[TheForge] Re: TheForge Digest, Vol 12, Issue 74

[Andrew Vida]

Tom brings up an excellent point here, and one that bears repetition. 
While I believe it is a great learning experience for each person to 
reinvent the various wheels in the search for what we may call "real 
learning", I also see no reason whatsoever to ruin one's health.  The 
technology of blacksmithing has evolved as it has largely because of the 
damaging effects that such work had upon the body.  Old world technology 
is amazing, wondrous stuff, but much of it is also hell on the various 
body parts and IMO one should make the effort to discover (beforehand) 
what the hazards are, and make all reasonable efforts to avoid 
destroying their health unnecessarily.  The years will take their toll 
on you no matter what.  I see no reason to help it along too much.

Justin, when you say "arbor press", are you referring to something like 
a Dake press, or something else?  Just wondering.

	-Andy


Thomas A. Troszak wrote:
> 
> On Jan 21, 2005, at 12:00 AM, theforge-request at mailman.qth.net wrote:
> 
>> why
>> a *fly* press? To me they look like a little obsolete. . Can someone
>> enlighten me?
> 
> 
> Dear Justin,
> 
> I used to do forging with an arbor press, and it is a great way to 
> destroy your arms, if you don't want to take my word for it, go ahead 
> and try it. I made thousands of parts, but the jarring of the handle is 
> injurious to the body over time. By the way, I see broken arbor presses 
> in the scrapyard every couple of months.
> 
> A fly press has weights which provide momentum energy to do the nasty 
> work of the forging, (instead of your arms) and they are designed for 
> the work. They also have great feel without the sudden jolt at the end 
> of the stroke, in other words, they rock!
> 
> By all means, by yourself a cheap chinese arbor press, break it and your 
> wrists, and learn from the experience.
> 
> Tom Troszak
> 
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-- 


	-Andy V.

Alright, I am so tired of the way some Sumerians are always
ready to blame the Indus.  Meluhha-luhha lo mekka heinie ho.
You can only use wax spurs if you have a clay horse.
Geeze I am so abstruse even I don't get it.

				RtH

You're making perfect sense to me. I'm getting scared.

				Frosty