KYBOY Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 (edited) What companys make or sell new swage blocks? Are they any good? Ive heard most of the new ones are cast or ductile iron :confused: Edited September 15, 2008 by KYBOY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Dean Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 The Saltfork group in Oklahoma sales a nice block with the forms you described. Here is the link to the tailgate page; Saltfork Craftsmen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackCrowMetalsmith Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 Here are some, but I've got no idea as to the quality.Blacksmiths Depot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scratch Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 The Blcksmith's Depot has them too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KYBOY Posted September 15, 2008 Author Share Posted September 15, 2008 The Saltfork group in Oklahoma sales a nice block with the forms you described. Here is the link to the tailgate page; Saltfork Craftsmen I like that pretty well..I just saw where a couple members had those from looking in the archives..Thats just about the best price Ive seen anywhere too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Dean Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 I bought mine a few years back and have enjoyed it. Don't use it a bunch but it sure comes in handy when I do need it. You will need to do some finish dressing on it as it is "as cast" when you get it. You just need a good 4" grinder and then use sanding disc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philip in china Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 Look at www.anvils.co.uk Their on line catalogue is a delight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustyshackleford Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 speaking of the last post.... what's the story on those guys? what are their prices, especially for those vaughns. do they have an analogue here in the US? I know centaur carries an 108lb, but.... dang. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yesteryearforge Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 i bought a 560 lb one from centaur but its been a while ago . They offered free shipping on items over 500.00 ( they had to ship it from england ) Mike Tanner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philip in china Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 Re. Vaughans: matthew.bourne@anvils.co.uk seems to be their new sales rep now that Gary has left them. He might be able to advise you. I will try to find another very good swage block producer and post it here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philip in china Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 hanton@prumyslovy-servis.cz is the sales guy at this company. They cast the Euroanvils and doa couple of sizes of swage block and also a stand for the blocks. Their current prices are (in euros): 80 Kg (176#) 627 60 Kg (132#) 431 That includes tax but obviously not carriage. I don't have a current price for the swage block stands. Following Lehman Brothers' debacle I expect the US Rouble will be in free fall again against the Euro so you need to check the current rate. I also know there is a price rise in the pipeline largely because the Czech currency is surprisingly firm against both the Euro and the US Rouble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philip in china Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 Sorry. Of course their website is Pr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finnr Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 (edited) I've used my Salt Fork block almost daily since I got it. Best money I spent in ages. Finnr Edited September 16, 2008 by Finnr I can't spell! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philip in china Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 Finnr, Is there a photo of your block anywhere? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KYBOY Posted September 16, 2008 Author Share Posted September 16, 2008 Saltfork Craftsmen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avadon Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 That swage that's only 105$ is pretty economical.. but I wonder as to the quality. I can't see blowing 500$+ on a swage unless I really thought I was going to use it. But maybe some really would use it a great deal. Personally I just want the dishing forms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philip in china Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 Avadon, you can burn dishing forms into the end of a tree stump. They get bigger each time you use them but they do work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mills Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 The Saltfork Block is good quality and the savings is in you having to clean it up. It can be kinda lengthy. They are cast in USA to our specifications. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snake Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 i have one from saltfork. haven't used it much, but it's definitely worth the money, in terms of quality. like others have said, you will need to clean it up. it comes a little rough on the surfaces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 Dishing forms without blocks that I own/use but didn't pay more than scrap metal price for: Wood Bottoms of scrapped high pressure gas tanks, O2, N2, Argon, etc lifting rings and tow rings---some will need to have the collar at the base of the ring ground flat to the face so they will sit flat Punchouts from *large* Heavy steel---I have some punchouts for 1/2" plate about 6" in dia that make a great dishing form. Finally the top of a large valve lifter---about 3" in diameter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustyshackleford Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 Anyone know of, or dealt with, Hern Iron works in OH? they have some swages for sale, mandrels too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shane Stegmeier Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 Greene and Mengel also make a nice block which I have, they are usually at Quadstate, and they also make a cone mandrel, My block need very little clean up to be useful, and I did little more than knock the edges down with a flapper disc on a right angle grinder and not much at that, and have used it a bunch. Though I would like to clean it up more (some where in my copious freetime;-) To be honest though I use the dishing forms very little, I do use the swages around the edge as dishing forms quite a bit;-) table legs, spear sockets, handles on forks that kind of thing... I also use the swages on candle cups, quite handy to have around. Swages and cone madrels are limited use tools, their only good for a few things, but for those few things they are practically essential;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KYBOY Posted September 17, 2008 Author Share Posted September 17, 2008 Ive lived my entire life with tools of one kind or another..Made my living or part of my living with tools for most of my life as well...I learned a long time ago its a lot better to have a tool and not need it than it is to need a tool and not have it... Swages seem to be one of those tools like a gearpuller...You dont need them often but when yoy do you cant do it without them... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustyshackleford Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 I just talked to Hern, their 11x11x4 block is something crazy like 130. they also have hardy mandrels for 25. all cast grey I beleive. floor mandrel is 550 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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