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I just found this 5" vise. The paint is odd. The coil spring is odder. But oddest of all is the long screw thread extending out of the screw hub. Can anyone explain this feature? Feel free to comment on any aspect of what you see.

I am freshly out of the USMC. 12.5 years and 100% VA disabled. My dad was a farrier/blacksmith for 30+ years and I wanted to learn the art. I use his forge when I visit, but I live 500 miles away. To get started, I bought an old stand forge and wanted to get it up and running. It was in disrepair, but I've got the blower moving and bought a new ashgate and tuyere grate. It had a small crack in the pot on the edge, which I will weld. I am pretty resourceful, so I can rig a belt. In pictures of similar forges, I have seen, there is an additional piece to attach the lever. I have seen how to rig it to work without that piece, but I would still like to find one to complete the forge. there are 4 bolts in the side that appear to have been to hold a wind/heat shield. I can make one from tin, but I would much rather at least be able to see what it is supposed to look like. I am very new to the community and know very little as it pertains to antique forges. Any and all information, from you seasoned guys, about this forge will assist me in learning and will hopefully help me narrow my search for parts. I would like to know things as simple as what this style forge is called. Also, I was wondering about lining/insulating the bottom of the forge. Fire brick would be too thick. I was thinking some type of clay or mortar. How were they originally insulated? the first photo is a similar forge with a complete handle/lever assembly. I am missing the metal piece between the bracket and the wood. The following 3 photos are the forge I bought. once again, any and all information on this forge would be extremely helpful.

I have a Shaw & justice dead stroke power hammer In need of rebuilding. However I can not find much information on it. I want to know if these were good machines and worth fixing or if it would be a waist of time and money? Any information would be helpful. Thanks.

Hi All, Absolutely new to the forum. I've been fooling with metal for years and have many tools for smithing including two anvils, post vise, swage block, and an assortment of tongs and hammers. I also have a pile of high carbon steel and have booked myself into a few classes. I've taken a few lessons too. I'm pretty much set on building my own forge and would like to go with a blown burner. Search hasn't netted me results yet other than this link http://www.iforgeiron.com/topic/19623-forced-air-burner-design/#comment-202388 many other links appear to be broken. I'm building a Peot style forge http://www.spaco.org/Blacksmithing/PipeForge/PipeForgeAndPropane.htm Any advise on threads to read or things to avoid would be really welcome. I'm trying to figure out what parts to find for my burner including the parts needed for hook up to a tank. Here's a drawing of the forge design I'm considering: Thanks, John

In the process of reassembling my Champion No. 400 forge blower after tearing it down and cleaning it up, I managed to mess up the end of the large gear shaft and now I can't thread the cone nut on to it. Does anyone happen to have a spare gear shaft (the one that is 7" long that the large gear fits on to) that they would be willing to sell? I was hoping someone had a Champion 400 in bad shape that they scavenged parts out of. I checked eBay and there is nothing there. I took it to a machine shop and he said that cutting 1/4 to 1/2 inches off the end was the only option. Not sure that leaves enough threads on the handle end for the cone nut and top nut. I would appreciate any help in finding one.

So I bought a 616 last week for $23 and it needs a little work sure, but in looking at it I noticed that there was a third drive shaft with no gear on and didn't seem necessary and now looking online I see a third gear in this spot. Its not the gear attached to the flywheel and its not the big gear attached to the main shaft which has the handle through it. So what is this small gear for. Would like to restore it but not going any farther until I know Im not beating my head against a brick wall. Thanks in advance for your time....

Hello everyone, I believe this is my first post on I Forge Iron. I am in some need of some help and advice. I purchased a rough Champion 401 rivet forge from a blacksmith in Townsend, DE for about $50. The blower is in pretty much mint condition, minus the wasp's nests and caked on grease and dirt I cleaned out of the fan area. The rusted out legs were basically fused into the mounting brackets, but managed to free them and replace them (took a month of chiseling and filing). I will be replacing the rusted out, paper thin base pan bottom with a new 1/8" thick plate. The only problem I am having is that the end of the blower tube and the front part of the frame is rotted. Is there anyone out there with a 401 frame and a matching blower tube that I can buy. There is a guy who lives four and a half hours from where I live that has what I need but refuses to mail it to me unless I pay double for it. He was asking $50 if I were to go there and take the blower he wants off it, but said last night that if he has take it off himself and ship it to me he is going to charge $100 (not including shipping). I just can't see justifying a final cost of around $150 for 1/5 of a forge that usually goes for $200 to $300. Driving there would cost basically the same. Can one be made? I am always up to a challege and I am not worried about historical preservation of the forge. I have a plan to make multiple style base pans for it and have it to be easliy swappable depending on the project. I will post pictures of what I have as soon as I get them taken and loaded.

Hello. I'm new to this site and this is my first time building a forge. Mr. Zoeller does not seem to be taking orders as of yet and I am at a loss as to where I can find nozzles. Does anyone know where I can purchase steel nozzles for a 3/4in pipe? Thanks for any suggestions!