K. Bryan Morgan

My thoughts and prayers are with Dan and his family. My hopes are for his recovery and healing.

I've used a Buckethead shop vac for my coal forge blower for the last 3 1/2 years. I use a cheap plug in light dimmer switch to control the blast. It sits out in -70 f temps in winter. It still works great with zero problems. I paid $20 for it new.

The part about the blood groove was particularly amusing. Seems that myth just refuses to die.

Prayers for your family, may you find solace in your time of grief.

This is what I do. When I'm done forging my piece I wire brush it to remove scale then heat to a black color. Then apply bees wax. The finish is perminant. I then wait for it to cool and buff to a nice semi gloss with a cotton towel. It makes for a very nice finish. And its quite durrable in this Alaska invironment that I live in. I've had pieces that I have not had to re touch in over 3 years.

Wow, lots of really big anvils here. Mine is an Incandescent Ironworks 242 lb Papa Rhino Anvil. They are made in the US now but mine is one of the ones made in China. Which is fine by me. It gets the job done. At the time it was the best solution for me for a good sized anvil. I am very happy with it.

I would recommend for your reading and inlightenment the following. http://www.iforgeiron.com/forum/148-knife-making-class-101/ http://www.iforgeiron.com/forum/151-knife-class-reference-material/

Where's rthebeau?

Wow Steve, what a craftsman. Thanks for that link. I enjoyed it very much.

Personally I would have just put that thing up on end and started beating on it. More mass under the hammer is what is desirable. Since your hitting hot steel you don't need a hardface or toolsteel plate. See Brian Brazeals striking anvil. http://www.iforgeiron.com/topic/27995-striking-anvil/#entry285056

Use it and enjoy.

No problem at all my friend. Yes, at Marks we did do a group knife. It was very enlightening and we had a good group for each meeting. I have missed the last two due to my own issues with time management. But, I will be at the Feb. meeting with out fail. I sent you an email and it has my number in it. Call anytime. And if you don't have what you need here in town let me know and I'll get you over to my shop. We will need to put in a wood stove. But that would be good motivation for me to get it done.

Well your certainly on the right track. One of my blacksmithing regrets was when Brian was here in Alaska I was unable to go to his workshop and make tools and hammers with him. At that time I just couldn't swing the trip to Anchorage. If he ever comes back. I'll be there for sure.

4" of 2" round 1045 is about 4 1/4 pounds. I would get mine at Online Speedy Metals for $20.92 for a full 1 foot long section. Which is about $7 for 4". Onlinemetal.com has 4140 for One Ft. (12") Length - $29.29. Either would be excellent for a hammer. which is about $10 for 4".

Dag nab it Jake. You could have come over. Anytime.

Unscented kitty litter is cheap and easy to use. Just wet enough to ball together in your fist.

Very inventive. I like it. Sorta reminds me of the wheel barrow forge I saw a while ago. Good resourcing and use of materials. I like that its mobile too.

I'm with Colleen. Great cork screw. Love the forge btw too.

Remember Bentiron that the wood placed in the landfill will be coal in 254 million years. Something to look forward to. :LOL:

That is a nifty gadget. I like it. I think your issue is tolerances. You want the holes just a tiny bit over sized. If there isn't any tolerance, say like .003-.005 over sized, it will never work correctly. It will be to tight and not go together. I had to go though all of that in school a lifetime ago. Just my thoughts, but if you waller out the holes just a little bit, I bet you dinner it will go together just fine.

Prayers for you and your families.

TMI TMI TMI...LOL. I got some leather working tools to compliment my delving into knife making. Its been a lovely day with my wife. I hope everyone has a wonderful and blessed day.

Merry Christmas From North Pole Alaska. Santa was good. Its nice weather today. A balmy 16 with clear skies.

Marry Christmas Jimmy. I hope you and Mary have a wonderful day and a prosperous New Year.

James, as a veteran sailor I feel you are doing wonderful work for our folks in the military. Thank you for your support of our troops. Awesome job on this and the other projects I've seen you doing. I appreciate your contributions. USN 77-83.