Rojo Pedro Posted December 25, 2019 Share Posted December 25, 2019 From my lovely Lady.....shes the best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted December 25, 2019 Share Posted December 25, 2019 Ahh, I LOVE blacksmiths! I mean, who else would get a guillotine for Christmas and be happy enough to announce it to the world? SWEET SCORE on the Wife and present Pedro. May the new year be the best yet and the least of those to come. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rojo Pedro Posted December 25, 2019 Author Share Posted December 25, 2019 Thanks Frosty! And to you and yours Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conrad.blacksmithing Posted December 26, 2019 Share Posted December 26, 2019 I received a block brush and a license plate cover with my forge name. Very grateful for everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dax Hewitt Posted December 26, 2019 Share Posted December 26, 2019 Nothing to do with smiting because she wouldn't have a clue what I need / want but a very cool gift anyway. She got me a half day horse archery lesson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted December 26, 2019 Share Posted December 26, 2019 A large bath towel with my name embroidered on it from a neighbor. This time of year is usually a bit rough on me, so I am not a big fan of the holidays. Spent Christmas morning cruising the net, then in bed by 5:30pm (I work nights, so I usually start yawning around Noon). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted December 26, 2019 Share Posted December 26, 2019 Got a start on the 12X14 foot addition to the shop/garage (I'll start another thread) along with the new to me tractor a Massey Ferguson M255. Then a scrumptious dinner with friends at the 1886 Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyBones Posted December 26, 2019 Share Posted December 26, 2019 Not really blacksmith related but my daughter got me this blanket with pics of my dog on it. This Sunday will be 1 year ago that he passed and i miss him everyday. My very best friend in the world. Never had a dog like him before and provably never will again. Best i could do with the light and a fuzzy blanket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyGoatLady Posted December 26, 2019 Share Posted December 26, 2019 My blacksmithing related presents. Quick tong bundle and RR spike tongs from Ken's Custom Iron. My husband got those and then was trying to think of other things. He PMd Jennifer of jlpservicesinc since she is such a great influence for me and asked her what he should get. Hence the Nicholson files, file card, chalk and the awesome book by Mark Aspery. Thanks for helping him out Jennifer. I love everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tanglediver Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 I built myself a spare tire rack under my truck, just what I needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlpservicesinc Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 CGL, Your Husband was so sweet to reach out and get you these wonderful smithing items.. What a great assortment. Merry Christmas indeed.. the chalk is used to fill the troughs on the teeth of the files to help resist clogging and to make them easier to clean with the file card.. When you first use the files remember to push them lightly and only have light pressure in the forwards, (cutting) direction. In other words only push down enough to let the file do the cutting action vs pushing down harder to try to get a deeper cut. Filing hard scale will dull the files pretty quickly so vinegar soak or a thorough aggressive wire brushing will remove the surface scale. when you chalk the files, only push forwards with that same light pressure till the teeth are full.. some will always be dust and thats ok.. I've used baby powder, pam cooking spray and WD40 as a file lube or anti clog, but the chalk works about the best. When you use the file card use it lightly as well. Traditionally they were also only used in 1 direction and need to be kept flat to the file surface otherwise the little wires will get bent or knocked off. I started using the file card in both directions staying away from each end and this has lead to a longer life on the file cards.. I'm am more careful with the file cards than with files now. LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rojo Pedro Posted December 27, 2019 Author Share Posted December 27, 2019 Nice score CGL. Kens tong bundles are great. Got this from my new favorite son in law Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyGoatLady Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 Nice book Rojo Pedro. I have a few in my library, but the Aspery book is by far the best one. I'll have to continue getting more of his volumes. I had never heard of using chalk on files before. Great pro tip. These are the niceset files I've ever had, so they will be used with great care. The chalk is the ones they use for your hands when you play pool. My daughter works at a local bar and asked her boss if she could have one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 Chalk is especially useful when draw filing to prevent scratches. Good presents CGL all very useful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlpservicesinc Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 IF&C We should discuss your comment as for preventing scratches draw filing or otherwise.. A file will load up with particles stuck in the file as the teeth wear.. The chalk fills these wave troughs and helps to keep the metal just removed from sticking. Basically a file is a series of tops and bottoms and can be looked at as a wave or sorts. These piece of metal that will stick in between the teeth in the root of the trough will gall creating a scratch or very deep scratch.. It is not the teeth of the file doing the scratching or galling. Technically it is galling that is taking place.. But. I find I barely ever need it when draw filing if I blow the dust away as I work.. The chisel video will show this in number 2.. Now when cross filing vs draw filing the clogging of the file with bits is much more likely as the chips are only so long and can not move out of the way of the tooth profile behind it and will lock onto that tooth and seems as though it welded to that tooth.. the file card is used to remove that stuck cutting or chip.. If this does not work, use a piece of flat brass about 5 or 6" long and use this the same as the file card in line with the teeth working across the file.. Use the front end/edge of the corner to force this chip,burr out/off the tooth.. This is proper cleaning and will lead to a longer life.. CGL, when you find your files are getting dull they will go to showing a reflection of light on the top of the tooth.. there are file sharpening services which cost much less than a new file. Hit me up when the time comes and I'll share it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Witchgrass Posted December 29, 2019 Share Posted December 29, 2019 I also got one of the Quick tong bundles. Working on plans to get my forge finished up soon so I can hear up some steel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyGoatLady Posted December 29, 2019 Share Posted December 29, 2019 I may start putting my tongs together in the next day or two. I'm still going to learn to make my own though. I've been studying the Mark Aspery book and put some of his teaching into practice last night. It's already made a difference Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted December 29, 2019 Share Posted December 29, 2019 Always clean before storage. Keep the files protected from hitting each other or other metal tools, and wrap each separately or separated by cloth etc when you store them. Make a series of slots in wood and store each file on edge in its individual slot. This can be used just as well for your rasps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlpservicesinc Posted December 29, 2019 Share Posted December 29, 2019 Rojo Pedro, Practical blacksmithing was my bible for many years. I love that book. I would use the book as a forging exercise book with each chapter or skill set presented as a skill set to accomplish. I spent many a time making whiffle tree clips but have never needed one.. Anyhow, what I did find is this book was for people all ready in the trade with a skill set in place.. So, some information was left out.. Not because they left it out as a secret, but was left out as common knowledge not needing explanation. Still one of my favoirte books and a great one to have in the library. The Blacksmiths craft was my other favorite.. Now of course Mark Aspery's books are very good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyBones Posted December 29, 2019 Share Posted December 29, 2019 To separate tools i use the racks out of an old refrigerator. I bent an angle about 2" from one end then about 6" of flat." _/\__" sort of shape when viewed from the side. The tools lie nicely in the racks and the coating helps protect things like files from the metal bars. Works well for pliers and wrenches also. I have seen them with 2 bends but if you are not wheeling the tool box around a lot it is not needed. You will need to rig up some kind of brake to bend them, otherwise it is a pain to bend all the bars at the same time and angle. I will try and remember to get pic tomorrow at work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted December 29, 2019 Share Posted December 29, 2019 My family was broken up between 3 states for Christmas this year. We finally got together for quiche brunch this morning. My dad bought me an anvil. Well, a lil 1# aso sample/trinket. it's cute tho. also got some new boots, so I'm happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted December 29, 2019 Share Posted December 29, 2019 I love miniature anvils. I forgot to mention the 50 pound sack of bituminous coal I received. Must have been bad this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogblazer9598 Posted December 29, 2019 Share Posted December 29, 2019 (edited) On 12/27/2019 at 5:20 PM, jlpservicesinc said: there are file sharpening services which cost much less than a new file. Hit me up when the time comes and I'll share it. jen , do you use that file sharpening service and are you happy with the service? Edited December 29, 2019 by Mod30 trim excessive quote Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted December 30, 2019 Share Posted December 30, 2019 17 hours ago, Irondragon Forge & Clay said: I love miniature anvils. This is now my third, and largest. I'd rather collect full size functional anvils but they are expensive and over my budget. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John in Oly, WA Posted December 31, 2019 Share Posted December 31, 2019 Nothing really exciting, but useful - a couple of CO detectors to put in my shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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