R.Smith

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Mr Smith?
What part of enough didn't you understand?

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Ed,

Yes, its flammable, but you put it on the tool cold. Its usually good for 3 or 4 trips thru the stock before it needs another shot. It doesent take much. I usually save it for larger holes 1" and up. The small stuff I just wail away on.

The best tool for drifting is a proper sized backing plate.... makes life a lot easier, and the hole a lot nicer.

This may be obvious but, dipping the punch in water before dipping it in the ground up coal keeps the powder on the punch. I only say this because Ive seen people actually try to sprinkle the stuff on the hot stock.

I use either ground up green coal...green because its the escaping gases from the burning coal that causes the release (old coffee grinder works great) or Felpro Moly Dry lube mold release, available from McMaster Carr for $8 a can. Its a spray that dries leaving a heat resistant film. Its great for drifting.

I run my whole shop with one. For info, go to Harrys Old Engines.

They have a site much like this one and any question you have can be answered.

For parts, you cant beat Hit and Miss Enterprises. Theyre in Ohio and have a site under the same name.

Some more options are:

Bolt an Enerpac hydraulic pump or similar hydraulic cylinder unit to the top of your layout table and form across bolsters. (This would require you to have a fairly sturdy layout table)

Buy a cheapo hydraulic pipe bender from the local cheap tool store. (you can make your own dies for square stock.

Make friends with someone who has a rolling machine.

I go by Empire Wrought Iron. I thought about using a cutesy name but decided against it because I, myself, don't put a lot of faith in businesses that do this. They tend to disappear as quickly as they pop up.

I chose "Empire" because it conjures up the nostalgic ideal of the iron age. Grand, large, solid...the age of Empire.

My shop, however, is not empirical...but thats my secret.

I avoid the "blacksmith" label because most people associate the term with nails and horse shoes. I avoid the "artist" label because most people associate the term with...paying for image and waiting an eternity for the job to be finished.