Well, today I christened the new work truck.

Now I have a Iittle more variety to select from as I make my first two knives to pay for the Olive Trunks from which the scales will be made.

It is seldom a good idea to haggle with a business owner when he or she most certainly has more pressing concerns at hand.

I paid the owner of the rental yard a premium of my own choosing, as she was quite helpful and generous with her valuable time. She also pointed out two 4" x 10"or 12" trolley girders, which I estimate to weigh in @ 400 - 600 # each.

 

Robert Taylor

Greatly surprised at how empty the fleamarket was today,   Winds were not to be a problem till after lunch!  

sustained speeds around 25 to 35 mph with gusts from 40 to 50 mph most areas.
However gusts may exceed 55 mph over isolated locations

I did find an adz at a decent price, of course I have several already; sigh, and one more! (also the set of tempering tongs made from pulloffs? I found previously at this fleamarket,  Turned down a badly abused adjustable wrench; yes it was old but old and abuse does NOT mean it justifies a high price---not collectable abused!)

Gents, sometimes if I see your bounty, big pickup trucks and huge scrap piles, I ask myself are you scrap metal traders/buyers or blacksmith’s?   Think you must be booth’s.

Here in Belgium its quit difficult and expensive to get especially wrought iron. Even on flea markets they ask between 1.5 – 2.5 dollar/lbs.

I have to surge for more scrapyards and demolition companies in the neighbourhood to build up a good stock pile to, with wrought iron pieces, car springs and peeled copper for smithy and foundry.

Well, it was half-price day at the industrial surplus place, so I got two fire ABC extinguishers (10 lb and 18 lb) and a 20 lb roller chain for five bucks each. 

 

 

On 3/25/2018 at 5:22 AM, Hans Richter said:

huge scrap piles

I think the technical term is "Iron Midden".

Glen; I want a shirt with a pic of a large scrap pile and "Iron Midden" over it in the font Iron Maiden uses!

How about their mascot, Eddie, looming with a hammer in his hand instead of an axe.  He can be surrounded by piles of scrap.  I would buy a few of those!  

Now to go listen to some Maiden.....

4 hours ago, JHCC said:

a 20 lb roller chain

Now THAT’S a hold-down!

2 hours ago, ThomasPowers said:

Glen; I want a shirt with a pic of a large scrap pile and "Iron Midden" over it in the font Iron Maiden uses!

I second that motion.

+3 for the shirt. But would probably be to expensive to make.    Yup. That's a big chain.

9 hours ago, Kevin Olson said:

Yup. That's a big chain.

Yes, it is — and it wasn’t even the biggest one there. 

I saw it online before I got it and had been thinking about ways to attach it to the anvil stand. Now I’m thinking that about all I’d need is a T-handle in the middle to aid in lifting it and draping it in place. 

I have some 80-3 triple wide from one of the big dough mixers at work.  Heavy just as it is.

 

Oh man! This came to me today with Elizabeth's aunts on a visit.  Might have to upgrade to a 12" flue since that's what it is. I'm running 10" now and could use a new cap. Man I could just imagine that thing spinning in the breeze shooting out coal smoke. Oh well for now it will have to hang out in the to do pile. I always liked them.  

This found its way into my truck while I was out galavanting around today. Cutting edge from a bulldozer, 13" wide by 47 1/4" long by 1 1/4" thick, couple edges are even already beveled to weld together. Should make for a nice anvil if I can't get those fork tines I've been eyeballing.

If it's dead flat or flat-ish it would be a killing planishing table. With all those rectangular holes in it for tooling... man! Just some heavy legs under it and you're golden.

That's what popped in my mind anyway. 

Bests:

Gergely

Had some unused vacation time that got paid out and have been looking around at enclosed trailers for a while. Just need something to haul the smithing equipment and sculptures if I go out to demo and or sell. Just so happened I found the perfect trailer for me. It's 5x8' and has a locking roll out floor. It'll ride great right behind my jeep. Yeah, I'm excited. 

Also when I went to look at them ( the guy had 3)  I met some folks also looking at them that are starting up a farm market a few hours away, and with a little chatting the were asking me if I would demo there. Talk about timing. 

 

Das- I have one of those turbines on top of my stack. You'll wonder how you lived without one all these years.

Steve

Steve, does it do more then look really cool? Honestly, I don't know. But I really like them.  

I'll have to get some 12" pipe before I can use it but that'll be one of a thousand projects this spring. 

Brought this home from the boneyard. Its an excavator track spring. That's a 4x4 pressure treated post next to it. It's at least 2.5" diameter stock. I'm thinking HAMMERS. ...

Nice spring!

Blacksmith’s roadkill: stopped by the highway to grab this six foot heavy chain, and spotted this hefty bolt in the dirt. 

Man, every time I see a chain on the highway it's in the no-go zone and not on the safe side. Anything fun for that matter. 

I’ve been lucky in that regard. The only one I’ve spotted on the left-hand side was on the wide shoulder of a divided highway. That one turned out to be a 14’ tow chain with both hooks. 

D.C. That is one serious chunk of spring!!!

Thanks,  I'm excited to try it out.  Hopefully i can figure out a decent heat treat for it.

I picked up this Carolina horizontal bandsaw a little while back and commenced a bit of a refurbish job. I replaced the underpowered 3/4 HP motor with a new 2 HP one, new conduit, switches, and wiring. A new coolant pump, copper plumbing, braided stainless steel flex line, and improved fittings/needle valve. I made an oak handle for the stock holder carriage adjustment wheel. New guide bearings, blade & tires for the drive and idler wheels. I also fabricated a new base with locking casters.  On top of a thorough cleaning.

it works great and cuts true!