[TheForge] Shop tools & layount (was -- 2004 Resolution, Intro & Advice Needed)

[theforge@mailman.qth.net]

Kirk & Bettina Wehner wrote:

>1.  I was lucky enough to pick up an anvil, leg vice & some tools from a retired farmer in WV.  However, everything is somewhat abused & hasn't been used in a while.  My plan is to clean most of them with a wire wheel to get the rust off & then protect them with a tool oil.  Is that the right approach?  If so, any recommendations on  tool oil?  Also, how does one go about getting an anvil resurfaced?  
>
If the rust is tight, I would just  wipe it with oil and let it go.  If 
you sand all of the old rust off, you are signing up to keep sanding and 
polishing it for ever, or you have to deal with the obnoxious nature of 
"new" rust as opposed to the mellow old rust.   I used to make that 
mistake often --- buy an old tool, and in a fit of energy completely 
strip it of one hundred years worth of protective patina, and then watch 
it rust orange over night.   Regarding the anvil face, this is probably 
a good thing to clean up, but I have found that working hot steel on the 
surface will make the rust dissappear pretty quick as well.    

>
>2.  Nobody mentioned air tools.  That would seem like a cost effective way to cover some of the finishing tools in particular.  If so, what would be a good, solid size for the compressor?  That will probably be "down the road", but I'd like to go ahead & plan for it.  
>
A five hp compressor seems to be the common choice.  Avoid direct drive, 
the old fashioned belt drive units will be serviceable for your 
lifetime, the direct drives can be expensive to repair and noisy.  

>
>3.  As for power, is there any benefit to having 3-phase?  This is way out of my field of knowledge, but a friend with a fairly large wood working shop recommended 3-phase in order to have more possibilities in terms of used industrial equipment.
>  
>

If three phase is available cheap in your area get it ( it might not 
always be).   Otherwise, wait til you actually need it.   It adds 
complexity to the wiring in your shop as well as expense.