Page 1 of 5 12345 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 62
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    910

    Default Blacksmith supplies

    In the best Aussie tradition, we are starved of choice and overcharged in almost every market you can think of.

    Blacksmithing is no exception.

    I suggest that we all post here our suppliers so to have one place to check prices and availability.
    I start with one quality overseas supplier an US expatriate living in Taiwan. Check the quality and the prices!
    http://www.gstongs.com/index.html

    3451.JPGDSC00439.JPGDSC00227.JPG.w300h258.jpgnewtong.jpg3556.JPGDSC00462.JPG.w300h225.jpgDSC00471.JPG.w300h225.jpg
    “We often contradict an opinion for no other reason
    than that we do not like the tone in which it is expressed.”

    Friedrich Nietzsche


  2. # ADS
    Google Adsense Advertisement
    Join Date
    Always
    Location
    Advertising world
    Posts
    Many





     
  3. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    27,756

    Default

    Nice looking gear there Marc, did you buy those?

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    275

    Default

    I'm happy with my pairs of tongs from Gameco.
    Look at link; http://gameco.com.au/index.php/austr...als-and-tools/
    and on that page is a catalogue; http://gameco.com.au/wp-content/file...-V2.2-0814.pdf
    page 21 is where the hand tools start.
    The tongs are an alloy steel that makes the most of strength vs weight compromise. I must admit to prefer the British/Australian style of reins with the offset eye, as well.

    'Spose I should dig out the anvil maker details as well.
    A.
    'Waratah' spring hammer by Hands & Scott c.1911- 20, 'Duffy, Todd & Williams' spring hammer c.1920, Premo lathe- 1953, Premo filing machine.

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    910

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BobL View Post
    Nice looking gear there Marc, did you buy those?
    I have more gear than I will need for a while, and I discovered this guy in Taiwan only a week ago and was impressed with the quality and the low prices. I have never used a Japanese offset hammer, will have to try. Yet I am too used to the Hofi hammers.
    Yes, Gameco is a good local supplier, and so is Brisbane Blacksmith suppliers.
    http://www.brisbaneblacksmithsupplie...s_swage_blocks

    It seems that we lost one of the last if not the last Australian manufacturers of anvils, Doug Slack Foundry. I have 2 of their anvils and they are value for money. They have not closed down only stopped casting anvils. I will try to talk to the owner and see if he is willing do a batch just to keep the production going. I can always sell them on e-bay even at cost. I'll keep you posted.

    Here are two more overseas supplier of new, quality anvils. The Reffinghouse and the Nimba must be two or the best anvils manufactured today.
    http://www.blksmth.com/Refflinghaus_Anvils.htm
    http://www.nimbaanvils.com/index.php

    Talking about hammers, do yourself a favour and buy one of this hammers. You will not regret it. Big Blue use to manufacture exclusively for Uri Hofi, but is now selling them directly. They also make air hammers, but unfortunately this are the one that need a separate air supply. Not a good choice in my view, running a monster compressor just for the hammer is not my cup of coffee.
    http://bigbluhammer.com/hand-tools/

    Why do I promote overseas suppliers? Simple, we hardly have anyone here willing to provide stock, quality and price. Reasons? too many to debate and we are way over the argument that if we buy overseas the local supplier will perish. The local supplier has had 100 years of ripping us off systematically, since the times agri machinery was imported from England and doubled the price as it was offloaded from the ship during the last century. It is only now with the internet that we get to see how badly we have been treated. And ... I am soo over the habit of local suppliers of everything hiding the price, you have to call them or ask for a quote. Why? What is there to hide? Most overseas suppliers have the price list there for you to see. Is the Australian price according to the face of the customer?

    If anyone wants to buy something heavy from O/S and if the supplier is unwilling to ship or is too dear, check any local freight forwarder for a quote. Freight forwarders have agents all over the world and they will pick up at the sellers depo, do all the paperwork and ship to your local port or even to your door if you so want. I use IBC Pacific but you can try anyone else, it is a very competitive market and prices are rock bottom, it is not even worth your while to try to do it yourself.

    Good hunting
    “We often contradict an opinion for no other reason
    than that we do not like the tone in which it is expressed.”

    Friedrich Nietzsche


  6. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    3,277

    Default

    I'm curious as to how many people are buying their hammers and tongs rather than forging their own???
    …..Live a Quiet Life & Work with your Hands

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    910

    Default

    To me making tools I can buy for $30 or $40 is not a consideration but each one to his own. I was hoping to compile a list of suppliers that can help others and also help me. Can we list our iron/steel suppliers? Coke/coal, anyone know where to buy T profile in smaller sizes, Air hammer, filing machine, cold saw ... anyway all that stuff ...So, talking about cold saw ... After searching diligently for second hand cold saw and finding nothing under $1000 for old beaten up stuff or 3-4000 second hand Brobo, I took a gamble and bought a Taiwanese machine from Hafco, http://www.machineryhouse.com.au/S816 Best money I have ever spent, what a pleasure to cut with precision repetition cuts, mitre, angles, no horrid grinding noise, just that slicing sound of sharp steel and coolant.
    “We often contradict an opinion for no other reason
    than that we do not like the tone in which it is expressed.”

    Friedrich Nietzsche


  8. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    3,277

    Default

    I'd like to know where I can buy a decent heavy wire brush for removing scale while the steel is hot?? The large timber backed ones with a handle.

    So far I mostly use scrap steel, cat & truck axles, springs. Most mechanics will give them to you happily in my experience. It is my understanding the the last Australian coke producer closed down earlier this year. Therefore coke is no longer readily available and the last of it being carefully hoarded.
    …..Live a Quiet Life & Work with your Hands

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    275

    Default An anvil maker

    In July 2013 Precision Patterns and Castings (in Alexandria, NSW) offered three sizes; 35, 100, 200kg. Cast in 4140, hardened & tempered.
    Next I'm trying to find the contact for an SA guy also doing 4140 cast anvils.

    ciao,
    AndrewOC
    'Waratah' spring hammer by Hands & Scott c.1911- 20, 'Duffy, Todd & Williams' spring hammer c.1920, Premo lathe- 1953, Premo filing machine.

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    275

    Default next anvil maker- Australia

    Ok found something.
    'Adam Cooper' of Adelaide was building an order for cast 4140 anvils via Facebook > Australian Blacksmiths, Bladesmiths and Knifemakers Network >
    Sept 2 this year.

    Also came across flyer for cast steel anvils in 'Keech Alloy', All Tool Engineering, 0402 045 700.
    [possibly the same guy?]
    Happy shoppin!
    AndrewOC
    'Waratah' spring hammer by Hands & Scott c.1911- 20, 'Duffy, Todd & Williams' spring hammer c.1920, Premo lathe- 1953, Premo filing machine.

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    910

    Default

    If you are like me and you use the oxy torch only occasionally for heating small parts like a leaf, and are tired of paying fees for the cylinder hire, here is a hint.
    You can buy your own oxygen tank just like you can buy your own argon tank, however no one offers this for acetylene and Bunnings deal is lousy, soooo ... how about buying an oxygen tank and use an LPG bottle instead of acetylene? I will need to swap my tips, maybe not that good for welding, but more than adequate for heating.
    “We often contradict an opinion for no other reason
    than that we do not like the tone in which it is expressed.”

    Friedrich Nietzsche


  12. #11
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    910

    Default

    http://precisionpatterns.webs.com/contact-us

    Precision patterns is still making anvils. I asked for photos and sizes available.
    When I get a reply will post here.
    “We often contradict an opinion for no other reason
    than that we do not like the tone in which it is expressed.”

    Friedrich Nietzsche


  13. #12
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    3,277

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Marc View Post
    http://precisionpatterns.webs.com/contact-us

    Precision patterns is still making anvils. I asked for photos and sizes available.
    When I get a reply will post here.
    200kg, 100kg, 35kg's, 7 kg's Anvil's or can custom make to order
    Precisionpatterns Anvil's.jpg

    I'm pretty sure the top one says BK Sydney.
    …..Live a Quiet Life & Work with your Hands

  14. #13
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    910

    Default

    are they the precision pattern make?
    Ugly looking things...
    “We often contradict an opinion for no other reason
    than that we do not like the tone in which it is expressed.”

    Friedrich Nietzsche


  15. #14
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    3,277

    Default

    Yep from their website one of the pages in one of the galleries. They look pretty shody. From the look of the lumps in the sides my guess is they were cast from real anvils as a pattern and had the logos curt out of the moulds.
    …..Live a Quiet Life & Work with your Hands

  16. #15
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    275

    Default 'nother anvi supplier to investigate

    Hi folks.

    Another Australian anvil supplier has come to my attention.
    http://watersidemetalart.org/

    As with the two Sydney companies above, I haven't used the product- so can't vouch for them in any way. I merely list these as starting point for investigation.

    Enjoy!
    AndrewOC
    'Waratah' spring hammer by Hands & Scott c.1911- 20, 'Duffy, Todd & Williams' spring hammer c.1920, Premo lathe- 1953, Premo filing machine.

Page 1 of 5 12345 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Timbertown Blacksmith
    By Big Shed in forum THE SMITHY
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 14th May 2014, 08:15 PM
  2. The Blacksmith's tools
    By Marc in forum THE SMITHY
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 6th August 2013, 10:35 PM
  3. A Finnish blacksmith
    By Woodwould in forum NOTHING AT ALL TO DO WITH WOODWORK
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 9th December 2011, 06:42 AM
  4. QLD Blacksmith course/shop/centre
    By Clinton1 in forum THE SMITHY
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 28th September 2005, 11:30 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •