Blacksmithing tools

[52 Ford]

This is one of those tools that you never think you'll need as a smith, but I sure do wish I'd thought of this myself.

Quick and simple to make using the scraps you already have hanging around, but oh so handy when you need to get flash rust out of the nooks and crannies of a project before you can finish it. I have a small tool tote that I've been meaning to refurbish, but always put it off because I just hate trying to get into the corners - the one place that's sure to have rust since it knows I hate working in corners.

And that bendy style? Well, that'll be first on the list to be made!

Just thinking off the top of my head, I'd be inclined to add a good dose of epoxy rather than rely simply on the clamping force. The upside to no epoxy is that it'll be easier to trim off a bit of the copper pipe with your pipe cutter should the bristles wear down.

I never thought to make a post about it, but I made one similar with copper wire a few months ago for cleaning a cast bronze name plate without scratching it.

[Insaneride]

Thanks for sharing that VaughnT. Im gonna make the ridgid and flex.

[VaughnT]

I never thought to make a post about it, but I made one similar with copper wire a few months ago for cleaning a cast bronze name plate without scratching it.

You shouldn't be keeping secrets like that. Now I'm gonna have to make one from copper wire, too!

Thanks for sharing that VaughnT. Im gonna make the ridgid and flex.

Don't forget to show your work.

I just looked and I have an old masterlock cable lock that's seen better days, the key long gone. I think it'd make a great candidate for repurposing, especially if I can get the shackle open and use the crimped on solid end to chuck in the drill. Time to practice the skills I learned from Lockpicking Lawyer!

[52 Ford]

You shouldn't be keeping secrets like that. Now I'm gonna have to make one from copper wire, too!



Don't forget to show your work.

I just looked and I have an old masterlock cable lock that's seen better days, the key long gone. I think it'd make a great candidate for repurposing, especially if I can get the shackle open and use the crimped on solid end to chuck in the drill. Time to practice the skills I learned from Lockpicking Lawyer!

Masterlock?! Either Bosnian Bill or LPL opened a Master no 5 with a piece of bamboo....

[whtbaron]

Thanks for sharing that VaughnT. Im gonna make the ridgid and flex.

Cool ... might have to do that as well. I've always just used this style in a drill in spots like that....

[52 Ford]

Cool ... might have to do that as well. I've always just used this style in a drill in spots like that....

One of those is held together with a bent nail...

[VaughnT]

Masterlock?! Either Bosnian Bill or LPL opened a Master no 5 with a piece of bamboo....

Love those guys and can't wait to put all my learning to the test!

Cool ... might have to do that as well. I've always just used this style in a drill in spots like that....

I've used those a lot, and have always found they fall to pieces pretty quickly. Of course, if I had any in stock, I'd probably use them for the project. Instead of going to the store and spending a few hundred dollars (bidenomics is a wonderful thing!), I'll spend a few hours in the shop cussing and spitting as I try to make the home-brew version out of scrap!

Talking about tool designs that are unique, I just ran across this young whip's idea for a treadle hammer.

A Treadle Hammer is one of those tools that can be really handy. They work even to "press" in bearings, but really shine if you want to texture metal without wearing down your shoulder. The sucky part is having to make new tooling because the head of the hammer doesn't rise high enough for you to use the tooling you made for at the anvil, or stuff you bought at the flea market.

His guillotine design fairly handles all the negatives while also taking up less floor space. I like that idea and might have to see what kind of stuff I have in the pile.....

[whtbaron]

One of those is held together with a bent nail...

LOL... and I pulled that pic off the net so I assume it's for new tools, not my old junk.

[52 Ford]

https://richmond.craigslist.org/tls/...725053072.html

[whtbaron]

Personally, I like them and if that was close by I would probably have to buy it just because it looks so cool... but it seems to me that the consensus is they really aren't tough enough to make a good blacksmithing tool...

[52 Ford]

Personally, I like them and if that was close by I would probably have to buy it just because it looks so cool... but it seems to me that the consensus is they really aren't tough enough to make a good blacksmithing tool...

I'd use it as a light duty vise if I had it. Maybe for sheet metal work or jewelry.

[Lis2323]

I have a rule of thumb concerning anvils (and vises)

Small ones always appear bigger in photos than in real life.

Oddly enough true MONSTERS appear smaller.

My pet peeve is sellers listing them without dimensions. Plus I will always disregard their estimated weight.

[52 Ford]

I have a rule of thumb concerning anvils (and vises)

Small ones always appear bigger in photos than in real life.

Oddly enough true MONSTERS appear smaller.

My pet peeve is sellers listing them without dimensions. Plus I will always disregard their estimated weight.

I have no clue what my anvil weighs. Prolly around 175 go 200. Looks like a 75lber in pictures... I do have it on a 24" dia section of white oak, though. Gives me a place to set stuff.