Nothing too special, but for those without a real anvil, if you can cut a hardy hole, here are some cheap tool ideas to help with curves. There are much better options if you want to spend money
(Bottom picture is the not-a-real-anvil with its very useful new hardy hole.)
Scrolling tool. You often see these mentioned when doing Penny End Scrolls, but they aren't absolutely necessary for that task. They do come in handy when you're trying to touch up any scroll and need an anvil inside the curve.
Vaughn, I'm glad you posted the scrolling tool. I've been looking for something new to work on with these beautiful days for forging lately, so that's my next project. Been wanting to make one of those for a long time.
Been wanting to make one of those for a long time.
Glad I could help. If I could change anything, I'd make it about an inch or so shorter so it was more stable. I haven't really needed it to be so tall, but that's one of life's lesson learned.
Rings and curves... you can never have enough forms. I found some scrap pipe that I cut a slice off of. Then I found some more scrap to make a small cone mandrel for the anvil. They don't get much use in the shop, but better to have them and not need them......
I keep putting off making a stand for mine, but keep waiting until I come up with that "right" design. Maybe one of these days I'll find just the right piece for the stand....
Forged out a bit of sucker rod to make a slot punch. My first time working and I like it. The info I've found online seems to indicate that it's 41xx or 43xx alloy, but it felt about the same as car coil spring when I was hammering on it.
Started with 7" and stretched it to almost 9" by the time all the tapering was done. The next tool is already underway, though I'm not sure what the working end will look like. Maybe a curved hot cut? Maybe a slitting chisel?
Since I've been working on all these new chisels and punches from the Sucker Rod Special I picked up a few weeks ago, I thought it'd be a good idea to make something to contain them.
I found a short length of 6" square tubing in the scrap pile and added some expanded metal to keep the tools standing upright. I haven't decided on putting a handle on the thing, but I'm pretty sure I'll stencil the shop name on the side of the thing so it's prevalent in any photos I take.
I love being organized, but it's so hard to stay organized!!
Good idea ! Yes organization for me last until the next project. I will say that my roll around cart is now my favorite for being " project " organized for my artwork. That added HF magnetic strip works well .
Since I've been working on all these new chisels and punches from the Sucker Rod Special I picked up a few weeks ago, I thought it'd be a good idea to make something to contain them.
I found a short length of 6" square tubing in the scrap pile and added some expanded metal to keep the tools standing upright. I haven't decided on putting a handle on the thing, but I'm pretty sure I'll stencil the shop name on the side of the thing so it's prevalent in any photos I take.
I love being organized, but it's so hard to stay organized!!
Got her finished and all prettied up. The label is held on with spray adhesive and then given a quick top coat of poly to protect it a bit.
Overall, I'm quite happy with it. The two layers of expanded metal keeps the tools from flopping around and there's plenty of room for more sucker rod tools when I get around to making them.
And if you thought being a pack rat was a bad idea.... I made the bottom from scrapped stuff I saved!
Not only did I save the scrapped piece, but I saved the cut-off pieces. All I did was tack them back together with a 1/8" gap for drainage...... and voila, I got a bottom piece!
Tongs are not a beginner's project. Good tongs should be light, well balanced and hold the stock securely. Good tongs are safety equipment and make your forging experience more enjoyable and productive. Even after all these years, I still prefer to buy tongs rather than make them myself.
Sometimes, though, I see something that makes me curious and I have to give it a go.
Case in point, the small v-bit tong kit from Ken's Iron.
For about $20 shipped to my door, they're about half the cost of a completed set of tongs. What I liked about them, though, was that they were small and light. Most folks model their tongs after the big industrial stuff from way back in the day... but we don't need that kind of stuff when working small stock. When I saw how small the KI tong kit was, I just had to give it a try since I was needing some tongs for 5/16" round bar that I use to make steak flippers.
Overall, I give it two thumbs up. Most of the work is done for you and you just need to drill for the rivet, draw out the reins a bit, and shape the jaws however you like. Fairly quick and easy stuff, all told.
The funny part is that if you factor in my time and the fuel I used, these tongs are no cheaper than buying a pair already made. Where they shine, though, is giving me complete control over how the finished product looks and works.
If you want to make some good lightweight tongs, these are a pretty good way to go. I'll be ordering a few more kits in the near future so I can make a few more pairs for small stock dimensions.
You may not know it, but WeldingWeb is legendary among homemade tool fans; you guys are in our top 5 sites for homemade tool building forums. We've got 832 tools from WeldingWeb.com listed so far, each one fully credited to its builder, and properly linked to its original post. Here they all are: 832 homemade tools from WeldingWeb.com
I hope we've been able to send you lots of traffic. You earned it.
Wow! Thanks for the post and link to the 832 tools. I frequent the site, but didn't know how much of the tools came from WW. It's gonna take a while to browse thru all those tools!!!!!!
Don't click if your project list is already too long!
You guys are actually our top metal forum for homemade tools, including all welding forums, metalworking forums, machining forums, and blacksmithing forums. WeldingWeb is at #4 out of 2,700+ websites. You can see the full rankings here: http://www.homemadetools.net/sites
Don't click if your project list is already too long!
You guys are actually our top metal forum for homemade tools, including all welding forums, metalworking forums, machining forums, and blacksmithing forums. WeldingWeb is at #4 out of 2,700+ websites. You can see the full rankings here: http://www.homemadetools.net/sites
quoted for truth. Theres some excellent quickies in there though, useful to be sure.
Just picked up this anvil today not a blacksmith but thought it would be a good addition to the shop it weighs around 180# paid 175$ for it on the stand has a protrusion out the side not sure what its for
Thermal arc mst 400/vs212 feeder
Esab 161
Miller trailblazer 325
Ahp alpha tig 200
Miller 212 auto set w/30a spool gun
Hypertherm powered 45xp
Miller 211 w/ spoolmate 150
Thermal arc hefty feeder
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Originally Posted by shortfuse
Here is a picture of mine.
(PROOF: we're known on 350+ forums)
