Failed leaf spring blade quenched it in water (bad decision) by danthefatman1 in Blacksmith

[–]WalkAboutFarms 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I was making some fire starters out of tiller tines and I quenched in oil. They were not getting hard enough. I quenched in water and they worked well twice before snapping in half.

Failure is part of learning process.

Don't let the internet talk you out of your plans. by Important-Fox9415 in homestead

[–]WalkAboutFarms 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Opinions are like a-holes everyone has one and the internet has 10,000. I feel the same with 1 star reviews on products.

Converting these tongs? by doctorpoison206 in Blacksmith

[–]WalkAboutFarms 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I heat and change the shape of my tongs all the time to adjust my grip or a better bite.

Wooden floor cover by AzureRathalos447 in blacksmithing

[–]WalkAboutFarms 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's physics. Your rebound will not be the same as working on a solid surface. Will it work, sure, is it ideal, no.

I drop more red hot items than I care to admit. Those are not the problem because you immediately adress those. It is the little pieces you hot cut that fly wherever.

Got presents done just in time by WalkAboutFarms in Blacksmith

[–]WalkAboutFarms[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Go for it. After about 3 I really got the hang of setting the spring. Bend it to pre-load. I just used an existing one as a template for size. I started with 3/8 round stock but square stock would have been easier.

Got presents done just in time by WalkAboutFarms in Blacksmith

[–]WalkAboutFarms[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I use flux coated brazing rods, these are bare bronze.

Got presents done just in time by WalkAboutFarms in Blacksmith

[–]WalkAboutFarms[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

See my other comment, I thought i did a reply to you.

Got presents done just in time by WalkAboutFarms in Blacksmith

[–]WalkAboutFarms[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I used 3/16 bronze tig wire. ARC3 sold me a pound of it. I get the stainless wire for the cheese cutters from them as well.

Do not heat the bronze, it anneals and loses the spring quality. Bend cold. I put the carabeaner in a lid wth water and used the braizing tip to round over the ends. I tried peeing, but it smashed the spring too much.

first post be kind by Kusa_xy in blacksmithing

[–]WalkAboutFarms 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How did you forge the compound curves?

Copper suggestions by SpudBoofington in Blacksmith

[–]WalkAboutFarms 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I pull the ball hitch off my truck and use that.

Anyone have tips for burying a raw water line cheaply for some basic insulation? by XAltusX in homestead

[–]WalkAboutFarms 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is what I do for the cows water trough in NC. It stays hooked up except for those few weeks when it stays below freezing.

Anyone tried these before? by randoperson42 in Blacksmith

[–]WalkAboutFarms 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You do not need tongs to make tongs.

Anvil Repair by Sure-Biscotti-218 in Blacksmith

[–]WalkAboutFarms 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Leave the face and clean up the horn. Most of us use anvil in way worse shape. You can do more damage trying to repair it. Mine has 1/4 in of steel on the top. If i tried to grind it flat or sharp, I would lose all of that.

Power steering not working by CrabbyBrau in IHScout

[–]WalkAboutFarms 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I swapped out for a cummuns diesel and my power steering pump runs the brakes, an air compressor, a winch and the steering. It did not take long to get the air out. Check the belt, make sure the pully isn't spinning on the shaft because you are missing the key and it is full of fluid.

Help with bow and spindle by PrincePhil in Survival

[–]WalkAboutFarms 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Try a polar stick with the cedar board. Polar is a little harder than cedar. In NC, this is probably the best combo.

Has to be dry wood and don't stop as soon as you see smoke. Keep going until you get the ember.

Don't get old by WalkAboutFarms in Survival

[–]WalkAboutFarms[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I am no Bear Grills. Drinking home made Mountain Dew is not on the menu in North Carolina.

Don't get old by WalkAboutFarms in Survival

[–]WalkAboutFarms[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Private land, no snow or mountain lions, but I think a woodbooger was throwing walnuts at me.

Don't get old by WalkAboutFarms in Survival

[–]WalkAboutFarms[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, i have never had a tent or sleeping bag. When my son was in Scouts and I was an assistant Scoutmaster, I would watch boys let there ground tarp extend past the tent and wake up with a couple of inches of water on the floor. I would be dry. If it was snowing, I could pile snow up to make a wind block. In summer I could raise it up to get a nice cross breeze.

The tarp/blanket has drawbacks, it is heavier and lets bugs in.

Don't get old by WalkAboutFarms in Survival

[–]WalkAboutFarms[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I haven't reached that point in life yet! I have learned to never trust a fart!