Hitting Hot Steel with the 3B

[Frosty]

David is right about the anvil, the heavier the better.

Do you have an in at the RR? If you can get an axle it'll be exactly what you need. A flat or gondola car axle is typically about 9 7/8" dia medium C steel, maybe 4140.

I'd planned on welding a three section pattern to build a 100lb+ self contained type hammer but China has virtually all the scrap around here under single buyer contracts so we don't even get to look anymore.

do you have Google Sketchup loaded? We can swap drawings so you can scrounge more effectively.

Frosty

[K. Bryan Morgan]

David is right about the anvil, the heavier the better.

Do you have an in at the RR? If you can get an axle it'll be exactly what you need. A flat or gondola car axle is typically about 9 7/8" dia medium C steel, maybe 4140.

I'd planned on welding a three section pattern to build a 100lb+ self contained type hammer but China has virtually all the scrap around here under single buyer contracts so we don't even get to look anymore.

do you have Google Sketchup loaded? We can swap drawings so you can scrounge more effectively.

Frosty

Unfortunately I don't have an in with the RR here. I thought I would go down and just ask. The worst that can happen is they say no, and I'm right back where I started. No biggie. I did find a scrap yard, C and R, they have contacts with the local blacksmiths.. well some of them anyway.. I was told to go there for scrap. I havn't had time yet. Too many projects need finishing before snow.

I do have sketchup on this system. I sure do like it. I need to load the blacksmithing addons, I havn't done that yet. I know the url's for them.

If I keep it simple and don't over complicat things I know I can get someting together. The main thing holding me up is ... no welder. Even a buzz box would help... and of course some lessons. I've never welded anything in my life. So that is something I need to sort out as well.

I'll getter done eventually.

Bryan

[david hyde]

I'd get a smallish MIG myself, it's relatively easy to teach yourself to weld with it, down side is you need gas to use it. I kinda think a welder of somesort is more more less essential for someone working with metal at any level. They can be got relatively cheaply and are the sort of tool that will repay your investment many time over. Pretty soon after getting one you'll be wondering how you managed without. Much as I LOVE powerhmmers, I kinda think a welder is a higher priority tool to get

[K. Bryan Morgan]

Thanks for the advice David. I'm going to get one. I saw what I think I will get. Not real expencive and sort of idiot proof. Runs on 115v and has a 20% duty cycle. Which I know isn't alot. But I won't be running it that hard. Its a gassless MIG, at least thats what the ad said. Runs spool wire and can weld up to 3/16". I know thats not a very heavy duty unit.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...3&blockType=G3

Anyway its a good price and has what I feel I need. Not to mention good reviews.

[david hyde]

I guess I'm not really qualified as to say what particulary model is most suitable but I don't think you'll regret buying one. Kinda like wanting another power hammer as soon as you can get one, you'll sooner or later want a more powerful one. If the elec supply is there that is. I guess we are quite lucky over here. 415V 3 pase is quite common in industrial units over here.

Rail road axle sounds ideal for a PH anvil.

[nuge]

Thanks for the advice David. I'm going to get one. I saw what I think I will get. Not real expencive and sort of idiot proof. Runs on 115v and has a 20% duty cycle. Which I know isn't alot. But I won't be running it that hard. Its a gassless MIG, at least thats what the ad said. Runs spool wire and can weld up to 3/16". I know thats not a very heavy duty unit.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...3&blockType=G3

Anyway its a good price and has what I feel I need. Not to mention good reviews.

K. Bryan -

Do you have an oxy/acetylene set-up? Works well as a welder and you get some great heating potential. Definitely not the easiest method, but if you wanted easy you wouldn't want to smith.And if you can gas weld all the electrical processes are easily learned. You could then skip the noxious mig and get right to tig and the sweet smell of argon.

[K. Bryan Morgan]

K. Bryan -

Do you have an oxy/acetylene set-up? Works well as a welder and you get some great heating potential. Definitely not the easiest method, but if you wanted easy you wouldn't want to smith.And if you can gas weld all the electrical processes are easily learned. You could then skip the noxious mig and get right to tig and the sweet smell of argon.

No I don't have an Oxy/acetylene set up as yet. One of the gonna get items. I've seen a few good sets at the ubiquitous big box stores. One even had a couple of small bottles with it. Kind of a just to get you started set. I thought about that one. I know the bottles of gas are not cheap at all.

I think I'll take a course or two before I go and spend a bunch of money on welding gear. But I will get something as soon as I can.

[Frosty]

Bryan:

Sorry, I didn't notice where this thread went after my last reply. Don't worry, I have a couple welders and when you're down I'll give you a quicky how to on them. The largish red box on wheels behind the power hammer is a Lincoln Ranger 9 portable and will weld most anything we're likely to need stuck.

If you get the chance and time an extension welding class is a good thing. Is UAF close enough to make it practicle? A machine shop class is really handy, not only do you get to learn how to use the things you have access to them for your own projects.

If we can come up with something suitable for anvils we can come up with most everything else around here and I have a 7,000lb trailer that'll get it to your place just fine.

Frosty the Lucky.

[K. Bryan Morgan]

Hey Frosty, Not a problem. Yes, UAF is close enough. And the welding course is at an anex class complex closer to me than the university is too. So even better.

I'm looking for an anvil to start with. While I didn't find anything suitable yet. I did find a big honkin chunck of bulldozer blade. The part that unbolts and is on the bottom of the blade. I don't know what kind of steel it is...but its 6' long 5" wide and about 1" thick. Might weigh 40 pounds or so. I spark tested it and its .. maybe.. just guessin here... medium carbon. I need to get a chunk off of it and heat it up and quench it. See if it shatters when I hit it with a big heavy thing. I havn't had a chance to go to the rail yard yet. But I plan on doing that soon.

Excellent on the welder. I sure would like to do something. I have some plate here I'll bring it with me. Various sizes. Maybe we can make a chop fuller or something out it. That would be a cool little project for the get together. Anyway just a thought.

There is Hectors welding here. I see in the woods next to their property that they have a bunch of old material that is all grown over. I may go back in there and take a look at what they have fogotten is there. See if I can get something out of there for a deal. Lots of options.

We will figure something out. Hope you and Deb are doin great.