[TheForge] New Acquisitions

Sun Jun 2 12:03:00 2002

Hello All-

I have, just last weekend, got a couple new items I am sure you will
appreciate hearing about.  One is a forge, and the other is a blower.

I have put pictures of these over in the tools and tooling section of the
photoaccess site.

The forge is an old cast iron rectangular forge with water trough.  Only,
the water trough is full of holes.  I think it has been sitting outside for
a few years, and has rusted thru several places.  I can fix this easily
enough.

The blower is a Champion No.400 hand crank blower with stand.  I have never
had one of these before, but have used one of them before and really liked
it.  My question is, what should I do to it, or not do to it in the way of
cleaning up and starting to use it?  Never having had one like this before,
I have no idea what I should mess with, and REALLY don't want to mess this
up.  I got a hand crank post drill a couple of years ago that worked, but is
covered with 2 to 3 inches of old grease and dirt, etc.  I thought I was
smart and started to take it apart, and the main crank wheel promptly broke
and froze in place halfway off.  Never have been able to get any farther.
So I don't want to mess up again.  If you look at the pics, this seems to
have bearing covers at the shaft ends.  Do I remove them for cleaning?  Do I
leave them strictly alone?  Please give me some pointers, you guys that have
had these before.

Thanks in advance,

Rick Crawford at  Rafter Lazy C
Home of Rick's Forge and Lem the Wonder Mule
email = [email protected]
home page = http://www.tbcnet.com/~rafterlazyc/