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Post by Starguy on Feb 16, 2023 19:31:23 GMT -5
I’m kind of an old guy. Rock tumbling and lapidary work have definitely been my longest running hobby. As an old guy I’m pretty happy I’ve had so many hobbies. I’ve got a decent collection of coins. My rock collection is well beyond decent. I’ve got a pile of vintage axes that would amaze any axe enthusiast. Fairly recently, I acquired an anvil and a three burner gas forge. My goodness, it turns out forging steel is a lot of fun too. I’m not trying to convert anybody but I know hobbyists when I see them. You guys are hobbyists. Here are a few pieces and other photos of the new hobby. [img first bottle opener. Too many mistakes to even mention them. Here’s how the bottle openers started. second bottle opener. Hand made chisel from S7 steel. This steel is so hard I was unable to file it after hardening. The file just skipped across the steel. It’s ugly, but I’m pretty proud of this piece. It will cut through mild steel cold. It is also good for engraving on steel. Quite a bit of time invested on this tool. It’s expensive steel too. This piece was around $8 at 5/8” round by 6”. I stropped the heck out of it at I think 1000 and 4000 grit. This started as 3/16”x 1” x 4” bar. The same as the second photo. The twisted part was about 3/8” square before the twist. It’s fun to work with something malleable. I’m getting a big arm. My wife has been forging too. She still looks like Olive Oyl.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Feb 16, 2023 20:04:48 GMT -5
Very cool, Brent. I can see how that hobby could be addictive and probably as expensive as lapidary!
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Post by Starguy on Feb 16, 2023 20:11:56 GMT -5
Very cool, Brent. I can see how that hobby could be addictive and probably as expensive as lapidary! Hey Robin. Steel is mostly pretty cheap. the S7 was $35 for 5/8” by 18 inches but that is exceptionally expensive. It is amazingly good tool steel though. Everything else I’ve been buying at the hardware store. 90 pound anvil was around $300. Gas forge was $239. three hammers cost less than $100. Not too bad for starting a new hobby. so far I’ve made S-hooks, straight hooks, several bottle openers, several fire pokers and one chisel. The fuel for the gas forge has been the biggest expense. The steel is second in cost and the tools can be used for other stuff.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Feb 16, 2023 20:44:51 GMT -5
Wait 'til you want the power hammer like Big Blue!
When are you going to start making knives?
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Post by Pat on Feb 16, 2023 20:52:29 GMT -5
Hmmm, I think I’ll stick to lapidary, jewelry making, gardening, reading, and puzzles.
How heavy are your hammers?
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Post by Starguy on Feb 16, 2023 20:57:53 GMT -5
Wait 'til you want the power hammer like Big Blue! When are you going to start making knives? LOL. Used power hammers can be easily over $20K. Hand hammers work well. They just take longer to do what you want. If I were to dump money on forging, it would be on a press. I want to make my own Damascus steel. I’m already doing Knives. Only blanks so far. Give me a few years.
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Post by jasoninsd on Feb 16, 2023 21:12:37 GMT -5
I'm so happy you've found another passion my friend!! I can tell you're having SO much fun with this! I didn't realize Isabelle was forging as well! Good for her!
*So you can tell people y'all got "hammered" the other night and all kinds of rumors are gonna get started! LOL
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Feb 16, 2023 21:19:14 GMT -5
Well I'm looking forward to seeing your creations! I missed that Isabelle is also forging. That's awesome.
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Post by Starguy on Feb 16, 2023 21:47:50 GMT -5
Hmmm, I think I’ll stick to lapidary, jewelry making, gardening, reading, and puzzles. How heavy are your hammers? Hi Pat. I thought long and hard about starting a new hobby. Here I am. It’s a lot like working with silver. Steel needs to be hotter. Oxyacetylene works good with steel too. The forge allows me to heat up a piece of steel 3 foot long.
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Post by Pat on Feb 16, 2023 22:07:11 GMT -5
But how heavy are your hammers?
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RWA3006
Cave Dweller
Member since March 2009
Posts: 4,218
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Post by RWA3006 on Feb 16, 2023 22:12:14 GMT -5
I love hobbies and collections. The more unusual, the better.
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khara
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,752
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Post by khara on Feb 16, 2023 22:28:37 GMT -5
I have done blacksmithing once. Even bought a book and read it for fun. Could totally get into it, but I think we need a bigger piece of property for it. Don't think my close neighbors would appreciate it! I made Christmas stocking hangers. They are packed away right now. Would love to see what you continue to make!
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Post by liveoak on Feb 17, 2023 7:59:12 GMT -5
How fun Starguy. Hobbies are fuel for the soul, never seem to have enough of them. I look forward to seeing what you make. Patty
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Feb 17, 2023 9:51:47 GMT -5
Starguy Those are awesome forged pieces Brent! MsAli gave me a beginner blacksmithing course for Christmas, I need to wait for the school to open and schedule my class (classes are in summer only) but I'm excited to go try it. I've seen a few blowers available locally to make a coal forge but figure I better wait to see how my arms fare after the class before I do a deep dive into a forging hobby 🤣
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Post by Starguy on Feb 17, 2023 11:11:06 GMT -5
But how heavy are your hammers? I use a 2.5 pound cross pein, a 20 oz ball pein and an 8 ounce ball pein for finishing
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Post by Starguy on Feb 17, 2023 11:19:50 GMT -5
Starguy Those are awesome forged pieces Brent! MsAli gave me a beginner blacksmithing course for Christmas, I need to wait for the school to open and schedule my class (classes are in summer only) but I'm excited to go try it. I've seen a few blowers available locally to make a coal forge but figure I better wait to see how my arms fare after the class before I do a deep dive into a forging hobby 🤣 What a thoughtful Christmas gift Nate. You’re going to love it. I’ve been watching “Black Bear Forge” videos on YouTube. It’s a good way to learn and get ideas.
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khara
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,752
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Post by khara on Feb 17, 2023 14:35:45 GMT -5
Too many hobbies, not enough time!
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rockbrain
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2022
Posts: 2,545
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Post by rockbrain on Feb 17, 2023 16:06:15 GMT -5
Nice looking forging! I'm barely getting started on blacksmithing. I've got some of my dad's stuff down at my shop. 3 burner gas forge, a couple of coal forge, electric and hand crank. A couple of anvils, a slew of hammers, tongs and hardies. I sold the 25lb Little Giant trip hammer a few weeks ago. I have a freshly rebuilt 50 lb that's never really been run.
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Post by drocknut on Feb 17, 2023 16:13:33 GMT -5
Cool new hobby for you. Maybe we'll see you on Forged in Fire in the future.
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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 18, 2023 16:42:55 GMT -5
Very cool! What an interesting hobby. Not many people that anymore. Thanks for all the pics. Your first pieces are impressive.
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