AndrewOC

Thanks heaps for the education on the US world of gas bottles. Here the 10 yearly inspections are visual (as far as i know); the examiner unscrews the valve off the empty cylinder and looks in with mirror and light. Had to do this for my van's 80 litre fuel tank, then you pay for a new valve.
I hope we haven't hijacked your question Humphry! Cos oxy bottles are linked to a rental agreement they tend to get 'lost' or abandoned once the contract is broken (eg if supplier is changed).
I recently cut off the bottom 6" of two 'scrapped' cylinders that had the valves off. Shall sell them to armour makers that think they are good dishing blocks. The remaining top (about 2.5') i've suspended to try as a bell... not as loud as i thought it would be. The next experiment i may try (ha!) is to flare the bottom say 3", then perhaps try h&t it.
tell us how you go Humphry.
regs
Andrew OC

i concur..
years ago i worked on a 2cwt Alldays. They had fitted some type of pneumatic equipment silencer on the exhaust. Was pleasant to work near, just the grr-grr of the gear drive.
tell us how you go, James.

Andrew OC

Ah we wish we could own oxy & acet cylinders, here in Australia. The rent is poison over a length of time.
What find of conditions do the refilling companies impose? In Oz LPG / propane cylinders (which can be privately owned) are required to have date of manufacture stamped on them; to be filled they need to be less than 10 years old.
Do you guys in USA have similar rules on other cyllinders?

Andrew OC

Mmmm
I have to say NEVER power up a stone intended for hand use. the maths is rather complicated for me, but maximum rpm anything should spin at has alot to do with ft/min or surface speed. An increase of an inch in diameter has big changes on centrifugial forces!
If a grinding stone has no 'safe rpm' label best to use it by hand only. Every time my maintenance fitter mate sees me buy an old wheel (originally for a bench grinder) he shakes his head, even when i stress i'm using it to hand rub scale off when tempering.
Even the 'rings like a bell' test isn't as good as buying a new wheel.

I'm very glad to hear your ok ApprenticeMan; we want to see what neat stuff you'll churn out from your Anyang!

keep safe,
AndrewOC

Interesting point UnicornForge. Speaking as a student 'museologist' we see how much trouble established government and community museums have surviving and building collections.
With my collectors hat on i've often heard 'ole dears' say I'd like to see that[choice collectable] go to a museum when i'm gorn. In reality museums must have some limits to what comes in the gates. It's an interesting issue...

AndrewOC

may snooze next to that dog, eh double edge?
Seriously tho, this is a great thread to prove to my fiance that i DON'T collect junk, it just comes with being interesting!
And Grant, is that an EDM or CNC mill you have there? neat.
AndrewOC

A heavy forging company in Sydney i worked for had a 7 cwt, 10 cwt, two 15 cwts, 30 cwt and 1000 ton hydraulic press all on inertia blocks (cubes of concrete) sitting on huge coil springs. It worked well; factory was near residential area. I'm sorry i don't have useful details (industrial secrets!) but it can be done.

Here is how i moved my '84lb' spring hammer. I stripped the loose bits off (needed rebuild anyway), Fork guy laid it over and i built up a dolly under it-


Me mate and I winched it into a horse float (tandem axle, 1 ton capacity).
Drove it to new site, another fork put it back upright; currently sitting on steel dolly in upright postion awaiting restoration (sorry; don't have pic yet).

This guy ha done some facinating stuff with heavy things, the videos are inspiring!
Pyramids, Stonehenge, Easter Island and the Great Pyramid explained by Wallace Wallington!

So yer, everones ideas are definately good. I'd only add that the more supporting structure you build for the move eg jigs, harness, armature, dollies etc. the easier, safer and more confident the move. However you can spend ages building those (like me!). I've tried to offset this by making my wheel-and-axle sets adaptable to other uses.

Have fun, be safe
AndrewOC

I use a powdered beverage can with air tight metal lid to soak items in expensive volatile solvents. eg xxxxxx old sharpening stones loaded with oil and grit in thinners; come out almost new.

AndrewOC

I've been meaning to price these guys as well. Located in Wetherill Park, Sydney.
Anyone else feel free to jump in ahead of me!
Field Furnace Refractories

Andrew O'C

ps also there is Bulli Refractories;
Quilkey Place
Bulli NSW 2516
Phone and Fax;
(02) 4284 4611
I used to use their products in an industrial setting; so it must be ok!

Hi scary,
Don't you just have a comprehensive machine shop!
These websites of local machinery houses may be of use to you- at least bring you up to speed on retail prices.
https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/ -this is Hare and Forbes- nearest branch north Parramatta
Mick Moyle's Engineers Supplies -older small business in Summer Hill
McJING Tools Online -specialising in Chinese imports- tend to be cheapish

These websites are handy bookshops;
Berkelouw Books | New Second Hand Antiquarian Books Sydney -Paddington, Berrima etc
Plough Book Sales: Home -Victorian mail order supplier- extensive catalogue

I was in Berkelouw's Berrima last week and bought some 'workshop practice series' books 2nd hand, $8.50 ea. this is same or cheaper as new price 10 yr ago. They had a couple of general machining textbooks for about $22 that looked good but i passed up.
Hope this is of use.
Andrew O'C.

Very nice blower OddDuck, if you get browsing old posts here (yes facebook style!) you would see the amount of trouble other smiths go to avoiding building one.
yet more selling potential for a founder.
Re the tue iron burning; i've seen suggestions for using stainless pipe- but haven't heard how successful.
AndrewOC

I was enjoying stout and pale ales at one stage, (not at the same time). however both have learnt to disagree with my guts! :(
a.
go Coopers brewery

Hi Davs,
drop in to Sydney Heritage Fleet shipyard on James Craig road, Rozelle. They don't do very much forging, but i'm trying to change that! Am there most Saturdays.
Also pay a visit to the technical college smithy; during the day there are apprentices there that can provide professional contacts.
To find it is a bit tricky; the place is a rabbit warren, but persevere. Sydney Institute of TAFE, Ultimo College, building 'O' Wattle street level, nearest to corner with Thomas st.
c ya!
Andrew O'C

That Sheldon looks vaguely like my Australian made 'Premo' by Brackenbury & Austin of Sydney. It is probably 1950's, 7"x24".
Usual story- bought cheap, long clean up process!

Does anyone recognise what it may be a copy of?
regards,
Andrew

Welcome BadK!
you'll find lots of help and great ideas.

enjoy
Andrew OC

Hi David,
this is my favourite lathe site at the moment;
lathes.co.uk
Tony has useful tips for assessing lathes to buy, 'Buying Advice' as well as details of many manfacturers.
also i quote 'For some interesting and amusing advice on checking over a used lathe try: Lathe Milling machine shaper collet parts' definately amusing.
enjoy
AndrewOC
ps i'm picking up a lathe tomorrow as well!!! an Aussie 'Premo'

yes-siree biggundr, those horns are so vicious! A large workshop in Sydney had installed big rubber condoms on the anvil horns due to so many compo claims. standing orders were the rubber things had to be on when ever the horn was not in use.
so look out!
regards
Andrew O'C

nice! can i 'av one?

Andrew O'C

The anvil and gadget on the pallet in the background of your first photo suggests you might be getting this from somewhere interesting!
If so have a look around to see if it fits; i'm speculating a steam hammer cylinder cap?

The Victorian (Australia) artist blackie group have a 2cwt Massey hammer. They picked it up in a local suburban back yard, but had to go 200 miles to get the cylinder cap- a metal artist was using it as a dishing block!

enjoy tha stuff.
Andrew O'C

This is purely an idea, as i have never seen a Sainler hammer. An old Alldays & Onions hammer i used to work under had a pneumatic systems/ air compressor silencer on the exhaust. Apparently it was unbearable without it.
Just a thought...
let us know how you go, could you find a pneumatics/ compressed air specialist that would help.
Andrew O'C

Hey Thomas!
I'm curious to know what the advantage is for having a step down to both horns? Round shoulder for bending block on one?
the dragon idea sounds great, but i think i'll dodge being a sculptor on this one!
regards
Andrew O'C

I like Thomas' idea of putting a sling around a beam rather than drilling holes that weaken. Another safety measure i've used is props under your beam either side of the lift zone.
This is great, i've been looking for an excuse to post this youtube clip; 'Building Stonehenge - This Man can Move Anything' (cut and paste title into Youtube). Wally Wallington has done some really impressive experiments.

stay safe.
Andrew O'C

ok here is direct link

Hmm, that is certainly wonderous
Holding hardie tools in its mouth?

Andrew

I picked up this cute but abused anvil a few years ago and can't decide what type of heel to make to repair it.
I have access to my old tech college 3cwt Massey, so can make the piece.


It currently weighs 9.7kg / 21lb+

So what does everyone think? Flat horn Euro style, traditional London pattern heel or something wonderous?

looking forward to ideas!

Andrew O'C

Sounds like a neat idea, i'm sure i've heard of some gas welding outfits having such a gadget. Looks like you'll be designing it and showing the rest of us!

Back in the day when i worked out of furnaces we rarely had a need for it to idle; sure we would work on a forging for 10 or 15 minutes till it was cold, but there would always be another job still soaking inside. I wonder also if the furnace was on idle too long wouldn't it waste time and gas warming up again to use?

When we did need to have a long thinking moment/ smoko/ tea break without shutting down the furnace we would cut the throttle down to save gas but keep it hot.

Hope this pondering helps

Andrew O'C