Put The Hammer Down!

After seven months of rebuilding, refurbishing and great anticipation, my Little Giant Power Hammer has found its permanent location in my shop.  I’ve been moving it around and keeping it lubed up for the last three and a half months. 

First thing I had to do was drill holes in the wooden base and transfer those holes to the concrete floor. 

It was another week before I got the materials to epoxy the bolts into the floor to bolt the base down to.

After the epoxy and bolts were set, I hoisted the hammer up to take the wooden base off.  The base was slipped over the floor anchor bolts.  The washers and nuts weren’t put on until later that night after the epoxy had a few hours to set up a bit.  Full cure usually takes 24 hours or more.

The hammer has found its final resting place. 

Time to “Put the Hammer Down”.  Fired up the coal forge and try it out.  This thing can sure move hot metal.  To me it runs a little too fast.  Might have to tame the beast a wee bit.  I only tried out some thin stock so maybe something a little bigger will work better.

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Hanging Out

Well, I have planned an overhang off the back of the workshop for some time now.  This would be used as a “Smithy” or a place I can use my coal forge.  Materials were gathered wherever I could find them.  Most were recycled or reused. 

With the help of Chase we set four posts and concreted them in on May 4^th.

The next day, Monday, I hung the horizontal members across the posts and along the top of the outside shop wall.

Tuesday I went to buy nails, rafter supports and 2x4’s.  Then I put up the metal rafter supports and cut the rafters to length.

Wednesday I got the rafters set in place and all screwed in.

Finally after climbing up and down those stupid ladders all week, I got all the tin nailed down.  There were a couple fiberglass panels that I put up right over the doorway.  I was completely spent when it was all finished, but glad to have it up.  It ain't no thing of beauty but it will be a cool spot in the summer for me to sit back when things are too dang hot inside the shop.  Total cash investment was about $70. Not Bad!!!

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Cuttin’ Up

Here is a chef knife that I recently finished for a local customer.  This knife really turned out to be a challenge for me.  Things don't always go as planned but challenges make for more learning.  Its shape was taken from a knife the customer liked but wanted in carbon steel.

The blade is 1095 High Carbon steel.

Handle material is stabilized Black Ash burl.

Overall length is 13” with an 8” blade that is almost 2" wide.

I’m sure he’ll be Cuttin’ Up lots of good things with this knife.   

Thanks