MRB

Hey Fellas! I’m a full time smith now, and have been moving more towards the knife world and would really love to pick up a power hammer for beveling and profiling. My steel supplier has a 25 pound LG he’s willing to sell to me, but I also happened to stumble across a #1 Champion Hammer. How do the Champion hammers compare to LG? I assume it’s harder to find parts for the Champion, but is it a better hammer? Funny how when you’re not looking for something you stumble across em! Just like trying to find your first anvil. thanks in advance

I've seen someone press skillet pans cold with a 20 ton fly press, so I was curious if using one of those bottle jack h frame presses would work the same? Of course its wouldn't be a permanent solution, but you think it would work? What are the advantages of a fly press compared to one of those hand cranked presses, given they are the same tonnage? Thanks

Given a 20 ton fly press can form these pans, I'm curious if one of those 20 ton H frame shop presses would work for this. I have my coal iron press for forging, so I wonder if getting one of these cheap hand cranked presses would work for forming the pan blanks

Simple, I like it! Obviously thats a pretty wide set of dies, what kind of press are you using? I'm thinking I'll need a large throated c frame press, almost the shape of a fly press, in order to fit the discs in

If you could give some more info on what press you have and those dies, that would be awesome! Thanks

Here are those videos, one he uses his press and the other he uses the fly press. Maybe this will give a better idea of what I'm envisioning. He does some really nice looking work Skip to 3:40 Skip to 1:15

My press isn't currently wide enough to allow pressing a skillet to begin with, so I'll need to build or buy a new one anyways. I'm just curious if 25-30 tons will be sufficient before I make the investment. I will try making probably 13" frying pans max, out of 12 gauge mild, maybe a 2" lip on them. So basically want to press a 15" round piece of 12 gauge into a rough pan shape, ready for hammer dressing. I could heat the discs if absolutely necessary if I make a new forge, but I have seen it done cold and was curious if anyone else has seen it done. Ive also considered metal spinning, however a lathe will take up more space then my already useful forge press I need for everyday production. But, I have heard of guys spinning with standard wood lathes, so I guess it might be an option

Pardon my previous wording, I meant to say he pressed in one motion, not heat. He did it cold

Thanks for the reply. I did see a guy using what he claimed to be a 25 ton press, stamp large cook skillets in one heat. Even saw him use is 25 pound fly press. Of course there was hammer clean up needed, but I wish there were more details as to how he was able to do this cold

Hi, I would like to expand my current production of cookware, and start offering skillets and frying pans. Forging them by hand takes too much time to be profitable, so I was curious if I could press them cold with a press? I currently have a coal iron 12 ton, but I doubt the 12 tons will suffice. Do you think a 25 ton press would work with a proper forming die? Could I get away with one of those hand cranked presses too to dish them out cold? Thanks

Hi All, Looking to expand from making fireplace tools by now venturing into mantles and getting into screens/doors. Not sure now is the best time since winter is almost over, but then again, maybe people rather do the work while the weather is warm and they don’t have a fore going. Anyways, where do you all get your screen material from? Where I looked online, it seemed quieter expensive. Wasn’t sure if even regular door/window screen would work? Thanks

Do you blast before painting? I've been making a bunch of fire pokers and have been painting them with rustoleum hammered spray paint. Knock off the loose scale quickly with a wire brush, then applied directly over. Been very durable and looks great, but I'm not sure it would be good enough for an outdoor railing.

I appreciate all the replies! Will definitely look into everything recommended! Thats some nice work! How did you finish all those railing? Blast and powder coat? And when you say you find the salary higher with less effort, are you referring to doing furniture/flower supports compared to fences and gates. Or were you referring to architectural smithing as a whole compared to the little nick knack stuff. Thanks!

I was curious how those of you that do larger ornamental work, like railings, tables or fences, got your first commission? I assume as you progress and build a portfolio of previous projects, customers are more inclined to commission you. I would love to slowly venture into doing some larger projects like railings or tables, but am trying to figure the best way to get my feet wet in the process. I currently hammer full time, but only do smaller items that are bought and shipped online. The largest ornamental type pieces I have done are fireplace sets. Any advice? Thanks!

Anyone ever figure a way to rig up letter/number stamps on a hydraulic press? Currently I personalize items with the steel at a red color, but I believe I can be way more efficient if I can do it while the metal is cold. However, when cold, the stamps aren’t hammered in as easily. I have a coal iron 12 ton press, and I am trying to figure a way if maybe I can rig up a quick change stamp setup to allow for efficient stamping. The only issue is trying to come up with a stop type of fixture, as if you aren’t careful, you can push the stamp halfway through the material and ruin the piece. Any recommendations or previous setups? Maybe a 1 ton bottle jack would be enough to stamp without over doing it? Thanks