USANewbie

Thanks Hefty. That's my problem, im not able to smooth out the lumps. Maybe I'm taking too big of a bite each time i rotate.

I went to the scrap yard today to sell some scrap. I ended up bringing home an 1/8"x4'x5' piece of plate steel. I got it for scrap price, the guy let me put it on the trailer before i went back over the scales, so basically i just traded it for scrap weight..

Glenn, I can't dig where I live because there are pipes buried everywhere and I don't own the property. The lumber would last if I use treated and keep it off the ground but I would rather do gravel, its cheaper.

Gravel is pretty cheap compared to lumber.

I went out in my shop and its wet. Unfortunately i have a small yard and its a low spot and floods when there is a lot of rain. I can either build a wooden floor which will cost me $700-$800 or bring in gravel to build up my shop floor.

Good thread, thank you.

I'm finishing up my torch cart. I added a rounded piece for the oxy bottle to sit in at the top, and a chain. And for the propane bottle i used a clamp for a tank that usually goes on on an RV. It works well. Then im going to reorganize and clean the shop some more.

I will Daswulf, thanks.

BillyBones, thanks i will check out his videos ThomasPowers, thank you as well.

Thanks Daswulf, ThomasPowers. I keep watching these taper/drawing out videos. I just watched another one by Alec Steel. I'm determined to understand and learn how to use the far and near side of the anvil to make tapers and bars. If i can master this technique i will have accomplished something.

I will need to put forging practice and projects on hold till i can build another anvil base. Mine has a rotten bottom and is falling apart. I need to buy some treated wood for a new one.

I cut my bench in half lengthwise, it was too big. Im going to make two narrower benches out of it and put them in the corner. That will free up some shop space.

Thanks Daswulf. I like the idea of drawing out steel quickly, but i do a cleaner job of it on the horn. I need a lot more practice with this far side of the anvil method. I just had an idea, i could try this method out on my other anvil, its made from a rail track and has more rounded edges. The face is very rough but it will work to help me understand if my other anvil has too sharp of corners.

Thanks Arkie, i watched the video by Joey van der Steeg, Blackbear forge and another person. That's where i learned it from. IronDragon. The edges are not sharp but maybe they are not as round as they should be, but I'm not sure Chad J. I have a shop built anvil

Yes frosty that makes sense. I've used those discs on autobody work. I use to trim the edges with an old pair of metal cutting snips when it got worn down and dull.