Derek1984 Posted August 4, 2018 Share Posted August 4, 2018 Hi everyone! I'm from northern wisconsin and just picked up my first forge it's missing some stuff but came with a hand crank blower. I been doing metal work most of my life but never messed with a forge. Yeah I heated steel up red hot and hammered out a fire poker and twisted square Stock before but that's about it. So this forge I have has a blower on the bottom but is missing a bunch of stuff to operate it. And the other blower I have is missing a stand and I assume a tube to conect it to the forge. I am setting up a 10x10 area in my lean too as a small shop to learn this stuff In. I will try to attach some pics of what I picked up today. If anyone has a stand for this blower I would be interested in buying it. As always money is tight. So any suggestions on other ways to make this work is also appreciated. Can't wait to get started on this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted August 5, 2018 Share Posted August 5, 2018 Welcome to IFI! If you haven’t yet, please READ THIS FIRST!!! Don’t worry about getting an OEM stand for the blower (which is a great find, if the price was good and it works smoothly). Anything cobbled together from 2x4 or scrap metal will work for now, and be cheaper to boot. Frankly, if I were in your shoes, I’d make a JABOD to use with the blower, sell the rivet forge, and use the money to buy tools, stock, and fuel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek1984 Posted August 7, 2018 Author Share Posted August 7, 2018 Yes the price was right 150 for it all and the blower works great one good crank and it turns over 2 rotations on the handle by itself. Also came with a huge box of tongs and hammer heads most are junk and a lot are pretty cool looking home made ones. I thought about a jabod but still want to fix this rivet forge up. I have a thing for old iron lol. My cars are a 42 merc, 79 gmc that's my daily drivers and a project 35 ford and 46 chevy lol. I should have the last of the tin up on my shed this weekend. It seems to be extremely hard to get a anvil up in northern wi. Everyone seems to want them just collecting dust and rusting lol. But I have to just keep on looking I would love to be practicing this by the time snow hits lol. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted August 7, 2018 Share Posted August 7, 2018 3 minutes ago, Derek1984 said: It seems to be extremely hard to get a anvil up in northern wi. Only if you're set on something that was originally made as an anvil! Check out the "Improvised Anvils" thread, and be amazed at the kind of things that make perfectly serviceable hitters-upon: Find a scrapyard that will sell you a chunk of steel, a truck mechanic that will sell (or give!) you an old axle, a fabrication shop that will sell (or give!) you a drop from a big job, or a heavy equipment repair shop that can provide a worn or broken part. As they say, bulldozers are made of future anvils. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek1984 Posted August 7, 2018 Author Share Posted August 7, 2018 Wow that never even crossed my mind. I am a equipment mechanic and come across this stuff all the time. I'll see what I can come up with this week. I have to open my mind up to this stuff. I am a restorer on the side and only think of the correct stuff. I may even have a old tractor wheel weight lying around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted August 7, 2018 Share Posted August 7, 2018 Axles make excellent anvils. I like them mounted on end flange up IF the flange is the right shape or close. The old style 6 bolt pickup axle flange is ideal. The center is smooth enough a little grinder work makes it perfect and you have all those bolt holes available for bottom tool holders. Bucket hinge pins are typically 4140 or the close equivalent and make excellent tooling like hammers, top and bottom tools. Must be ice to work in a scrounger's paradise, people bring you machines just shedding anvils, hammers, tongs, . . . well most everything blacksmiths look for in ditches, alleys, back yards, junk yards, etc. Welcome aboard, glad to have you. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek1984 Posted August 7, 2018 Author Share Posted August 7, 2018 Now I wish I saved pins I bet I threw out a hundred of those by now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted August 7, 2018 Share Posted August 7, 2018 Ahh, don't worry there're more where they came from. You put them there didn't you? Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted August 7, 2018 Share Posted August 7, 2018 Bring a bunch down to Quad-State and pay for your entry! (anyone registered for the event can sell at it; many folks will set out a table or tarp of stuff and leave a money can.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek1984 Posted August 8, 2018 Author Share Posted August 8, 2018 Well, this is what I came up with. Not sure what it was from but this was next to my boiler when I purchased my home. My size 14 on top of it for a size comparison. It has to be over 100 lbs i haven't even tried to pick it up. leaving town for a day or so. I will get it cleaned up and sitting on a block of wood in the next couple days. I gathered some steel last night to make a blower stand but haven't got started yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 Looks great; now check to see if it's steel or cast iron. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek1984 Posted August 8, 2018 Author Share Posted August 8, 2018 Lol, ok how would that be done? Ok it goes thud when I hit it. So iron right? I see dents also looks like the search continues Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 Spark test and drill test are two standard ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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