Some tools to drool over.  Image (c) 1998 Jock Dempsey WELCOME to the
Virtual Hammer-In!

This page is open to ALL for the purpose of advancing blacksmithing.

WHY THREE FORUMS? Well, this is YOUR blacksmithing forum to use for whatever you wish within the rules stated above. It is different than the Slack-Tub Pub because the messages are permanently posted and archived.

Our chat, the (Slack-Tub Pub), is immediate but the record of it temporary. Do not post permanent messages there. We refresh the "log" every couple days now and your message will be lost.

The Guru's Den is where I and several others try to answer ALL your questions to us.

Jock Dempsey -- guru at anvilfire.com - Monday, 07/27/98 & 03/01/99


Jock where did my answer to the anonymous person go?
The one about me having to translate first and check twice over to get it right.

By the way, here is a thing i heard a while ago (Sunday to be exact)

"Never trust a smiling blacksmith. He is up to something bad or worse"
Monica Loefstedt

OErjan -- pokerbacken at angelfire.com - Tuesday, 03/02/99 09:43:51 GMT


Hi blacksmiths and metal-workers. I have in my possession a small tool-room furnace that is gas fired and PERFECT for a forge. It has a gas regulating device, an electric air blower, is brick lined and made of cast pieces and steel. It is on a magnificnet steel bench or stand that was made just for it. Anyone interested in this as a forge, please write back. Thanks, Brad

Brad Hanna -- hannamet at aol.com - Tuesday, 03/02/99 19:09:32 GMT


OErjan, your response was mixed up in a bunch of missunderstandings AND then another anonymous response. While archiving I deleted one message then the rest didn't make sense. So instead of editing your words I just removed the entire incident.

Normally I do not edit anything posted on anvilfire except duplicate posts, profanity or dirty jokes and my screw-ups. Just about the only rule I have here is to use your real name. Posting anonymously or using someone elses name will get you deleted as soon as it is discovered. The recent use of your name may have been accidental. However we DID have a case where someone purposely used my name several times. I was as shocked as I am sure you were. Our name is probably our most sacred "cyber possesion" and should be protected as is free speech. Those that abuse the free speech this type of forum provides, lessens its value for all of us.

Jock D. -- webmaster at anvilfire.com - Tuesday, 03/02/99 22:06:32 GMT


OErjan, Monica is quickly becoming a wise women! I suspect it is your tuteledge (example?) that provides this wisdom!! :)

Jock D. -- webmaster at anvilfire.com - Tuesday, 03/02/99 22:10:35 GMT


I desire to purchase a rifle bolt forging tool. They used to be sold by Brownells for about $35.00 and are no longer available. Their purpose was to hold the horizontal bolt while it was being heated then assisted to guide in forging the pliable hot bolt to be bent into a desired shape to facilitate mounting a scope. Any ideas where I can buy a used/new one? The people at Brownells don't know.
Thanks, Coach
I may be reached at usna75 at hotmail.com

Norman Tooley -- usna75 at hotmail.com - Thursday, 03/04/99 22:18:44 GMT


Im wondering if there is anyone who is selling small compact gas knifemaking forges or if you know of any suppliers in Canada

Mike Myatovic -- dopey24k at hotmail.com - Friday, 03/05/99 02:57:56 GMT


Hi folks! Does anyone out there have a current phone number for Real Wrought Iron Co. Ltd. (Tom Ryan)? I spoke to him about a year ago but the two phone numbers which he gave me have since been disconnected. I need iron! Help!

Eric Kettenburg -- theland1 at epix.net - Friday, 03/05/99 03:08:13 GMT


Norman Tooley: I havent seen such a tool, although we should have some at my museum. I wanted to ask you: I´ve been thinking about altering my old mauser in just that way, but can the piece be re-hardened and tempered correctly afterwards?

Olle Andersson -- utgaardaolle at ebox.tninet.se - Friday, 03/05/99 18:05:37 GMT


Mike, Centaur forge carries a wide variety of forges. Check out their website and click on forges. There are pictures of just a few of the forges they carry.

Jock D. -- webmaster at anvilfire.com - Friday, 03/05/99 23:36:24 GMT


Mike Myatovic;
Hoof and Nail in Calgary carries NC tool and Hall[Cdn made] forges in various sizes.Their phone #403 252 1661.

dimag -- dimag at yt.sympatico.ca - Saturday, 03/06/99 01:38:19 GMT


Dear Irate,

We don't allow anonymous post on the Hammer-In.

So what's to be irate about?

The Slack-Tub Pub is an absolutely FREE service provided by anvilfire to the blacksmithing public. Because of its popularity the log occasionaly gets too big and some systems choke on it. In order to provide a chat with some continuity we had to provide our own software and have to manually clear the log every so often. Not only did we have to develop our own software and maintain the log we also have to pay for the use of a chat-server independant of the one anvilfire is hosted on.

Jock D. -- webmaster at anvilfire.com - Saturday, 03/06/99 15:42:30 GMT


Brad,

Pictures? Price? Size? (Not trying to give you a hard time, small means different things to different people.)

Jim Wilson -- pawpaw at netunlimited.net - Saturday, 03/06/99 22:51:41 GMT


Howdy









cmg -- cmgraf at bigfoot.com - Sunday, 03/07/99 00:18:21 GMT


Howdy cmg. I'm afraid this is NOT the chat. Click on the Slack-Tub Pub menu entry or the status box on the right hand corner.

For the fellow that was looking for a "smithing magician" (I still don't know what it is). The Blacksmith's Journal has a video showing one in use.

Jock D. -- webmaster at anvilfire.com - Sunday, 03/07/99 00:46:33 GMT


The Blacksmiths Journal also has plans for building a ssmithing maj. If you contact them they will be able to tell you what issue it was in. They sell back isues

kid -- none - Sunday, 03/07/99 00:56:58 GMT


Kid, I promised to look up that Nickle 330 but I am having a hard time locating info. It seems that all the Nickle alloy designations skip the 300 series. The IS a Nickel 230. Used for electron tube applications? 99.5% Nickel .05 C .08 Mn .05 Fe. . . .

THEN there is UNS N08330. .08 C, 17-20 Cr, 34-37 Ni, 1 Si, balance Fe and trace.

Jock D. -- webmaster at anvilfire.com - Sunday, 03/07/99 19:06:47 GMT


how you ever going to police that? you got kid with no e-mail, EMG, Dimag, OErjan, and any number of alter egos. Who is annonimous and who isn't? If I don't have an e-mail address am I out?

JrDoowop -- none - Monday, 03/08/99 18:57:00 GMT


Grant (AKA JrDoowop, jgnoth and ?????? - nakedanvil at usa.net)

Like we do most things in civilized society. We post rules (only 1) and then expect people to go by them. Those that don't we ask to stop. If they insist on flaunting the rules then more drastic measures are taken.

The same numerical address that allows me to identify you can also be used to reject your posts or even your logging on. The problem with BAN systems is that it takes a scatter gun approach and anyone else using the same dialup you use would also be blocked.

The other folks you listed use their true e-mail addresses except "kid" whom has been consistant and may not have an e-mail address of his own. We also have a large number of minors use this site and for their own security I'm sure their parents have instructed them to use a nickname (the rule alows that).

SO, what happens when anything in in society can't be policed or is overun by the rulebreakers? Society as a whole loses. We lose the freedom to safely walk down a street, use a park or enjoy free speach.

Jock D. -- webmaster at anvilfire.com - Tuesday, 03/09/99 00:29:28 GMT


the reason I don't give an email address is I don't have one. I'm using a computer at work (2nd shift) I sent a friend email once and the address was someone I've never heard of. I'm probably breaking some kind of rule the way it is so anonimity is my best route. Thanks again I'll try to get the usage of the 330 ni and mayby that will help with indet.

kid -- none - Tuesday, 03/09/99 00:58:43 GMT


the reason I don't give an email address is I don't have one. I'm using a computer at work (2nd shift) I sent a friend email once and the address was someone I've never heard of. I'm probably breaking some kind of rule the way it is so anonimity is my best route. Thanks again I'll try to get the usage of the 330 ni and mayby that will help with indet.

kid -- none - Tuesday, 03/09/99 01:00:17 GMT


JrDoowop,

Alter egos, you mean your sick mind or inflated ego.... Seems like your ego is bigger then everyone you listed. Keep the kindergarden stuff where it belongs.

Bruce R. Wallace -- Walmetalwk at aol.com - Tuesday, 03/09/99 02:08:51 GMT


I find it interesting that JrDoowop still monitors this site even though he won't post any of his expertise here. Don't know why & don't care but everybody loses.

muldoon -- mullock at sk.sympatico.ca - Tuesday, 03/09/99 02:26:13 GMT


Did you ever think that JrDoowop really doesn't have anything new to offer. It's all been done before by better people. He might be able to fool the kindergarteners else where but not here.

Bruce R. Wallace -- Walmetalwk at aol.com - Tuesday, 03/09/99 02:42:08 GMT


Bruce I see your selling a Nazel pwr. hammer. There's a company in Que. that usually has a few for sale. If you figure the US - Cdn exchange rate in they are extremely cheap. If you or anyone is interested, email me & I'll get you their phone number.

muldoon -- mullock at sk.sympatico.ca - Tuesday, 03/09/99 03:04:04 GMT


Jock, Bruce, Muldoon, Kid, Et all,

Do you think that all of us that live west of the Missippi embodie some sort of evil spirit. I monitor both sites on a daily basis and have found valuable and original information both places.

How did it come to pass that a simple competeitive spirit in creating a cheap power hammer (WCJYH vs ECJYH) has become a battle of egos. Both Jock and Grant are very engenious people who have survived on this earth by their own creativity, I congradulate them both. A lot of us who visit these sites only aspire to borrow that freedom that genuine creativity can give.

Please don't let your combined egos deter you from sharing that information that is so usefull to so many. Continue to post, to any or both sites.

You guys need to get together and try to outdrink each other, by the end you will both look like fools.

T. J. Marrone

T. J. Marrone -- tjmarrone at aol.com - Tuesday, 03/09/99 05:16:49 GMT


Jock, Bruce, Muldoon, Kid, Et all,

Do you think that all of us that live west of the Missippi embodie some sort of evil spirit. I monitor both sites on a daily basis and have found valuable and original information both places.

How did it come to pass that a simple competeitive spirit in creating a cheap power hammer (WCJYH vs ECJYH) has become a battle of egos. Both Jock and Grant are very engenious people who have survived on this earth by their own creativity, I congradulate them both. A lot of us who visit these sites only aspire to borrow that freedom that genuine creativity can give.

Please don't let your combined egos deter you from sharing that information that is so usefull to so many. Continue to post, to any or both sites.

You guys need to get together and try to outdrink each other, by the end you will both look like fools.

T. J. Marrone

T. J. Marrone -- tjmarrone at aol.com - Tuesday, 03/09/99 05:17:12 GMT


Well put T.J. I too monitor both sites and get alot out of each.That is what I meant when I said everybody loses.

muldoon -- mullock at sk.sympatico.ca - Tuesday, 03/09/99 05:46:42 GMT


T.J. I think your making way to much of nothing. My comments were made directly to JrDoowop and not to be misconstrued. I'll take you advise and continue to post however objectionable to others it may seem. Sorry, I don't drink to the point of looking like a fool.

Bruce R. Wallace -- Walmetalwk at aol.com - Tuesday, 03/09/99 06:23:12 GMT


Howdy ,just wanted to drop a line or three. I'm just getting started. And am grathering up stuff.
I've been to most all the sites on smithing . And just wanted to say "Thank you" to all that have put all this info online. It aint the same as watching or doing , but the idea's are really helpful.
Thanks again. Toby in NC

Toby -- Kiamichi at msn.com - Tuesday, 03/09/99 09:34:53 GMT


i would like to ask. why does every one say to usehot roll in stead of cold roll steel. cold roll has less carbon in it. can some one tell me why not to use cold roll. thank you

bob - Tuesday, 03/09/99 15:11:23 GMT


i would like to ask. why does every one say to usehot roll in stead of cold roll steel. cold roll has less carbon in it. can some one tell me why not to use cold roll. thank you

bob - Tuesday, 03/09/99 15:11:40 GMT


sorry my e-mail address to get intouch with me....

bob -- jrf at hovac.com - Tuesday, 03/09/99 15:13:02 GMT


Bob, hot roll is a lot cheaper. It also has a nice even coat of mill scale. When you forge cold roll (actually drawn) you end up with dull scaley places and shiney places where you haven't heated the material to a forging heat.

Hot roll is no longer available in some sizes so we all end up using some cold drawn. It is also more precision.

Jock D. -- webmaster at anvilfire.com - Tuesday, 03/09/99 15:24:27 GMT


so it will be ok to use cold roll. does it weld the same as hot roll? and i guss if i use it i should try to heat up all parts of the peace to get a even scale on it hu. are you going to the CVBG meeting this weekend jock?

bob -- jrf at hovac.com - Tuesday, 03/09/99 15:35:01 GMT


JrDoowop;
I do know the real name rule in the hammer-in,I rarely post here,because I usually don't have the expertise to contribute,so when I could share some of my knowledge I got excited and forgot the rule.I apologise for that.[and my typing]
My normal ego is big enough that I don't need an alternate to cloud the waters any more than they are.
Actually dimag is not only my cyber nickname,but it is a name[among others that would be surely deleted if i listed them]that i have been called since I started school in 1952.
Since i'm a novice at smithing I glean as much info as I can from all sources available.
I check in at both Anvifire and the Junkyard on a daily basis,although i do tend to hang around in the Pub.I also check Metal Web news and various other sites.
I'm hoping the animosity that rises occasionally between the 2 afformentioned sites is just from the competetiveness between the two major proponents of each site,and would be saddened if it escalated in to something bigger.Both people have much to offer someone like me and I really appreciate the info I have aquired.

Paul DiMaggio -- dimag at yt.sympatico.ca - Wednesday, 03/10/99 01:33:28 GMT


Bob,

I've tried to send a message to Joe viea the e-mail link on the Central Virginia Blacksmiths Guild page and it bounces back as user unknown. Something mis-typed in the link, maybe?

Jim Wilson -- pawpaw at netunlimited.net - Wednesday, 03/10/99 01:58:58 GMT


Bob,

When I replied to your e-mail, the same thing happened. Message bounce with permanent fatal error, user unknown.

Jim

Jim Wilson -- pawpaw at netunlimited.net - Wednesday, 03/10/99 02:55:16 GMT


Jim, the URL Bob posted was a test site and the URL shouldn't have been publicly posted.

Bob, I tried to send you mail and double checked your old address (same as above) but hovac.com is rejecting your mail.

Jock D. -- webmaster at anvilfire.com - Wednesday, 03/10/99 03:30:08 GMT


Sorry bobby. I did not mean to hurt your feelings I know what it feels like to be bad at spelling. I have a thing called dyslexia , it means i have trouble with reading and writing corectly (chating is a real chalange to me). Im trying as hard as i kan and yet some things just slip by. When i find other people having trouble (if only once ) i have a hard time and i guess i get back at them in my own little Way.
So once again sorry.

I posted my apology here so you wouldn't mis it Bobby

OErjan

OErjan -- pokerbacken at angelfire.com - Wednesday, 03/10/99 14:23:08 GMT


Whew! I just checkied the log. Accusations, name-calling, veiled threats and apologies - this site is becoming almost as bad as a museum seminar(grin).

Olle Andersson -- utgaardaolle at ebox.tninet.se - Wednesday, 03/10/99 17:39:50 GMT


Does sorta seem that way doesn'tit, Olle? What are we doing here? (grin)

Jim Wilson -- pawpaw at netunlimited.net - Wednesday, 03/10/99 22:20:31 GMT


Jock D. it's me again. I finaly found out where they got the 330 ni alloy steel I asked you about. I now have more info on it but not it's chem makeup.. The material comes from Ryerson. The 330 is thier no. they list it as an austenitic nickel-chromium-iron-silicon alloy with heat resisting propertieshaving good resistance to oxidation, carburization, and thermal shock & thermal fatigue. has good strength at elevated temps, good thermal stability. It said it had less than 50% iron. The UNS is N08330 thanks again.

kid -- none - Thursday, 03/11/99 01:45:58 GMT


Kid, Thats a continous problem. Manufacturer's numbers or designations get bandied about (largely by sales people) and folks think the number MEANS something. UNS is an attempt to "unify" this mess but manufacturers keep making slightly different alloys. . . .

ASTM numbers are the worst. Most ASTM specs are for PERFORMANCE and do not specify the required alloy. As a minimum performance spec you can always use a better material than the spec calls for and still meet the spec. THEN there are a few ASTM specs that do specify the alloy. Just to make the game fun!

From my earlier post:
UNS N08330. .08 C, 17-20 Cr, 34-37 Ni, 1 Si, balance Fe and trace.

I generaly don't list all the trace stuff unless someone REALLY needs it.

Jock D. -- webmaster at anvilfire.com - Thursday, 03/11/99 04:59:54 GMT


I don't need the trace elements, you have spent enough time on this one thanks again.

kid -- none - Thursday, 03/11/99 22:43:42 GMT


whats in a name ??? i use lochinvar because it is my business moniker its registered and is mine to use. i didn't invent it however a famed poet of long ago gets that credit. i find that there are far too many allens in this world. when people reply to allen in posts it normally gets changed to al or alan...pet peave...however i always post my email address so that if a post were politically incorrect it would be traceable...if anyone objects to my using lochinvar in posts, ill stop...i dont post often because my expertise lies in swords and carpentry and plus by the time i get around to checking out the daily posts you guys have already answered the question.
dogwoods in full bloom, spring in north central florida has arrived.

lochinvar -- LochinvarSwords at webtv.net - Friday, 03/12/99 03:08:10 GMT


Lochinvar:

Sounds like a perfectly reasonable "nom de guerre" to me. Atli is the Old Norse form of Attila. I answer to both, and I've been called much worse. For many of us there is an element of romanticism involved in blacksmithing. I also find that blacksmithing gives a person a good sense of appreciation for our ancestors, and how they made their way in the world. Lastly, a good name makes good commercial sense. If you're working the weapons business, "Lochinvar Swords" is going to get more attention than "Allen's Swords". I bet that between the carpentry and the blacksmithing you turn out some beautiful chests.

Visit your National Parks (at least 11 of which are in Florida): www.nps.gov

Come have a row with us: www.wam.umd.edu/~eowyn/Longship/ (cASE sENSITIVE)

(And yes, the "i" in Blackistone has been confusing people since before the Norman Conquest.)

Bruce Blackistone (Atli) -- bruce_blackistone at nps.gov - Friday, 03/12/99 13:19:58 GMT


"Dancin Hammers" Blacksmithing Festival, Canton Texas

When: April 10th-11th

Where: Blacksmith Junction, Old Mill Mountain, Hwy. 64, Canton Texas

What: Dancin Hammers is a Blacksmithing Festival featuring Doug Hendrickson from Lesterville, Missouri. It is sponsored by the North Texas Blacksmiths Association and Blacksmiths Junction. The event includes many activities for families with shopping for the ladies and dancing during the evening of April 10th with singer Dusty Lane.
The Blacksmithing demo schedule starts on Saturday, April 10th at 9 am, until 5 pm.
Dinner, dancing and other activities are from 6 pm until 10 pm. Blacksmithing continues on Sunday, April 11th, from 9 am until noon.

Registration: $25. Registration may be sent to NTBA Registrar Verl Underwood, 613 M. Bailey, Ft. Worth Texas 76107. Phone (817) 626-5909.

Lodging in Canton: http://www.dodge-city.net

For futher info: dwwilson at flash.net.

NTBA homepage - http://www.flash.net/~dwwilson/ntba/
Blacksmith Junction - http://www.blacksmithjunction.com/

David Wilson -- dwwilson at flash.net - Friday, 03/12/99 17:11:46 GMT


Lochinvar and Atki: Damn, I´m not enough of a romantic. I´m posting my true name when I should have used my brandname. It´s "UtgårdaOlle", wich is kind of a joke on old norse mythology.I´m sure there´s at least three people in the world that get it. I suppose this is the danger of having your hobby (at least parts of it) as a profession.

Olle Andersson -- utgaardaolle at ebox.tninet.se - Friday, 03/12/99 18:11:42 GMT


looking for someone in doylestown pa area to do blacking with.i am just starting out .thank you

jim helstrom -- litlbean at bellatlantic.net - Sunday, 03/14/99 15:41:42 GMT


I recently found a 50# Little Giant that has some,(1/8") play in the crank bearings. Is this serious enouph to need attention? Also, the clutch surface is breaking apart, how should I go about remedying this? I need to convert this hammer to run on a electric motor, and i've read Jock Dempseys recomendations on motor horsepower and speed that say this hammer needs a 2 horse motor that runs at 1800 rpms, should the pulley that was run by the original line shaft be run at 1800 rpm? Anything else I should know before running this hammer?

Thanks much,
Tony

Tony -- northwoods at e-znet.com - Tuesday, 03/16/99 01:06:12 GMT


I recently found a 50# Little Giant that has some,(1/8") play in the crank bearings. Is this serious enouph to need attention? Also, the clutch surface is breaking apart, how should I go about remedying this? I need to convert this hammer to run on a electric motor, and i've read Jock Dempseys recomendations on motor horsepower and speed that say this hammer needs a 2 horse motor that runs at 1800 rpms, should the pulley that was run by the original line shaft be run at 1800 rpm? Anything else I should know before running this hammer?

Thanks much,
Tony

Tony -- northwoods at e-znet.com - Tuesday, 03/16/99 01:06:29 GMT


i have read that you can boil 20 mule team borax down to make it pure. is that true? if so how do you do it.

bob fulghum -- jrf at hovac.com - Tuesday, 03/16/99 01:44:29 GMT


i have read that you can boil 20 mule team borax down to make it pure. is that true? if so how do you do it.

bob fulghum -- jrf at hovac.com - Tuesday, 03/16/99 01:44:49 GMT


Tony,

Those are not my recommendations. Those are the manufacturers specs. 1800 is the motor speed. Line shafting ran 500-800 and then had reduction at the machine. See the crank RPM on the same chart (328 RPM), then slow it down about 10-15%. LG ran them too fast. The fact is a 50# LG will run quite well on 1-1/2HP (which is much easier to find in single phase).

An eighth inch of wear is a lot if it is only on the front journal. If both the front and back are worn the shaft is moving down parallel to where it started. Normally you can just take some of the shims out of the bearing caps so that the shaft doesn't hop up and down. If all this wear is on just the front end then the linkage in front is being twisted and will wear out. In that case you need to rebabbit.

LG's had cast iron to cast iron center clutches and wood block to cast iron rear mounted clutches. There shouldn't be any surface to break down unless one has been added. The rear mounted wood block clutches are prone to grabbing, especially if the clutch bearing is worn.

Jock D. -- webmaster at anvilfire.com - Tuesday, 03/16/99 02:23:00 GMT


Well I am 45 in the spring and thinking I'd like to get into a new trade. I am very interested in metalworking and casting and BLACKSMITHING

MIKE TURIN -- miturpin at osd.wednet.edu - Wednesday, 03/17/99 17:14:31 GMT


I didn't mean to post a permanent message - sorry I tried to delete it - I am attempting to gather info about blacksmithing but i didn't mean to take up any permanent space so if you can clear these two messages please do

MIKE TRPIN -- miturpin at osd.wednet.edu - Wednesday, 03/17/99 17:22:49 GMT


Mike, Not a problem. That's what this forum is for. Post a message and see who replies. The Slack-Tub Pub is a live chat and gets busy in the evenings (generaly too late for me). A good start is to order a Centaur Forge catalog and the books I list in the Getting Started article.

Jock D. -- webmaster at anvilfire.com - Wednesday, 03/17/99 19:37:10 GMT


Saturday and Sunday, March 20 and 21, I'll be at Jamestown Settlement near Williamsburg, VA, for Military Through the Ages. The sad news: Neither I nor our Canadian Viking blacksmith will be doing demonstrations due to real life chaos and schedule conflicts. The good news: This is a great event, with reenactment units from Classical Rome to the modern Virginia National Guard. Lots of arms, armor and ironwork for education, inspiration and market potential (we can always use another sword/axe/scorp/cookpot...). Jamestown Settlement is a Commonwealth of Virginia (i.e. state) operation, with a museum, a reconstructed fort (with an operating smithy, if you must see hot iron) and replicas of the settlers three ships, plus lots of costumed interpreters. If that isn't enough, Jamestown Island is adjacent, and is a part of Colonial National Historical Park, which includes Yorktown Battlefield (about a 35 minute drive from Jamestown). And if that still isn't enough, you can go to Williamsburg and watch their blacksmiths and gunsmiths at work.

Admission is about $10 to Jamestown. If you drop in, look me up. Just ask any Viking.

Sunny, breezy and warm on the banks of the Potomac. Heavy forging tonight to catch up on the lost three + weeks. OErjan: I'll try to catch up with you once I get past Jamestown MTA.

Visit your National Parks: www.nps.gov

Go viking: www.wam.umd.edu/~eowyn/Longship/ (cASE sENSITIVE)

Bruce Blackistone (Atli) -- bruce_blackistone at nps.gov - Thursday, 03/18/99 14:09:50 GMT


Mike Turpin --
C'mon and jump in and ask questions. You'll find folks like me who smith as a "hobby" and others who smith full time. You'll find the artistic types and the practial types and all the range inbetween. However, the most useful thing I can think of for you to do is to find someone near you who can give you some 'hands-on' time to see if this is something you really want to pursue. I've given many folks a small taste of smithing (demonstrated a simple project and talked them through it). For some, that was all they wanted. A small number of the others are off smithing on their own. If the fire and metal talk to you, it's a conversation you'll have no trouble continuing.

Where are you, in the real world? If you're within driving distance of Portland, Oregon, consider this an invitation to stop by one day and play with fire and iron. I'm sure there's someone reasonably nearby if you're too far afield to drop by here!

Morgan Hall -- morganh at teleport.com - Thursday, 03/18/99 15:01:56 GMT


Mike Turpin, Ask any question you might have, that is what the hammer-in is all about. A place to learn and gain infirmation. I second Morgan's comment. I am a beginning smith myself in the So. Cal. area. If you are in the area you have an invite to come by my place, see what I am doing and try your hand at it as well. I can also direct you to some experienced smiths and a beginners class as well. You will find that almost all smiths will be glad to help and encourage you so post your reply in the hammer-in so we know where you are located. By the way, still looking for a used anvil in the 100-200# range around the San Berdoo-Riverside area of So.Cal. Great site Jock, thanks for making it available. I've read the archives and keep up to date and have learned much. Marcus

Marcus -- marcusiv at msn.com - Thursday, 03/18/99 16:12:12 GMT


Welcome aboard the metal people Mark.. I agree with Mr Hall, just jump in and asked. Sombody will answer.. I am also 41 this yr and I do the blacksmithing as a hobby. But do sell off my wares at craft/farm shows etc. You can only gather so much. I do live shows for the public in the summer months. We get lots of snow here in North Bay, Canada.. Right now it is approx 5 degress cel {about 52 F}. TTYL Chow

Barney -- barney at vianet.on.ca - Friday, 03/19/99 23:35:19 GMT


Has anyone seen or got any plans for building a backyard press that could be used to make bowls from 1 to 1.8mm plate.

Bowls must be about 200mm dia, and 100mm to 150mm deep.

If its not possible to press in one pice then i would consider presing in quarters.

Regards

Andrew Hooper -- andrew at best.net.nz - Saturday, 03/20/99 01:32:04 GMT


Had to leave Jamestown early, but they've expanded the 1607 smithy in the fort and one of the suttlers has a nice set up based on 19th century usage. Plus lots of arms, armor and equipment as above.

Bruce Blackistone (Atli) -- asylum at us.HSAnet.net - Sunday, 03/21/99 03:44:36 GMT


Guru, just a thought on the JYH ,on the shocks you have on there,are they made for single shock applacions? reason i'm asking , on 4 wheel drives that have duel shock setups , the shocks have a lighter valving, that makes for a softer ride. Would be like having 1.5 regular shocks. And i'm not sure weither "gas" shocks would work , or if you would want them. Hope i'm making sense. Toby

Toby -- Kiamichi at msn.com - Sunday, 03/21/99 11:39:48 GMT



I'm liquidating my late brother-in-laws collection of blacksmithing equipment.
The auction sale will be located in Chester County Pennsylvania.

Auction of blacksmithing and other metalworking tools
Saturday April 10, 1999
Ridge Fire Company
Along PA Rt 23 between Phoenixville, PA and Rt 100

From the Estate of Thomas Hespenheide
20" Forge with hood and hand operated blower
14" Forge with built in blower
22" x 31" Forge with hood, blower etc.
Three large anvils
Antique anvil
Numerous small anvils from 1 pount to 30 pounds
Assorted items:
tongs, shovels, stands, pokers, hammers, claw hammers, flatters, set hammers, punches, hot and cold chisels
swages, hardies, bearing post drill, vises, mandrils, blowers, books, antique tools.

Jim Morawski -- jmorawsk at erols.com - Sunday, 03/21/99 16:56:10 GMT



I'm liquidating my late brother-in-laws collection of blacksmithing equipment.
The auction sale will be located in Chester County Pennsylvania.

Auction of blacksmithing and other metalworking tools
Saturday April 10, 1999
Ridge Fire Company
Along PA Rt 23 between Phoenixville, PA and Rt 100

From the Estate of Thomas Hespenheide
20" Forge with hood and hand operated blower
14" Forge with built in blower
22" x 31" Forge with hood, blower etc.
Three large anvils
Antique anvil
Numerous small anvils from 1 pount to 30 pounds
Assorted items:
tongs, shovels, stands, pokers, hammers, claw hammers, flatters, set hammers, punches, hot and cold chisels
swages, hardies, bearing post drill, vises, mandrils, blowers, books, antique tools.

Jim Morawski -- jmorawsk at erols.com - Sunday, 03/21/99 16:56:34 GMT


Toby, practicaly all modern shocks are gas over oil. These were standard Monroe shock absorbers selected for their mountings and nothing else. Adjustable shocks would probably just add cost. The shock absorber linkage works but doesn't make a fantastic hammer, just an easy to build hammer.

The gas over oil shocks were a surprise to me. In my mechanic days shocks had oil and were hard to push, that's all. The gas over oil shocks have some spring and want to fully extend if you don't hold them back. It was not a particulary desirable feature (same goes for bike shocks with springs). I was told you could get "striaght" racing shocks but I figured these wern't in the JYH budget.

I have a design for an improved shock linkage with flat leaf springs for a little "snap". Will be posting it on the new ABANA 2000 JYH page as soon as I get it set up!

Jock D. -- webmaster at anvilfire.com - Sunday, 03/21/99 20:47:07 GMT


Help I am doing a report on Medieval Blacksmiths, and I'm having a hard time locating their tools & methods, can you help?
Thanks
Greg

GREG FETTER -- nncpfa at msn - Monday, 03/22/99 23:55:27 GMT


Greg:

Go to your library and find (or order by interlibrary loan) "On Diverse Arts" by Theophilus, translated by John Hawthorn and Cyril Smith; Dover Publications, New York; ISBN 0-486-23784-2; LoC 78-74298 and "The Pyrotechnia" by Vannoccio Biringuccio, translated by Cyril Smith and Martha Gnudi; Dover, New York; ISBN 0-486-26134-4. You should also get a copy of "The Art of Blacksmithing" by Alex W. Bealer; Harper and Row, New York; ISBN 0-06-015225-7, so you can understand what the heck's going on in the other two books. Don't just explore how they made things, but look at what they made, besides arms and armor. Check the art section of the library for medieval architecture and look at the wonderful hinges and church doors. Look for any reference to early ironwork in the art section and see what you can find.

Theophilus is about 1120, Biringuccio is about 1540. I will post information on the Mastermyr Find from work tomorrow for the Viking Age. There is a continuity here, and each skill is built upon another.

Good Luck

Visit your National Parks: www.nps.gov

Go viking with us: www.wam.umd.edu/~eowyn/Longship/ (cASE sENSITIVE)

Bruce Blackistone (Atli) -- asylum at us.HSAnet.net - Tuesday, 03/23/99 04:20:51 GMT


Greg:

Try an interlibrary loan for: "The Mastermyr Find (A Viking Age Tool Chest from Gotland)" by Greta Arwidsson and Gosta Berg; Bergstrom Tryckeri, AB, Motala, Sweden; ISBN 91-7402-129-X. It's out of print (alas) but found in a number of university libraries. If you do a web search under Mastermyr, you should pull up some associated web pages, too.

Remember that for much of the middle ages the more specialized smiths (armor, farriers, cutlery, household goods) were in seperate guilds, so you may want to start with an overview, and hone in on a specific guild, or the generalist "village" (or castle) blacksmith.

As my archeologist friends say: "Keep digging."

Bruce Blackistone (Atli) -- bruce_blackistone at nps.gov - Tuesday, 03/23/99 18:10:54 GMT


Greg. Methods have changed very little. Tools have changed a little but a medieval hammer looked almost identical to today's. Anvils were much simpler and in general smaller. Most tended to be block shaped. Punches and tongs haven't changed at all. Forges were generaly blown by a single action bellows or a tandem pair.

Jock D. -- webmaster at anvilfire.com - Wednesday, 03/24/99 02:51:39 GMT


The coal company on Crescent St. in Worcester, Mass has moved. They are now just off of Rt#20 east of Rt#395 in Worcester Mass. The phone # is still the same so call before you go to get the coal. $6.00 per bag and good quality.

Justin Garziano -- justin.d.garziano at snet.net - Thursday, 03/25/99 00:09:49 GMT


Guru
I just received the book Anvils in America boy what a book. I had
talk to Richard Postman twice and was impressed by the man and the
book. He even signed the book for me thanks for the book reveiw.

Bobby

Bobby Neal -- bbneal at bellsouth.net` - Thursday, 03/25/99 03:05:33 GMT


first time user very interested in communicating with other blacksmiths

Damien Sharah -- agforge at lisp.com.au - Thursday, 03/25/99 03:08:35 GMT


Jock-- or anybody else out there in cyberland-- do you know of the whereabouts of, or a likely place to look for ads for, a used Hossfeld No. 2, REASONABLE, with dies for flat stock, pipe, angle, in working condition, ideally w/in a 1/2 day's drive of Santa Fe (150-200 +/- miles). Many thanks!

john neary -- jneary at roadrunner.com - Thursday, 03/25/99 04:57:05 GMT


Anybody know where I can find a Beverly Shear? Preferably a at 2 at a reasonable price.

Jim Wilson -- pawpaw at netunlimited.net - Friday, 03/26/99 00:34:46 GMT


Got another locator question. I need some glass marbles/balls approsximately 1 inch in diameter. Preferably tinted, without any swirl in the middle. Light colors, mostly gold, orange, green, brown. Light enough in color that firelight would show through.

Jim Wilson -- pawpaw at netunlimited.net - Saturday, 03/27/99 01:00:51 GMT


Annual Blacksmith workshop and fellowship-San Angelo Tx hosted by Pat
Cheatham-April 29-30, May 1rst-subject,reposse-instructor,Wendal Broussard of Smithville,TX--call Pat at 915-949-0419 for student fees
and info. em- cforge at wcc.net or myself,Joe Jay-joejay7 at earthlink.net
Visit our page http://ni3d.homestead.com/pforge/index.html

Joe Jay -- joejay7 at earthlink.net - Saturday, 03/27/99 19:02:12 GMT


My father is a blacksmith in Robertson Co. TN. I am looking for
cross stitch patterns of blacksmithing for him. Do any blacksmith
wives or daughters have any such pattern?

e_stites -- at hotmail.com - Saturday, 03/27/99 20:15:16 GMT


The Blacksmith's Guild of the Potomac will be hosting its Spring Fling '99 on April 17 and 18 (set-up and arrivals on the 16th) in Warrenton, Virginia. Warrenton is about 45 miles west-by-south of Washington, DC. Cost of the event is $30 'til April 5th, and $35 thereafter. Lots of hearty food, Iron-in-the-Hat, auction, tailgate sales, excellent demonstrators and good company. (I only aspire to be competent company.)

For further information and a membership package please write to: Tom Coker, 12611 Bluhill Road, Wheaton, MD 20906.

If you get boored with blacksmithing* we have Manassas and Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Battlefields to the northeast and southeast and Skyline Drive to the west.

*"He who is boored with blacksmithing is boored with life." Attributed to Dr. Samuel Johnson's younger and less quoted brother Charly, the blacksmith.

Visit your National Parks: www.nps.gov

Come have a row with us: www.wam.umd.edu/~eowyn/Longship/

Bruce Blackistone (Atli) -- bruce_blackistone at nps.gov - Monday, 03/29/99 19:21:08 GMT


I am a somewhat beginner blacksmith. I have been doing it on and off for a around five years, but just started to make knives and swords. What is some advice on making the swords diamoned shaped. Like this /\
\/
I have tried but can never make it work out too well.

Tim Crowley -- FishinPiro at AOL.com - Monday, 03/29/99 23:21:07 GMT


Hi there,
what are we up to tonight,I'm looking for a good contact person
in the U.S.for related Blacksmithing information.
Come back now.

steve -- b-s at mail.ontarioeast.net - Tuesday, 03/30/99 01:27:51 GMT


Hi there,
what are we up to tonight,I'm looking for a good contact person
in the U.S.for related Blacksmithing information.
Come back now.

steve -- b-s at mail.ontarioeast.net - Tuesday, 03/30/99 01:55:35 GMT


Tim, Slow down and take your time. Patience is a virtue in metalwork. The diamond section just take a lot of effort. I find it easiest the make from round stock rather than flat. As you flatten the round the radius just gets smaller and smaller as you work toward the diamond. Eventualy the round becomes the edge that you will grind off. The other way is to start with square stock and flatten it on the diagonal. Again, you have a more natural edge from the beginning.

You will also find that even those that forge blades do a LOT of grinding. A good heavy duty 7" DeWalt grinder makes the job go a LOT faster!

Jock D. -- webmaster at anvilfire.com - Tuesday, 03/30/99 05:00:04 GMT


Jim here in Canada we have a chain called Princess Auto that has a shear that looks similar to a Beverly but made in China it has a 3mm (1/8") capacity and sells for about $80 (Canadian dollars), it looks reasonably well made. They also mail order their number is 1-800-665-8685 . For anyone interested they also have a Hossfield knock off for $190.

John N -- newmann at ibm.net - Wednesday, 03/31/99 04:29:02 GMT


John N.,

Thanks a bunch! I'll call them in the morning!

Jim Wilson -- pawpaw at netunlimited.net - Wednesday, 03/31/99 05:13:02 GMT


John N.,

Called them this morning, they're sending me their catalog. They were also nice enough to tell me that there is an American Branch, and give me their 800 number as well. THANKS for the tip!

Jim Wilson -- pawpaw at netunlimited.net/~pawpaw/ - Wednesday, 03/31/99 17:23:12 GMT


All the chinese tools I've had have been pure s**t. Anybody have any experience with the above-mentioned Princess Auto equipment?

john neary -- jneary at roadrunner.com - Thursday, 04/01/99 04:59:21 GMT


John;
Never have seen the shear,but the bender is not a bad tool,a friend has one and although it is rarely used [as all benders seem to be] it works OK and seems to be well constructed. Princess doesn't have a instruction manual for it though, or at least none came with the machine.
We thought it was spring in the north country, but it ain't.

Paul DiMaggio -- dimag at yt.sympatico .ca - Thursday, 04/01/99 14:20:44 GMT



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