James Conyers Posted November 25, 2017 Share Posted November 25, 2017 I'm still pretty new to this obsession called blacksmithing and I recently picked up a drop of steel to beat on until I can afford a real anvil (There's aplace I've been using that has a full shop). I don't have a hardie or pritchel hole but I would like to start punching and drifting at home as it is far more convenient than driving for 45 mins each way. ::Sets out coffee, beer, whiskey, and snacks to appease the curmudgeons:: For a new guy what would you recommend for this task? Budget is EXTREMELY limited, kid #2 is about 6 weeks from making his world debut. I have a fried that has a plasma cutting table and a MIG welder. My initial thought was to get another steel drop and some angle and rig something up short term. What say you fine folks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted November 25, 2017 Share Posted November 25, 2017 Historacly a bolster was used when one needed to punch or drift. A portable hole is a popular and effective option for a hardy hole, a piece of 3 or 3" heavy wall square tubing with a 1" plate with a 1" square hole cut in it welded to the tube and set at anvil hight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted November 25, 2017 Share Posted November 25, 2017 Search out a portable hole for the hardie hole. Search bolster plate for the prichel hole. A short piece of rr track laid on its side makes a nice swage block with both inside and outside curves. A trip to the junk yard and you can find many things with inside and outside curves that can be used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted November 25, 2017 Share Posted November 25, 2017 I have also used my post vise for punching because I can adjust the width to match the part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John McPherson Posted November 25, 2017 Share Posted November 25, 2017 Blacksmiths have punched holes in steel for millennia. Hardy holes & pritchel holes in anvils, and cast iron swage blocks all appeared in the historical record in a fairly short time frame, about what we 'Muricans call the late Colonial Period. Prior to the Industrial Age, leg vises and a blocky anvil were about it in a basic shop almost anywhere, although anything was possible in an urban center. Diderot shows individual bottom tools that strapped across the top of the anvil, but no swage blocks as we know them. Punching was likewise done with a bolster plate over the edge of the anvil, or on a suitable support. Got a drill and some scrap plate, plus some spare time? Make one for round holes, and make or buy matching punches. When you get better, you can make square or any shape your heart desires. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted November 27, 2017 Share Posted November 27, 2017 I recently picked up a 50 pound block of steel with two 1" sq holes in it---AR steel from a dozer wear plate I believe. Of course I did pay US$10 for it at the scrap yard. I'd try to locate a good drill press and make you own bolster plate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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