Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: littlehunters19862011 on November 10, 2014, 06:26:54 pm
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this past summer i was working trying new things one of them happend to be me trying to make a charcol forge. after about a week of looking at pics i took a old fire pot and and took sum concrete mix and started working on getting the top molded got that worked out stuck me a small fan at the bottom and went and got sum charcol . works really well to playaround with and gets railroad spikes cherry red in minits . finding out i could not use just any kind of pliers i been on the took out for a cheap set of BLACKSMITH TONGS . what I'm needing to no is what type of tongs am i going to need for mainly working with railroad spikes witch typed would hold the best ? any input would be grate . i no there is sum guys on the site that makes knifes and works with sum propain forge. maybe you guys can get me lookin at the right stuff .
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I often use vice grips, I set them to the piece before I start working it. You should check antique stores and flea markets for some smitty tools.
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I made my own out of some cold roled steel bars.
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Try and keep the steel full length if you can or around 18" long to go into the fire. This way most of the forging can be done with no tongs or pliers. Just grab the end with good leather gloves.
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Do like Madcrow said, and make your own. After all it is a forge...... ::) ;) Also if you want to get ready made tongs, look for a Farrier, (Horse shoe maker) and see where he orders his supplies, or go on line, and look up either blacksmith supplies, or Farrier supplies, or check out some farm supply stores. As for using concrete, I would recommend using fire clay, that is used in making fireplaces, and bar B que grills. Get a variety of hammers, five pound sledge, large pall peen, and small ball peen, good heavy duty wire brush, welders hammer, Welders glove, and apron, and good eye protection. You can use a heat gun for your forced air, as it is hot and adds to forge. Keep your eye out for stuff for sale on the internet, and yard sales, and antique shops. A good heavy duty vice is a must have, and try to get an OLDER American made one, as the Chinese crap, is cast iron, and will bust apart when you use the little anvil on it. Also speaking of Anvil, a good one is a god send. The pieces of rail iron, are good for small projects, but a good sized anvil is a big help. 200lb, or more, if you can find one, but a hundred pound will suffice till you can get a bigger one. You want the top of the anvil to be at your middle joint of your fingers. Set the anvil on a good sturdy stump, or metal frame, or solid platform of 2x4's or 2x6', etc. nailed, or screwed together to form a base for the anvil. Just fold your fingers at the middle joint, and they should rest on the top of the anvil, and that will be your personal optimal working height. I read where one noted blacksmith, said he thought that steel worked over charcoal made better steel, than the gas forges. I don't know if this has to do with the charcoal imparting any carbon to the steel, while it is being heated, or not. He said it was just his opinion, having used both methods. Anyway, check out those sites, and good luck with the "Black" Art. ;)
Wayne
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OK thanks for the info guys . i been watching videos and lookin at all the tools used and uses for each one . maybe ill fire it up this weekend and give it a try again its go in to be in the 30s here so would be a grate time to play around with it .
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well i gave it a shot the other night and worked out 2 knife blanks for starters .did not turn out to bad i got one ruff shaped .i have a peace of rail road used is not smooth and gave the blades i neat look .
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more pics
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Cool shape, I like... :D
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Nice !!!!
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Man that one on the note book is going to be one handy blade dang! I like that!!good job JeffW
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thanks guys these are my first ever hand hammered knifes Ive tried i hope they turn out .well add more pics as i go forword with them
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That's very cool. Something I hope to jump on this winter.
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been away for a while but coming back and looking at all the nice knifes every one has been posting . but a fire under my butt to finish sum of mine that has been setting . so here is the first one i started got a Lil tweaking to do on it but over all is done . blade needs a good buffing . not perfect but as my first knife i have ever handforged and made on my own its grate to me .
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Very nice knife, looks cool.
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Man if you could somehow get copper inside those hammer marks it would look even more amazing.
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thanks guys and sleek i beleave you are right it would so cool if you could .
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I vaguely recall you can use electrolysis or rubb it on somehow. It was in a kids science book from when I was learning how to get in trouble. Its not hard.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoCyRQsDNco
Copper plating made easy
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Awesome. Looks very rustic
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thank you here are more that's in the works win I'm able to finish them up .i live right beside a real road track so there is more spikes then i could handle . the one with the x on it is the one that's done.
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I sure hope you leave enough in the tracks for the train to be safe ! :o
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lol yap just get my hands on the old ones that throw in the bushes bye the tracks