Lou L

I think the IFI members from Grat Britain are clenching their jaws and quivering trying not to jump into a "best tea" debate with Americans! Welcome to the forum! Best way to learn is to hit some metal and try a small project to give you context. Start simple and very cheap...like sledge hammer head anvil cheap...and then, when you read things will make even more sense. Enjoy the journey, Lou

I remember it. I was watching for a while. I was intrigued with the speed with which you work. Let's just say that I have time to hum along to large refrains of the classic rock I listen to when I'm working at home. Though, lately, I've decided to find efficiencies since I may have e the opportunity to seek a lot of the same item,

Yup, I'm going to the Fall meet. I'll try one out if I get the chance (I have a backlog of projects...one possibly being a continuous sale of custom bottle openers for my favorite beer outlet). I like the challenge of figuring out the order of steps to take for things like the shaping of that head. It's a logic puzzle to me and it feels good to get it right. I'll definitely be seeing you in the green coal tent. Were you there last Fall meet?

Les Stroud cooked and ate one on a desert episode of his Survivorman show. He said it was the most vile thing he had ever eaten...and that says a lot coming from him. If I remember correctly it wasn't near his first time eating it, he was prepared and still revolted.

You would be amazed at how much fixing up you can do with a rasp on black hot steel. I just whipping out a 1/4 inch punch using just the rasp and a file once it was cold. Came out smooth. But I have to admit, it is really tempting to clean up the boss area with power. I'm still at your level of tool making...I understand completely! Getting the bits right are still my downfall. I end up over working them every time. Lou

Very cool. Lucky kid for sure. I'll tell you what, as a teacher I can't help but think of the educational side of smithing with kids. Get him doing some of the research, measuring out projects and keeping notes on forging sessions lessons learned. He will be more math, reading and writing growth doing something he is excited about than he will get at school. Also, you may want to flatten out the bits on those rebar tongs a bit more to make them more "grabby". Lou

Thanks! That's pretty much what I pictured after explanation #2. I need to post an update on ng. So far version 1.0 was a failure...but I expected as much. The dies are pretty much flat and the piece walks around too much. I need to make it more concave and try again. Your idea looks like a nice way to bang them out fast. I'm thinking that using a narrow die on the top may impart a negative on the top of the leaf and a positive on the bottom. It wouldn't be the same on both sides but it would be two-sided and possibly more realistic. Thanks again for the input, Lou

Welcome aboard. My advice to you on dealing with the terrifying amount of information here is to approach it one problem ata time. Meaning, you should choose a goal, determine what steps you need to take to complete it (this is likely the first bit of reading), and then read up to learn the bits you need to move forward. If you just dive in and start reading it can turn into a rabbit hole.

I wish I saw that demo! I guess I have to put this on the list of things to do so I can learn what you did the hard (good) way.

I used to copy an open handed style my cousin used (he was ranked the #2 amateur black belt in the country by Black Belt Magazine or some such, and my sense I would walk past me in class and whack my loose hand and I would punch myself in the face. Those lessons stick.

That's a desirable implement right there! The paracord, in this case, is the perfect handle IMO. Survivalist chic. You will raise many funds.

That's my next shirt....

@arkie, I was considering that seriously. I stopped working on the hardy hole and did some forging tonight instead. I kept holding the 1" shank of my new mandrel up to the hole and stewing on it. The tiny little perfectionist in me wants to make it "right". But I think you are on to something. When I really need that mandrel I will make the decision. I'm hoping to pick up some hardy tools at the NEB Fall meet. I would like to know what I'm going to have by then.

Welcome aboard. Considering your location you may want to do some reading about timber framing an awning or lean-to. Isn't rain and drizzle somewhat expected in England! There is much for you to read here. I've done many, many hours of reading here and still find topics and subject matter I had not know was already covered. You will be amazed. Have fun, Lou

Glen from GStongs uses something similar but he machines them quite ingeniously to make excellent anvils. If you have access to a mill you may want to look at this video for ideas.

Nope, Thomas, I'm a knucklehead. Though, I did work from a variety of positions based on what section I was filing. I found that standing directly over the anvil allowed me to see the "bellies" inside and I could use just a little bit of body weight and legs to take the load off of my arms. Note of caution: when filing in said position be careful not to pull the file all the way out of the hole because the forces at work will turn the file into a crotch spear.... One small section of the inside of the hole is, 100% certain, hardened. It skates even a new file. I had to get a diamond sharpener that goes with the hone in my kitchen. It took a while but I was able to slowly wear it down. The hardy hole is currently at 15/16 all the way through. Should be at 1" by end of day today. But I really want to get the forge going...it's been quiet for two days.

I think the gurus suggest ITC-100 even on the bricks because it increases efficiency. Don't quote me! I like how simple it can be.

Yeah, I was pretty sure that copper works hardens really easily. It can't be fun to forge. A testament to how awesome your horse shoe is. Thanks for the lesson.

Wow Frosty, that was one info packed post! You said everything a beginning smith should practice pretty concisely. It should be added to a sticky somewhere. I practiced indexing naturally because it is in my nature because of the martial arts and discus throwing. I tend to index my movements in everything I'd do: taking a shower, washing dishes, etc... I always try to find efficiencies when I move. That being said, I am capable of some pretty aggressive hammering when I want to get the most out of a heat. I just focus on keeping my elbow in the same plane and keeping my wrist/grip loose so it snaps. Chuck M, don't be afraid to let the practice pieces get to yellow hot. It's best to learn how to burn steel while practicing. Maybe I'm crazy, but I think,you aren't doing it right until you see the fairies sparking out of a piece of practice steel. Just don't start hammering hard on them unless you are ready for some hot metal pieces to fly. You will quickly learn the feel of your own forge. Remember that the steel reheats a lot quicker on subsequent heats so, if you get it yellow hot and forge down to red then return it to the fire, it will be yellow again pretty quickly. You will find you only have enough time to set up a tool, put something away and plan your next strikes in your head. Then it will be ready. You will find the dance that Frosty described. Good luck and have fun. And don't skimp out on the personal protective gear. Lou

You know, it's terrible that I knew that and still spelled it wrong. It was late...I was being snarky and failed! I honestly hadn't considered a broach. I've seen that video before (I'm a sunscriber to Clickspring...he's the guy currently building a copy of the Antikythera device) but I don't have his tooling or his incredible skills. I also imagine a 1" broach would require considerable force. After yesterday's filing session I would coach anyone with this issue to do a cost benefit analysis. It doesn't make sense to spend the equivalent of a new anvil on trying up your old anvil's hardy. On the other hand, one has to value the time and effort that goes in to hand filing for hours. If you can buy something that will provide utility down the road for other work and it is t super expensive it is worth it if your hardy needs a lot of work.

This is actually becoming an epic. Just to please JHCC you should try to make the rest of your posts in dactylic hexameter. If you were a fly on the wall in his house you would hear him chanting the tale of your rebuild. I can't wait to see it run. Please do a video of that part.

I never thought of handling a bottle opener. This opens doors of weirdness for me, thanks!

New coarse Nicholson bastard file acquired today. It helped a little but I swear on everything I hold sacred that some of the steel inside the hole is hardened because the brand new file still skates in spots. There is evidence of a repair of the periphery of the hardy hole at some point in the past. It appears to have been done by someone competent because the rebound in the area isn't bad at all. It is lower than over the mass in the center of the anvil but that is to be expected. I'm thinking that some hard facing rod was applied on the inside edge. I've made great headway today but it has been a labor. The Greeks didn't think of this for the story of Heracles (I'm a nerd and use the Greek name) or this would have been one of his punishments. That little grinder is looking tempting. I just tried to rationalize other uses for it.... But this grasshopper will prevail! The good that came out of this so far: Seeing the shiny metal inside the hardy hole is weird but cool on my Isaac Hill. Also, it's clear that the weld for the face of the anvil is excellent because I can't find evidence of it on the inside. Hey, I'm desperate and reaching for reasons to rejoice.

I can't tell if you cast it into a billet or cast the shoe and then did the detail work. I have no knowledge of how to work copper like that. But, ho early, this doesn't seem the forum to ask you to explain yourself. This was about something more important than me learning a technique. Thanks though. Lou

I've has a little go at it a few times, about 1.5 hours today, and the going is quite slow. Guess I'm going to get me a new file. All of my good aggressive files are too wide to use. Thanks for the input everyone.