JHCC Posted September 17, 2018 Share Posted September 17, 2018 Ah, I see what you're saying. Okay, time to ruminate.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steamboat Posted September 17, 2018 Share Posted September 17, 2018 I fabricated a stand for a nice Peter Wright post vise that followed me home a little while ago. Here are the design requirements that I set for myself: I wanted the stand to be portable. Solution: Add wheels that are mounted just above floor level so that the vise can be tipped back onto them and wheeled around easily. I wanted to be able to stand on the base of the stand to contain any forces within the blacksmith-vise-stand triad instead of twisting or tipping the vise/stand. Solution: Extend the base plate of the vise stand far enough to stand on it. I wanted to be able to adjust the stand's base to be stable on an uneven floor. Solution: Add adjustable-height pads/feet at one end of the stand's base. I wanted to support the vise about halfway up to eliminate any "tendency," albeit slight, to bend the vise leg when hammering down on an object in the vise. Solution: Add a mid-point support bracket to the vise stand. I wanted to be able to hang a few tools on the stand. Solution: Add a couple of tool holder brackets. I wanted to have a small work surface/tray next to the vise. Solution: Add a small two-section tray/work surface to the top of the vise stand (I haven't done this yet, but it's planned). With those requirements in mind, I built this stand on the fly without any blueprint, based largely on what metal I already had on hand. I only had to buy a couple of odd bits of steel and a couple of wheels, so I didn't spend much on it. Here are a couple of photos of the stand as I was fabbing it up. Following is a photo of the stand before I mounted the post vise. The base plate is 3/8" steel plate. The socket to receive the bottom end of the post vise leg is a 1/4"-thick steel disc with a piece of steel tube welded onto it (it is NOT a floor flange). I figured that the steel disc would distribute the impact forces from the bottom of the post vise leg over a larger area and make it a bit more solid. The next photo shows one of the adjustable-height pads. I use a screwdriver (note the slot at the top of the stud) to adjust the height of the pad, then lock the setting with the wing nut. I might eventually add a knurled knob at the top of each stud, since it would be more convenient than using a screwdriver to adjust the height. The following three photos show different views of the stand with the vise mounted on it. So far, so good. It's easy to move around and very stable, especially when I'm standing on the base. Planned improvements: As mentioned above, I want to add a small, two-section, 3/8"-thick work surface/tray at the top, which would eliminate the 3/8" spacers between the vise mounting bracket and the top of the stand. I might also weld an extension onto the base to give me a little more area to stand on while using the vise. Any thoughts? Al (Steamboat) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted September 17, 2018 Share Posted September 17, 2018 Make a piece of angle iron or square tubing say 2 feet long that you can clamp into the vise jaws and use as a handle to steer the vise while it is being moved. Hang it on the side of the vise stand when not in use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steamboat Posted September 17, 2018 Share Posted September 17, 2018 Glenn, that's a very good idea and elegantly simple! Thanks! As a possible alternative, I'm thinking that when I make the planned tray/work surface, I might be able to build a couple of handles into that. Al (Steamboat) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MotoMike Posted September 17, 2018 Share Posted September 17, 2018 Al My thought is that you are an extraordinary fabricator. Your form follows function and the work is top notch. This design is very pleasing to my eye. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dax Hewitt Posted September 17, 2018 Share Posted September 17, 2018 If that is a stand you built on the fly I would love to see something you planned. That is as good a fabrication as I have ever seen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steamboat Posted September 17, 2018 Share Posted September 17, 2018 Thanks, MotoMike and Dax. Sometimes I work from my plans and other times I just kind of design as I go. In this case I had a few basic concepts in mind, but no drawings, and some of the design features were determined by (or inspired by) what I happened to find in the scrap metal bin. As mentioned, I have a few small improvements in mind, which I might implement in the next couple of weeks, as time permits. Al (Steamboat) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted September 17, 2018 Share Posted September 17, 2018 I was just going to say I'm disgusted with your clean cuts and beautiful welds and lines on the stand but over all Nice work. I really like Glenns idea for one I made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steamboat Posted September 18, 2018 Share Posted September 18, 2018 Thanks Das. By the way, I just thought of another minor improvement I might make. I'm thinking about grinding a bevel on the top edges of the tool racks so that when I hang tongs over the edge they'll hang in a more closed position. I'll experiment with that idea on a piece of scrap to see if it's worth bothering with or not. Al (Steamboat) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted September 18, 2018 Share Posted September 18, 2018 It's an excellent idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SFC Snuffy Posted September 18, 2018 Share Posted September 18, 2018 Steamboat, that thing is terrible. You should be ashamed of yourself and give it to me for safekeeping. I'll send you pictures when you need to be reminded of your shoddy workmanship. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted September 18, 2018 Share Posted September 18, 2018 Making a few ouroboros (snake eating its tail) and a few troll cross pendants for the fair coming up. I need to up my game, ugh.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted September 18, 2018 Share Posted September 18, 2018 Did some drilling and tapping for the custom-project-to-be-revealed-later. Also did some welding on a new dishing form that I’m making from an old scuba tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted September 18, 2018 Share Posted September 18, 2018 Stop!, Hammer Time! Du du du du, Du du, Du du. Break it down! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steamboat Posted September 18, 2018 Share Posted September 18, 2018 34 minutes ago, Daswulf said: Making a few ouroboros (snake eating its tail)... Das, have you considered expanding on that and doing a whole series of other Egyptian or alchemical symbols? Al (Steamboat) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted September 18, 2018 Share Posted September 18, 2018 Made 4 ankhs I'd prefer not to mention lol. They aren't up to snuff yet but I'm working on it. As far as other stuff I just dont know. Made a few larger Ouroboros before and they were well recieved, so I decided to make some more pendant size to try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted September 18, 2018 Share Posted September 18, 2018 Can’t touch those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted September 18, 2018 Share Posted September 18, 2018 The little Ouroboros are easier to make than the troll crosses. Btw, these were made from 1/4" round mild. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranchmanben Posted September 18, 2018 Share Posted September 18, 2018 Finished up the experimental hammer and I’m pleased with it. The next goround I’m going to make the cheeks smooth and see how that looks. Also handled a normal 2lb hammer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horse Posted September 18, 2018 Share Posted September 18, 2018 Steamboat you can flat out weld. Those welds are purdy purdy purdy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hans Richter Posted September 18, 2018 Share Posted September 18, 2018 Absolutely agree with Mike, Al and Horse. Steamboat you made a fantastic vice stand. Starts with answering to all blacksmith needs, a clear design and an finishing in best practice craftsmanship. Ben this hammers are almost too perfect to hit something with. Also like the classy attachment of the handle to the hammerhead -this kind of mounting are very unusual to European hammers and I see them on IFI for the first time (cone shape and smaller hammerhead eye then the diameter of the handle) Gents, keep on the good work. Cheers Hans Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudman Posted September 18, 2018 Share Posted September 18, 2018 You guys are crushing it! Really digging these last few posts. I tried working on some bottle openers today, but ended up getting frustrated and gave up. haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustAnotherViking Posted September 18, 2018 Share Posted September 18, 2018 That post vice stand is a work of art! Might have to borrow the ouroboros idea and give it a go... and finally get around to trying out a troll cross. Nothing exciting from myself recently, just been doing a bunch of small bits getting some practice in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steamboat Posted September 18, 2018 Share Posted September 18, 2018 9 hours ago, JHCC said: Did some drilling and tapping for the custom-project-to-be-revealed-later. JHCC, you've whetted my curiosity about the "custom-project-to-be-revealed-later." Maybe you could give us a hint. Is it something that will require the use of the SCUBA-tank dishing form? Do you do any diving? I still have my PADI card in my wallet, but it's been many years since I've played under water. Just some occasional snorkeling these days when vacationing in warmer climes. Really pretty hammers, RanchManBen. It's the first time I've seen someone take a selfie using a hammer. JustAnotherViking, I like your miniature axe. It makes a cool pendant, key fob, etc. I think it would be a popular item. Thanks to SFC Snuffy, Horse, Hans, & JustAnotherViking for your positive feedback. Al (Steamboat) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpankySmith Posted September 18, 2018 Share Posted September 18, 2018 Whoa, I've been out of pocket a bit, trying to get caught up with all the "what did you do in your shop today" posts. You guys are killing it! LOVE, love, love the post vise stand and agree with whomever it was that said if this is something you just slapped together I can't even begin to imagine what your planned work looks like. Awesome work, guys, all around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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