Above 1200 Sq/FT Cleaning Up My Shop

[xtremek]

That was a huge haul. And I know you'll get that router figured out. I'm taking bets as to how soon.

 

[jbmatth]

Exceptional, and I turned down more than I took.

But my shed is about at capacity.

Andy you know what that means done you? Time for another shed!

JB

 

[drivesitfar]

Andy: I haven't been to a LIVE AUCTION in years and wish I could be a fly on the wall and follow you around to some of the ones you have time to stop at.

I know you could probably put up a new huge new barn/shop/blacksmith area in no time, but just curious since you moved a CABOOSE onto your property is there maybe some old vintage shop that might need a new home on your property that you can have hauled to set there?

looks like you grabbed a few things useful and saw many more at the auction.

prayers sent for you and your bride and hope you enjoy your SATURDAY today.

cheers

 

[MARKSTANG]

https://silodrome.com/documentary-b...ratch-casting-machining-assembly-test-riding/

Andy,
I was just wondering if you wore a vest and necktie when casting molten metal, like these gents?

 

[Guster]

I have automatic scroll wheel finger syndrome so the auction website didn’t put up much of a fight.

Nice haul… some very useful bits in there. That surface plate is humongous but hard to justify if you don’t have the room for it. It creates a large dead space in the shop because you can’t use that surface for anything else. Otherwise it needs a cover so it can double duty as a light table. Amazing the little one I just got is constantly dirty and had to be wiped down before I put something on it. The turret/knee mills and some of the other tools had me drooling too.

Definitely save a welding lead to make a spotwelder! Otherwise if you plan to melt the rest I have the perfect project for a set of coarse gears, making a set of pinch rollers to strip the insulation off.

PS. What do you do with 3 buckets of soapstone? Jewelers might like it if it is big enough to carve into for casting silver.

 

[oldironfarmer]

That was a huge haul. And I know you'll get that router figured out. I'm taking bets as to how soon.

Thank you! I'm learning on the router. It still has more lessons for me, I'm sure.

Andy you know what that means done you? Time for another shed!

JB

Would a four car garage be too much? I'm so worried about resale value and overbuilding for the neighborhood.

Andy: I haven't been to a LIVE AUCTION in years and wish I could be a fly on the wall and follow you around to some of the ones you have time to stop at.

I know you could probably put up a new huge new barn/shop/blacksmith area in no time, but just curious since you moved a CABOOSE onto your property is there maybe some old vintage shop that might need a new home on your property that you can have hauled to set there?

looks like you grabbed a few things useful and saw many more at the auction.

prayers sent for you and your bride and hope you enjoy your SATURDAY today.

cheers

Grand idea. I do know where there is a metal filling station sitting up on skids. Maybe I should ask.

Auctions are fun if you can keep your cool.

https://silodrome.com/documentary-b...ratch-casting-machining-assembly-test-riding/

Andy,
I was just wondering if you wore a vest and necktie when casting molten metal, like these gents?

Well, duh! What kind of goober do you think I am? Just because we live in the country does not mean we can be dignified and dress accordingly. I believe firmly that dressing up for the job means you'll do a better job.

Umm, no. And I think those guys dressed up for the camera.

I have automatic scroll wheel finger syndrome so the auction website didn’t put up much of a fight.

Nice haul… some very useful bits in there. That surface plate is humongous but hard to justify if you don’t have the room for it. It creates a large dead space in the shop because you can’t use that surface for anything else. Otherwise it needs a cover so it can double duty as a light table. Amazing the little one I just got is constantly dirty and had to be wiped down before I put something on it. The turret/knee mills and some of the other tools had me drooling too.

Definitely save a welding lead to make a spotwelder! Otherwise if you plan to melt the rest I have the perfect project for a set of coarse gears, making a set of pinch rollers to strip the insulation off.

PS. What do you do with 3 buckets of soapstone? Jewelers might like it if it is big enough to carve into for casting silver.

But the website is a poor design, no?

My plan is to build a plywood top for my granite so I can lay stuff on it. That's the plan.

The soapstone is in 1/4" round and 1/2" flats for marking steel.

There was a spot welder in the junk. I'm not sure what it is, really, just a gun, I need to get the name and look it up.

It's the brown thing with the rods going through it. It says Marquette Redi-Spot.

Thanks for the visits, guy!

 

[oldironfarmer]

Sine I got the Parker needle valves at the auction I removed the tee and gauge and 1/4" gate valve (which was not working very well) to install a needle valve. I had put the gauge on thinking I might get an indication when the oil delivery line was plugging up. I've never had a reading on it.

The feed line is on an ell which is screwed inside the burner tube into a coupling through the burner wall. I had to screw the coupling onto the ell with it inside the tube and did not get it very tight before welding the coupling in. (the ell would not fit through the hole for the coupling) The oil tube would occasionally swing to one side. So when I had it apart I was able to peen the threads on the ell through the coupling.

Now it is securely centered in the burner tube.

If I have to change the burner tube, it is held to the ell with a compression nut, 1/2" flats, so I'll have to make a 12" long deep socket to remove and replace the tube. If the ell goes bad I cut it apart.

When screwing the close ****** and valve onto the coupling I tried to go one turn too many to line up the valve. The hex on the close ****** bottomed out in the coupling and the ****** pulled in two. No picture, end of the ****** down in the coupling. Easy Outs aren't. I usually use or make a square one, but in brass a screwdriver worked just fine, thank you.

Made it to town and picked up a cheap corded leaf blower. Others have used a leaf blower to burn oil faster in a furnace. My shop vacuum is what limits the rate at which I can burn oil. To connect the blower to the burner tube I want to use the shop vac hose; it fits the burner tube great and allows flexibility. Made a cone from galvanized flashing scrap, 1-1/2" on hose and 2-1/4" by 2-3/4" oval on the blower. I love foil duct tape.

My thank-yous are late.

Sawduststeve left me his parking lot marker flag. Miss Vicky is sporting it now.

Thanks, Steve!!

And Vladimir sent me TWO cube in cube's, one silver and one gold.

Thanks, Vladimir!!

I think the silver one may be aluminum, but I'm sure the other is a solid gold gift!

Cokes are still cold!

 

[1/2 Cup]

Andy, it looks like Miss Vicky is gathering a little dust there.

That is a nice thought of Vladimir, i have never machined gold before

 

[Grizz1963]

Made me smile with Miss Vicky


Those Cross of St George flags are as instantly recognisable as the Stars n stripes.

 

[Guster]

But the website is a poor design, no?

My plan is to build a plywood top for my granite so I can lay stuff on it. That's the plan.

The soapstone is in 1/4" round and 1/2" flats for marking steel.

There was a spot welder in the junk. I'm not sure what it is, really, just a gun, I need to get the name and look it up.

It's the brown thing with the rods going through it. It says Marquette Redi-Spot.

Not the worst website I’ve had to use but gladly not one I have to live with either. Looks like the publisher used a mobile stylesheet for everything.

A plywood cover is a project for this weekend. My granite plate is covered by the cardboard box it came in. Next is some steel to make a mobile stand that I can also put my mill vices rotary table and fixture clamps in. These are in a mobile shelf behind the mill which is going to be moved elsewhere to make room for a CNC router. Tempted to chop the shelf into two smaller units as well. Another job for after the horizontal mill is out the shed.

I have seen spotwelders like that. Initially thought it might be a stud welder but it appears to be an old single elctrode spot welder. Works a bit like an arc welder except the electrode is not filler and doesn’t clamp the material like twin electrode welders. Think even the weld time is controlled by the trigger finger.

That blower looks like a good setup for the burner. I would love to do a test with increased blower capacity on my burner too. There is a slightly faster blower motor sitting on the workbench for another day. With more air and more oil are you setting to raise the temp for something new?

Oh yeah… also wanted to ask if you considered changing your complex CNC router job and doing it in parts ie. make the wings, the head, shield, claws and arrows all separate parts. Especially if it is meant to be a pattern for casting rather than a wooden plaque. Requires a little more modelling work but saves material and time in the long run. One little failure doesn’t waste the whole job and all the material. Also means you can perhaps use the 3D printer for detail parts like the arrows or the shield. Even all wood would probably benefit as you can detail and finish the individual pieces and glue it together on the mounting ply and not worry about a knot or blemish in the wrong place.

Hehehe... the flag suits Ms. Vicky!

Have a good Sathursday!

 

[oldironfarmer]

Andy, it looks like Miss Vicky is gathering a little dust there.

That is a nice thought of Vladimir, i have never machined gold before

Miss Vicky is waiting patiently for some hands-on time

I think gold is plentiful and inexpensive in Russia.

Made me smile with Miss Vicky


Those Cross of St George flags are as instantly recognisable as the Stars n stripes.

I'm tickled to display the Cross of St. George.

Not the worst website I’ve had to use but gladly not one I have to live with either. Looks like the publisher used a mobile stylesheet for everything.

A plywood cover is a project for this weekend. My granite plate is covered by the cardboard box it came in. Next is some steel to make a mobile stand that I can also put my mill vices rotary table and fixture clamps in. These are in a mobile shelf behind the mill which is going to be moved elsewhere to make room for a CNC router. Tempted to chop the shelf into two smaller units as well. Another job for after the horizontal mill is out the shed.

I have seen spotwelders like that. Initially thought it might be a stud welder but it appears to be an old single elctrode spot welder. Works a bit like an arc welder except the electrode is not filler and doesn’t clamp the material like twin electrode welders. Think even the weld time is controlled by the trigger finger.

That blower looks like a good setup for the burner. I would love to do a test with increased blower capacity on my burner too. There is a slightly faster blower motor sitting on the workbench for another day. With more air and more oil are you setting to raise the temp for something new?

Oh yeah… also wanted to ask if you considered changing your complex CNC router job and doing it in parts ie. make the wings, the head, shield, claws and arrows all separate parts. Especially if it is meant to be a pattern for casting rather than a wooden plaque. Requires a little more modelling work but saves material and time in the long run. One little failure doesn’t waste the whole job and all the material. Also means you can perhaps use the 3D printer for detail parts like the arrows or the shield. Even all wood would probably benefit as you can detail and finish the individual pieces and glue it together on the mounting ply and not worry about a knot or blemish in the wrong place.

Hehehe... the flag suits Ms. Vicky!

Have a good Sathursday!

I admire your eagerness for improvement. I would be melting metal prior to making improvements

Glad you're making space for the CNC router! I wish my reference granite were on casters. But I don't know how to do that.

The DXF file was delivered to me for the eagle. Splitting it would be a chore. All I did was create the gcode (all 857,000 lines). The good news is the end user is a master carver and will spend several hours prettying up the rough carving to prepare it as a pattern. He purchased the digitized DXF file so it's a surprise as to what that file actually creates. He can make little repairs and add detail. There was a step which I had to remove (error was circular reference was in wrong axis) because I couldn't get it to fix (I think now it needed an x-y plane command, probably because I had interrupted and restarted the program) and I can't tell any error in the carving. My use of the 3D router is just like me using a new car - an expert so long as everything works and I curl up in the corner and whimper when anything goes wrong.

Enjoyed Saturensday and looking forward to Safriday.

Thanks for the visits, guys!

 

[oldironfarmer]

The new air supply and needle valve have increased my control over the burner. Good hot flame swirling around the crucible.

And a little more oil and air

The burner piping is a little simpler

And there is always a down side.

It looks like flame impingement is melting a 2,600F brick. I have some 2,800F and 3,000F brick so we'll replace them as required.

 

[oldironfarmer]

This morning I got out early to get my foundry fix. I decided to try casting some aluminum bronze punches. This involves moving the parting line from the split in the flask but it seems simple enough. I've never done it.

I put a little sand on a board, then placed the punches so there would be no vertical surfaces to split. Rammed the sand in the drag (lower part) then turned it over and scraped sand away to get to the widest part of each piece. The squares are on their corners.

Added a sprue and the cope (upper half of the flask)

Then gave it s nice coating of parting compound (fine dust) and rammed it full of sand. Split the flask (pouring basin came out with the cope)

And here is the bottom of the cope. It is easy to see the sand contour to get to the intended parting lines.

I dumped the drag over and the punches fell out, then I cut some gates in to let metal to the punch cavities.

And cut gates in the cope

Blew out the molds and put the flask back together. Melted a charge of aluminum bronze (leftovers from making hammers) and poured the mold. A little cooling and when breaking off the sand - SWEET SUCCESS

The punches filled all the way to the end.

 

[oldironfarmer]

You can read most of the stamped lettering.

I want to use these for jobs such as driving bearing races which are too stubborn for a brass punch. Aluminum bronze is harder and stronger than brass but it work hardens. It is yet to be seen whether these become a hazard if the striking area becomes hard and brittle and throws off ships of metal.

This was a most fun exercise, by the way.

I can make brass punches this way too, of course.

 

[njhoudini]

Nice punches! The lettering showing up is very cool. You can probably groove out the lettering if you want to get them to show better. Most impressive. Want!

Sent from my LG-H918 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[dchance]

Andy
The punches look great. Was interesting to see that the metal reached to the very end.

Dwight

 

[1/2 Cup]

Persistence pays off, well done Andy

 

[XJSuperman]

Repro Craftsman Products. Made in Oklahoma!

 

[tym]

Love the punches!

I find de-rusting and dressing old flea market punch finds to be relaxing.

 

[Pressingonward]

I beg for zinc

Begging won't get you anything

An address might though

Or does the USPS automatically route all packages that are heavy and rattle metallically when you shake them straight to you?

 

[Grizz1963]

That’s just awesome.

You,really are getting to master this whole thing more and more.

Craig and I have landed, made it Dennis’ place after he picked us up at the airport.

I managed about 5 hrs of sleep and Craig a little more, but both of us are up and sitting reading, chatting generally realising how privileged and fortunate we are to have this circle of friends.

Looking forward to delivering some empty beer cans.........

 

[oldironfarmer]

Nice punches! The lettering showing up is very cool. You can probably groove out the lettering if you want to get them to show better. Most impressive. Want!

Sent from my LG-H918 using The Garage Journal mobile app

Thank you! I've decided to make a pattern so I can pass some along. I really think they will be useful.

Andy
The punches look great. Was interesting to see that the metal reached to the very end.

Dwight

Thanks, Dwight! I was elated that the long skinny one filled. It was more of a test than anything. It had some inclusions at the end, a small bob or riser off the end would fix that so long as the metal hadn't cooled too much.

Persistence pays off, well done Andy

Thanks Steve! Can I put you down for someone who can take the punches?

Repro Craftsman Products. Made in Oklahoma!

One of my blacksmith club buddies (Salt Fork Craftsman) had a machine shop. He finally told me one of their primary customers had them machining ratchet parts and other tools for Craftsman tools. Here in Oklahoma, whoulda thunk?

Love the punches!

I find de-rusting and dressing old flea market punch finds to be relaxing.

Thanks!

I have the same therapy...

Begging won't get you anything

An address might though

Or does the USPS automatically route all packages that are heavy and rattle metallically when you shake them straight to you?

Yes, I don't think you need any address other than Andy Martin, Terlton, OK 74081

That’s just awesome.

You,really are getting to master this whole thing more and more.

Craig and I have landed, made it Dennis’ place after he picked us up at the airport.

I managed about 5 hrs of sleep and Craig a little more, but both of us are up and sitting reading, chatting generally realising how privileged and fortunate we are to have this circle of friends.

Looking forward to delivering some empty beer cans.........

Thanks! Finally something I can do!!

Glad you're safely in country. Don't forget to take the malaria pills.

No, wait, that's West Africa.

5 hours is plenty for a spark plug like you! Save those cans, they can buy you room and board some places.

 

[oldironfarmer]

A little shop progress yesterday.

Finished off the punches. And took them for a test drive. Good results so far. I was a little aggressive grinding off the flashing. But these are for me. The product for distribution will be better, I promise.

And I want more. I love them.

Finally got around to making a foam pattern for lathe stops (right)

Also made a handle for my burner (left) and a gift. I plan to make Rian cast the gift.

Glued and sprued.

Thanks for stopping in!!

 

[TMcCay]

Really nice job with the punches, Andy. I am sure that they will come in Handy for the job that they are made for.

 

[drivesitfar]

Andy: any pictures of the metal filling station on skids or maybe you'll find the owner and have him deliver it to your front door?

nice work on the new punches and hard to believe you had the Craftsman lettering show up that nicely from that style of molding.

WELL DONE!!

here's to another great day melting metal or is it time to use one of those soft hammers you make and pound out a few dents on the new ride's trunk lid?

cheers

 

[shortykorte]

So people will be getting punches from you. We should start one of those challenges like the ice bucket. The Andy Punches Challenge. If an individual is afraid of getting punched, then they could get hammered.
Tops on the latest experiment.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[1/2 Cup]

Andy your punches have come out a treat and yes and that would be an honour.

The sky is the limit when it comes to casting metal.

 

[dchance]

Andy,
The new form patterns look great. Has this stepped up Rian's anticipation of the visit.

Dwight

 

[Grizz1963]

Andy,
The new form patterns look great. Has this stepped up Rian's anticipation of the visit.

Dwight

Naaaaahhhhhh.......

Not really excited at all.

Was out at stupid-0-Clock crushing tins.





I think all three of us are excited at this point.

Dennis was even rummaging through his race car shop tonight, looking for more ally.

 

[oldironfarmer]

Really nice job with the punches, Andy. I am sure that they will come in Handy for the job that they are made for.

Thanks!! Handy, where have I heard that? They feel good in the hand, too.

Andy: any pictures of the metal filling station on skids or maybe you'll find the owner and have him deliver it to your front door?

nice work on the new punches and hard to believe you had the Craftsman lettering show up that nicely from that style of molding.

WELL DONE!!

here's to another great day melting metal or is it time to use one of those soft hammers you make and pound out a few dents on the new ride's trunk lid?

cheers

I went by the station today and forgot to look but I think it was gone.

It was quite pleasing to have the lettering show up in a sand casting that well. I'm really liking casting the aluminum bronze. Thank you!

And's Hot Metal Shed was in full swing today. I poured my little lathe stop brackets and then melted some copper to make more ingots pending another aluminum bronze run.

So people will be getting punches from you. We should start one of those challenges like the ice bucket. The Andy Punches Challenge. If an individual is afraid of getting punched, then they could get hammered.
Tops on the latest experiment.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I like the Andy's Punch Challenge. Just enter the challenge and see whether you get punched or hammered.

Andy your punches have come out a treat and yes and that would be an honour.

The sky is the limit when it comes to casting metal.

Thanks, Steve!! When I make another batch (and I need more) I'll be sure to put your name on one.

Andy,
The new form patterns look great. Has this stepped up Rian's anticipation of the visit.

Dwight

Thanks, Dwight. Not sure Rian has seen the foam. He's a busy guy and early tomorrow they are off to the Big Easy where there is no opportunity to get into trouble.

I have managed to get five trivets cleaned up and painted. They should go out Tuesday. Depending on the availability of accompanying hammers. I really need to get them out the door.

After two aluminum melt I made a crucible full of copper. Came out to 12 pounds 2 ounces. And with my new leaf blower I got it hot, probably cast iron melting hot. That's next now.

This was some nasty old copper pipe. I pretty much have to make ingots first so I know how much copper I have after removing dross so I can add the right amount of aluminum to end with a 10% aluminum bronze.

I did close on another rent house sale today, but I had to carry the note to make the sale. I'd rather have the cash but monthly payments work out well for tool purchases.

Thanks for the visits and comments.

 

[oldironfarmer]

Naaaaahhhhhh.......

Not really excited at all.

Was out at stupid-0-Clock crushing tins.





I think all three of us are excited at this point.

Dennis was even rummaging through his race car shop tonight, looking for more ally.

Tins? What tins?

So, do you want to get punched or hammered?

Note to everyone else: He'll finally get it.

 

[Grumblebum]

What a great way spending fathers day morning on my andy thread catch up

Kids sent me on a little treasure hunt around the house this morning resulting in several chocolate bars, unlike the favoured andybrass, andyluminium and now andycopper ones found here.

Looking forward to the coming guests, just make grizz wear some boots, his japanese safety boots as we call them won't help with that glowy hot stuff.

Hammers and punches looking fantastic

I see the showers have started clearing up outside, so time for a mug of tea and some shoptime.

cheers GB

 

[oldironfarmer]

What a great way spending fathers day morning on my andy thread catch up

Kids sent me on a little treasure hunt around the house this morning resulting in several chocolate bars, unlike the favoured andybrass, andyluminium and now andycopper ones found here.

Looking forward to the coming guests, just make grizz wear some boots, his japanese safety boots as we call them won't help with that glowy hot stuff.

Hammers and punches looking fantastic

I see the showers have started clearing up outside, so time for a mug of tea and some shoptime.

cheers GB

Thanks for stopping in!

Yes, without leather shoes I make you stand in the shop on the concrete. It gives you a little distance a\plus elevation from a potential spill. I've got some old moon boots which might be nice. Nylon doesn't melt, does it?

As I'm melting copper I think of the Copper Age. They didn't even have propane. How did they do it? Smart guys who learned from their mistakes. (Or the fatal mistakes of others)

 

[drivesitfar]

Andy: looks like we finally made it to SUNDAY. wow what a week here MOVING MY STUFF and even though i'll never keep up with your pace I always enjoy seeing what you've been up to.

so what new metal are you going to make to add to the list especially now that it sounds like you've stepped up the heating a bit to melt CAST?

cheers and have a great day and more prayers sent for you and your bride!!

 

[don long]

Andy
I don't have a clue of what it takes to be a blacksmith and make the things you are enjoying making BUT I do have some of the tools of yesteryear's

2017-12-09 15.35.46 by don long, on Flickr

 

[oldironfarmer]

Don: That looks like a very nice anvil. All it takes is some heat and a hammer and you're a blacksmith. You really should give it a try.

You can build a forge to heat in pretty easily with a truck brake drum and a hair dryer. If there's not coal available real charcoal (not briquettes) work fine.

Thanks for stopping in!

 

[Guster]

Not pulling your punches anymore Andy!

At least not untill they are much colder.

Those punches came out great and really taken a next level step up with the asymmetric parting line on the drag. Looking forward to the next episode of “Andy’s hot metal shed”.

What do you have planned to cast in iron?

 

[Farmall450]

Not pulling your punches anymore Andy!

At least not untill they are much colder.

Those punches came out great and really taken a next level step up with the asymmetric parting line on the drag. Looking forward to the next episode of “Andy’s hot metal shed”.

What do you have planned to cast in iron?

I see what you did there

 

[CraigRK]

Hi Andy,

It was great chatting via text earlier and looking forward to meeting you later this week along with Grizz.

Just trying to catch up on your thread while on the road!!

Craig

 

[oldironfarmer]

Not pulling your punches anymore Andy!

At least not untill they are much colder.

Those punches came out great and really taken a next level step up with the asymmetric parting line on the drag. Looking forward to the next episode of “Andy’s hot metal shed”.

What do you have planned to cast in iron?

You've learnt your English well.

I've read about carving out the parting line to where you need it, and it seemed deceptively simple. I tried in on a lark (bronze punches are always in need) to get more aluminum bronze casting experience and it was even easier than it seemed. And really a lot of fun. It opens up lots of new avenues to cast copies of existing items.

Cast iron is not high on my priority list. Things like decorative grills are better in brass or bronze. Cast iron is cheaper than aluminum and very plentiful, at least around my place. I would expect once I learn to do it that some machine tool parts would be good in cast iron. I missed a bid on an adjustable mill table at the recent auction and may make one of aluminium, but for something like that the dampening qualities of cast iron are valuable. I also would like to make some chilled cast iron swage blocks for special purposes such as spoons, etc. Cast iron, especially chilled, will stand up to hammering sheet metal better than my other casting choices and shapes which are complex can be easier to cast than machine out of a steel block.

Now if I can build a controlled atmosphere pouring setup I would really like to cast steel but you have to keep the oxygen away from liquid steel.

I see what you did there

Clever chap, eh?

Hi Andy,

It was great chatting via text earlier and looking forward to meeting you later this week along with Grizz.

Just trying to catch up on your thread while on the road!!

Craig

Only got a second, but did I read ketchup on my thread? You'll clean it off if you do.