Dukers Garage Projects

[Duker]

Brother its great to see you back in action here. I was starting to get concerned when you hadn't been around in a while. But please explain to the short bus crowd WintheF is up with those power hammers. Was there a special sale on spare tires after the Vid took out all the chainand sprocket manufactures or what??. I ain't never seen anything like that and why?

Thanks Cam, the daytime job has been taking up way too much of my time...! I am getting closer to throwing in the towel and becoming a full time shop rat but I have some big projects ahead in both the real job and on the farm so I am not quite ready to hang it up but I sure want to start cutting back on the regular gig... How is life in AZ... still burning the candle on both ends?

The tire hammer is wild... it's based on a design by a guy named Clay Spencer. He used a spare tire as drive mechanism as it allowed you to slow or adjust the pressure of the hammer by how much pressure is applied to the drive mechanism aka the "tire." Its a 70lb hammer and it will move some metal! It's a blast to use!

 

[LXCam]

Hum?, so basically “a drag radial” eh

Ya man, nothing’s changed for me. I’m starting to think it’s just an unconscious life style I couldn’t live without. We’ll have to get caught up after the first of July. I’m dealing with fiscal year end right now for the county and it’s batshit crazy.

 

[shortykorte]

Looks like you and your son are getting some QST in without getting too tired.

 

[Duker]

Looks like you and your son are getting some QST in without getting too tired.

Shorty, He has gone from showing no interest in anything shop related a couple of years ago to now being a shop rat almost every weekend. Thanks for stopping by!

 

[Duker]

If you have followed along in my projects thread you will have seven where my son and I built a gas forge as he has gotten into Blacksmithing and knife making. Well, the bug has bit me too and so we have been investing in some tools and the latest was an induction forge. We built a mobile stand to hold the water cooler and the forge. It will make heating metal sooooo much better in the summer in helping to keep the heat down.

The little platens on each side are adjustable allowing to heat larger rods or even the middle of a piece of steel.






We added a water filter to keep some of the galvanization down as these Chinese forges have that issue. Also added a better wiring system than a flip up lid that exposed 220 volts if you were a little careless in where you grabbed the machine.



I still need to mount the gauge.

 

[shortykorte]

There he is. Wondering if you were off having fun and looks like you have quite the wiener roaster there. Hope all is well in your part of Texas.

 

[LXCam]

Duke I dun't no how ta put this to ya gently. But that nice knew machine is gonna so straight to **** when you build a fire around it.

I thunk ya wuz smarter den dat.




. Glad to see you back posting again bud. What's been going on?

 

[Duker]

There he is. Wondering if you were off having fun and looks like you have quite the wiener roaster there. Hope all is well in your part of Texas.

Hey Shorty, i have been off having some fun although my regular day job has been killing way too much shop time. We have a little weather coming our way but other than the heat it has been good. Hope all is well in your neck of the world.

 

[Duker]

Duke I dun't no how ta put this to ya gently. But that nice knew machine is gonna so straight to **** when you build a fire around it.

I thunk ya wuz smarter den dat.




. Glad to see you back posting again bud. What's been going on?

Cam, as long as I put the right weenie in it I should be just fine! . The day job is killing me...so I am getting more serious about throwing in the towel and becoming a full time shop rat. How is AZ? Do you have Casa de Cam yet?

 

[cbacres]

Merry Christmas

 

[Duker]

Thanks CB i hope you had a very Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas

 

[shortykorte]

Merry Christmas Duker.

 

[harley jim]

Merry Christmas Duker

 

[Duker]

Merry Christmas Duker

Merry Christmas Duker.

Thanks Guys I hope you had a great Christmas as well! I have been derelict in stopping by to say Hello so I think I found my New Year’s resolution!

 

[Duker]

My son Chris and I have been delving deep into blacksmiting. Any hobby I can share to spend time with my son in the shop I am open to and this experience has been more fun than I imagined. We have made all sorts of tools for the craft etc but our latest project is a striking anvil vise combo that we built as a wedding gift for another aspiring blacksmith/blade smith. While Chris and I can’t share much blacksmithing knowledge yet we can pass on some of our fab skills to the next generation.

 

[casmurbax]

Duker,

that looks great! Is the gift for the bride or groom?

Sharing time with your kids in the shop is a great feeling.

 

[Duker]

Duker,

that looks great! Is the gift for the bride or groom?

Sharing time with your kids in the shop is a great feeling.

John, it is for the groom who is marrying a bride that we consider another daughter! It has been great to have my son Chris in the shop. I am trying to enjoy every minute I can! Thanks for stopping by. I hope all has been well with you and the family!

 

[Duker]

Wow where has 8 months gone since I last posted…. My wife and I finally transitioned full time to the barn to live after renting an apartment in Houston for the past couple of years I was cleared to work full time at home. My wife was already spending all of her time up here taking care of her mom and dad and the daily chores of living in the country.

Most of my free time has been spent in the shop with my son which has been great. We have both been sucked into blacksmithing so we have been working on projects for the shop as well as when friends come up to try their hand at making something. I finally got around to making a temporary base for my 508lb August Refflinghaus anvil..




We got Chris an new 400lb anvil as well it’s a Chinese cast steel anvil but it actually has really good rebound







I spent last weekend learning to build a ribbon forge at a class taught by John Carman of Texas Forges which was fun. It’s amazing how hot these forges can get of such little propane.










Need to finish applying some refractory and smoothing out my first coat but she works like a champ!

 

[Bears Fan]

Great seeing an update!!! I love your anvil and new stand hope your enjoy living in the county now full time

 

[RickP]

Wow, that anvil is massive!
Forge is looking good.

Congrats on moving to the country full-time.
I'll bet you don't miss living in the city at all.

 

[LXCam]

Glad you guys are doing well duke.

 

[Duker]

Glad you guys are doing well duke.

We are, how is everything in AZ you finally get all that CA stuff put into a shop yet?

 

[Duker]

Wow, that anvil is massive!
Forge is looking good.

Congrats on moving to the country full-time.
I'll bet you don't miss living in the city at all.

Rick, I don’t miss it one bit! Other than the 100+ degree heat I have no complaints! Thanks for stopping by!

 

[Duker]

Great seeing an update!!! I love your anvil and new stand hope your enjoy living in the county now full time

I am loving it…. It’s a catch 22 though… I just wish I had all these toys and hobbies when my body was much younger!

 

[LXCam]

We are, how is everything in AZ you finally get all that CA stuff put into a shop yet?

Luv AZ bud and ya the shops been in full swing for close to three years. However the wife contracted Lyme right as the vid was in full panic mode. So her prognosis went sideways for almost a year. Long story short the joint in Cali just went on the market last week. So maybe the end is close bud. I know we missed the hot market but hopefully it’s not too late.

 

[Duker]

Luv AZ bud and ya the shops been in full swing for close to three years. However the wife contracted Lyme right as the vid was in full panic mode. So her prognosis went sideways for almost a year. Long story short the joint in Cali just went on the market last week. So maybe the end is close bud. I know we missed the hot market but hopefully it’s not too late.

Man I am sorry to hear about your wife. How is she doing now? I had friend get that and it took him a long time to feel better. I hope the house goes quick! You guys need a break!

 

[shortykorte]

There he is. Thanks for the update.

I want to know when the video of you putting lifting the anvil on to its stand. I’m sure proper footwear was present.

 

[don long]

Duke I have a blacksmith shop in my western town and know nothing about smithing lol
A 500 lb anvil is a real beast what are you planning to make with that kiln?

Nice to see you here again. Enjoy the freedom of the country

Don

 

[Duker]

There he is. Thanks for the update.

I want to know when the video of you putting lifting the anvil on to its stand. I’m sure proper footwear was present.

Hey Shorty, I have finally found the equivalent of Florida shoe safety wear…Kiziks … I am so lazy I have literally stooped to slide in tennis shoes! As for the anvil thank God for a tractor to get it in the shop and my gantry inside the shop… so glad I built that into the shop! It has saved my back and my feet many times! Speaking of videos …my son and I will be starting to do some videos on our instagram (rockycreekforge) and new Rocky Creek Ranch you tube channel soon.

 

[Duker]

Duke I have a blacksmith shop in my western town and know nothing about smithing lol
A 500 lb anvil is a real beast what are you planning to make with that kiln?

Nice to see you here again. Enjoy the freedom of the country

Don

Don, thanks for stopping by! The blacksmithing has been fun. My son Chris expressed an interest so in my interest of keeping him coming back to the shop I started to help him build items he needed to make knives. Pretty soon I was hooked as well. We originally built a Venturi style gas forge, then a coal forge then with the Summer heat we got an induction forge (which has almost replaced my gas torch) and lastly this new ribbon forge. I am making mostly architectural type stuff like door hardware, pot hangers, mantel brackets etc.. Chris has been making steak turners, crosses as well as knives. Maybe down the road during one of those famous Don Long parties I could do live demos in your western town forge!

 

[larry4406]

Duker - welcome back!

In post 418 there is a belt grinder in the background. Details please....

 

[Duker]

Duker - welcome back!

In post 418 there is a belt grinder in the background. Details please....

Hey Larry, that blue one is an Ameribrade 2 x72 grinder/sander and the green is a Burr King. The Ameribrade ( https://www.ameribrade.com/grinder-packages ) is a great machine. My son and are are also building a Brian Housewerk 2x 72 grinder/sander ( https://housemade.us/products/revolution-diy-2x72-belt-grinder-plans )

 

[cbacres]

Good to hear from you Duker.
Nice set up on the forge, may pick your brain on that some day.

Those 2”x72” belt grinders have become a major go to in my shop, unbelievable how much metal they can remove.

Look forward to the BH build.
Take care.

 

[larry4406]

Hey Larry, that blue one is an Ameribrade 2 x72 grinder/sander and the green is a Burr King. The Ameribrade ( https://www.ameribrade.com/grinder-packages ) is a great machine. My son and are are also building a Brian Housewerk 2x 72 grinder/sander ( https://housemade.us/products/revolution-diy-2x72-belt-grinder-plans )

Start a thread on your Brian Housewerk build please. That looks like a nice machine. The ad shows paper templates for gluing to metal stock to aid cutting which is the technique I would need.

 

[LXCam]

Man I am sorry to hear about your wife. How is she doing now? I had friend get that and it took him a long time to feel better. I hope the house goes quick! You guys need a break!

It’s ruined her both physically and mentally. It’s not like you and I as in when we destroy a part of our body we deal with the limitations, adapt and move on. It also cost me a complete remodel on the house which has been a piece of cake living 300 miles away .

 

[Duker]

Good to hear from you Duker.
Nice set up on the forge, may pick your brain on that some day.

Those 2”x72” belt grinders have become a major go to in my shop, unbelievable how much metal they can remove.

Look forward to the BH build.
Take care.

Thanks CB. You are right the grinders are a staple now in the shop. I may actually build another House Made one for the woodshop. The forge is a piece of cake to make I am making mine out a small helium tank but a refrigerant tank would work. I already had the large Venturi forge otherwise I would have gone with the 5 gallon propane bottle size. There are only really two key elements to get close on and that is the number of holes/jets should match the intake size and the baffle inside the ribbon for dispersing the gas. You can make one for under a couple of hundred bucks and it is great. I may not need to use my torch again between the induction forge and this! Although I am in the midst of making a gas saver stand as well for the torch. Thanks for stopping in.

 

[Duker]

Start a thread on your Brian Housewerk build please. That looks like a nice machine. The ad shows paper templates for gluing to metal stock to aid cutting which is the technique I would need.

If you thinks it’s worthy of its own thread I will. I may see if there is already a grinder thread going and stick it in there.

 

[Duker]

It’s ruined her both physically and mentally. It’s not like you and I as in when we destroy a part of our body we deal with the limitations, adapt and move on. It also cost me a complete remodel on the house which has been a piece of cake living 300 miles away .

Cam, I am so sorry, that is horrible to hear. You must be worn out trying to juggle the job, the renovation, the move etc etc. You guys need a long long vacation! Come on over to Texas in the fall as it’s terrible here right now as we have Phoenix heat AND 90% humidity but you can travel the hill country on over to the Piney Woods and stay at our place. You can play in the shop or just put your feet up and fish off the dock!

 

[LXCam]

Cam, I am so sorry, that is horrible to hear. You must be worn out trying to juggle the job, the renovation, the move etc etc. You guys need a long long vacation! Come on over to Texas in the fall as it’s terrible here right now as we have Phoenix heat AND 90% humidity but you can travel the hill country on over to the Piney Woods and stay at our place. You can play in the shop or just put your feet up and fish off the dock!

Now that sounds like a hell of a great plan!

 

[Augus7us]

Are you using the induction forge to heat treat or are you actually using it to forge?