Tom Lumpkins Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 Hello, I just joined this site and hope to learn a few things about knife making, I am a OTR truck driver and don't have a whole lot of time off, I love chasing big catfish and have alway's took a interest in Blacksmithing. I completed the work on my first make shift forge yesterday and plan to make a few knifes. Click on picture and wait for slideshow to begin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markb Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 Welcome Wagonmaster, you'll find lots of info and good people here. Your forge looks good. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jake pogrebinsky Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 I'll second Mark on all that.Nice setup,but there's no provision for an ash-dump.That will nesessitate a clean-out once an hour,or so,as well as before and after work,so if you can,try to use coal that makes clinker,rather than ash.And what you have in there in the photo looks suspiciously like briquets-you don't want to use them,too much clay mixed with that charcoal dust.The real charcoal they sell at the stores is way sexy-pure as the driven snow,and kicks the heat right out,but goes away right now too,and is way too expensive,so that the soft,bituminous coal that makes clinker is your best bet.Best of luck!Jake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irnsrgn Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 Oops Jake, poor coal makes clinker, good coal makes ashes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MooseRidge Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 I've always found that any coal makes ash and clinker, however, "good" coal makes less clinker than "bad".... The stuff I've been using for years is technically "bad" coal, some sulfur, tends to clinker if not run hot, medium ash... however, puts out some major BTUs... and it was free! Sadly, I'm down to less than a ton, so I'll be coal shopping soon... Wagonmaster, if you are using charcoal, there is no problem especially just starting out. You'll have to watch if and when you switch to another fuel (as any of us do when we get "new" coal, each load acts slightly different than the last!) or if switch to or add a propane forge. Heating times will change, etc. I'm over in Dunlap if you ever happen to be in this neck of the woods.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Lumpkins Posted April 22, 2008 Author Share Posted April 22, 2008 Thanks for the warm welcome, I am brand new at this. the pipe I have leading down to the connection has a plug so I can dump the ash. When I get back to eastern Ky, I'm going to try and get me some coal. My first attempt at making a knife didn't turn out to good, I think I got the blade to hot. it warped just a touch. I did make me a set of tongs that turned out pretty good, outta a couple pcs of rod I had. I have Two long saw blades that I'm using for making knifes ...I learned a good leason today.., I put charcol starter fluid in there and it didn't look like it caught fire and I put some more fuel on it and lite the lighter and darn neer went up like a rommon candle.Yep I scorched the hair on my arms and got the hair on my chin, And got several blister's on my fingers. LOL About ten year ago, I went to a old time thresser's show in Adams Tn, And this feller had a black smith shop set up and I had him make me a Gaff and , sometimes you meet someone That you take a liking to right away. Well me and this old feller became friends and He told me that him and his apprentice's meant there at that old cabin" Black Smith Shop" the last sunday of every month and invited me to join them. Well me being a OTR truck driver and not having much time to go, I never made it there. But I may have to make the trip. Boy's I sure do appreciate all your help. I'm going to try my best to become a big part of this club you all got here....Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 Tom, anyone mention the Blueprints section on the opening page of the site? Some 600 how-to tutorials on things you can make to make your life easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Lumpkins Posted April 22, 2008 Author Share Posted April 22, 2008 Thanks Glenn, I went in there and looked around,There's some real good info in there... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jake pogrebinsky Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 Oops Jake, poor coal makes clinker, good coal makes ashes. Why,you've got to be kidding...but i bet you're not.O.K.,Tom-sorry about that,disregard what i said. Many years in isolation from other smiths sure gave me some strange ideas.Always supposed the clinker to be the requirement for the bottomblast-it remaining permeable to the air blast.Ash in our local bitumen stops all heating after the first,and only(very decent,though),heat. And really only my shiftlessness has prevented me from converting to the side-blast at this point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrynjr Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 Welcome Tom, I haven't worked on knives much but it seems like with any hot steel, it will twist and warp as you pound on it but you should be able to flattening it back out after each drawing / shaping session before you put it back in the fire. Enjoy the site it's is a wealth of information and great company! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Lumpkins Posted April 25, 2008 Author Share Posted April 25, 2008 Thanks for the info, I made a couple knifes yesterday, And now I got to make some kinda tool so I can get the bevel on the knife cut straight. I'm getting there and having a great time learning. going to do some looking around and see if I can get some coal, and I also got to find a anvil. I have a friend that has one for sale,But he don't know what its worth, and he wanted to find out before sitting a price, then he'll shoot me a price, I don't have any idea what ones worth either. Well boy's you all have a good day... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irnsrgn Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 A friend of mine grinds the edge square, then scribes a line down the center and uses a belt sander to grind to the line. FWIW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 True prices for anvils Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Lumpkins Posted April 26, 2008 Author Share Posted April 26, 2008 Well Boy's I found me a Anvil, And I hope I got a good deal on it. Not sure exactly what kind it is, I can make out the word Solid and can't make out the other words,it also has number's on it,I weighed it on Bathroom scales and it weighed around 60 pounds. It needs to be cleaned, I actualy bought it from another truck driver's son, His mother's father was into blacksmithing up in Ohio and when he passed away he left all of his stuff to the grandson, The grandson said he has all the tools and would fix me up with them when he gets a chance to dig them out. The Anvils been laying on the ground for a good number of years and has mud on it and a bunch of rust, I got to head up to Vermont tomorrow but when I get back I'll get out the WD-40 and a brass brush and clean her up. She has some dings, But is in pretty good condition from what I can tell. If you all got any idea of the name of it, I would sure like to know. And if I got beat on it,Let me know that to...Thanks ...Tom I paid $100. dollars for it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irnsrgn Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 the number 3 . 8 -28 x 3 + 8 -say it should weigh 92 lbs, and denote it as an english anvil, solid wrought would be the stampings. It's a london pattern with laid on hard face. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Lumpkins Posted April 26, 2008 Author Share Posted April 26, 2008 the number 3 . 8 -28 x 3 + 8 -say it should weigh 92 lbs, and denote it as an english anvil, solid wrought would be the stampings. It's a london pattern with laid on hard face. Thanks for your help, I have over slept today, Shoot I should be just about to Louisville, Ky right now, LOL... I don't reckon you know , about the name. and do you think I paid to much for it, I'll try and get back on here tonite. I have internet in my Big Truck.. Have a good one ,,,Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irnsrgn Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 In my humble opinion, you got an excellent anvil for a real decent price. Jr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Lumpkins Posted April 27, 2008 Author Share Posted April 27, 2008 Thanks again , I am looking forward to getting home and getting her cleaned up. and putting it to use...Once I get it cleaned I'll post some more pic's of it..Have a good one..Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy seale Posted April 27, 2008 Share Posted April 27, 2008 welcome aboard! i think you will really like it round here,great folks and lots of outher stuff for us beginners, ask questions, have fun, and enjoy. jimmy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ten Hammers Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 Tom, welcome aboard. Get some Marvel Mystery Oil and a new package of scotch brite ( I use green ). Latex gloves if you wish. Spend an hour and you will be surprised how that anvil will shine up. You may find that anvil is an Arm and Hammer brand. Facing the horn, look on the foot ( right side ) for a number. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ten Hammers Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 Pics of the anvil I spoke of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Lumpkins Posted April 28, 2008 Author Share Posted April 28, 2008 Thanks feller's, I'm up here just south of Boston,Ma today, And its pouring down rain. I know there a place on here some where for general B.S , When I get a chance I'll try and find it. Going to give the Marvel mystery oil a try when I get in..Thks for the good advice and I'll look and see if there's a number on thr... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Lumpkins Posted May 4, 2008 Author Share Posted May 4, 2008 Tom, welcome aboard. Get some Marvel Mystery Oil and a new package of scotch brite ( I use green ). Latex gloves if you wish. Spend an hour and you will be surprised how that anvil will shine up. You may find that anvil is an Arm and Hammer brand. Facing the horn, look on the foot ( right side ) for a number.I started cleaning on it today, and I think there is a number or numbers on the front under the horn, I'll check and make sure tomorrow, I'm going to head for the woods tomorrow and get me a big ol stump to mount it on. I am grateful for all of your help. I haven't had much time this past week. I left out last saturday and had a busy week, Just got home this morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Lumpkins Posted May 15, 2008 Author Share Posted May 15, 2008 Well I found me a old stump and got the Anvil cleaned up and thought I would share some picture's with you guy's..I'm hoping to get home and pound some metal on it this weekend..You all have a good one...Tom click on picture to start slideshow... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayco Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 It might just be me, or my computer, but I couldn't get your slideshow to work........nice looking anvil though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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