MC Hammer Posted April 8, 2018 Share Posted April 8, 2018 Holder - nice humor on my name I get that a lot and knew it would be an interesting screen name though I'm Irish and have never listened to rap music. You'll want to read up on some of the threads here about dressing hammers. Not really too bulbous, but what you are trying to avoid is leaving lots of deep scars on the metal that are caused by the often sharpish edges of new store hammers. When you leave marks like that it can lead to marks that you never get out of the finished piece or worse yet cold shuts that expand into cracks. Cold shuts are created when two parts of the metal are folded on each other and not forge welded properly into one solid piece of metal (at least that's how I would define it.) The object of a good hammer is to move the metal leaving a more diffused dent in the hot metal. Yup, bench grinders don't work. You'll need an angle grinder and a belt sander. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holder Posted April 9, 2018 Author Share Posted April 9, 2018 Thank you for this info, because I would have bought a bench grinder and used it. You've helped me avoid a grave mistake. I looked at a rigid side grinder yesterday. Didn't even think about using it for removing stock. I've used them to prep our gear for painting. We worked with tow tractors designed to tow naval air craft like F-14s, F-18s, and so forth. Real heavy steel constructed. I hope a side grinder and an angle grinder are the same. Tool nomenclatures can vary. I've attached a photo below. Is this what you are suggesting? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted April 9, 2018 Share Posted April 9, 2018 16 minutes ago, holder said: a side grinder and an angle grinder are the same. Yep, they are the same and come in different diameter disks (4 1/2 & 7 inch are most common. I like the 4 1/2 because it's easier to handle for small work. The one that HF sells is quite serviceable and less expensive than the "name brands". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc1 Posted April 9, 2018 Share Posted April 9, 2018 i don't make knifes, but an angle grinder to shape knifes seems like a poor choice. Get yourself a Belt grinder from the many suppliers you have over there. Look for a 2"x 72" belt grinder. Also, bench grinders have belt attachments. Not the same but close to start with. Oh ... and before you do, find a knife maker that is willing to teach you the basics. You can not learn much online. Or from "forged in fire" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted April 9, 2018 Share Posted April 9, 2018 As scale dulls files a first pass with a grinder can help. OTOH you can remove scale chemically---soaking in vinegar is a common method, If working by hand forging close to shape is a great skill to learn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holder Posted April 9, 2018 Author Share Posted April 9, 2018 Oh goody, I get another trip to HF. Ahahahagh! I'm fortunate my wife likes the place as much as I do. Belt grinder and 4.5 in. side grinder it is. Thanks guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted April 9, 2018 Share Posted April 9, 2018 Florida Artist Blacksmith Association (FABA) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted April 9, 2018 Share Posted April 9, 2018 Well this character uses a grinder on a knife beveling gig... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holder Posted April 9, 2018 Author Share Posted April 9, 2018 Charles that is a nice looking jig. And the side grinder...I'm picking it up today at HF. Glen, the only meeting I may be able to make is the one at Dark Angel in Pompano Beach. That is less than two hours from my house. How far do most forgers travel to go to an event? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holder Posted April 13, 2018 Author Share Posted April 13, 2018 I found out I will miss the Dark Angel meeting. The boss has me going to California. Yes that's right, the land of wild nuts. I plan to stop off in Texas for a few days to look at some properties. Planning to move there soon. Up around McKinney. I would like to take Swamp Wood with me. I'll feel like a fish out of water and I don't want to loose my Manphibian status either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted April 13, 2018 Share Posted April 13, 2018 I don't recall the dates but there's a CBA conference going on in Cal. It's a large, active organization that services most of the west coast. I suppose you COULD build a Swamp Wood room with: water features, rain forest plants, frequent or constant drizzle, etc. and keep the humidity at whatever you webbies like. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted April 13, 2018 Share Posted April 13, 2018 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted April 13, 2018 Share Posted April 13, 2018 Houston and points south would let you keep using your gills. El Paso had 94 degF yesterday and high winds and today: High 66 degF. Winds WNW at 25 to 40 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 50 mph. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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