TomK
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Post by TomK on Aug 27, 2014 20:35:35 GMT
Step one to making swords: Have a place to work. concrete is about to be poured in this 24' x 20' frame. next comes the building which will occupy the whole slab. then I build the 2200* f temp oven I've got the stuff for and assemble all the rest of my tools and then: swords! LET IT BEGIN!
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Post by brotherbanzai on Aug 27, 2014 20:43:42 GMT
Sweet, that's going to be a great work space! Congrats, makes me a bit envious :mrgreen:
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Post by Lukas MG (chenessfan) on Aug 27, 2014 20:53:48 GMT
Congrats!! Makes me envious too, I'm confined to my grandfather's tiny workshop...
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TomK
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Post by TomK on Aug 27, 2014 21:01:14 GMT
It's looking like I will be selling some of my personal sword collection because the concrete is being a lot more expensive than I had planned.
So watch the classifieds there should be some nice ATrims up soon.
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Post by L Driggers (fallen) on Aug 27, 2014 21:27:33 GMT
Good start in no time you will wish it was bigger. Are you going to do a extra thick section of concrete for a future power hammer, if not tou will wish you had of.
What kind of heat temper oven are you going to build. If I can ever sale enough I'm going to build one at least large enough to do a 27in blade, know it seens a strange size but it's the length of the tube I have to build it. This one will be propane fired. One of these days I hope to be able to afford to buy a paragron 48in electronic controlled electric oven.
What kind of forges are you going to run, I have several differenat sizes to fit what I need. Building two axe welding propane forges right now, just need to get the reflective coating applied to one. Not sure if I will finished it, not sure if I'm going to keep making things. Might just finish up the blade blanks I have now, either spot making anything or make very little any more.
Now I need to get rid of the rats in my building. They tore the lining out of one of my smaller forges, Have to reline and recoat it with reflective coating.
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TomK
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Post by TomK on Aug 27, 2014 22:18:21 GMT
I have 6 ceramic fiber 240VAC 7amp heaters that are half round with 3.5" inside hole diameter and 24" long each. they have a temerature range of up to 2200* f they were scavenged out of a scrap annealing oven. used but good. I have enough for 2 48" ovens. one for austenitizing and one for tempering I also can make two 24" knife ovens. I'll be set for heat treat. I have the controller at my feet right now (under my desk) still need to rebuild for my purposes but I'll do that once I have my shop up and electricity in.
for the forge ill continue to use my diamondback ironworks propane forge. may change it out eventually but for now it is good enough.
no plans for a power hammer but the concrete is reinforced with large rebar and the ground below is packed so hard the crew broke three teeth off their bobcat scraping this out. besides, Big Blu Hammer company says I only need 4" with rebar.
I'm thinking I'm gonna build a McDonald rolling mill instead so I can work at night.
rats are smart good luck.
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Post by frankthebunny on Aug 28, 2014 1:08:30 GMT
Very cool Tom, congrats!
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Post by LG Martial Arts on Aug 28, 2014 1:21:15 GMT
Cool! Good luck with your endeavor! Cramped spaces are more than a pain in the butt, they're also dangerous. I wish I had the time, $, and experience to build a shop like the one you're building and use it properly.
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TomK
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Post by TomK on Aug 28, 2014 1:30:03 GMT
I don't have the time or the money either but to heck with that, I'm making it happen anyway.
there's no substitute for proper work space.
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Sean (Shadowhowler)
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Aug 28, 2014 3:04:44 GMT
Dude... this may come off as condescending... but I promise you, its not meant that way. I am super proud of you. I think a lot of us would like to do something like this... but we come up with excuses... 'I can't afford it. I don't have the space. I don't have the time.' You are DOING it... and that is awesome. I call dibs on your first sellable sword... I want to be the first to review your work when it is ready. Awesome job Chief.
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TomK
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Post by TomK on Aug 28, 2014 3:35:20 GMT
Sean, far from condescending, I find your pride and confidence supremely flattering and I will work hard to be worthy of it.
let's not put the cart in front of the horse though, I've still got a LOT of work ahead of me before I'm making swords with everything I really need. true, I'm off to a good start, but a good start is still a failure if it doesn't turn into a good finish. the chief has spoken.
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Post by Arwyn on Aug 28, 2014 4:12:27 GMT
Congrats Tom, and good luck! Looking forward to seeing the end result!
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Post by Madmartigen on Aug 28, 2014 4:50:05 GMT
Yup, best of luck there! Now if I only had cash for an ATrim... Almost would sell a liver for a XIIa.
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TomK
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Post by TomK on Aug 28, 2014 20:53:23 GMT
Oh yes, yes that's good! Ok so I have to wait a week before I can put weight on it. Gotta find the source of that conduit and wire and remove it. Work work work. Yay!
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Post by Gakuseinozen on Aug 28, 2014 22:20:15 GMT
On what scale do you plan on producing swords?
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TomK
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Post by TomK on Aug 29, 2014 0:29:20 GMT
One at a time as my busy life allows. will not be competing with any production house.
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Post by Dapper Blades on Sept 2, 2014 15:59:03 GMT
Super jealous. Closest thing I ever had to this was setting up a tiny knife forge in the sculpture studio at college. Right now all I've got is a workbench in a garage. Someday, though, I'd like a space like the one you're building.
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TomK
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Post by TomK on Sept 2, 2014 16:08:46 GMT
thanks Dapper. I just couldn't stand not having a decent work space anymore. I've been collecting bits and pieces of the equipment I need to set up a nice forge shop and I need a place for them, but mostly I'm doing it because I've always wanted it and by golly I'm gonna have it. hopefully my roof raising ATrim sale goes well and I raise the money I need for the rest of the shop. that thread below: www.sword-forum.com//viewtopic.php?f=36&t=22948
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Post by brotherbanzai on Sept 3, 2014 0:48:15 GMT
Nice, already moving along with the slab done. Off to check out your blade sale now.
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Post by WEWolf on Sept 3, 2014 7:54:01 GMT
This is great to see, I wish you many happy hours in your shop!
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