Brian Hibbert Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 A "small" pair of tongs that was in the back yard at my stepson's house. The reigns are 1" round bar. I don't think I'll be able to use them one handed. They appear to be for 2 men to lift a billet or large work piece. I don't think rail was ever made in this area, but we do have Caterpillar, Keystone (now Liberty Steel), Wabco (now Komatsu) and several other steel and manufacturing companies that may have needed them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 They sure look like rail tongs to me, for long lengths two men could lift on each reign. There are videos of track being laid by hand but I can't find them right now. Heck I can't find my old bookmarks, they didn't get transferred to my new computer. <sigh> Found a picture though. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Hibbert Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 Yeah, I thought they looked perfect for rails too, but I'm not aware of any rail manufacturing in this area. If they were used for laying track, that's a likely explanation. They certainly look like your picture. The previous owner of the house worked on barges and carted home all sorts of stuff. He may have picked them up somewhere else along the river. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 They weren't used to make rail, they were used to carry it when laying track and if it was being shipped in or out via barge then the long shoremen would have them too. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 The crews that used the tools were called Gandy Dancers. I have this YouTube bookmarked, kinda a long view but fascinating piece of history. I can't control the wind, all I can do is adjust my sail’s. Semper Paratus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott NC Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 Long, but good. Thanks. I remember running an air jack lifting railcars up to remove the trucks in mud, slime, rocks, ice and other things. I had a stuck draft gear fall on my toe once. Railroad work is hard and dangerous to this day. Not as way back when, but..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted October 17, 2023 Share Posted October 17, 2023 Got a secondhand crockpot from a local yard sale, which I will be using as a picking pot for copper work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted October 17, 2023 Share Posted October 17, 2023 Hard to beat a 2nd hand crock pot in the shop! I have a little one I melt wax in, it has a spot on the bench next to the 2nd hand shop toaster oven. No shop should be without one. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted October 21, 2023 Share Posted October 21, 2023 A couple of bucks at the estate sale for a friend’s recently deceased father brought in a pickax and a mattock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natkova Posted October 22, 2023 Share Posted October 22, 2023 I bought five of those hammers without handles acccia Handle, I tought to reforge some but as I restored them I think I won't do any forging or reshaping in them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad J. Posted October 23, 2023 Share Posted October 23, 2023 Bought a few hammers at Centaur Forge during the conference. Nathan from Jackpine forge was demonstrating making tooling. Picked up 2 hammers from him, 1.5 cross pein and 3 lb diagnol. Then the other cross is a 2.5 pound. Also picked up some rainbow patina. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Latticino Posted October 23, 2023 Share Posted October 23, 2023 Nathan makes nice hammers that are very attractively priced. The BLD hammer looks nice also. How does one "pick-up" a Patina (rainbow or otherwise)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goods Posted October 23, 2023 Share Posted October 23, 2023 I picked up a patina forging in the sun this weekend, although its not what I would call “rainbow”. Keep it fun, David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted October 23, 2023 Share Posted October 23, 2023 I'm guessing that Chad is talking about some kind of patinating chemical. We used those a lot in the art restoration studio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad J. Posted October 23, 2023 Share Posted October 23, 2023 That is what I meant. Can't remember the brand name but I thought it would be fun to do a rainbow patina finish on some decorative items to sell like my orchids. I'll post a picture of the bottle when I get home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M3F Posted October 23, 2023 Share Posted October 23, 2023 How about running the oxidation colors? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad J. Posted October 24, 2023 Share Posted October 24, 2023 I've done that a few times now. The set of wings I did recently I did using my torch. I was looking for something that had a bit brighter colors. A couple other smiths at the meeting recommended it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted October 26, 2023 Share Posted October 26, 2023 Stopped at a used bookstore and got a couple more volumes for the metalworking library. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lary Posted October 26, 2023 Share Posted October 26, 2023 Champion 102 or 102-3 post drill. So its a small one. Got it from a local farm auction. I'll update after the cleaning and lubing. It's a little stiff and dry... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted October 26, 2023 Share Posted October 26, 2023 Looks to be in good shape. All it should need is lubrication and a nice turned wood handle. I can't control the wind, all I can do is adjust my sail’s. Semper Paratus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goods Posted October 27, 2023 Share Posted October 27, 2023 Last night a long awaited fixture plate was delivered. (Long story of how I came across it…but no cost.) 30”x15”x6” 4140 pre-hard material with 5/8” threaded through holes in a 2” square pattern. Now I have another project on my to do list: make a hefty stand! Keep it fun, David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted October 27, 2023 Share Posted October 27, 2023 Wow, the number of fixtures and jigs you could use with that as their base is just about infinite. Nice find at a great price! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted October 27, 2023 Share Posted October 27, 2023 Congrats on a great acquisition, I'm suffering serious tool envy though. <sniff> Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goods Posted October 27, 2023 Share Posted October 27, 2023 To bad I don’t have a lathe to make custom posts for it… Well, I don’t really have space for a lathe anyway. Keep it fun, David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryFahnoe Posted October 28, 2023 Share Posted October 28, 2023 David, congratulations on a seriously nice find! If my math is right, about 766lbs, so it will need a hefty stand indeed. You might look at Fireball Tool's welding tables for some ideas, though the system employed there is slightly different (non-threaded holes). The legs on the Fireball tables are extremely stout and work very well. When you make the stand I'd suggest making every effort to leave the edges fully exposed so that larger plates can hang down as in this pic. --Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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