Thread: Sure is quiet. How about some small tools to look at?

I don't have any small tools but here's a really big one

Look good Schoo !!! ....I'm impressed by anyone who even attempts hardening and tempering

How's the blade held in that small router ....just tension ?

Good stuff Schtoo. Some impressive metalworking.

Originally Posted by Gumby

I don't have any small tools but here's a really big one

yeah but the NSW version is far more dangerous cause he actually believes in his own hype.


nice way to pass the time Schtoo, lookin good

Uhh, no. No tension.

That little knob on the back is the screw that locks the blade in place. Just a wooden ball (I went the easy route and bought a small bag of small wooden balls. You could use and small bag of balls you might find though I guess...), drilled a 4mm hole through it, tapped it to 5mm, countersunk the back and stuck in the approriate 5mm stainless screw, epoxied in there for good measure. I left the screw head open, just in case it decides to be a little tight, as that knob is also a good place to push it from. Just as well, because when I went to adjust it today, it had locked up. No problem, just grabbed a drewscriver and undid it.

Hardening and tempering is actually pretty easy, provided you go about it the right way. On that blade in there, it's a 3/8" rod with a bend in it. To harden, apply heat just behind the blades tip, so as not to burn the tip itself. Burn it and it's dead. Get it to a nice cherry red then I dunk it in a bucket of water. Back to the sandpaper to get a nice clean and polished area around the blade, then apply heat on the body of the blade, well back from the tip. If you are careful and don't rush it, the oxide colours should slowly creep up toward the tip. I usually quench it as soon as it turns at the tip for something that isn't going to be abused like this or a knife. Scribers a little more colour. Burnishers I don't temper at all, and I quench in brine.

Just a little practise is all that's needed really. And it's cheap! There's under $5 of materials locked up in that router plane, and less than $2 in the knife.

I do have a plan for another router plane in the future. A much nicer one. An aluminium bronze casting seems to be the leader right now.


Gumby, I live here now, but I used to live there. Do I need to spell out why I am staying here for now?

And now, I don't even have to vote for them anymore! At least I don't encourage the tools anymore...

Originally Posted by Schtoo

Uhh, no. No tension.

That little knob on the back is the screw that locks the blade in place. Just a wooden ball (I went the easy route and bought a small bag of small wooden balls. You could use and small bag of balls you might find though I guess...), drilled a 4mm hole through it, tapped it to 5mm, countersunk the back and stuck in the approriate 5mm stainless screw, epoxied in there for good measure. I left the screw head open, just in case it decides to be a little tight, as that knob is also a good place to push it from. Just as well, because when I went to adjust it today, it had locked up. No problem, just grabbed a drewscriver and undid it.
.

yeh...I guessed that was what the knob was ,but what confused me was that slot cut at front.....I figured any tightening would be done across that.......anyway thats the way I tend to do it with the marking gauges I make.

As easy as you say harding and tempering is ...gota say .....still impressed.... I can learn a lot from you on this I can tell..... I'll try and pick at your brain when your not looking .......

What do you use for a heat source ?..I bought recently a little MAPP gas type torch (those used for brazing) just for doing a little plumbing around the house......for small jobs I'm guessing I'll be able to temper with it, but probably not harden..... guessing big time.......you could probably put me straight.......what do you use ? .....Have you made up your own forge ?

What do you use for a heat source ?..I bought recently a little MAPP gas type torch (those used for brazing) just for doing a little plumbing around the house......for small jobs I'm guessing I'll be able to temper with it, but probably not harden..... guessing big time.......you could probably put me straight.......what do you use ? .....Have you made up your own forge ?

Apricotripper

The link below has details of a small forge made from a coffee can

http://www.paragoncode.com/shop/micro_forge/

He talks about ceramic blanket for a insulator, not sure how easy that is to get. I was going to try lining one with fire clay (available from potters supplies) when and if I ever get around to it.

John

John

I can't find MAPP gas here, so I get to use propane.

For small stuff, it works ok. Anything bigger than those blades though, and either oxy or a proper forge would be best. Anything like a plane blade demands something that is hot over a wide area, and oxy probably isn't going to be right for that.

Soon enough, I will probably make up a small forge. I have a spare hair dryer that will be happy enough as the air source, and charcoal is cheap and plentiful here as fuel. Simple and effective.

That slot in the front isn't a slot. It's a join in two pieces of steel I didn't bother to grind flush. I considered it, but I figure it might be of some help aligning the blade or the tool to the work. Maybe not, but I am not a real stickler for looks on tools. Just as long as it works, I am happy.

And the router works like a champ! Gave it it's first test fang yesterday and it doesn't do anything besides cut smoothly. I was surprised by how little tear out there was with a light cut. Very nice.

Originally Posted by JTonks

Apricotripper

The link below has details of a small forge made from a coffee can

http://www.paragoncode.com/shop/micro_forge/

He talks about ceramic blanket for a insulator, not sure how easy that is to get. I was going to try lining one with fire clay (available from potters supplies) when and if I ever get around to it.

John

John

Thanks John. Great idea. Suitable for my little shop too. Already have the torch, so I'm going to give it a go.

From Schoo....
'Maybe not, but I am not a real stickler for looks on tools. Just as long as it works, I am happy'

you and me both by the sound of it.......some of the tools I've made are pretty primitive in the looks department.......what I do to hand planes probably makes poor Mr. Stanley turn in his grave......but , WHO CARES eh ? as long as it works.... I have a couple of planes that I'd argue are as good as if not better than 'performance' production planes that cost hundreds. And I've just put them together using all sorts of parts, some of which I can't identify.......yet it doesn't matter as long as they give results.....

Anyway congrats on the router......better go........seeya.

Originally Posted by Gumby

I don't have any small tools but here's a really big one

All the idjit pollies to choose from, and you managed to pick the only one who's wife is an avid woodworker!

Originally Posted by Groggy

All the idjit pollies to choose from, and you managed to pick the only one who's wife is an avid woodworker!

Lucky her, tools in the shed and another in the house

Originally Posted by Gumby

Lucky her, tools in the shed and another in the house

Lucky her all right - imagine the tools she could buy on his wage!

I'll elaborate a little since someone asked.

Last year there was an article about her in the Age, she built a (quite passable) table at Get woodworking in Williamstown. I bumped into her and hubby last Dec at the airport (Virgin airlines) and chatted to her about it. Hubby was ignored and we talked tables for 10 - 15 mins.

Originally Posted by JTonks

The link below has details of a small forge made from a coffee can

http://www.paragoncode.com/shop/micro_forge/

He talks about ceramic blanket for a insulator, not sure how easy that is to get. I was going to try lining one with fire clay (available from potters supplies) when and if I ever get around to it.

Sure puts mine to shame. But mine's cheaper to build!

Just an old holden wheel rim lined with any old clay that comes to hand; when the clay bakes and falls out, I just pack in some more. Got a vacuum blowing thru the centre to provide draft and use ordinary BBQ charcoal/beads as a fuel.

Works like a charm, made a few swords for the kids and, ermmm... "bigger" kids, from old leaf springs. Wouldn't want to try to fish small parts out of it though.