Jobtiel1

Some more wood and ironwork. Cut out and cold forged the trowel from a piece of plate. And turned the handle from a piece of leg from our old kitchen table now coffee table. ~Jobtiel

When I first got here I marked the whole forum as read, so that the blue thingy on the right of a thread pops up whenever someone posts something, good way to see where the activity is. ~Jobtiel

A bit late to the party here, but I'd be interested too in knowing the HT to prevent breaking during a lathe catch. Furthermore, how is the 1080 holding up? I made lathe tools from leaf spring but they were getting dull too quickly. ~Jobtiel

The "research" from only videos is difficult to quantify in my opinion. You see a lot of people saying they "researched" a topic by watching two ten minute videos about something and claim to know the best answer. However, the power of videos to teach must not be underestimated. For example, just recently there is a channel I think is called UK bladesmith supply posting videos about metallurgy which are presented by a very knowledgeable fellow. And in my opinion a good way to gain a basic understanding of the subject. I think, like said before in this thread, that videos can be research if multiple sources are weighed up against each other to determine the true answer. Something that unfortunately doesn't happen when most people speak about "research" they've done. Don't even start about Reddit threads where a bunch of people knowing nothing about a subject chip in with completely wrong information claiming they know what they're talking about. I'm happy posts here are peer reviewed by field experts and most of the information can be trusted. ~Jobtiel

That is a good story Frosty, it really puts the dream of being self employed in a little bit of perspective. Thank you for sharing it. You too Billie, I can't imagine the kinds of stress you have when living through that situation. And considering that it is probably more difficult to make a living wage blacksmithing, you really gotta work hard to make that work. A self paying hobby is what I've tried out on Etsy as well. However, I was working more on stuff for customers than my own projects that I wanted to do. And that really took the enjoyment of spending your free time forging out of it as well. I quit doing that, now I only make stuff for friends and family as gifts or when they ask me for something. ~Jobtiel

It's looking decent, have you done a ring and rebound test to determine the quality? ~Jobtiel

I pay around 1 euro per Kg of coal here. That's the cheapest I can find. ~Jobtiel

In the book I got it from there were indeed 3 or 4 other trade pictures like this. ~Jobtiel

The few I went to I haven't seen them, must say I also wasn't searching for them yet. Definitely keep an eye out on the next ones I go too. I'll start making one soon and try and find out the trial and error way. ~Jobtiel

I don't know, I posted this picture some time back in the Blacksmith Art thread and Scott printed some posters from it. ~Jobtiel

Fair enough, a loose rivet is probably the best option. I'm going to look if I can find some videos on these things in use and maybe see how they're made. I can forge weld somewhat, still not great at it but I'm practicing. ~Jobtiel

Mail call today! A mysterious package from overseas arrived. And inside of it a nice poster. Thanks Scott!! ~Jobtiel

On those irons I poster earlier there doesn't seem to be a sliding pin, just a solid rivet to attach the two parts. it does look like there is a small opening between the two irons, like a 3-4 mm gap. I think a sliding pin will make you spill the things everywhere as the two halves keep sliding. ~Jobtiel

Good point, at 30 kg it is easily transportable. Maybe it's possible to have a tool chest on wheels where all your tools and anvil fits in, then you can just load it up every time you leave. ~Jobtiel

Started working on a small bowl adze. Mild steel with a file for the cutting edge. Turned out really well, and the weld is very solid. Still learning to forge weld reliably so this is definitely a win. I also made one of those scale scrapers from a file I saw in another thread. And they work a treat to remove that heavy scale after forge welding. ~Jobtiel

Maybe I'll make them rectangular yeah. I have some wide flat bar that is a nice thickness for the irons. I only have an angle grinder and a hacksaw so getting good round parts might pose a challenge. I'll save that for when I have the space to store oxy acetylene safely. Does anyone have any idea how big the gap between the plates is? are they gapless when closed or should there be some gap to allow for the batter to be in there. I imagine them being seamless would make for very flat wafers. ~Jobtiel

Very cool find, and indeed, why someone would scrap that is beyond me. In the Netherlands these things are impossible to find so I can imagine they would fetch more than scrap price if someone is looking to get rid of it. ~Jobtiel

I must say I have been inspired by this post to try and make myself a pair of these waffle irons. Now to start I need to think of a way to cut out the round ends. Also need to (finally) get started on engraving chisels and the like. It seems that I have another project to build up tools and skills. ~Jobtiel

Yeah I'd be quite wary of leaving my tools there. People like to use anvils as welding and cutting tables. Maybe you can have the people that want to use your stuff have a mandatory training and proper use guide with access taken away when they mistreat your stuff. ~Jobtiel

There was a very good video by Joey van der Steeg where he forged something similar, but I can't find the video anymore. Dutch "spekkedikken" irons are very similar.

Been doing some more axe making, practicing my forge welds at the same time. A 1.5 kg head and 70 cm handle, nice forest axe size. Used a piece of wagon tyre, not WI, and leaf spring to forge the axe. ~Jobtiel

Those are all good ideas, I got a very cheap wood burning pen a while ago, so I'm gonna try that on some scraps, it's either that or my initials stamped in the hinges. ~Jobtiel

Fair point, didn't think of that really, I'll definitely keep it in mind for the next project. A rabbet around the bottom and the joint will look nice and tidy as well. Thanks for the tip! ~Jobtiel

The chest is resting on the bottom with the nails holding it together. ~Jobtiel

If I recall correctly in the labs I worked in all measuring equipment was checked for accuracy and precision yearly. ~Jobtiel