Momatt Posted June 25, 2013 Share Posted June 25, 2013 Finding good metal for near free is fun. I got these tools for cents each. Needed a heavy sledge, new handle was in business. Old adze will see service again soon. Punches are expensive, forged this brick hammer into a 1/4 punch for 25 cents. split handles out of this of oak plank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Emig Posted June 25, 2013 Share Posted June 25, 2013 Nice adaptive re-use. Fits with reduce,reuse, and recycle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcusb Posted June 25, 2013 Share Posted June 25, 2013 Thats true self reliance there. Great Eye! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianinsa Posted June 25, 2013 Share Posted June 25, 2013 That sledge handle looks like its going to be "whipy" :rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted June 25, 2013 Share Posted June 25, 2013 I do so love yard/garage sales. Nice scores. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momatt Posted June 25, 2013 Author Share Posted June 25, 2013 I really enjoy rehandling tools. Looking forward to not burning my hand over hot iron, my first handled punch. I think I should have forged the point downwards so it was centered over the other end. May have to reheat it. Ian, in SA I wonder what species you guys use for handles? In the US hickory is good, you can really have a skinny handle. These handes are actually beefy, that is a 12 pound head. I have found fast grown oak with wide rings makes a pretty good handle, you have to rive them though, a sawn handle often breaks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianinsa Posted June 25, 2013 Share Posted June 25, 2013 Here its mostly eucaliptus(there seems to be hundreds of varieties) I was shopping around 18 months ago for Ken(of Stumptown forge) and found a specialised handle factory in Natal(SA) they churn out handles big time. So I get sacks of handles at $0.75 each they SELECT AND "tweak" some of the handles just for me as they know & understand my use/requirements. I now just "flatten yhe sides a bit and "ta-ra" so I just cheat and by them in. If I wanted Hickory I would need to source some old golf clubs and chop em up(sure to go down well). p.s. whipy=good as in I could just whip this across the anvil a couple of times :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R. Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 Probably 90% of my tools and almost all my favorite ones came from yard sales, flea markets, antique stores, etc.,.I almost always have to re-handle them. Evidently very few people now days know how to properly install a handle.Ash makes a pretty good second choice after hickory. Adz handles are more durable if made straight and then steamed and bent in a jig and left to dry. Less likely to split across grain lines at the bends.Most of the old tools were very well made and with a little TLC can still offer many years of service. I pass over the very worn or severely abused ones unless I think I can re-forge them or use them as raw materials. (If the price is right). Recently bought a nice corner mortising chisel with a few other odd items out of the "dollar" bucket at a shop. It just needs the nicks ground out. A lot of the joy in my hobby comes from finding and restoring old tools.My truck has developed a strange mechanical problem since I started doing this. It always quits right in front of the junk stores. After it sits for about an hour it starts up just fine! Amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Coke Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 Greetings All, MY BLACKSMITH SHOP..... An assemblance of equipment that is made from repurposed tools and material along with well engineered specialty one of a kind hand made gadgets to get a job done in the shortest time.. Most people think that it's just a pile of junk until they need something done and than your are their best friend and savior. If only they could see through our eyes when we pick something up at a garage sale or flea market and they look at us like ARE YOU CRAZY... Forge on and make beautiful things, Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Everything Mac Posted July 2, 2013 Share Posted July 2, 2013 I like the brick hammer mod. It's a good idea that. Does it work ok? Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tantofolder Posted July 2, 2013 Share Posted July 2, 2013 I agree....that punch looks awesome!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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