canada goose

I have been asked to make a latch set for a big front door . The style called a Suffolk latch has been rejected because it leaves a hole right through the door where the thumb bar goes. This has been deemed unacceptable.

 The other possible style ( I have only seen pictures of it ) is called a cottage latch and has escutcheon plates on both sides and operates with a twisting action to operate the latch bar. The handles on both sides seem to be a ring as often as not. My problem lies in finding a good blacksmithy way to put this together (rather than drilling tapping setscrews etc).

 I am also open to suggestions as to any type of latch which  might work while being fairly air tight.

This is very interesting? I wonder what size the stock you are using is. You wrapped it cold around the pipe jig ? I wonder if its a method for making tomato spirals.

I use a blacksmiths wax that has been around awhile. It has boiled linseed oil, Johnsons Paste Wax, bees wax, turpintine, and Japan Drier in it. I use this on all my fireplace sets and screens and can easily be reapplied over time if needed. I you would like the recipe I can post it for you.

Yes thanks for that .At 1.50 /sq ft for 8 sq per in and willing to sell small amounts and ship ups they look pretty good.

Yes , sorry. Im looking for an on line supplier in US, Canada. There are lots on line . But Im looking for a recommendation.

Where is the best place to order metal screen for fire pit covers. What size would be best?

Do you mind telling us what size material you stated with?

I have only heard of using zinc chromate as a primer on aluminum. Is it really used on steel?

Yesss! Thank you so much. The whole site is very interesting including the weird blue colour of the hot steel.

Id like to get feed back from all the smiths here on how to forge an acorn from pipe.I have searched to the best of my ability on these forums and elsewhere but not found much.

did you cut him out with a plasma cutter?

Well my potential customer has changed her mind.Interesting discussion though and I thank everyone for it. Im realizing that Its possible to do a gong but its a lot of work . And they are for sale very reasonably priced from gong makers.Caribbean steel drums are made of the ends of old oil drums hammered to stretch the steel into a work hardened dome.Dont know if oil drums are anything but mild steel.

So far I get the feeling that either a gas cylinder or a large flat plate with the symbol on it would be most within my practicality.A large plasma cut mobile would be cool but the sound? I dont know how I would heat and cool pieces as large as they need to be(2 foot) or so). To reppousse a large disc would be interesting but I cant imagine doing material thicker than say 1/8 or 3/16. Would that sound ok? I hope Dan E can find that Sci.Am. reference . A large plasma cut symbol with the cylinder hanging to be struck is a good idea if the customer approved.I better research reppousse !

Someone who runs a yoga clinic wants a gong or bell in the shape of the aum (ohm) symbol . I wonder what the considerations are in making gongs and bells especially something of complicated shape . It would be nice if it sounded pleasant rather than just a pile of junk falling down stairs! Any wisdom and advice would be appreciated.

Around here most any resto will let you have used up fryer oil for nothing. I wonder what the advantages of the brand name quenchants would be? Are there some steels which have specific quenchants required?

The grain will reflect the highest temperature the piece was last heated to.

hey,thanks for all your help.Learning to control and use my coal fire is definitely one of the challenging parts of this fascinating craft.

I understand that grain size is larger at higher temps but does it not shrink again as it cools?

I am having trouble over heating when I try to heat treat my projects, its hard to heat evenly

I dont know if it should even be called damascus but has anyone experimented with trying to forge old chain saw chain into a many layered steel billet for blade or ornamental use?

wow! Thanks for the input. So I've got two methods now, one using two pieces and one possible for forging from a single piece Ill try both sometime soon.

Sorry ,I,m referring to the jewelery.Wondering if there,s a way to make that,s equivalent,say,to a Frederick,s cross.

can anyone tell me a nifty way to make " Thors hammer" ?

one thing that 5/8 spring stock is good for is the tines on a "broad fork" Each tine is 6 to 8 in. long and there are 4 to 6 tines.Uses up lots of material and all they need is pointing and bending.There is no need to heat treat as the steel still is quite tough in an air cooled state.E.G. broadfork

A knitted toque is great but it should be pure wool of course.