Iron Fangs

I drilled a hole through a mild steel tong blank today and noticed the shavings very similar to the pickaxe, I also noticed that while they flaked the same, the pickaxe shavings were a much lighter color than the anchor shavings (silver and shiny vs an ashy grey color, I'll drill it a bit more and post pictures tomorrow for some more experienced opinions

Then I suppose the only use for that 30 lb cast iron weight is to make my anvil more steady

So pretty reliable then, two pieces of stock from the three I tested made those distinct grey chips you mentioned when drilled, the pickaxe and the odd piece in in the bottom left of the picture are both decidedly cast iron, but that metal ingot next to the pickaxe seems to be a nice piece of steel from the wire-like shavings it gave me, any suggestions on the cast iron? Ive seen something about "heat treating" it to soften it to a forgable piece, that sounds more like tenpering but everywhere ive seen the process they call it heat treating, but that i think was a welding forum (i am not nor do i claim to be a welder!)

How reliable is the drill test when it comes to telling the difference between cast iron and steel?

On the advice of JHCC I bought a set of 5 Tong Blanks, just arrived today, just got to set the rivets in a zinc bath since they are galvanized, Mild steel, should be fine for a starting out set

That's true, I was worried over nothing, if I fan handle driving in PA's winter with its notoriously terrible road systems I can handle a little borax

Awesome, thanks for the tips!

Oh I didn't mean sanding before, I meant sanding after the project is complete in order to remove any scale that formed on already cooled metal

I was thinking to prevent scale while forging, but it does seem very tedious and polishing with sand paper could probably do the same thing now that I think about it

Researching flux today and I had several questions: 1) Borax or Fine sand? I know Borax is widely used but it's also dangerous right? 2) is it only for forge welding or should I always be using it? Ok. Maybe not several questions, maybe 2.

It's the same sand I used when I fired up today, worked fine but the hole kept collapsing in on itself and then my anvil stand rebelled and I decided to reevaluate my equipment

would paving sand work? I have a surplus but it's kinda course

So if I went with that recepie if I used a can to measure. That would be one can of the litter and three cans of sand? And would paving sand work? I have a surplus but it's kinda course

Bentonite is the clay cat litter is made of right? Cause I have cats and that is on my shopping list about twice a month anyway

I was thinking already kiln dried ceramic clay as a pot, I was also thinking a stainless steel cookie sheet my wife hates as a shelf for converting a propane grill, thoughts?

That makes sense, do ceramic and stainless steel make a good heat pot?

Also, I have a question about grill forges, and this might be a ridiculous question. But is it easier to use a charcoal grill rather thsn converting a propane one into a solid fuel forge? They're made of the same material right?

Test run on my forge I have come to 2 conclusions: 1) my jobd is fully functional 2) my anvil needs work, the stand is off balance and falls over after 2 hits of the hammer Solution: balance with legs made of 2x4

Here are some of the longer stock pieces I have, I'm thinking I can use the thinner round piece to make a punch and chisel, I think I'll save the flat piece for a set of Tongs later, it's similar to what I saw used in a black bear forge video (thank you to Daswulf for the round stock pieces)

I'll take recommendations

I am using charcoal, I know it burns up quicker but it should still work fine, it was used for centuries before coal became commonplace after all

Cool, I'll find out tomorrow, going to try to make a set of Tongs, and I'm about to get a nice propane grill, I'm thinking of converting that I to a more permanent set up, but I'll keep my box together

Point taken

Plan to fire it for the first time tomorrow, it was going to be today but it's raining here

I definetly plan to upgrade after the holidays. But I have a structural question, can I cut this into smaller strips and line the pot of my dirt box forge with it to make it more structurally sound and last longer?