jerry@walt.cc.utexas.edu (07/15/90)
I'm look for a SCA group in the Austin area. I suspect that there is
such, and am interested in joining. One thing I haven't heard, that is
what does it cost to join(i.e. membership fee), I realize that armor for
SCA combat, and costumes, and other period interests would be something
that you would have to tend to yourself.
I'm also interested in discusing Sword and Armor making, specifically
period items. I'm not considering using only period tools(I gasp at the
thought!), but the end product should be identical to one made in a period
fashion. I'm also still trying to find an anvil for my forge. Rail road
track works, but it is not really wide enough for some things. If anyone
within 100 miles of Austin has one they by chance want to unload, let me
know...(I've checked on new ones, i.e. $72 for a new 25 pounder, that
I'm pretty sure would be way to small. I've already spent quite a lot
on just getting my forge working. I still haven't figured out how to
keep the ash from clogging my air intakes. I',m thinking about making
a modified version, that uses a bar bee q grill(grill) for a grating,
then putting lava rocks(pumic) on top to help keep the heat down, and
putting my charcoal on top of that. I'm a bit worried that the grill
might sag and metal under the heat(not much weight on it, but a lot of
heat). Anyone know where to get charcoal logs? All I can find is the
stuff for the outdoor grills, and I think large pieces might work better.
Anyone out there even doing this kind of work?
From: jerry@walt.cc.utexas.edu (Jerry Porter)
Path: walt.cc.utexas.edu!jerry
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca,trial.metalworking
Subject: Looking for SCA in Austin, Tx.
Expires:
References:
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Reply-To: jerry@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Jerry Porter)
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Distribution: world
Organization: The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
Keywords: SCA, Swords, Armory
I'm look for a SCA group in the Austin area. I suspect that there is
such, and am interested in joining. One thing I haven't heard, that is
what does it cost to join(i.e. membership fee), I realize that armor for
SCA combat, and costumes, and other period interests would be something
that you would have to tend to yourself.
I'm also interested in discusing Sword and Armor making, specifically
period items. I'm not considering using only period tools(I gasp at the
thought!), but the end product should be identical to one made in a period
fashion. I'm also still trying to find an anvil for my forge. Rail road
track works, but it is not really wide enough for some things. If anyone
within 100 miles of Austin has one they by chance want to unload, let me
know...(I've checked on new ones, i.e. $72 for a new 25 pounder, that
I'm pretty sure would be way to small. I've already spent quite a lot
on just getting my forge working. I still haven't figured out how to
keep the ash from clogging my air intakes. I',m thinking about making
a modified version, that uses a bar bee q grill(grill) for a grating,
then putting lava rocks(pumic) on top to help keep the heat down, and
putting my charcoal on top of that. I'm a bit worried that the grill
might sag and metal under the heat(not much weight on it, but a lot of
heat). Anyone know where to get charcoal logs? All I can find is the
stuff for the outdoor grills, and I think large pieces might work better.
Anyone out there even doing this kind of work?
Jerry Porter AKA Bass Wastelan | Disclaimer, we don't need no stinkn'
Star's End 512-255-1030 2400baud | disclaimers.
jerry@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu |
--------------------------------------| |---------------------------|
I LIKE it. | | All roads lead to Trantor.|legowik@cme.nist.gov (Steven Legowik) (07/20/90)
I'm in the SCA up in Maryland so I cant offer much help along those lines. However, I have been doing blacksmithing as a hobby for the last two years and maybe I can offer some advice along those lines. If you are looking for an anvil, find a blacksmith. You can probably find one in the local Yellow Pages. (If only finding the SCA was that easy :-) Blacksmiths tend to be packrats. Sometimes they have 2 or 3 anvils or vises laying around their shop waiting till they find a use for them. Since they deal with such things for a living, they will probably cruise the local flea markets and auctions looking for just that kind of thing. They are also a great source for information about other tools and supplies of the trade. For example, blacksmithing coal. You dont want to be using the charcoal that is produced for cooking over. A good part of cooking charcoal is clay, used to form it into those cute little briquets. That produces a cruddy fire. Try to find coal or _real_ charcoal. I personally prefer coal over charcoal. I think it last longer and burns hotter. However you can make your own charcoal if you have a plentiful supply of wood and the facilities to reduce it to charcoal. I know a professional blacksmith that does all his work using charcoal, but he has 27 acres of forest land to supply his wood. I dont understand your problem with clogged air intakes. I would think the air intake of any blower you are using wouldn't be near where all the ash is produced. The grating on your forge shouldn't get so hot that it melts. Remember that heat rises, and you are blowing all that air through the grate. This tend to keep it from getting excessively hot. The grate on my first forge was made of 1/4 inch iron bars. got to go now...
xm50@sdcc12.ucsd.edu (don bowmen) (07/21/90)
I have several old gas engines (<1915) and need information on metal prep for painting. I have used sand blasting before on car parts but I am reluctant to use sand on internal engine parts. I also have a cast iron joiner needing cleaning and painting. Here I am concerned about the machined surfaces. I would like opinions and coments about sand blasting, navel jelly, chemical dips, and any other sugesstions. DonB