GolFisHunt Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 Hi, I'm Dave. I am a serial hobbyist. While helping my brother-in-law empty his storage unit, his wife said "someone is going to have to move this anvil". Down the rabbit hole I go. The anvil is a 108# Peter Wright that belonged to my wife's great grandfather. "What about the forge?" Brother-in-law says. A lever type rivet forge was the next installation. The pan cracked on the first fire. Research, research, research. Found my way here. Built JABOD. Made a few hooks, fire pokers, and a knife shaped object so far. Lurched around here for a couple of weeks, read "Read this First". Time to jump in. Happy to be aboard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 Oh, good; I don't have to tell you to READ THIS FIRST!!! Wait a sec... Oops. Welcome aboard! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnut Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 Glad to have you here, the more the merrier. Yours is the newbie fairy tale. Lucked into an anvil,forge ,and blower. I'm kind of surprised there wasn't a master smith in the storage unit waiting to give you an apprenticeship. ;-) I'm just joking around. I'm happy for you. Most folks don't come into their first setup so easily. I still haven't found a used anvil worth what is being asked for it but I'm happily making due with a piece of rail that's about ninety pounds. I'm sure you already know there's a wealth of knowledge here. I wish you good luck and remember it's supposed to be fun. Keep us posted on your progress. Pnut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 Welcome to the insanity, just remember, we love pictures that don't violate the TOS. Without pictures it didn't happen. The best advice I have is to find a club/group near you and attend some meetings, you will find a bunch of crusty old folks like me to help you out. Pretty sure we have members in your area close enough to visit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GolFisHunt Posted September 4, 2019 Author Share Posted September 4, 2019 Of course, pics or it didn't happen. Thanks for the warm welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 Good looking work, especially for a beginner. Looking forward to seeing more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 Welcome from the desert outside of Fabulous Las Vegas Nevada. I have a bunch of relatives around Detroit, and still have 40ac in Montmorencey County. Good looking work. Do you have a picture of the lever forge? The crack may be an easy fix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GolFisHunt Posted September 5, 2019 Author Share Posted September 5, 2019 I'll take some pictures in the morning, assuming that I remember. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GolFisHunt Posted September 5, 2019 Author Share Posted September 5, 2019 Here are a couple of pictures of the cracked rivet forge. Claying the pan might insulate it enough to keep the crack from expanding from heat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 The crack already extends from the rim to the firepot, so it's unlikely to travel further. However, in addition to adding a layer of clay, you can use the existing holes in the rim to bolt on a reinforcing strap, say out of 1/4" x 1-1/2". That will give it a bit more rigidity and help prevent other cracks from forming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnut Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 (edited) I agree a strap and clay. I thought you could drill a hole but no such luck it seems. Pnut Edited September 5, 2019 by pnut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 Do you have the missing part of the rim? If you do a welder, versed in welding cast iron, could weld/braze it back in and weld up the crack. A strap & clay would complete the restoration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 IDFC, I'm guessing that the front section of the rim may have been removed by an earlier user to allow stock to lay flatter in the fire. Could be wrong, though. 42 minutes ago, pnut said: I thought you could drill a hole but no such luck it seems. What pnut is talking about here (I think) is drilling a hole at the very end of a crack, to keep it from travelling further through the cast iron. (This is the same mechanism that keeps ductile cast iron from cracking: the excess carbon forms spheres that stop cracks rather than flakes that propagate them.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GolFisHunt Posted September 5, 2019 Author Share Posted September 5, 2019 I was thinking about the bolted on strap and clay lining solution. I'll give it a go. Unfortunately, I don't have the missing chunk. I was told it was removed on purpose, but it looks like it just tipped over and broke. I appreciate the input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Coke Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 Greetings Dave, Did ya have fun at my shop today. There is an old boy at the weld shop on 13 street who can weld up your crack. As far as the missing side you can easily form up a chunk of sheet metal to fit . Your new coal will for sure stay in the pan. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 If you make a section to go in where the missing piece is, it can be made to slide down with brackets, so it's easy to take off for long stock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GolFisHunt Posted September 5, 2019 Author Share Posted September 5, 2019 55 minutes ago, Jim Coke said: Greetings Dave, Did ya have fun at my shop today. Yes, Jim, I enjoyed my visit to Blacksmith Disney Land very much! Thank you for the gracious welcome, hammering lesson, and for the introduction to Jim McKeown as well. I wish I had more time today. I'll try to have more questions next time, I don't know what I don't know yet. As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GolFisHunt Posted September 5, 2019 Author Share Posted September 5, 2019 51 minutes ago, Irondragon Forge & Clay said: If you make a section to go in where the missing piece is, it can be made to slide down with brackets, so it's easy to take off for long stock. With my current skill set, I could make that out of wood. Probably not the best choice. Fabricating it out of steel seems a bit above my pay grade for now. I'll work on that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnut Posted September 6, 2019 Share Posted September 6, 2019 Drilling a hole at the end of the crack to keep it from propagating is what I meant but it goes from edge to edge so there's no where to drill. I think the easiest thing to do would be put a brick or two inside the pan where the piece is missing to keep the coal from dribbling out until you can fix it in a more permanent fashion. Pnut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GolFisHunt Posted September 13, 2019 Author Share Posted September 13, 2019 To call it "cobbled together" would be an insult to shoe makers everywhere. If the clay ever dries in this weather, I'll fire it up. Jim graciously donated the grate and told me which end was up. I still need to acquire some appropriately size leather for the drive belt and fashion some bearings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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