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I Forge Iron

K.Corfe

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    Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada

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  1. Yes, I have totally gotten the fuel and air supplys under control now. That blower and funnel combo always had too much air or not enough, I could never find the sweet spot for blower placement and aim, then having it on a switch made that worse. Plus the headache from the sound, the blower was the first change. Built a box bellows with the remaining 6ft of plywood I had left after building the Jabod. Also moved the forge into a safer place, a larger clearing further away from the garage now that I didn't require the bench vise for the twist tongs. And my first retort, hole low on one side of the bucket, placed close the side of the pit, (half a 55 drum sunk in the ground) and a fire burning on the other side, usually mostly covered with a steel lid. It was too inefficient and required way too big of a fire to get the gases burning, the pail only lasted 12 or so fires. I will have to get pics of my retort 2.0 tomorrow. It is much more efficient. Another change around the same time as the box bellows was some serious scavenging. I found an old burnt farmhouse and was able to safely retrieve a couple old clay fire bricks and some large granite pieces from the fireplace. They made a nicer fire trench than the small rocks. And naturally thanks to Tpaaat, the day after I dressed part of one edge and the horn of my recently purchased anvil, this 85lb beauty was given to me, on the condition my father in law got 12 inches. But 24 inches of 85lb rail is still twice the weight of what I had. And it's a little more convenient on a stand than sunk in the ground. I started the cut with a 4.5" angle grinder, used about 5 discs before they wouldn't reach any where safely, about 1/3 cut, the it was a 10" 18tpi hacksaw for a good bit, then I threw it down onto a railway joint plate and it was a most satisfying crack when it popped apart. I can get pics of the cut side if anyone wants, the ones I had seem to be missing. and lastly a shot of some of my work from around that same time. (2nd and 3rd forge sessions) A set of bolt jaw tongs, I tried to make them so they would hold spikes and leave the most material possible to be hammered. They work alright, but could definitely be more secure. I also learned that 1/2" round isn't really enough material for a beginner to be able to get a good boss/hinge point with. Also my first meat turner j-hook from the 1/2" round, and a spike starting to be drawn out. I have gotten fairly good at drawing those out. As a side note I have already used home made sofwood and hardwood charcoal and store bought charcoal of a couple brands, and with my albeit limited experience, if I were to be picky about it I would hands down be using only softwood charcoal. I don't need to pile as much fuel on to get desired heats, it has faster heat recovery after long forging sessions and stays hotter for longer on its own. Most if not all ash just gets blown away, It burns away better and won't eventually "plug" the fire pot with tiny unburnt fines as you are working. And as another plus, I find it to be faster to convert to charcoal.
  2. I may give forge welding a post on an attempt one day. I don't seem to have a shortage of large scrap, er.. stock, coming my way. The screw is awesome, didn't get it fully out to look in screw box but it turns freely and easily until almost out. A touch of dry graphite seemed appropriate, then screwed back in. The bottom hinge point needed an over night soak with liquid wrench, then a little working with wd-40, but eventually it took in some chain oil, and moves very freely. I will probably just mount it tilted a degree or two forward so I don't need to worry about the spring right away. I will need to sink a big post in the ground for it as is, the thing is heavier than both my current anvils. Also my google-fu must be rusty, I am having a hard time finding any sort of dimensions for the feed arm and pawl of the drill. Found a few pics of different fabricated replacements but no measurements. I'm gonna have to do a little trial and error to fabricate one I think. It seems a very common breaking point on this model. So a steel replacement feels best over finding an original part.
  3. I have decided to attempt to make/keep a log of my blacksmithing progression here. It will be nice to look back on, and also help me progress through feedback and criticism. I have been hammering or reading in my spare time for a couple months. Although I definitely don't seem to take as many photos as I want to be taking. I will just start with some photos of my first setup. Broke down and just bought a tiny anvil to start, and a big hammer. An odd sight but an effective combo nonetheless. My first supply of charcoal, expensive and definitely needed some smashing. Was impossible to find the cheaper smaller stuff in the middle of summer. My first firepot dug out in Sand with fired rocks to hold the sand in shape. And my blower and first fire. And my first fire rake/poker out of rebar, and some of the twisted flat bar tongs setup to hold 1/2" round. So much has been changed in just a few short months, but more of the story will come later. My phone needs to recharge and so do I.
  4. Went with the girlfriend to pick up some horse stuff today, seemed like the kind of trip to take extra cash on. I'm sure glad I thought so. These were laying in a corner of the old horse barn. Canadian Forge and Blower Co. No.614 post drill. And a 4.5" vice, unfortunately the vice has been cut at some point during its life, but a cut vice is better than no vice. I will have to fabricate a feed arm for the drill, and clean it up good. Might paint it up nice depending how the patina looks under that grime. And the vice will get a touch of lube, mounted up and put to use as is.
  5. Really awesome read, what a journey. Very impressive skill set you have developed, not many people can say they have such a wide variety of skills and passions. Looking forward to hearing/reading more of the story as it is added.
  6. i know im late, but another alternative for the tires would be to remove the valve stems and fill them with expanding spray foam, it will be easier if you lossen the rubber on the rim and put it in through the sides, it will be messy, after it expands and sets cut away the excess and good to go. It makes a rough ride if used for any sort of trailer or ride on equipment, but its a good inexpensive never flat tire for wheel barrows and carts
  7. Amazing work and progress Justin! truly an inspiration! especially how fast you are progressing. i just finished reading this whole thread, very impressive work and information being shared by everyone. The two trades Machinist and Blacksmith have been combined fairly heavily for a long time, that is to say most machinists had/have to know atleast the basics of smithing. In highschool i had a friend whos dad told us of starting an apprenticeship for machinist that he didnt stick with because of the blacksmithing element, he claimed most of the first year schooling was smithing. He went from working around big lathes and milling machines in the shop to school for blacksmithing essentially. Apparently for tool making/repair mostly, the first projects were "chipping chisels?" that had to not only meet dimensional specs but also had to function and hold shape in the press. And apparently it was weeks into the schooling before the students got to use what would "typically" be considered machining tools. Hand tools, hammers, and anvils outside of the classroom, then eventually grinders and drill presses, but nothing specialized. That probably isnt the standard anymore (if it was actually standard then, might have just been an old timer professor) but I would guess that this couldnt have been more than 40ish years ago now because his eldest kid is only 35.
  8. Hi all. My first post, but i have spent a couple hundred hours lurking/reading. I am a total rookie, i have only ever banged hot steel in a vise to make "minor" changes, using an o/a torch for heat. (The males on my dads side of the family are all mechanics/machinists/welders or some combination, actually my grandfather is also a millright and tells storys of straightening/"pre-warping"? the 4'+ sawmill blades. He is probably the last member of my family to "properly" use a "real" anvil) I just want to say that this one thread has pushed me over the edge, (i already knew about jabod's) i now will be banging hot steel within the week (weather permitting) With a 2lb ball peen and an old 10lb sledge hammer head. The rest of my first sessions will probably be "primitive" as well, wood fuel, and lung power. If im lucky i will have a raised jabod by then, and i might find an old matress pump kicking around somewhere on the property. P.s. i will be sure to post pics of whatever mounting system i figure out for my "anvil". As well as any other "anvils" i collect and use. (Already started the TPAAAP but not holding out for a good deal on what would most likely be a ferriers anvil, it wont be hard to get heavier pieces of good steel in these parts, or from family once the provincial borders are properly opened up again) Also.. There should be a section just for beginners to put stickys like this in, it might seem a little less daunting for other beginners if they didnt have to search around the forum or use google to find the good stuff like this and the jabod. Or even just a stickied post that links all the good beginner stuff. It is easy to forget that forging doesnt have to be "hightech" and costly. Blacksmithing stickies are click here
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