Im looking to get a PSI gague for my propane tank so I can keep a consistent idea of how much propane im using (more so than just how many turns on the tank) can anyone recommend what id need. I have an old Mr volcano forge, ive attached a picture showing the connection to the burner and what i think might be a suitable option.
Thanks!
I'm trying to make a yokote knife and I'm new to forging. Besides the broken handle, I really need advice on heat treating. I got it hot enough to where I saw the metal turning blue with a MAPP torch, and then quenched it in water with a lot of salt. But it still came out very soft. How could I improve? Any other tips or advice is welcome. ( I don't know the steel I'm using, its from a screw
So I’m fairly new to blacksmithing, how do I prevent my blades from rusting? I’ve been water quenching if that’s part of the problem.
First off all I'm sorry if this is the wrong tag for this.
So basically I could really use some advice on where I could potentially start to pick up the hobby. I'm currently a student in the Netherlands who's still living at home. Using the backyard isn't really a reliable option since I have to wait until I'm home alone for that which lately isn't happening all that much.
Due to the unreliability of my opportunities I'm now trying to find an external place I could work in and set up shop at. I've been trying to find these kind of work garages to work out of but the issue there is that those are too expensive monthly for me to really afford on a student budget. The places I've found that would fit my budget have all not allowed anything to do with open flames in their spaces.
Any advice is greatly appreciated and thank you to everyone in advance for all the tips.
If this is not an Atha please let me know but for $10, I'm happy anyway.
Hi all! I’m new to blacksmithing and have taken a couple classes so far. Made a knife and a chefs knife and am in love with the hobby. I am working on making my own setup in my back yard but wanted some input if possible! I’ve read a few books and watched lots of YouTube videos, but am trying to come up with a list of must haves. I already have an anvil, forge, tongs, and some of the PPE (respirator, ear protection).
As far as what I still need, I know the list is quite large, but a big question is what kind of eye protection are you all using? I’ve read about things like shatterproof glass googles but I can’t seem to find a pair that aren’t cheap plastic looking? I plan on getting an angle grinder at some point so I want some that are pretty beefy because I’m terrified of those lol I have also found some various gloves for use when quenching and I’ve read a lot that it’s good to have them be large so you can fling them off if things go south. I’ve had a hard time finding gloves that are women’s sizes so I’m assuming men’s gloves being larger would work for this purpose? I’ve never worn gloves when actually forging, only for things like quenching for the obvious reasons there. Do you all recommend using them all the time?
Last question for now (I have a ton but I am trying to get everything set up in manageable chunks) - It is super hard to find fully natural fiber pants, do you all recommend any brands in particular? Every set of women’s pants I find have some amount of polyester or synthetic fabric. I had heavily debated the blacksmithing kilts (even my mentor wears one), but having the bottom of my legs sticking out gives me anxiety with all that hot metal and potentially dropping it especially while in early learning.
I appreciate all of your time!!!
Modified an old Sledge hammer into a heavy double diagonal peen, for really moving steel. I think it came out looking really cool, it is about 7ish pounds. This is to help me draw the cheeks out on the huge axes I've been commissioned for. If you don't have a power hammer then you need to be your own power hammer
I’m hoping I’ve finally found the right people to ask about this.
We found this old post drill in a garage and I’m not sure what to do with it or where to go to possible sell it. If I don’t sell, I may even restore myself but don’t have the experience. The gears all work surprisingly well and if greased would be buttery smooth. The vertical action is exactly that, crazy smooth.
Even though I have the manufacturers mark on the side I’ve had all sorts of trouble even locating it. It’s an incredibly impressive tool and I’d prefer to keep it, but if not, tips on where to go to sell it would be helpful!
I picked up blacksmithing about six months ago. I spent a bit of time just reshaping material, but I found myself in a slump because I wanted to actually work toward something. I made a mistake and purchased half inch diameter roundbar, which turns out is fairly difficult to reshape when you have not developed the muscle and technique for it. I really dont want to go buy more steel, as I dont have much storage.
What are some good ideas for beginner friendly projects to do that wouldnt be miserable with the stock I have?
Columbia Fire and Iron, the local blacksmith club, held a Hammer-in today, and I brought some coil spring, got some pointers and made a blacksmith's knife. I incorporated a leaf into the finger guard cause I watched a few tutorials on making leaves (thanks Black Bear Forge).
All right my dudeliest of dudes. I inherited a set of courting candles. I purchased some candles to go inside said courting candles. My dumbass didn't think to measure said candles before ordering them. Said candles do not fit and said candle holders. I'm well aware this is likely not going to be an easy problem to fix. Any suggestions?
Some notes:
These are not regular candles and they do not behave as such.
I have zero equipment to do this with outside of various sizes of pliers. 🥲
Thanks in advance.
Videos of rebound test/sound test and showing the "grit" compacting easier than sand. She rings like a doorbell so this is an improvement, and frankly I like that bit of brightness - gives me some nostalgia and nothing a pair of earplugs don't fix
Yeah I know sandbox stands are already adjustable but I wanted a tripod stand and to also use a small "box" with crushed stone/decomp granite type material so here is the test fit. The anvil is a 1907 205lb Hay Budden and compacts beautifully. I will still put some sort of tie down around the waist so I can more easily walk it around the floor a bit and also drill out a few holes on the legs so they are telescopic.
I have an ACME 148lb anvil with about a 1.5" height difference and a couple smaller anvils that would work too, but I feel the stone gives it near 100% surface contact and actually added some rebound back into the ol' girl. With just some hand shifting it packs quick, so I will run on the assumption some longer sessions will really solidify it down. And when I want to switch anvils I can just level the bed out and customize depth, then shift it and pack out again.
So instead of relying 100% on telescoping legs which I feared had the drawback of becoming less supported the more extended they are, I can make 4-5" of adjustment at the legs and still maintain 6" or more of insertion length using 1/4" tube, and have another 4" in the sandbox so everything from my 65lb Doyle to the 205lb HB can be used on one stand and still get my working height desired without having to bury an anvil completely in sand.
I have 3 anvils I want to be able to potentially use on 1 stand, but they have a 5" height difference across them. Nothing here is new, but hopefully I'm combining the best of all stands and not the worst lol. The legs are telescoping using 2" and 1.5" 1/4 wall square tube that will get a few adjustment holes drilled in when done and using grade 8 hardware or hitch pin. The receiver tubes are 12" long so even with 6" insertion length I have 6" adjustment there comfortably.
The box on top is my take on a sandbox style stand, but is 4" deep to house a bag of decomp granite. The frame is just big enough for my largest anvil to prevent walking, so I might still need an additional hold down for the other 2, but this gives me another 4" of adjustability if I need to, and the decomp granite packs down firmer than sand. Since all of my anvil bases have a recessed out section in the bottom, that should provide some support from sheer forces and prevent that sideways walking potentially.
If the sandbox doesn't end up working out, plan be is to just use 4x4 blocks or something and go 4" wood base I can either interchange per anvil basically making a stump stand which has plenty of commercially produced designs so I'm not worried there for a plan B
Im a beginner and Im gonna make a charcoal forge ive found information on both but I don't know which is better in use so im asking
I've had an interest in smithing for a while now and yesterday I finally got around to visit a smithy near me to try it out. I didnt' expect to be able to finish a blade in one day already (although with alot of help, especially when it came to the finishing touches). Was very fun and I definitely want to do more of it now.
While I did learn that the minimum required things for smithing isn't alot, I may be able to use the smithy a bit, which would make things alot easier ^^
Am looking forward to learn more
I've got this massive piece of S7, went to fire it, only to discover it has a HOLE ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE LENGTH!
I have no power hammer. Just a breaker sledge and big arms. Trust it to forge weld as I draw it out? By the time I stretch it into a knife blade, will the hole even still exist? Maybe forge it side ways rather than long ways?
Was working on a piece got it done water quenched it dropped it on the concrete and it broke can anyone tell me what kind of metal this is and how to properly quench it?
First time ever forging something. Took a rail road spike for practice and made a little Tanto knife. Have it a bit of a twist too. Learned TONS and can’t wait to keep practicing. Let me know what you would do better!
Thanks
