[TheForge] HF- what works and what doesn't

Tue Jan 3 10:49:19 EST 2012

Makita is a great beast.  Cheap stuff you have to not push as hard as a Makita.  Like dogs and cats.  Ma is a dog person.  She came over and stuck her fingers into my cat's back and wiggled them, like scratching the back of a dog.  28 pound Maine Coon put his ears back.  She didn't see the meaning.  She didn't stop.  Then he reached up and nipped her.  "Larry, you have to punish your cat, he bit me."  I asked her what she had done to him, she said," I was only petting him."  I asked how.  I next explained that if his ears went back that was warning #1.  A nip on the hand that did not break the skin was warning #2.  He was being polite in his own way.  I've seen him with rodents, I don't want to be a part of warning #3<G>.
All the Best

-----Original Message-----
From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Ron Childers
Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2012 9:54 AM
To: Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA
Subject: Re: [TheForge] HF- what works and what doesn't

Well, my ancient Makita has worn out a wash tub full of disks, and still works fine, but if you know a better way, I'm amenable to suggestion.  

-----Original Message-----
From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Richardson, Grover
Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2012 9:42 AM
To: Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA
Subject: Re: [TheForge] HF- what works and what doesn't

You have to allow the saw to do the work<G>.  My next anvil likely will be one of the Russian ones.  With the portable demos that I do; a 55 pound anvil is one that the wife can tote on a hand truck, if she needs to do so<G>.  Yes, I normally tote it, but I like to have a Plan B, if only for a threat<G>.  Good wife, I'm just teasing about her.
All the Best

-----Original Message-----
From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Ron Childers
Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2012 9:33 AM
To: Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA
Subject: Re: [TheForge] HF- what works and what doesn't

Grover, Ryan Johnson and I wrecked a new HF chop saw at Madison several years ago trying to cut Damascus billets. Another friend had one that didn't last a whole blade. Maybe they  are better now, but I would have to see evidence that they have changed...FABA has the 110# HF Russian anvils for students to pound on. They are not going to ding up my Hey Budden or Peter Wright but these ASO's seem to hold up well enough, just not as pretty as the 100# USA anvils made in Birmingham Ala. These were also pretty cheap ($75) and AFC furnished them to me for classes several years ago and they are used in green coal classes so they get a good workout .  

-----Original Message-----
From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Richardson, Grover
Sent: Monday, January 02, 2012 5:55 PM
To: Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA
Subject: Re: [TheForge] HF- what works and what doesn't

Bench grinder about 10 years old, gone through 6-7 wire wheels and a like number of stones.  Inexpensive 6" one.  I had to take the covers off and locktight them.  Other than that runs great.

Chop saw, 14", gone through about 5 blades.  About $100 model.  Still running.  Dropped it and broke the chain that keeps the saw from going up too far (that was a fluke!), other than that, runs fine.

As I understand it (chime in if this is incorrect).  Our machines are rated at working horsepower.  China machines are locked to the work bench, the motor shaft is gripped with a vise grip, and power applied.
The maximum power that flows in is called "locked rotor power."  Locked rotor is NOT useful horsepower.  So, a 2 HP China motor is likely a 3/4 American rated.  I push down until I see sparks and hear the motor load up.  Then keep the same amount of pressure on it to keep the motor slowed down a bit as it cuts through.

Yes, if it is your livelihood, get the best you can afford.  

Yes, I have a HF anvil.  The one with the hardy hole, not the one that still shows sign of the casting relief.  It is for visitors to hammer
upon.  55 pounds and $29.99 (I got it on sale), it works for me.    

Happy New Year.
Keep the Anvil on the stand and not on your feet.
Keep the hammer head on the handle and not on your head.
Keep the sparks stuck to the outside of your safety glasses. 

-----Original Message-----
From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Ron Childers
Sent: Friday, December 30, 2011 9:27 AM
To: Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA
Subject: Re: [TheForge] HF- what works and what doesn't

A while ago someone mentioned Harbor freight tools: deals vs junk. Let's conduct a poll as to which products are worth having. A friend bought a set of long reach needle nose and I broke them both with very little pressure. The air compressors are like Kleenex and the battery powered drills another friend bought were junk. Their bench grinders seem to work pretty well and the portable band saw he is now using seems ok but the first one gave up the ghost after a week. The Vice Grip type pliers are junk and he had problems with an oxy-acetylene outfit. The magnets are good but there are no moving parts. 

______________________________________________________________
TheForge mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:TheForge at mailman.qth.net

TheForge mail list group photo site is
http://www.photoworks.com
Login: blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
Password: anvil

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html ______________________________________________________________
TheForge mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:TheForge at mailman.qth.net

TheForge mail list group photo site is
http://www.photoworks.com
Login: blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
Password: anvil

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html ______________________________________________________________
TheForge mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:TheForge at mailman.qth.net

TheForge mail list group photo site is
http://www.photoworks.com
Login: blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
Password: anvil

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html ______________________________________________________________
TheForge mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:TheForge at mailman.qth.net

TheForge mail list group photo site is
http://www.photoworks.com
Login: blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
Password: anvil

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html ______________________________________________________________
TheForge mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:TheForge at mailman.qth.net

TheForge mail list group photo site is
http://www.photoworks.com
Login: blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
Password: anvil

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html ______________________________________________________________
TheForge mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:TheForge at mailman.qth.net

TheForge mail list group photo site is
http://www.photoworks.com
Login: blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
Password: anvil

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html