Jason W

Did you just use your body weight to press into that piece? That's fantastic!

With all do respect I would like to keep this idea to myself at the moment. I have a feeling that it may not have been tried yet so I'd like to see if I can perfect it then share it : ) I know I'm asking a lot but only sharing a little information, for that I apologize. I guess the thickness would be dependant on the piece... It would be decorative but I would only need to press the die into the piece up to 1/2"? I was also thinking that I could dip the die into oil to prior to pressing to create a vapour jacket around the die. This may stop it from deforming for just a few seconds longer...

I don't have a press yet so I wouldn't be able to show a picture. What I was thinking of is making a die for a one time use only since each mold would be different and not replicatable. There really would be no point in making something that would withstand multiple uses so using a tool steel would be overkill and not effective for what I'm thinking about. The reason why I was thinking aluminum or brass is that it can be re-melted and poured again into another mold.

I have a question, I was day dreaming a bit the other day and came up with a bit of a head scratcher. If I were to pour aluminum into a mold for a 1 time use, would it be strong and stable enough to use as a press die for a piece of heated mild steel? Walking through it in my head I think I've come up with the answer, that aluminum would be too soft and I'd need to use something like brass, but I'd like to hear your thoughts. Thanks.

Helped the boy make a book mark for his grade 7 teacher today.

Aaand it was my lack of ability reading instructions. "Out" to the forge not "out" to the propane tanks. I had it on backwards... It's alive! Alive!!!

Good to know thanks.

Thanks again I'll give it a go in the morning and see how I make out. Cheers.

Thanks I'll give that a try and see if that fixes it. That didn't seem to work but when I turned the propane off then turned the knob clockwise/counter clockwise on the regulator I hear something internally clicking and the psi gauge increases and decreases so I think I might pull it apart tomorrow and see if something isn't lining up quite right.

I did send them an email just before I posted this question so they haven't had time to reply to me yet. It's a great forge and I believe it will be very capable when I get this minor issue sorted out. I was hoping someone here may have some knowledge on the subject.

Has anyone had any experience with a Marshall Excel regulator? I'm having some challenges with mine. I bought a new forge and I'm just setting it up. The regulator has a turn knob that either increases or decreases the psi of the gas but no matter which way I turn the knob the regulator gauge hits the pin past 30psi. I've seen this forge run at 1 psi on youtube and know that 30+ is way too high. FYI it's a Mighty Forge draft pro. Any ideas? Thanks.

I don't think you're going to be interested in smithing for a least a month. Unless you wear a welding shield. I got PRK done about 12 years ago before I ever got into smithing but I stare at a computer all day. I think I was off work for 4 days (2 days and a weekend) then went back and had to wear sunglasses inside the office for close to another couple weeks. PRK is way different than lasik so expect longer recovery. And the recovery wasn't uncomfortable, it was the most exquisite pain I have ever experienced. Mind you like a typical Canadian I decided not to take the pain killers they gave me because I don't need xxxxxx pain killers! Dude,TAKE THE PAIN KILLERS!! Probably would have been way easier. The only thing that helped me find comfort was sitting in the hot shower with the lights off. Seriously, you'll thank me. Not trying to freak you out because I'm super happy I did it, just expect it to be a nasty recovery. Once they take the contacts out it does start to get better but your eyes are still super sensitive. Dark room with no lights or tv for at least a week after. I'd recommend creating your music playlist now.

Thanks for the replies guys, I'm not going to risk it for the little free steel that I might get. I'll stick to coil springs, sway bars and tie rods for now.

Hey all I apologize if this has already been covered but I am curious about strut shaft steel. I mentioned to my mechanic that i'm looking for steel that he's tossing away so he was nice enough to cut the shafts out of some struts for me. My plan is to use them for tools but because they are so polished I'm concerned if they might be chromed and I don't really feel like poisoning myself today... or well, ever... Does anyone have experience with using strut shafts? Does anyone know what steel is typically used? Thanks.

So I had something kind of odd just happen... Hopefully someone can explain this to me. I live in Canada which believe is relevant for this cicircumstance. I currently use a 20lb propane tank that you would for a BBQ that is filled by weight, I want to upgrade to a 100lb tank that is filled by pump, like you would fill up at a gas station for a propane powered car. The main reason is cost, the liquid propane pump is WAY cheaper than propane paid for by weight. So I made some calls to local gas fitting companies to find out what to do, where to go, what regulators I need, stems, valves etc. I was finally pointed in the right direction but when I asked about the valve for pump filling the guy put me on hold, came back on the line and flatly told me they don't do that and they can't get me what I'm looking for. His whole demeanor changed, it was really weird! What the heck did I say? Does anyone have any insight for a noob? Thanks.