Naz

Good job on the stand !
Nice shiny anvil on a nice shiny stand.
Have fun gettin'it dirty !
I agree with John on putting something between the anvil and the stand.

Naz.

As most times, there seems to be more than one right answer.
Next time, I'll put my punch mark as the last step. That way if I need to "whomp" or expand the insert, I won't have to worry about messing up anything.
Here's the finished piece: ( I needed the rack for a new arrival of over 75 pairs of old, rusted pairs of tongs I haven't had time to clean or adjust, as seen in photo).
Funny thing is after I put the tongs on the rack, the rack seems to disapear in the picture.
Good thing is, I learned something about heat expansion.

Thanks !
Naz.

Had seen it before but just had to watch again !
What kind of boots are they wearing ? Standing on the hot steel just a few feet from the yellow-white heat !

Does Anyone have detailed info on how to make Bear or Wolf traps. (What type of steel to use, dimensions, etc...)
Thanks !
Naz.

A few books would make a great 36th birthday gift.
Naz.

I buy all my books from http://www.amazon.com/ , or in Canada http://www.amazon.ca/ I find it to be good, fast, reliable service and way cheaper than getting a local bookstore to order it for me.

I literally learned blacksmithing with books and started with no experience at all in anything near blacksmithing, then I discovered IFI, witch has become an obsession.

Anyway, here's my list. I'm sure there are other very good or better one's out there (planning to get Mark Aspery's books myself), but I found these to be very helpful for the beginner and am constantly refering to these after 5 years of practice :

New edge of the anvil, Jack Andrews
The Blacksmith's Craft (A primer of tools and methods), Charles McRaven
The Blacksmith's Craft, Published by Rural Developpement Commision (Same title as the previous, different book)
The Artist Blacksmith (Desing and techniques), Peter Parkinson
The Complete Modern Blacksmith, Alexander G Weygers
Practical Blacksmithing and Metalworking (second edition), Percy W. Blandford

If I'm going to understand anything, I need lot's of pictures or sketches. All of these are loaded with'em and reasonnably priced.
I know this tread is about links and I'm talking about books but I think they both serve us well.

Hope this helps !
Naz.

Steeve, your father was a lucky man to be surrounded by people that loved him.
I un derstand what you're going through, time heals everything !

Take Care !

Naz.

Well said Frosty !

I see your wisdom doesn't stop at blacksmithing !

I salute you from douwn here montreal ! (Rarely can I say "down here" Montreal !)

Take Care !
Naz.

Thanks for all replies !
Once again i'm loaded with new information as I plan to experiment some more with combining different metals.

Frosty, I like the "waist band on my shorts" comparition, that's taking a lot of technical, valuable information and putting it at my level of understanding! Haha !!!

I'm a self-thaught blacksmith hobbyist with absolutely no background in metals, welding, or anything that has to do with blacksmithing. For me, being able to post a question and getting answers from experienced blacksmiths is one of the most valuable tools I have !

Thanks for taking the time to answer !

Naz.

This one's going on my "to do " list !
Simple and very functionnal.
Thanks for posting this.

Naz

Hi, I'm making a tong rack for the shop and went a little overboard with the details.
I cut a piece of 3/4" round bar of what I think is brass and stamped my logo in.
I then punched a 3/4" hole in square stock at a yellow-orange heat.
Keeping the hole at a yellow orange heat, I inserted the brass disk hoping the metal would shrink around the disk traping it solid. It seemed tight until I quenched the whole thing. I heard a "tic", pulled it out of the water to realize it had gone loose.
Anyone know why that happened ?
It is possible that the hole was over 3/4" as I didn't have a drift and had to fight with the 3/4" punch to get it out, is this the only reason you guys can see or am I missing something ??


Thanks !
Naz.

Prayers are sent from Montreal .
Stay strong !!
Naz.

As I mentionned, my eyes are always protected and I always wear steel toe boots.But I admit I sometimes "juggle" between safety and comfort when it comes to the rest.
Of course the priority is safety but I wonder if working covered from head to toe plus a leather apron at 100 degrees is safer than taking the chance at getting burnt or cut.
Come to think of it, the leather apron does sound safer. At least you can see(feel) the heat becoming too heavy to endure as opposed to the chip(there's no way you can see it coming at 700MPH.)
Why am I even complaining, I'm from Montreal and the weather up here is cooler than for most of you. Which reminds me, I have problems with my propane tank freezing in the winter, but that's another story !! (Just kidding, my wife got me a 100 pound tank for father's day, That should do it !)
Thank's for the comments and advice everyone !
Naz.

I also got all my peices cut out and ready to weld after I saw the plan on the net. The how to link is clear and easy to follow. What kind of steel is right for the dies and is there a common size (of steel)I should be using for the dies. Nick, hope mine turns out half as sharp as yours. You got my interest back in this project.
Nice work !
Naz.

Nice, very nice !
This is the stuff i like: simple, easy, and very functionnal !
P.S. : Your dirty floor looks like mine just after I finished sweeping it .

Great info, thanks !
Naz.

A "texturing hammer" indeed.

Please take care to wear PPE as may of these old abused hammers like to continue to shed pieces off the face in use and while it's merely annoying to fish chunks of steel out of your flesh it's VERY ANNOYING and EXPENSIVE to have them removed from your *eyes*!

Now do you have a suitable abused anvil or steel block to use with it to do both sides at once?

I found this old hand made hammer in a yard sale for $1.00.I'm no specialist but the guy definitely did something wrong somewhere. Anyway, with only a buck to lose I was wondering what the results would look like after beating hot iron with it for a while. Turns out I really like it for some of my projects.

Tong #4 is for gripping flat bar stock. Grab a piece of 2" X 1/4" bar and you will see how it works (though it may be intended for some other size... can't tell dimensions from the pics).

Hi all !
I got a trailer full of goodies last week-end,(two complete coal forges and about 90 tongs,punches,and others) almost everything needs some repair and adjustment but that's OK since the price paid was in my opinion a fair one.($175.00+ a 150 pound Peter Wright in pretty bad shape).
Anyways, here's my question : does anyone know what the tongs(tools)in the last 2 photos are used for ?

Thanks in advance !
Naz.

Hi everyone, this may be a basic question but I was wondering what the numbers on the side of blowers mean. I have one that's marked 700, another is 200(silent), the're both from Canadian blower and forge. Also, is there a forge or blower company that's known to be better than the others ??

Thanks !
Naz.

I prefer tongs by far but whenever I don't have the right one for the job I find vise grips are a great alternative.
Unlike you Tran, I always seem to have problems with the springs, they end up not doing their job anymore until I find them in the dust pan. I love the extention idea, it's unbeleivable that someone wouldn't think of doing that after holding them like a hot potatoe for so long. Anyway, thanks for the idea !
Naz.

Thank you for sharing your opinions guys, I also thaught it was highly priced but it's the first one I've seen for sale around here so I thaught I'd ask around.
I'll probably make an offer (I) can't refuse and see where it takes me.
Thanks again for all replies !
Naz.

Hello everyone,
I saw this treadle hammer for sale near where I live and it got me thinking I could use one of those (now and then).
Problem is I'm not sure what a fair price is for one. There are a few pics and description, could some of you more experienced fellow blacksmiths give me your opinion on this one ?
Thanks !
Naz.
http://montreal.kijiji.ca/c-acheter-et-vendre-outils-TREADLE-HAMMER-MARTEAU-A-PEDALE-W0QQAdIdZ201391484

I use these modified pliers, I cut the bottom jaw and welded a hardie shank.
Simple and easy to make, they work out pretty good on small stock. I never used them on anything larger than 1/2" but I would be limited on stock size, the jaw size having it's limit.
(Still trying to figure how to get normal size pictures.)
Naz.

I think this is the iron city punch you guys are talking about. Hard to say on the vise since it's only half-punched but it's clearer on the hammer.
Naz.