GolFisHunt

Great looking hammer, Conrad!

I do have a question about the design of rounding hammers. What is the purpose of the fullers between the faces and the eye? 

Nice work and I couldn't agree more with the sentiment. That's why I do the silly things I do. Carry on.

Cut rodent into 1" chunks, salt, pepper and dredge in flour.

Brown in bacon fat.

Place in slow cooker or pressure cooker with potato, carrot, parsnip,  rutebega, onion, garlic, and bay leaf.

Cover with beef stock.

Cook until very tender.

That sounds like a tasty sandwich.

Ya got me there.

When growing up in Oklahoma, if you pronounced the"O", you got beat up.

No, the 5160 blade was heated to just beyond nonmagnetic in the forge. The oil in the frier was frozen, I heated the oil to liquify it. I thought the oil should be preheated a bit, 175 was the lowest setting on the frier. Maybe this was not proper. Tempered the blade in my kitchen oven at 325 for a couple of hours.

The shovel doesn't seem too heavy, I used 3/8" stock for a comfortably sized grip. Certainly stronger than necessary.

If I don't know what I'm doing, I'm not bound by convention...or ignorance is bliss.

I finished a set of hammer tongs. I didn't start with a plan, probably used too small stock and they didn't come out quit symmetrical, but I think they'll work.

I also finished a coal scoop. Working out what order to do the bends in the sheet stock had me scratching my head a bit.

The knife I'm working on got quenched also. The oil in my deep fried needed to be changed, so I warmed it up to 175 in the frier. Worked like a charm.

9 hours ago, Glenn said:

Do your soaking outside as the vinegar (acid) fumes can accelerate rust on metal in the shop.

Sounds prudent. It may be problematic today as it is -1°F this morning. Maybe I'll just use the sharp ones until it warms up a bit.

Thanks, I will give that a try. Vinegar seems to be a popular product that I had never considered for the shop.

Les, good tip, thanks.

Jennifer, I see your point on the filing block and several of my files are quite dull. Future cutting edge stock or hot filing work.

CGL, thanks!

My shop time today was mostly spent abusing wood on my lathe. A gentleman recently asked if I'd be willing to make a copy of one of my shaving brushes. I obliged, but it has been several years since I've done any turning where details mattered. Time for some practice. The random piece of walnut selected ended up being an overly fancy file handle. Next I turned a shaving brush for myself for more practice and filed on a knife in between coats of finish. Fun day!

Ambitious! Good work. Your mouse looks like he could use a little exercise, or ration the peanuts.

That does help to an extent.

CtG,

It is certainly hard to find a colder place than the seat on an open dozer. An aluminum boat in a half frozen river fishing for stealhead is close though.

Dave

Finished up a few crosses and a hook today. The railroad spike was found by a friend of mine. In Northern Michigan, narrow gauge rails where used in the logging industry from the late 1800's until maybe into the 1910's. I believe the spike is wrought iron and was certainly hand made.

Klatchianmist,

Along the same lines as your hook on the right, you might try a stake flipper. The roll up at the handle end. A short taper to start the roll up and a long taper for the business end. I'll get a picture up in a bit.

Dave

Here you go. It was the first project my mentor had me do.

Thanks again, Jim.

Nice work!

Ahh.

I usually get movie references, but not that one. Well played 

I was thinking the six fingered man should "... prepare to die!" (Princess Bride)

You lost me on that one, Thomas.

Who saw that coming?

For when five just isn't enough.

I finished a rr spike back scratcher. I also made my first attempt at a horse head bottle opener.....this isn't it. This is the third attempt. 

You could thin the herd at my place as well...just not the one currently occupying my lap.

Yup, it was 14° outside and somewhere below 40° inside when I went to the shop this morning. 

I'm in Michigan, I'll pick you both up on the way.