just the people who happen to have a "clunker" and want/need a new car. This $4500 dollar credit is nothing more than Washington giving back some of what they have taken. We should all have tax cuts so we can afford to spend more. But that would be to easy and give us just what they don't want us to have, freedom.

In other words, I think it's a bad idea.

My favorite is the Big Blu. Plenty of power and exceptionally smooth. They design the hammers so each segment can be filled with sand to deaden the ring so all you get is a thud. They also have the best customer service that I've encountered.

Brian,
That a great lesson! Thank you.
Are you teaching anywhere this summer? I've got some vacation time coming up and would like to learn from you. Thanks