Back to work and a good day

  After taking several weeks away from the forge to let my elbow rest(bad tennis elbow), I was back on the forge yesterday.  My arm held up well and I think that part of the problem was that I was using the wrong length hammer handles.  I had bought a new handle that had a better fit and found myself using a 3 pound hammer all day when in the past I've had trouble with using the 3 pounder for more than half an hour.

  Anyway, I got back to work on a post that helps support the verge and foliot.  The smithing work is now done on the post and I am doing cleanup work with files.  I didn't take any new photos but this is a photo of the old post to give you an idea of the part I am talking about.  Look for the piece that is just to the left of center of the photo..  It is coming out of the top of the clock.

 

  I remade this piece due to some issues with it not fitting quite right and partly because I could have done better with the overall appearance.

  I am switching to doing more file work for the cleanup on the pieces.  In reality, that was the mistake I frequently have made in the past.  Because file work can be slow and tedious, I tended to avoid it.  With this project I can't do that.

  I did finish the forge work on the piece and then I tried something new.  I let the piece soak in muriatic acid (basically, hydrochloric acid) for about 30 minutes.  This helps to break apart any scale on the surface of the piece and makes it easier to file.  For any other smiths reading this, muriatic acid is nasty stuff.  If you don't want to work with it, you can also use vinegar but you need to let it sit overnight.  I started in on the file work and I'm happy with the results so far.  I promise new pictures soon.

  With the time change last weekend, I will now have another hour of daylight in the evenings.  What that really allows me to do is get on the forge after work more easily.  I hope to get this moving.

Started back on the clock

  I finally got back to doing work on the clock today.  I'm working on a part I've made or started to make at least 4 times already.  However, I think I'm on the right approach this time.  Everything is looking nice and clean.  The part I am working on is a portion of the assembly that is used to hold the verge and foliot (the tic-toc part of this kind of clock.)

  Although things are looking good, I did not get as much progress as I wanted.  I started to get some pain in my elbow and from what I am reading, it is probably tennis elbow.  So I may have to put the hammer down for a bit.  Really sucks since I was looking forward to making progress.

Finished the layout table

  Finished up the layout table today.  Its actually pretty neat.  I built it so it actually pulls out from the work bench so its out of the way when I don't need it.  Since space is a bit of a premium for me, I have to do these kinds of things.  Anyway, it didn't come out perfect but it is workable.  I'm anxious to get back to the clock so I'm not going to worry about doing any shop improvements for a bit.  I want to get a few parts done because I am anxious to see some progress. 

Bad weather but still got some stuff done

  Unfortunately, bad weather kept me from doing as much this weekend as I would have liked.  Didn't get as much done on the clock but I did manage to nearly complete my new layout table.  The layout table is critical to me doing a better job with making the gears.  Its really just a table with a metal top.  I've made a custom one on my work bench that easily slides out and sets up for when I work.  Just need to trim the metal a bit more and then attach it to the table top.

Gonna try something new

  I had fun this past week.  I went to the John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina for a week long blacksmithing class.  Although the focus was locks, my personal goal was more to focus on precision and cleanup type activities.  I completed my lock (I may make a second to improve my work) and mostly completed a pair of dividers.  For whatever reason, the dividers were more interesting to me.  I think just because I could potentially use them to help with the clock.  I also had a chance to ask the instructor about some of the issues I've run into with making the clock.  I got some very good helpful hints that hopefully will make me move forward with this project.

  I also had to seriously look at my own work.  The clock has made no serious progress in about 3 years now.  I was struck by the fact that most of the clock parts (I took them with me to the class) had some rust on them.  They also weren't the best made.  If I am ever to complete this project (and I really want to) I need to make a complete mental shift on how I do things.

  I have to be more disciplined about this project.  To that end, I've started to put together a worksheet with time tables of when certain things should get done.  I'm not going to rush work to complete on time but I want to use it to keep myself honest and moving forward.  I hope to use some of the momentum from my class this past week to jump start working on the clock again.

  So, on the agenda for this week are two items.  The first is to complete a pull out layout table that is attached to my workbench.  This table will allow me to layout and work on the gears more easily.  The second bit to remake the verge and foliot support.  That is what I have scheduled for next weekend.

  Hopefully I can push and complete a major portion, if not all of it, by the end of this year. 

Workbench mostly complete and post vise mounted.

  The new central workbench in my shop is mostly complete.  I've got tools piled on top of it to help the glue set.  Today I spent some time mounting the post vise to the corner.  As a reminder, a post vise is a type of vise used by blacksmiths.  It has a leg to absorb the shock of hammering into the floor rather than the axle of the vise.  I got the vise mounted and it appears to be rock solid.  This will be the first time I've ever had a post vise mounted this way.  In the past I've always had to make due with portable stands that rocked and really could not take that much twisting.

  What I have still left to do...

1. Attach a small stand at one end for the shears I got a few weeks ago.


2. Attach heavy duty power strips to the sides of the table.  Will give me 20 more outlets in the shop.


3. Mount a smaller vise but that will be quick.

The shop is coming together and it will be great to get back to smithing.

Camping gear

  Pulled out my new setup for the forge today.  First thing I did was to add the hose between the blower and the forge.  I had to take it for a test drive so I started by adding a new tong rack on the back of the new cart.  After that, I worked some on a camp set I promised someone 2 years ago now.  I wasn't able to work too long as my arm is out of shape but it was good to be swinging the hammer again.

  Tomorrow I am going to be working on a new work bench.  When complete, I will be attaching the post vise to the bench.  Looking forward to finally having the post vise setup properly.  Will make working on the clock so much nicer.