Justin Topp Posted March 4, 2020 Author Share Posted March 4, 2020 Decided to try a new (to me) style of hammer eye punch. Used a guillotine to draw it out. A wider flatter punch vs my old one that had a small diamond point. Way too small a hole usually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyGoatLady Posted March 4, 2020 Share Posted March 4, 2020 Justin, you are really rockin' out the work. So great to see a young man like yourself that loves working with his hands other than just working a video game controller. I hope you rub off on others and inspire them to create Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Topp Posted March 4, 2020 Author Share Posted March 4, 2020 Thank you very much. I used to play video games but now I can’t stand them. I get bored quickly. It’s just not rewarding to me like making things is. So I do this instead. I’m working to improve And I feel I’m getting better. Something about this hobby I enjoy a lot is making things for people. I have given away almost all the non tools I’ve made. Only really keep blacksmithing and wood working tools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Topp Posted March 5, 2020 Author Share Posted March 5, 2020 Got these top tools done. The hammer eye punch is 4140 and an oak handle. The set hammer is mild with a 5160 face forge welded on. Handle is European beech Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyGoatLady Posted March 5, 2020 Share Posted March 5, 2020 Great looking tools. Keep up the good work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Topp Posted March 5, 2020 Author Share Posted March 5, 2020 I appreciate it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnut Posted March 5, 2020 Share Posted March 5, 2020 That's an nice hammer eye drift. I like it a lot. Pnut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Topp Posted March 5, 2020 Author Share Posted March 5, 2020 Thanks again Pnut. I’m excited to try it out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Topp Posted March 5, 2020 Author Share Posted March 5, 2020 Finally finished this little straight peen. 1.75lb 4140 on a ash handle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted March 6, 2020 Share Posted March 6, 2020 Are the cottonwoods active up your way? There's white stuff all around in that picture. When the cottonwoods are producing cotton you have to be careful about sparks. I've seen a floor "burn off" from a stray ignition point. Amusing in a "fireproof" shop. NOT amusing in one with lots of combustibles! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted March 6, 2020 Share Posted March 6, 2020 You are improving FAST! I'm thinking you must be having fun playing with fire and hitting things. It's one of my favorite parts of the craft. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Topp Posted March 6, 2020 Author Share Posted March 6, 2020 Cotton woods are as naked as can be right now haha. All the snow means it’s the least flammable time of year for the most part. I like taking a bunch of cat tail fluff in the fall and spreading it out. It’s great fun to watch it burn. thank you Frosty! And yes it’s very fun. Also a Very rewarding hobby. great news. I might be getting a car port to put my stuff under and be more protected from the elements. To start it will just be canvas but I will be putting siding up over the summer so I will have a real shop and be protected from rain and snow. Hopefully it all goes to plan. It is 10’ x 17’ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted March 6, 2020 Share Posted March 6, 2020 10'x17' is a good size to start out with. The forging triangle: forge--anvil--post vise should not be very large---unless you are working large items! and the extra room is great for storage and a work bench for "finishing". The 17' is a bit short for storing 20' sticks of steel; but I generally cut; or have them cut, to 10' long at the steel distributor or scrapyard anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Topp Posted March 6, 2020 Author Share Posted March 6, 2020 My current space is a 15x15 patio that I use only a small bit of so I would have more room in the shop than I use currently. Although slightly less total area that’s not a concern for me. If I get it I’ll do some planning and figure out what I like. I’ll probably have my anvil in the center more or less so I can do all the different things I need to. Shouldn’t the triangle be roughly so you can get to all three without more than a few steps. Preferably a step or without walking? I buy my steel in 24’ lengths I think but they cut it free so I get 12’ sticks. I won’t likely store a ton of steel in the shop because I have a separate area I store in right now. Although I might build a rack on the out side of the Area to hold my steel more conveniently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted March 6, 2020 Share Posted March 6, 2020 The exact size of the triangle depends on YOU and what you are doing---it's unpleasant to set your coat on fire because your back is in the dragon's breath of a propane forge for instance. Since you are already set up on the patio, give some thought on what changes would make your work easier. For me I use my forge and anvil much more than the postvises and so the forge and anvil are closer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Topp Posted March 6, 2020 Author Share Posted March 6, 2020 Thanks. I suppose your right that there’s no one “size” fits all. The vice will likely be further away because I do mostly stuff at the anvil like hammers where I don’t really need a vise all the time. as for the forge I burn coal so I was planning on for now just having the forge right outside the building and taking it in and eventually a side draft hood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyGoatLady Posted March 7, 2020 Share Posted March 7, 2020 I work from left to right. Forge, anvil then vice. About a step from forge to anvil then maybe a step and a half to the vice. But I agree, whatever is comfortable for you. I also work with the horn oriented to the right. It seems like most work with it to the left. Of course, I move to wherever I need to. The great things is, the rules are what you make. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Topp Posted March 7, 2020 Author Share Posted March 7, 2020 That is the setup I like best too. Forge. Anvil than vise. Horn facing right. But I too walk around the anvil if I need to. I’ll have to get it all dialed in if i end getting the carport. I would like to use bricks for the flooring. Unless there’s a big reason not to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Topp Posted March 10, 2020 Author Share Posted March 10, 2020 I’m away from the forge for a few days so I decided what better to do than make some wedges. Black walnut wedges for my future hammers. Here is about 1/3 of the blanks I’ve got Cut out. Will grind the rest as I need them sorry for the low quality picture Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Topp Posted March 10, 2020 Author Share Posted March 10, 2020 Started ages ago but I’m finally getting work done on my first sword. 24” blade length just over 1 lb. going to be working on the guard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyGoatLady Posted March 11, 2020 Share Posted March 11, 2020 Wow, really nice. What steel did you use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Topp Posted March 11, 2020 Author Share Posted March 11, 2020 Thank you! The blade is a leaf spring. The guard is a old railroad spike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyGoatLady Posted March 11, 2020 Share Posted March 11, 2020 Leaf spring is what I've been using for knife steel practice. But what I have done doesn't look nearly as good as your sword does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Topp Posted March 11, 2020 Author Share Posted March 11, 2020 My sword isn’t that good.. haha. Leaf spring is Pretty good for stuff like swords. Nice and flexible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Topp Posted March 12, 2020 Author Share Posted March 12, 2020 No picture yet but tong blanks forged up. Just need a rivet and reigns scarfed on. I used a walnut wedge posted earlier and it worked wonderful. Also made an anvil hold down chain to assist with certain things I cut the slot crooked so it’s not centered but who cares. Works the same Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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