elkdoc

Tease... :lol:

Thanks sandpile. I'll think about that. Something has to give, though. I'm sick of trying to grind blades with an angle grinder. It takes forever to clean it up with files. I can get away with it on regular smithing projects, but it sure would be handy!

Thanks for the tip, Ralph. I've saved all my old bitsin a box under my workbench. Never knew exactly what for until now. I'll give that a shot in the future. 8)

Thanks for the link, one_rod... :)

Thanks. That's the decision I'd come to.

Hey folks. I'm going to forge some blades from old files this weekend. Do I need to anneal the file before forging, or can I go ahead with normal forging operations? I'm planning to forge some flint striker/knife combos. Thanks!

Unfortunately, it's not my legs that need the exercise. Maybe a belly-band of some kind... :oops:

As do bush-hogs and hay cutters. I've seen 'em both start a blaze when things are way to dry.

I just did a search for them on bladeforums, and most folks seem to be pleased. Geez. I have enough scratch to get a Grizzly here, motor included. Or, I can get the Coote and then drive myself mad looking for an appropriate motor. It never ends, does it? :lol:

Anyone got any experience with Coote belt grinders? http://www.cootebeltgrinder.com/index.html They look solid, and they're quite a bit cheaper than most. Hmmm... Maybe a better investment than the buffer/grinder from Grizzly, especially if I can get a motor for cheap/free.

Dan... I ran across this article this morning from a 1996 issue of the Anvil magazine. Thought you might want to check it out. Blacksmithing as a Business - Nol Putnam, November 1996 http://www.anvilmag.com/smith/blcasabs.htm

Their price has doubled in the last 6 months and shipping would be a nightmare, but I can attest to the quality of the Kayne and Son's (Blacksmith's Depot) coal. I'm not sure where they get it, but it is clean and hot. I've been using if for awhile, as I picked some up in person right before the price increase. It cokes great, and I only have to mess with cleaning out clinkers before my next fire. (A sin, I know. Surely I will be struck down). I get only about 2 quarter sized lumps of clinker in a 3-5 hour run of the forge. I don't know how far Grundy, Va. is for you, but my local guild gets some pretty decent coal from there for $80 per ton. May or not be worth the drive given current fuel prices. :cry:

Archie, sounds like you are a true craftsman... 8) Let us know how it turns out! Actually, how about using your new blacksmithing skills to fashion some hardware for your brewing hobby? Bottle racks, bottle openers, etc. Maybe even a large-scale rack to hold your fermentation bottles/buckets. How cool would that be? :D

Great thread... DonA, where are you getting this sparky flint? I need to make a gift for a colleague, and a striker with a flint would be right up his alley.

Mmmmmm... Mead. :drool: Had some fantastic blackberry mead once. Sits right up there with oatmeal porters for me. Love it. I've been thinking of getting into home brewing myself. A buddy consistently turns out some awesome nut brown ales. Every couple of months he shows up to work and hands me a clinking backpack and just winks.

Looks awesome! The blade shape reminds me of a "Chute Knife".

You da man! Can't wait to see it!

This would make an outstanding demo for IForgeIron... Hint Hint.... :lol:

Hey Don. Funny, Bowie said the exact same thing to me on Sunday. I really cant spend the money on anything much more than the Grizz right now, though. I'm assuming that you'll be at the hammer-in. We really should meet face-to-face sometime.

Actually, yes. I'd love to attend the ABS school. However, right now the cost and time frame is probably prohibitive. $700 tuition plus room and board vs. $450 plus room and board. Granted, it is for a 2 week course, but I don't know if I can swing it, money or time-wise. My scholarship was just $300, but it would knock out the biggest part of tuition at John C. Campbell. Hmm...

Hey folks... I recently won a scholarship from the regional chapter of ABANA. Since my long-term smiting interests are leaning towards knifemaking, I'm seriously thinking about using it to take a bladesmithing course at the John C. Campbell folk school. Check 'em out at: http://www.folkschool.org In particular, there's a weeklong course called "The American Hand-Forged Blade" tought by Jim Batson in January. I know Batson is a former ABS president, so it should be a spectacular course. Also, he'll be doing a bladesmithing demo at an upcoming knifemaker's hammer-in locally. Should be a great opportunity to meet him and discuss my "fit" in the course before I register. Anybody know of some other good bladesmithing courses I should consider?

Considering splurging for the combo 2x78" belt sander and buffer in the Grizzly Industrial catalogue. They call it a knife belt sander /buffer. Got to check one out in person today, and it appeared to be a pretty decent unit. ! hp motor, easy to change belts, etc. Any thoughts?

Very nice. Sexy shape, too.

A buddy used to say that I was: "Dumb as a fence post and twice as tough" I always replied, "thanks, I think..." :wink:

Thanks irnsrgn... Always wondered how they worked.