my mini-forge

feeds@yuku.com (canid) — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 19:25:46 GMT

here's the mini-forge design i worked out. i've more of less copied the description from my thread at another board, for the sake of convenience:

It is being made by filling a large coffee can 2/3 full of a sand and clay composition [from local soil], mixed with water.

A smaller can is then inserted into it and kept centered. Since I am using a plastic...

Anvil

feeds@yuku.com (jamesGIII) — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 21:09:20 GMT

This is me new anvil , Volcan brand I would have to guess it 100 pounds. There a metal base that weighs about 200 pounds. Then the box is 2x4 and 2x6 stacked on the end.Then I put some plywood around . Going to feel it full of sand as soon as I get some money.

Heavy Metal

feeds@yuku.com (toxophileken) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:16:25 GMT

My friend David (attenurb on PP) gave me a bunch of cool stuff when I visited him today. Relevant here would be the piece of RR rail and the large mild steel cylinder (he said between 350#-400#)...

The cylinder is approximately 16"x10" or so (I'll become more familiar with it trying to get it out of the trunk of my wife's car!), and he had intended it for part of the base of an air hammer. I plan on trying to use it as he intended eventually (if I had shown up a...

My 'Venturi' Propane Knife Forge

feeds@yuku.com (reefera4m) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:46:16 GMT

This maybe should have been posted under Forges, Anvils, etc. but I figured all the bladesmiths would be more interested. Disclaimer/credit: I found this forge posted on the Welders Web so credit for the design goes there! I was looking for a propane forge that wasn't dependent on an electrical blower and would be portable. I saw this one that is based on a 'venturi' design and wanted to see if 1) I could made with with tools and stuff I had on hand and 2) how well it would...

Tim Lively's Blower

feeds@yuku.com (Murph) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 22:39:53 GMT

A few months ago Mr. Lively posted here regarding his retirement from the bladesmithing community. Likewise, Tim also said he was selling his smithing equipment as part of a clean break from the craft.

I just came across this eBay posting of his, auctioning his hand crank blower (Ebay...

western chief forge blower

feeds@yuku.com (bluecarpenter) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 05:38:47 GMT

My wife just picked up a western chief blower on a stand for me. made by canady otto. what kind of oil do i use to put in it. it sure puts out a lot of air. can't wait to get it installed in my shop that isn't built yet and use it. hope to start clearing a bit of the junk i have out on the flat area so that I can get some forms put up and get some concrete poured before it gets to cold.

If I knew...

Air Compressor Tank?

feeds@yuku.com (Woodland Roamer) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:32:22 GMT

Hey everyone, I'm new to this part of the Planet. I've never done any forging but have wanted to for a long time so it's time to get started. I have read the build along for the air tank forge up top and I have this old air compressor. I was wondering if it will work to build one from? I think it is basiclly the same as an air tank, here are a couple pics.
Thanks, Alan

The Stuff Fire Bricks are Made of.

feeds@yuku.com (Murph) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 23:19:08 GMT

I know i know, it should read "The stuff from which fire bricks are made."

In lieu of the recent wildfires that have been plaguing Southern California (i hope you're getting along ok, Tom and the others in the Pasadena area) I've become very reluctant to make any sort of open fire where a spark could land on dry grass, or any dead plant...

My "new" anvil

feeds@yuku.com (johnnycaribe) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:00:14 GMT

I received this surprise gift from my gpa last week. He bought it a while ago from some blacksmith or someone who was obviously using it.
It's an old forged anvil, with a welded-on steel plate. Not one of those "el crappo" cast Chinese anvils
It probably weighs from 100 to 200 lbs (I know, quite approximative, but hey, I don't have an integrated electronic scale in my brain)
It has a nice clear...

Anvil up for auction...

feeds@yuku.com (Knifesmith) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 01:56:20 GMT

Not associated with these folks at all. I just won an auction for the slightly smaller version of this anvil down here in S. CA recently. The company listing this anvil (Interschola) lists items for schools and other government agencies that have to liquidate old stock, equipment from closed facilities etc...

You may be able to pick this anvil up for a steal if you happen to live within driving distance. That's the catch. No shipping. Local pick-up only. But that limits...

Anvil I.D.?

feeds@yuku.com (Knifesmith) — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 13:38:52 GMT

Anyone have any idea what this anvil is? Never seen one with the weight etc... cast in relief. Makes me suspect that it may be a cast iron doorstop, but you never know. The problem is that it's up for auction locally, but I can't make the inspection time (have to work that day), so if I wanted to bid it'd basically be "blind" bidding, except for this picture which makes it look like it's in relatively good shape.

Steel Plate on Iron Base- how thick?

feeds@yuku.com (AboMatt) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 11:11:19 GMT

ok, i have this old anvil that is a bit bigger than what i've been using but it's dished out in the center pretty bad... prolly 1/4 inch over the length of the face. I recently found out that this is a William Foster anvil and was made in 1836 it's a steel plate on a wrought iron body. I'd really like to put this thing to good use. Does any one know how thick the steel plate generally is on a steel over iron anvil? I'd like to get it ground flat...

Reciprocating Saw Attachments

feeds@yuku.com (jwellsy) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 09:01:00 GMT

A sawzall is one of my all time favorite tools. I just saw some really cool attachments that I've never seen before.

Chuck adapter, rat tail rasp, flat file, half round, wire brush
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmkauReHprk

An offset flushcut blade.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLZhzyYOxtI

A scraper blade that uses a regular blade tang.

Forge & Anvil Show on RFD TV

feeds@yuku.com (jwellsy) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 17:51:49 GMT

Has anyone seen this new TV show yet? I saw ads for it. But haven't been able to catch any of the episodes yet.
Here's a guide for the different episodes.
http://www.locatetv.com/t...il/1497557/episode-guide
RFD is the channel that airs Don Imus in the mornings.
It's next on TV Friday night at 11:30pm

Machinist vise anvil question

feeds@yuku.com (johnnycaribe) — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 12:36:32 GMT

Yeah, I've started assembling a forge and I was wondering if a machinist vise anvil could work for pounding steel?
My grandfather's got a 100 year old 250 pound anvil but he thinks I should start with what I have
(meaning the tiny vise anvil). It looks like good steel but it's not very heavy and it's really small.
Talking about weight, what is the advantage of having a heavier anvil?
Thanks in advance,
Simon

A easy question something to bond well with metal alot of wear, and tear

feeds@yuku.com (Francis Eric) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 08:45:58 GMT

(soder isn't working) the questions preety much in the title,
but Why I need this is One of my tunning keys broke On my guitar so I replaced it with a bone.
I sodered a nail inside the bone that part is done with.

ONe of my friends with epoxy (IM not sure what type yet)
filled it in so I could turn it, it worked, but wore away some of the expoxy, and it snapped.

I might have to explain where the tunning key is having problems more.
So I...

Drill press router

feeds@yuku.com (inuumarue) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 15:47:47 GMT

I remember reading a few months ago about a drill press turned milling machine though I can not remember where I read it. I found this video today by happy accident and thought some of you guys may like it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b3CWkHHSYE

I was thinking of trying it out for cutting out areas in knife handles for inlays should I get a chance.

Enjoy!
Adam

Anyone have any glassworking experience? (actually knife related, believe it or not)

feeds@yuku.com (Knifesmith) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 11:22:37 GMT

So long story short, the wife and I were at an "art festival" this past week, and while she milled about I was fixated on watching two guys do some glassblowing. They were making a rather large vase, and the process involved taking a blob of clear glass, adding colored frit, working the lump, more clear glass, etc... How does this relate to knives? Well, they were using a gas blown furnace, and the entire bottom of it was coated with a thin sheen of liquid glass (drips and chips...

My new anvil arrived!

feeds@yuku.com (wolfhawaii) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 20:33:41 GMT

Got my new anvil, had to wait a while for it but it was worth it! JHM Anvil brand 120 lb round horn blacksmith anvil, got it mounted on a eucalyptus stump, bedded in painter's caulk and secured with a couple of RR spikes. It had a crisp ring to it but with the bedding and spikes it took out the sharp tone and just has a nice thump.

Interesting anvil info...

feeds@yuku.com (Knifesmith) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:22:10 GMT

Hey guys, here's an interesting link that someone on another listserv I'm on posted:

http://www.anvilfire.com/...smithing%20FAQs%20Anvils

and

http://homepages.ihug.com...er/blacksmithgallery.htm

mostly...

Forge, Anvil, Tools