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  1. billyO

    What's going on in your shop?

    Thanks, Alden. I can't wait to use it. (I finished it a day before taking a 3 week leave from the shop).
  2. billyO

    What's going on in your shop?

    Finished the new clamshell ribbon burner forge for the shop... And now that that's finished...my first completed knife in over a year... 8" crushed-w's chef's knife for my brother
  3. billyO

    Insboard cutting

    I've used a utility knife, aka box-cutter. I suppose you could just coat it with some ITC-100 or other ceramic coating. If the Insboard was on the floor, or if you think it'll get abused by putting steel in and out, I'd use some refractory for extra protection. But if only on the...
  4. billyO

    Peter Wright anvil value?

    Not sure I'd use the word "grinding", but yeah. I'd use a flap wheel (not a grinding disc) on an angle grinder just to soften the sharp corners. Like Doug said, you don't want to grind through the hardened face, so having a machined flat surface is not necessarily the goal here.
  5. billyO

    Peter Wright anvil value?

    It's a decent size, so there might be plenty of good, usable face and edges after dressing.
  6. billyO

    Peter Wright anvil value?

    Good morning, Haines. Not enough info (pictures or rebound information) to answer your question. Kinda like taking a picture of the hood ornament and asking how much the car is worth.
  7. billyO

    I hate making sheaths!

    This is completely dependent on who you ask. While I haven't done a survey, I'd wager that some will say yes, it's less desirable, but most won't care. But if it were truly looked on as "less desirable", then less makers (well-known or not) would do it.
  8. billyO

    Maple burl blocks

    If they are unstabilized, then it's a reasonable price, IMO.
  9. billyO

    How do you get consistent thickness behind the edge on the grinder?

    In general, keeping your extremities as close to the body and minimizing the joints that move is proper ergonomics and good practice when using any tool (or doing most functional activities outside of athletics, says the ex-physical therapist with 12 years of occupational rehab experience)...
  10. billyO

    Maple burl blocks

    $35 ea or $35 for all three?
  11. billyO

    Next silly question. Post vise stand.

    If you have a metal scrap yard within driving distance you'll find something there. A manhole cover, a piece of schedule 80 pipe and a top plate is all you need. Our local one often has a pile of manhole covers or other plate steel that would be ideal.
  12. billyO

    Letting folks know of a 250# power hammer available for sale in the PNW

    Hello all, I wasn't sure if this goes here or the for sale section, but seeing as how I'm not selling it, only trying to let folks know it's available, I thought I'd start here. (Moderators, feel free to move if inappropriate.) One of my best friends, mentor and well-known blacksmith up here...
  13. billyO

    15N20 to 10** ratio for damascus

    As indicated above, it depends on what you want the final product to look like, but it's not quite as simple as that (as with most things in blacksmithing). There are a few things to consider if you are trying to control the final outcome. One of the main things you need to consider is that...
  14. billyO

    Book Recommendations

    Do a google search for your local blacksmith organization. A lot of knifemakers are also blacksmiths.
  15. billyO

    Mosaic Damascus folder w/ inlays

    Yeah, that's gorgeous! Nicely done.
  16. billyO

    Anvil mounting height

    I set my height to keep the stock flat on the anvil when holding it between my legs. Basically about knuckle height.
  17. billyO

    I am still waiting for my Jen-Ken VAB 16

    This will depend on how many knives you are planning on doing at one time. If you are going to do batches, you will need to account for the fact that the quench medium will get warmer with each blade you quench. IIRC, Parks 50 works best at room temp up to ~150F. So when doing multiple...
  18. billyO

    I am still waiting for my Jen-Ken VAB 16

    My 5 gallons of Parks50 came in a metal 5 gallon can, perfect for quenching my kitchen knives. No you don't need specific tongs, just something other than your fingers. Not really. Quench mediums (oils) are rated by the speed of cooling. Different steels require different cooling rates...
  19. billyO

    Calculating steel

    I believe he's referring to the scientific wild ass guess...
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