Hollon

the only thing I ever tried to make from rebar was a tong clamp, and it broke after the second use...after that, I've never used it again

hmmm... Paperclips are deadly when inhaled.

The steel was a HC railroad spike, it was forged, but had not been heat treated yet. As I said though, I did cool it in water from a black heat, but I didn't think this would harden it enough to cause cracks. I did not anneal before forging as I thought it would be unnecessary. If you have other questions, ask them, and I will answer.

I was grinding on a knife yesterday and I noticed a crack. I proceeded to bang the knife against the floor once, which snapped the knife in half. My question is what could've caused this? I did cool it from a black heat, and did straighten it cold some, those are my guesses why. Anyone else have any idea. Also it was made from a HC RR spike

I believe you used the wrong name. Around here its "that xxxxxxx Sherman".

I have most of the foxfire books, and found all of them to be a good read. My only question was does the foxfire magazine still operate? Probably not, but one can be hopeful.

This makes me wonder, could you just use hardfacing rods? Or are they not hard enough?

What kind of music does everyone here listen to? I listen to a blues station on the radio while I'm working, but at home, mostly Jimi Hendrix and the Grateful Dead. I would imagine that I'm a minority around here, but I was wondering what everyone else listens to?

The file I was using appeared to never had been used, though it was rather old (and had a light coating of surface rust). As for demagnetizing the file, do I just heat it and quench it? Also the scale had already been removed with a bench grinder.

Just out of curiosity, where and what was this person fighting? Did he wear these to the bar or something? (small bad joke there)

When I file in bevels (therapeutic...haha thats a good word for it) I will be draw filing right? As for draw filing (and I know I had a post about this earlier) do I pull it straight down towards myself like in the the direction of ↓ or do I move it in more of a diagonal line, so that the file is moving both left, and downwards (sorry if this doesn't make sense). My intepretation before was to just move it straight towards myself, but that was leaving scratches, so I started moving it in a diagonal line. This worked well, but the finish was not as fine of a finish as it was described. One last thing. Should I worry about brushing out the filings that become attracted to the file after it becomes magnetized? I had been doing that, but it was taking a lot of time just cleaning the file. Thanks for the information so far. -Hollon

Anyone got any ideas for this? This is going to be done a bench grinder (not a belt) since my belt one is only 1/3hp, and my bench grinder is 2hp... And since I'm new at this, is this a bad plan to go about making this? 1. Forge to general shape 2. Hit blank with grinder to remove scale 3. File till flat 4. Use grinder to put in bevels 5. Use belt grinder to get rid of grind marks 6. Harden and temper. 7. Remove scale 8. Buff 9. Sharpen I realize that some people forge in bevels, but as a beginner, that seems to be leaving to much to chance for me, but I will try this later. I figure also that some people put the bevels in by hand, but I haven't developed the proper hand eye coordination for this yet.

Not to beat a dead horse here, but why are there no/less sound restrictions on motorcycles than there are on cars? I've never understood that.

I just got a new buffer (actually free old grinder + buffing wheels) and found out how dangerous they are, especially with one of those loose cotton wheels. Luckily it never actually left my hands without my intentions

I know this is sort of off topic, but is anyone else witnessing a HUGE amount of those Crane Flies/large mosquito looking things/skeeter eaters/whatever else they are called. Does anyone know what Im talking about?

I could be wrong, but I am guessing that this person wants a gas forge that would be good for a beginner. If you are looking for a ready made one try: Centaur Forge-Gas Forges If you are wanting to make one that will be cheap, and simple to make try here: Plans to build a simple gas forge I am definetly not an authority on this subject, so someone else may be able to point you in a better direction, but this should be enough to get started. Also if you look on that second link, this person also sells supplies to make gas forges with.

I have heard of ethyne torches, that they perform about the same as acetylyne. Anyone else hear of these?

Hmm, I'm an atheist and still seem to have a good time forging and feel good afterwards without even praying.

Can't you just put a larger pulley on it to change the speed of the belt sander?

Well I tried draw filing today, and it seems to be about as fast or faster at smoothing out the blade as the belt sander I have is. Then again the belt sander is something like 5/8 hp with a 1 inch belt. So thanks to everyone and their suggestions.

I googled draw filing, but didn't find much on it. Is it basically just setting a knife flat, and then pulling the file towards you, as you would with a draw knife (well perhaps not that angle). Pictures would help, but I couldn't find one.

Yes, it was a convex grind that I meant. But the general consensus is use a grinder to rough it out, then use files? I also getting a new grinder that uses a completely circular shaped grinding wheel soon, so that may work better. Also, would a belt sand work in place of files, since thats what I use to get rid of grinding marks anyway?

This is really a beginners question, but here it is. I was wondering what the best way to put an angle on a blade, since most of mine (I've only made four knives) seems to just kind of curve down to the edge rather than straight angles. Part of the problem is probably the grinder I'm using which some 50 year old homemade one, that I'm using a plow sharpening wheel I believe.

If anyone could explain the difference to the three paypal accounts, I would be grateful. Mostly I just want to know if you can sell from all three, and if any of them has a start up cost, or monthly fee. Thanks -Hollon

Thanks for the compliments everyone. Now what could I do to make it better (though I probably should have posted more pictures to help with that).