Traditional Muzzleloading on the Cheap

Member’s Work Bench => Blacksmithing => Topic started by: Red Badger on June 05, 2011

Title: Blacksmith collection in progress
Post by: Red Badger on June 05, 2011
Well here we go this is what i have collected or made myself so far to get into blacksmithing...

My home made forge; total cost about $20.00 -

(http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt180/JamminJim_photo/Blacksmithing/100_1161.jpg)

(http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt180/JamminJim_photo/Blacksmithing/100_1162.jpg)

My real forge - made by Bulldog Ladies former Husbands Grandfather - probably early 1900's and modified in the 30's for electric blower motor.

(http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt180/JamminJim_photo/Blacksmithing/100_1159.jpg)

(http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt180/JamminJim_photo/Blacksmithing/100_1160.jpg)

My coal supply:  Cost $35.00 per 55 gal drum full

(http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt180/JamminJim_photo/Blacksmithing/100_1166.jpg)

Anvil and railroad iron to beat on;  The anvil is only a 20 lb one...

(http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt180/JamminJim_photo/Blacksmithing/100_1171.jpg)

(http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt180/JamminJim_photo/Blacksmithing/100_1170.jpg)

Stand for my Post Vise I need to finish putting it togather....

(http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt180/JamminJim_photo/Blacksmithing/100_1163.jpg)

Cooling bucket and some tools

(http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt180/JamminJim_photo/Blacksmithing/100_1164.jpg)

I now need to get the welder out and finish the post vise stand and mount the post vise.  Also need to get the blower some power source (thinking about a bicycle sprocket and chain for now... and then start making my tongs and other stuff  - I will be looking for Hardy tools fro the small vice as i get cash to buy them...  Right now the aluminum can collection has bought me my round and square stock to play with....

Title: Re: Blacksmith collection in progress
Post by: old salt on June 05, 2011
Badger

I suggest you take the tire off before you weld the pipe to the wheel.
Title: Re: Blacksmith collection in progress
Post by: Red Badger on June 05, 2011
Quote from: old salt on June 05, 2011
Badger

I suggest you take the tire off before you weld the pipe to the wheel.

Why?  I thought it would give i some added stability and I won't stub my toes on rubber as I would on the steel.  the tire is a flat that will not hold air and I was planning on arc welding so the fire danger should be small... of course i don't have a clue what I am doing so any advise is accepted and you know I an always interested in safety
Title: Re: Blacksmith collection in progress
Post by: Blackfeet on June 05, 2011
and then again, if it just smolders, it will keep the bugs away [hmm]
Title: Re: Blacksmith collection in progress
Post by: Red Badger on June 05, 2011
OK I will fire up the sawsall and cut the tire uout of the rim.... I didn't think that the tire would start to burn but better safe than sorry I have seen tire fires before.... perhaps it is best just to have the rim and no tire that way no issue with hot steel  dropping onto the rubber and causing a fire when I start using it...
Title: Re: Blacksmith collection in progress
Post by: ErikPrice1@msn.com on June 05, 2011
Thats a fine restart red badger. Whatcha gonna start on. Wish I could score some coal out west here.
Title: Re: Blacksmith collection in progress
Post by: old salt on June 05, 2011
The reason I suggested removing the tire is first there are going to be time you will want to get up close the vice and the tire is going to be in the way.
Second is the fire hazard, red hot metal and old rubber do not mix well.
Don't ask!
If you are worried about stability, fill the wheel with concrete
Title: Re: Blacksmith collection in progress
Post by: Blackfeet on June 05, 2011
Just never seems to be enough room for the feet.
Title: Re: Blacksmith collection in progress
Post by: William on June 05, 2011
Quote from: Red Badger on June 05, 2011
OK I will fire up the sawsall and cut the tire out of the rim.... I didn't think that the tire would start to burn but better safe than sorry I have seen tire fires before.... perhaps it is best just to have the rim and no tire that way no issue with hot steel dropping onto the rubber and causing a fire when I start using it...
Perhaps you could fabricate some sheet steel as a cover to go over the tire, kind of like a slag & spark guard?  Just a thought.
Title: Re: Blacksmith collection in progress
Post by: crazell on June 05, 2011
Nice toys Red Badger. thmbsup Good luck with all your projects...
Title: Re: Blacksmith collection in progress
Post by: Bulldog lady on June 06, 2011
Safety first  esp out here with all the wooded areas, one spark and we would have the whole canyon glowing!!  As to his first project  where do I start his list for him [hmm] camp kitchen as that is  his favorite hang out!  Racks , stands, etc.  then gun racks - fraid sparrow and baby and precious gonna end up on ground some day!! After that figure get him into some fancy stuff, sure liked those pins one of you guys made!   Well probabily in dog house for messin in his area but  :mini-devil-28492:
Title: Re: Blacksmith collection in progress
Post by: William on June 06, 2011
Quote from: Bulldog lady on June 06, 2011
Safety first  esp out here with all the wooded areas, one spark and we would have the whole canyon glowing!!  As to his first project  where do I start his list for him [hmm] camp kitchen as that is  his favorite hang out!  Racks , stands, etc.  then gun racks - fraid sparrow and baby and precious gonna end up on ground some day!! After that figure get him into some fancy stuff, sure liked those pins one of you guys made!   Well probabily in dog house for messin in his area but  :mini-devil-28492:
Have you already gotten your honeydew blacksmithing list together for him to work on?  :o ;D
Title: Re: Blacksmith collection in progress
Post by: Bulldog lady on June 06, 2011
Got it incubating in my head, its growing to point got to start writting it down or gonna have a huge headache strpot          Serious -   We  both been talking along same lines just the priorities!!   
Title: Re: Blacksmith collection in progress
Post by: Oldknfmkr on June 07, 2011
The "Do" list will just keep growing. We started with the cooking iron. It is a basic need and really good practice.
Mike
Title: Re: Blacksmith collection in progress
Post by: Red Badger on June 13, 2011
Update:  Tire is off the rim and the rim is ready for welding.  Took a hammer and chisel to the bottom of the antique forge and removed 1/2 inch of clinker slag from the burner area.  If I knew how I would try to run a hole and fit a clinker braker and dump system into it, but i suppose keeping it as is is the best thing to do.  If I use it enough to need to I can clean it out again.
Title: Re: Blacksmith collection in progress
Post by: old salt on June 13, 2011
Good looking set up, I am still looking for a forge like I want. Will post pictures of
what I have so far later.
Title: Re: Blacksmith collection in progress
Post by: monkeywright on July 11, 2011
looks good to me like the rest of us I'm still on the hunt for more toys myself but then again he who dies with the most toys wins
Title: Re: Blacksmith collection in progress
Post by: Red Badger on July 18, 2011
Update - money is tight and Temp is to high to be messing around outside any more than I have too.  so I am at a standstill on all blacksmithing projects until it cools down some... average temp around here at 6:30 am is 80-90. Will wait until the heat dome leaves this area for a while...
Title: Re: Blacksmith collection in progress
Post by: William on July 18, 2011
Yea, you don't want to be standing over a fire in this kind of heat.  We are looking forward to seeing what you can do with your new forge though.
Title: Re: Blacksmith collection in progress
Post by: old salt on July 18, 2011
Badger
those are not bad temp2, until you figure in the humidy at 75 -80% then it becomes the pits