Armand Tatro

This past weekend Clifton Ralph, Steve Parker, and Kurt Fahrenbach forged a new post vise under a two hundred pound Chambersburg steam hammer actually running on steam from a coal fired boiler at the Tipton County Fairgrounds in Tipton,Indiana. It was a great demonstration and a rare opportunity to see the diffence between steam and air operation of a hammer. Roger Degner took video so I'm sure there will be an opportunity to see some of it later for those who missed it. Even as he approaches eighty Clifton is still a great teacher and Steve and Kurt did a great job. I'll try and post a few pictures and perhaps Dave Hammer will post some of his too. If this doesn't work I hope it's OK to say that there are some in the gallery over at fogemagic too. Steve G

This past weekend Clifton Ralph, Steve Parker, and Kurt Fahrenbach forged a new post vise under a two hundred pound Chambersburg steam hammer actually running on steam from a coal fired boiler at the Tipton County Fairgrounds in Tipton,Indiana. It was a great demonstration and a rare opportunity to see the diffence between steam and air operation of a hammer. Roger Degner took video so I'm sure there will be an opportunity to see some of it later for those who missed it. Even as he approaches eighty Clifton is still a great teacher and Steve and Kurt did a great job. I'll try and post a few pictures and perhaps Dave Hammer will post some of his too. If this doesn't work I hope it's OK to say that there are some in the gallery over at fogemagic too. Steve G

Any special reason you made it to push from the bottom up instead of from the top down like most other hyd. presses? Armand

That must've been a very cool visit Monster. Your Dad has a nice smithy here, just waiting for the building!

My Father had different interests in metal and actively discouraged me from smithing. He said I should learn a paying trade instead and I didn't finally convince him I just do it because it's enjoyable, I wasn't looking to make a living at it, till a couple years before he died. Being able to go back and take a walk through his shop with him would be a treat for my soul.

Frosty the Lucky.

Kind of thought that was what you had in mind but wanted to be sure. Thank you for the reply. Armand

What is a donkey saw/ Any pictures of your saw? Armand

I found four of these in a skip a couple of years ago: they link together like jigsaw pieces to form a ring 1 metre wide. They are flame cut from 50mm steel plate and welded to each of the male jigsaw parts is one of those lifting eyes that are usually attached to electric motors etc. When I found them they were clean and not rusted, so had been used in a dry environment. I've been cutting them into 6'' long chunks with the donkey saw, they come in quite useful.

Arftist: Thank you for your reply. I look forward to any photos that you can send me from your friends shop. Please make the trip at your convenience as I am not needing this information immediately. I am also interested in line shaft information and pictures if your friend has any of this equipment. My day job is driving a semi-truck but my hobbies include blacksmithing and older farm equipment. I have lots of pictures of farm equipment but few blacksmithing prictures. Thank you for any help. Armand

There you go. I have a freind who still runs an S type as illustrated in the above link. As far as I know they are still made. He got it from another freind who used it most of his life and has long since passed. Unfortunately he lives in a remote town which I seldom visit. If it is extremely important to you, I will endeavor to make this years visit sooner rather than later, as there are always items of great interest in his third generation continuosly operating shop.

Does anyone have an old acetylene generator that they could take a picture of or pictures of them in a blacksmith shop? I would like some pictures if possible. I can remember the blacksmith shop in Danforth, Il. having them in the early '60's. Thank you for any help. Armand Tatro

Nice looking shop but please read the first post on this page today about man losing shop to fire posted by territorialmillworks. Please consider covering the wood walls with a fireproof barrier and install a sprinkler system if at all possible!!!!!! By the way I hate unplanned fires!! With due respect; Armand

More info please: do you want to reduce the thickness of hot steel by rolling or do you want to make circles and rings from hot or cold metal---both are called rollers though the first one is better called a rolling mill.

Very good hook. Sounds like your wife is a Keeper!!!!! Have a Happy and Productive New Year!!! Armand

Nice nail! Did you do it all with a hyd. press or did you also use a power hammer and could you provide more details on these machines if possible? Also how many heats? Armand Tatro

I would be interested also. Armand

My son and I have a fair sized metal working shop {no working forge yet{ and also some woodworking eguipment. I have been collecting tools and shop equipment since highschool. So today I started looking at my blacksmith collection and came up with 3 coal fired forges, 1 new champion model 60{?} blower, 10 assorted tongs,{ also pokers, shovel, spoon, and other small misc.}, 2 anvils, vises, a small power hammer, and the list goes on! I guess the time has come to see where this might lead. I have worked iron cold and used cutting torch for hot iron bending. It is about time to fire the forge! but first the setup! Forget to mention I already have two bags of blacksmithing coal from W.V. As this takes shape I will keep posting and hope to add pictures. Armand

Question for Dale Russell: What is that big rusty gear behind your press in first photo attatched to and what is its function? From: Armand Tatro Ashkum, Il. USA

Mike ameling is correct! Armand Tatro

I would like more information on junkyard hammers and how to build one. You may have to take this discussion as I do not to hi-jack this one. My e-mail is corn.sheller@hotmail.com. Thank for your help. Armand Tatro

dkunkler I was thinking about a slip roller. Thankyou for asking and the information. I will study this and will have more questions. Armand

My name is Armand Tatro. Between my son and I we have welders, cutting torches, drillpresses. small (12 ton presses) and a kit-bilt cnc pattern cutter(3/8 plasma cutter or flame-cut so far to 1 1/2in. thick. I also have a kit-bilt power hammer with a wood frame. I also have a forge and anvil along with the usual shop tools. I would like to build a 4 or 5 ft. lomg metal roller. Has anybody done this or have any suggestions or ideas? Armand