Another post done...

  Got out to the forge and got another post cut.  Not terribly exciting but their was a moment when I put the two posts next to each other and got a real idea of the size of the clock.  Sounds lame but really feel like I'm finally started on a project I've been thinking about for close to 10 years.

Good day and a fresh start...

  Started today by going to the local meeting of FABA (Florida Artists Blacksmithing Assoc.).  It was held at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa at a historical museum called Cracker Country.  I must say that I was pleasantly surprised.  It was a very high quality museum.  The primary focus of the meeting was a demo of joinery.  It was a good class and although most of the information I've heard before, it was a nice reinforcement.

  When I got home, I finally got restarted on the clock.  I made an attempt a little over a year ago that I mentioned in previous postings.  The first order of business was to harden the chisels I made last week.  After that, I cut the corner posts to length from 3/8" by 1 1/2" stock.  Their overall length was 26".  This is the cut out pieces alongside one of last year's posts.



This photo gives a bit of the idea that I've cut about a foot off the overall length and a 1/2" from the width.  The square in the photo is 24x16".  There is a decorative element on the piece from last year that can be seen just a bit near the top.  The stem from the top is for a decorative finial.  The new posts will eventually have those elements as well.

After cutting the posts to length, I next moved to chiseling out a 1/2" length down one side of the posts.  This is a picture of one post prior to cutting.



The white markings are from a paint pen.  Highly recommend them for marking a piece to help with layout.  For actually cut marks, I use a piece of sharpened metal to score the stock.  This is better than soapstone or markers as its more precise and can be seen after being in the fire.  The "B" at the bottom marks the bottom of the post.  The markings show where the strip will be cut out.  This is the stock after chiseling out the length.



  I forgot to take a picture of what it looks like while chiseling out the piece.  Still have 3 posts to go so will take some to show in progress.

  This final picture shows how the post gets stretched during the forging process.  The two pieces started out the same length.  Part of blacksmithing is taking into account that the metal will stretch.



  Overall, found it much easier than last year when I made my initial effort.  Much happier...

Rain chased me in.

  Today I used the big coil spring I received a few weeks ago to make two new chisels.  These are heavier duty chisels that I need to make the clock.  Both chisels are annealing in wood ash as I type.

  I have to say that the new anvil really makes a difference.  What the Peddinghaus anvil is known for is its rebound.  To a blacksmith, that means the anvil does more work for you.  It acts as a hammer from under the metal.  I had to draw out the chisels a bit and it was much easier than it ever was with the Russian anvil.  Very happy...  :)

Steel run...

Felt like a bit of a step forward today.  Over the past few weeks I've been playing around with getting the clock frame designed in TurboCad.  Today, I picked up the steel for the frame.  The frame is going to be made primarily out of 3/8" x 1" and 3/8" x 1 1/2" stock.  This is the closest match that I could get to the original frame.

I also just realized that its rather appropriate that I picked up the steel today.  Last year I made an effort at the frame which was aborted due to hurricanes.  Although Wilma should not hit me, I will probably get rain most of the weekend from it.  I learned from last year's experience but it was good that I didn't try to keep going.

So, I hope this weekend to get started on the frame if the rain doesn't cause problems.

  Finished up the new anvil stand.  I might add a few reinforcement pieces but its usable.  Hey are some pics for the new stand.  This first one is the sand mold I created for the lead base.  The second one is the lead after pouring.

    

Here is the anvil on the stand.  Notice the lead base underneath.



This final one shows the Russian anvil on the new anvil.  Kind of shows the size difference.



  So, Finally got to use the anvil a bit.  Very happy with it.

 

I started work on the stand for my new anvil today.  First, I wanted a thin lead base under the anvil to help deaden the ring.  So I went to the hardward store and picked up some playground sand.  After soaking the sand some, I put the anvil in and pulled it back out.  This left a nice impression of the base.  I then melted down the lead and poured it into the form.  Came out decent enough and will post pics later.

I started on the wooded parts of the stand.  Got the legs and base done, just need to connect them.  I will then reinforce them some with cross pieces.  Overall, should be a very sturdy stand.  I had to double check myself quite a few times.  Because the new anvil is so big, the stand is much shorter.

A picture of the new toys.  (aka crack for blacksmiths.)



Its hard to justice to the scale of the new items.  They are all considerable heavy, sturdier, etc... than my previous equivalent items.  The anvil has such a nice ring...  :)  Will have to deaden that some to keep my neighbors happy.

Very fun day, new toys...

  Went to the Florida Artists Blacksmith Associaton conference today.  A few merchants were setup but I homed in on the one that had my anvil and vise.  I also went ahead and bought a new hardie (tool used to cut metal) for the anvil.  I want to make all the anvil tools but the hardie is needed to get started.
  I also picked up a blower.  My current one is a bit small and unsteady.  The one I just got is very nice.  I will post pics when I get back home.
  They had a gallery going with members displaying pieces so I put my Viking chest on display and got a lot of good comments.  Also won a big hunk of real wrought iron.  I've never had wrought iron to play around with so it will be fun to give it a try.
  The hightlight of the day (other than the new tools) was Tal Harris.  He does very nice ornamental work and I picked up a few methods of work that I can apply to the clock.  Going to note them here so I don't forget.

* absolute precision.
* Using a rig to gauge length of axles.
* aboslute precision.
* S1 for punches.
* absolute precision.

Getting one more toy...

  I stopped over at the smith's house who helped me get started in blacksmithing.  I am shopping around for a new vise.  The current one is okay but it has seen better days.  Also, the jaws are only 4" wide.  This causes problems when trying to do certain kinds of work.  The jaws just don't grab enough.  Well, I looked at the ones he had and none were a drastic improvement.
  I decided to go ahead and call the folks who are bringing me my new anvil.  I added an 8" wide vise to the order.  Once again, a bit pricey but I look at it as a very long term investment.  With proper care, it will out last me.  The vise weighs in at 120#.  That makes it actually heavier then the anvil I've been using for the past few years.



  While I was over at the other smith's house (for the time being, we will call him Hank) I did spy two large coil springs from a railroad car.  He was kind enough to go ahead and let me have them.  They will find new lives as tools.

Another learning experience...

  Spending time on TurboCad getting the clock design in to it.  I'm recalling how to do a lot of it from when I used version 6.0.  The version I have now is 11.0.  I mainly just want to have a very good idea for of the sizing for the frame.  My new anvil arrives this weekend and I want to start working on the clock shortly after that.

  Tomorrow, I want to make a stop at Home Depot or Lowes and pick up lumber for all the new stands that I want to make.