Screwdriver
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It is tempting to just keep making tools but I really ought to start making stuff to sell. Garden bits and bobs I should expect.
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Screwdriver
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I made a shelf...
Broke out the Mig and my "welding" has improved dramatically!
It's just a test so nothing is permanent, everything is adjustable or removable.
It's good and solid being held on with gravity (I might add some nuts, bolts or sliders later).
Largely so I can do this:
But also to act as a staging platform and tong support etc.
Broke out the Mig and my "welding" has improved dramatically!
It's just a test so nothing is permanent, everything is adjustable or removable.
It's good and solid being held on with gravity (I might add some nuts, bolts or sliders later).
Largely so I can do this:
But also to act as a staging platform and tong support etc.
Screwdriver
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They are lightweight insulating firebricks, hence the need for a door for ease of replacement. At a later stage I may try heavier less insulating firebrick. I figure the heavier stuff would be better if you're spending longer periods of time at the forge so the forge takes time to get hot but then stays hot. Since I am dipping in and out of it and not spending all day at it, better insulation and getting up to temp more quickly is more efficient than higher temperature retention (I am assuming/testing).
This is all very new to me and all the research and YouTubing in the world is no substitute for just getting on with it yourself. I learned a LOT today for example just flatting the ends of a bit of rod.
1. My tongs are all to big and heavy for my intended use (knifemaking, rebar fiddling and small parts)
2. My gloves are too bulky
3. Dropping things is an occupational hazard
4. Lots of things get hot and stay hot for a long time
5. I need to change a few habits regarding manipulating objects (by nudging them with your leg while going for a better grip) - things you really don't want to do when one end is going to be HOT. We all absent mindedly grip things in our mouths as a temporary measure, now I'm not about to do that while playing with fire but that sort of thing has to stop.
5a. I need to change the habit of just putting things down willy nilly (like tongs which will be hot, punches which will be hot, flammable things which will react badly to getting hot etc.)
6. Similarly it is pretty stupid to see if something is hot with your hands (I probably won't be doing that again any time soon).
7. I need a bucket of water on hand at all times (the next < generic stainless steel container> project beckons).
8. I can see Grenfell tower from here, I don't want to become Grenfell II but everything everywhere is bone dry and just waiting to burst into flame - I need to up my game regarding fire safety.
9. I need a chimney in the forge or a least a large duct opening out into fresh air.
10. My new forge is way, way too powerful and urgently needs recalibrating/finessing
11. Oh yeah, don't use regular air fittings for propane quick connects - they are getting hot and I sincerely doubt that is a good idea (at all!)
It was a real eye opener doing the first little job in my new 'workshop". It is actually a LOT more difficult than it looks just to get a bit of metal red hot, pick it up with tongs, place it onto an anvil and hit it with a hammer. Sounds easy, looks easy but there are ten thousand stupid things that get in the way. I really need to get my video set up again, I don't want to be writing an essay but I am finding it quite interesting how the reality matches my expectations.
It is great fun but in these early stages, I need to take it slowly so that I can make a series of little mistakes to learn from rather than throw myself into it and make one great big one.
A useful bit of advice to a new blacksmith....
Keep your workpiece as long as you can for as long as you can. Its much easier to work on a long piece of metal, where one end is hot in the forge and the other end is cool enough to handle in bare or gloved hand. Only cut the final piece to size right at the end of the forging process and use tongs to hold it for the last finishing work.
You can even 'cheat' and weld a long handle to your workpiece beforehand and grind it off afterwards. Keep it simple.
Keep your workpiece as long as you can for as long as you can. Its much easier to work on a long piece of metal, where one end is hot in the forge and the other end is cool enough to handle in bare or gloved hand. Only cut the final piece to size right at the end of the forging process and use tongs to hold it for the last finishing work.
You can even 'cheat' and weld a long handle to your workpiece beforehand and grind it off afterwards. Keep it simple.
Parm
Respect The Sound System
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It all seems too easy to read the internet and watch you tube to learn things (Ive been There)
Nothing beats a lesson or two from someone who knows what they are doing. I was fortunate enough to have a couple of lessons from @juilianthegypsy.
I learnt more that day than all the hours id spent on the internet. Most of that time was spent understanding how to organize the work area, tools, materials etc etc etc etc. Forging some rebar chisels was the easy bit, once I was all set up.
Nothing beats a lesson or two from someone who knows what they are doing. I was fortunate enough to have a couple of lessons from @juilianthegypsy.
I learnt more that day than all the hours id spent on the internet. Most of that time was spent understanding how to organize the work area, tools, materials etc etc etc etc. Forging some rebar chisels was the easy bit, once I was all set up.
slim_boy_fat
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I see so many of my own basic mistakes in that lot......
I think 'keenness' to examine the result(s) plays a part in it in my case...
I've decided I'll never attempt forging........although I DO have a dumpy gas bottle lying here......... 
outofthefire
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If you're owt like me, number 6 is an issue every now and again 
,
If you decide to mess with the burner inlet have a think about having it at an angle so the flame swirls around the forge, Ron Reil recommended it, it helps to heat your metal evenly and avoid hotspots.
,If you decide to mess with the burner inlet have a think about having it at an angle so the flame swirls around the forge, Ron Reil recommended it, it helps to heat your metal evenly and avoid hotspots.
Screwdriver
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I am familiar with the idea of encouraging swirl but decided against it. I think the burner is currently too powerful anyway but I particularly want a hot spot for the limited amount of blacksmithing I expect I will be doing.
Screwdriver
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Now that I am about to start using this area, I need to give myself better access to it. The broken , uneven paving and potholes have to go. Then I came across this magnificent old bus while I was buying something else. Incredibly it turned over and perhaps more incredibly I paid actual money to take it away.
Motor was bone dry and howled like a banshee. I greased up the (exposed!) bearings...
...and made up a couple of leather washers to keep the grease somewhere nearby the bearing races, if not actually retained.
It was actually quite good fun knocking the cover back into shape. They don't make 'em like they used to and this 4/3rds Cu ft. mixer has steel panels that wouldn't be out of place on a battleship. Knocked flat with a combination of anvil, blacksmith vice and the swage block. Couple of dabs with the MIG and it's done.
Difficult to see just how awkward this junction is. I have to wheel bikes in and out of the main workshop around here and also anything else that comes in from the back gate. I need to keep it low enough to clear the door and drop several inches from the slab. If you look at the bottom of the fence you can see the problem.
The other problem was the mixer! I thought four bags of mot and a bag of cement should do it. Luckily I decided to do it 2 bags at a time to test the mixer. It wouldn't run with two bags! You have to turn it by hand or the motor stalls. Damn. Got the job done eventually though and it will pay for itself by this time tomorrow.
I considered a number of angles, slopes and odd radiuses, eventually just went with as simple a ramp as would fit. I'll tie in a flat landing area tomorrow. I know it's all a bit rough and ready but I don't really mind. It will be a lot better than before, so long as the rain doesn't wash it all away...
Motor was bone dry and howled like a banshee. I greased up the (exposed!) bearings...
...and made up a couple of leather washers to keep the grease somewhere nearby the bearing races, if not actually retained.
It was actually quite good fun knocking the cover back into shape. They don't make 'em like they used to and this 4/3rds Cu ft. mixer has steel panels that wouldn't be out of place on a battleship. Knocked flat with a combination of anvil, blacksmith vice and the swage block. Couple of dabs with the MIG and it's done.
Difficult to see just how awkward this junction is. I have to wheel bikes in and out of the main workshop around here and also anything else that comes in from the back gate. I need to keep it low enough to clear the door and drop several inches from the slab. If you look at the bottom of the fence you can see the problem.
The other problem was the mixer! I thought four bags of mot and a bag of cement should do it. Luckily I decided to do it 2 bags at a time to test the mixer. It wouldn't run with two bags! You have to turn it by hand or the motor stalls. Damn. Got the job done eventually though and it will pay for itself by this time tomorrow.
I considered a number of angles, slopes and odd radiuses, eventually just went with as simple a ramp as would fit. I'll tie in a flat landing area tomorrow. I know it's all a bit rough and ready but I don't really mind. It will be a lot better than before, so long as the rain doesn't wash it all away...
slim_boy_fat
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Screwdriver
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I got a normous bag of offcuts from mrsbruce.
Been wanting to punch out some stuff on the flypress. Works well too. Might make one of those layered knife handles with a batch of it.
Screwdriver
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Not sure how interesting this is but for completeness sake...
I need to be mindful of any odd shapes which might form a weak edge.
It was supposed to "fall" the other way but I guess I'll have to drain water somehow to the left.
Another weird shape to try and accommodate paving slabs (if I feel like it) and at least give me some parallel lines and square corners.
Not decided exactly how I am going to join up the two paths that meet here. One goes off at 6o'clock to the house, the other at the 3o'clock direction to the rear of the shed. I forgot just how bad I am at concreting! Nearly ran out of cement and aggregate and it's not particularly well levelled. Misted it with water, brush finish, radiused edges and covered up with plastic...
(The last picture is immediately after the pour and has been "finished" since then after the surface water ran off)
I need to be mindful of any odd shapes which might form a weak edge.
It was supposed to "fall" the other way but I guess I'll have to drain water somehow to the left.
Another weird shape to try and accommodate paving slabs (if I feel like it) and at least give me some parallel lines and square corners.
Not decided exactly how I am going to join up the two paths that meet here. One goes off at 6o'clock to the house, the other at the 3o'clock direction to the rear of the shed. I forgot just how bad I am at concreting! Nearly ran out of cement and aggregate and it's not particularly well levelled. Misted it with water, brush finish, radiused edges and covered up with plastic...
(The last picture is immediately after the pour and has been "finished" since then after the surface water ran off)
Screwdriver
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Well, it has a sort of "look" to it.
Would have been nicer if they were coloured. Is it too late or can I stain it?
Would have been nicer if they were coloured. Is it too late or can I stain it?
Screwdriver
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It's come on a bit over the years...
Screwdriver
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It is beginning to take shape. Large propane tank is going to live outside. I can build a little hut around it for the winter. At the moment its wearing a little jacket to stop it from being so ORANGE!!! in my otherwise leafy green garden.
Shifted out the racking which had become a magnet for tat. Then a quick reorg to see how I like it.
I don't like the vice stand but it's just there to get me going and portable until I decide where it's going to live. No point having a gigantic 100kg vice if it's not going to be fixed to an equally sturdy post.
It has to be said though, today is not the day to be firing up the forge!
Shifted out the racking which had become a magnet for tat. Then a quick reorg to see how I like it.
I don't like the vice stand but it's just there to get me going and portable until I decide where it's going to live. No point having a gigantic 100kg vice if it's not going to be fixed to an equally sturdy post.
It has to be said though, today is not the day to be firing up the forge!
angellonewolf
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i would have thought to have one side open for air flow even in the mid winter doing metal work is hot going ?
Screwdriver
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Well, brace yourself. Having been a long time campaigner for people to accept the reality of "global warming" the overall effect is not going to be "warmer".
The most noticeable effect will be greater extremes of weather. Hotter summers and colder winters for a start and torrential rains, violent thunderstorms as an encore. We should start seeing record levels of everything. Remember, stick your head in the oven and your feet in the freezer, on average you'll be at the perfect temperature...
Screwdriver
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So having said how easy it would be to straighten out those panels...
I dunked them in what is laughingly called paint stripper (these days), scraped off some paint and power wash.
The paint had been covering up some serious deformation in the corners.
Quite a long battle ensued trying to stop it from twisting like a sweet wrapper. Once I got close to square, flat, straight, it stopped being all floppy and springing from one twist to another, and started looking flat.
I don't know how easy it is to see the bend in this piece, it is a lot worse in real life. A definite crease along the bottom bracket and corresponding hump/twist in the main platter.
A lot of this sort of thing...
Then finished it off on the floor with a lump of wood and a bfh.
Going to wire wheel off any flakes of paint then paint it with whatever colour turns up first! I bought a job lot of insipid grey and boring blue each of which claims to be a super tough industrial paint. Colour is secondary to performance just so long as I can get rid of the nasty shade of <whatever> it is now.
Pictures don't do it justice. It is vomit inducing nasty. If aspartame or sucralose had a colour, it would be that...
I dunked them in what is laughingly called paint stripper (these days), scraped off some paint and power wash.
The paint had been covering up some serious deformation in the corners.
Quite a long battle ensued trying to stop it from twisting like a sweet wrapper. Once I got close to square, flat, straight, it stopped being all floppy and springing from one twist to another, and started looking flat.
I don't know how easy it is to see the bend in this piece, it is a lot worse in real life. A definite crease along the bottom bracket and corresponding hump/twist in the main platter.
A lot of this sort of thing...
Then finished it off on the floor with a lump of wood and a bfh.
Going to wire wheel off any flakes of paint then paint it with whatever colour turns up first! I bought a job lot of insipid grey and boring blue each of which claims to be a super tough industrial paint. Colour is secondary to performance just so long as I can get rid of the nasty shade of <whatever> it is now.
Pictures don't do it justice. It is vomit inducing nasty. If aspartame or sucralose had a colour, it would be that...
