When riveting a latch, put a business card
between the latch and the back plate. Draw
the rivet up tight, then burn out the
business card. This leaves the latch free
and the rivet tight.
--Phil Heath (from newsletter of March/April
2007)--
When fitting a new handle put a smear of
silicon a round the inside of the eye, this
helps the handle slide in and holds firm. I
fit the wedge dry.
--Phil Heath (from newsletter of May/June
2007)--
Put a mesh basket in the slack tub so when
you drop that little bit in their you just
pull out the basket and their it is.
--Phil Heath (from newsletter of
July/August 2007)--
When you have an inspiration for an iron-art
item, make a rough sketch to preserve the
idea.
--Phil Heath (from newsletter of Sept/Oct
2007)--
Working Small Pieces of Metal in the Forge
Bringing small pieces of steel up to
temperature in the coke-fired forgecan be a
real challenge. It is very easy to burn up
the pieces or to loose them and have
difficulty in extracting them before they do
burn away. One method that I find useful is
to place the pieces in an old metal can like
a bean can and slowly bring the fire up
until the pieces reach the desired
color/temperature.
Extracting them from the can is much easier
than from a bed of hot coals.
On the subject of courtesy to your fellow
forge users, it has been observed that
recently the coal barrel has been allowed to
become empty without notifying the shop
master. The telephone number that can be
used to report problems at the forge is
posted in the shop area. Please use this
number so that others will not be
inconvenienced in this way.
--Phil Heath (from newsletter of Nov/Dec
2007)--
If when upsetting a bar it begins to bend,
it must be straightened as any other blows
will not have as much effect.
--Phil Heath (from newsletter of Jan/Feb
2008)--
Use your anvil as a tape measure. Use the
distance from the horn to face, face to
hardy hole, hardy hole to side etc to
measure your piece.
--Phil Heath (from newsletter of May/June
2008)--
To keep cool in this heat, I wrap a wet
towel around my neck it makes a big
difference.
