KevinD Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 Well...I finally built a stand for my anvil. Then I got my Zoeller burner in my Balloon Time forge and got it going. Earlier I broke every law known to man and went down to the tracks and picked up some spikes. Now...what do I do with all these new toys? :confused: I wanted to see what this Zoeller burner was made of so I heated the head of one of the spikes and wailed away on it till it was gone. Basically I just drew it out till it was the same shape as the shaft. Then I drew the whole thing out till it was about twice as long as a regular railroad spike. That was fun! On the next spike I left the head and just drew out the shaft. OK. Now I'm getting cocky. I need a hot cut hardie tool. My little 98 lb weakling anvil has a 1/2 inch hardie hole. I took this huge bolt that I picked up off the tracks and shaped the end to fit in the hardie hole. Then I heated the whole bolt, quenched the end I just shaped and stuck it in the hole and wailed on it to upset a shoulder to sit on the anvil. I was scared it would get stuck in the hole but it didn't. I still need to cut off and shape the top of the hardie tool but I'm well on my way to making my first tool. Anyway...I guess I'm off and running. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdalcher Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 Looks like you're having fun:D and that is what it is all about! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinD Posted October 28, 2007 Author Share Posted October 28, 2007 This was the first time I have ever put hammer to hot iron...I thought I did pretty good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Salvati Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 Congratulations Kevin! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike-hr Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 The spikes look pretty good. You've got good hammer control, and a good attitude. Keep it up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pault17 Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 Love your forge. it reminds me of mine. Great start! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbob Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 notice how much better you feel after beating on hot iron! its better after you come home from a hard day at work! your work looks a lot better than my first Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete46 Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 GOOD WORK! DO YOU RAISE THAT WINDOW WHEN IT GETS HOT?:p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinD Posted October 29, 2007 Author Share Posted October 29, 2007 It was a bit breezy today so I had it closed. Thanks for all the kind words. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blacksmith Jim Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 Looks great kevin A real nice start! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy seale Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 you go son, feed the need- right or wrong, have fun.jimmy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Martin Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 wow, great job, you have really good control, like how the one is a long bar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 Well done Kevin! Making uniform bar from larger material is an excellent exercise. The bolt might be a bit small for a hardy but it'll work. I'd shorten it and put the shoulder an inch or so from the head, then forge the head into the blade. It's a fine first session at the forge. Keep it up. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammerkid Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 Keep up the good hammering so you going to make a knife out of the rr spike? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinD Posted October 30, 2007 Author Share Posted October 30, 2007 Thanks Frosty. No HK...no knives for me. :cool: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 Credit where credit's due Kevin. RR spikes make better letter openers than knives, not enough carbon to hold an edge. There is enough carbon to make resilient tools though like small pry bars or hay hooks. I made a couple sets of RR spike hay hooks a few years ago but drew them way thinner than was good. They still held up well enough on lighter bales in the 50-60lb range but I don't need hooks on light bales. Oh well. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LITTLEJOHN Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 Nice work Kevin! Keep on forging looks good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alabamablacksmith Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 congrats, looks like you are enjoying, nice setup also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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