short swing

So you guys are telling me, the more I look like a blacksmith. The Better I will become? Most likely im at the shorter end of the blacksmith spectrum... 5' 4" 130?

Im just sticking with my realm of small drums and tanks filled with water. 10,000 gallon tank... yea probally would not try filling that with water. Thanks for the warning

I would cut some slots in the bottom and bolt it to a stump. You HAVE to have some sort of solid base, because It will rattle your teeth out your head when you hit your RR anvil. I would also save a factory edge on the end, then you have a really nice 90 degree edge. The angle also work for some swage shapes you can use.

Peheating my anvil?... makes sense, please exlplain. how hot, how long. does it make that much difference? Doesn't that happen anyways?

Of course, You would fill a fuel drum with water before cutting with any torch. At lease stuffing a cold hair dryer or even car exuast to blow some fumes for 15-20 minutes if your going to cut it with a grinder.

So a barrel is mild steel? Why can one shoot accuratly w/ mild? really interested????

Thanks alot you guys. When you realize that you know everything, and someone teaches you something. Its like learning to speak agian.

After your reply, Thats where I read it.

I heard you can make a high carbon shell on mild steel. Like for a hammer or a hard cased tool. I was told to take the glowing finished tool and bury it in a bed of charcoal to cool. I guess the carbon collects on the outside and case hardens it. Is this true and if it is, how well does this work?

Your tips are priceless to us noobs. You personally changed how I was going to build my tools. Thanks

Let me borrow your lathe

I can get undrilled barrel "trimmins". What is the quality of these peices of metal? Also can get stainless, is it worth something?

If I was going to make some tools for my hardy hole. Should I use hardend steel or is cold rolled fine for the square"I will be having hardend steel for the tool". Is the length important...whats too short? How much overlap? What are some functional patterns you have build?

After calling a few machine shops... I think there just fine Thanks

Great ideas. My exp with the 55 gal drum in some really bad distortion, so after the first use it would begin to leak and burn more of my char. Im interested in the old disel tank, thats awesome! I might be able to get one. Thanks

Leaf springs, coil springs, blades from old mill equipment. Rail road spikes are a favorite.

So I wand to build a cheap retort kiln to make charcoal. Any plans, Idea, help?

So what at the scrap yard should i be looking for for the high carbon qualities. What are some handy tools made easy from scrap?

I just bought 2 anvils, a vulcan 50 lbs and a 110 lbs. The 50 pounder looks like the face has minor rust pits. Do I just wear it down, or does it really affect the project metal. It is totally flat. My other anvil is in rougher shape. a huge gouge out of the face, perpendicular almost across the whole width. Would this be a project I could tackle, being that i have a welder and a grinder? Is just best to go to a machine shop and have them built it up and mill it?