thecelticforge

I have really wanted to set up a water wheel. The only trouble is that the creek runs out of the national forest onto out land and straight back into it. I do have a book from Mother Earth News called: Handbook of Homemade Power. It has a lot of info.

Exactly what is a punching axe used for?

You read it correctly! I just wanted to share with every one how to get the sweat/grime/soot off easier than any thing else I have come across. I lived in worked at a living history museum for 3 years. No running water or electricity. Ms. Becky the history expert told me I could clean up with baking soda and water, and rinse off with vinegar and water. A 1/4 cup of baking soda per gallon of water and a washcloth for the body. The rest was poured on the head and rubbed into the scalp. Then the process was repeated with apple cider vinegar (1/4 cup per gallon of water). It managed to make my hair and skin stop making extra oil that soap removed and it cleared up a lot of little bumps I used to get on the backs of my arms during the summer. Try it for a few days and tell the world. Wind

If it pays, I will do it! I have made some trinkets before.

It may also be generally known as a fore punch. If it is smaller than the track punch. They are used to make divots in horse shoes for the nail head to sit in.

This is a good publication also. http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/fs013-02/fs013-02.pdf

Two of my favorite books are: "The Village Blacksmith" by Aldren A Watson and another book by him that I can't remember the name of now.

I know that a a decent wood working store such as highland hardware in Atlanta you can purchase taps and dies for making wood lead screws. I saw them used in WV quite often.

That will depend on the steel. I recently made a cod chisel out of an old jack hammer bit. If it approached bright red, it would begin to crack. So I had to work it in the dull red zone. For the most part, I get the metal as hot as I can without damaging it so I will have longer work times.

My dad kept us fed for years as a farrier. I tried it for a short while and found that I did not like dealing with the fact that just because someone paid me $30.00USD to shoe a horse they assumed that they knew more about it than I did. There was also the problem with poorly trained horses. Very dangerous critters.

I don't have one. When I was younger and I left hammer marks on the metal, I would get popped on the back of the legs with a piece of 1/4 round by grandfar. I learned that there are metal moving blows with the hammer and softer flattening blows. It has been habit with me. Many people like to see hammer marks so they can say that the work was hand forged. I compromise: I put uniform hammer marks on the piece.

A friend of mine in WV was married a few years back and I made a treble cleft chime. H told me later, next to the cash, it was their favorite gift.

I have also found that ketchup is an excellent copper cleaner also.

Muratic acid works just like vinegar, but faster.

If I remember correctly, torsion bars are hollow?

Yep, that is the way I do it. I recommend trying things out with play dough first.

Here is the URL with the photo of the gate: Blacksmiths Depot

I rented an engine block lift. It was on wheels and I could move it around with ease.

I recently purchased an air gate for my forge and it kinda works. The only problem is that even when shut off, I have air blowing up into my fire pot, almost enough to weld with. Has anyone else had this trouble?

Dan, I recently started using a blower fan from an old clothes dryer and I can't be happier with it. It is powerful and quiet.

hmmm, can't find it in the blueprints. I will try one tomorrow.

What can I say. I wasn't in the Army to not be a capitalist pig!

Pineapple twist perhaps?

I'll do it!

I don't think I would try it. It sounds VERY toxic.