Fredeen Blades

Hey Graham

Hope all is well. Sorry havn't posted for  a while, been bussy with my power hammer. It's based on a the 25# little giant and the Tire hammer, Will post picks next week. Was really not that difficult to build and the cost was low. Make life a lot easier. Have posted a pick of  my damascus blade. Still need to gat better on the finer details. This knife was a swap for a 180# anvil.http://i819.photobucket.com/albums/zz112/nkwana/Damascus2-2.jpg%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22Photobucket%22%3E%3C/a%3E" />

Seeem to be having a problem with photo bucket - -will try again later

Hey Tim,

Good to hear from you again!

Look forward to seeing what the knife looks like when you can get the photo bucket issues sorted.

The 180 lb anvil for knife sounds like a good deal too. If you get a chance, throw in a pic of it as well. I've been on the hunt for a bigger and better anvil than the one I've got for a few years now, and still haven't had any luck. I've seen a few great deals slip through my fingers by being a day (or even an hour) late. Someday though...

Also look forward to seeing that tire hammer. I've thought about building one, but don't currently have the space. I'll be upgrading to a better shop here within the next 6 months or so, and when that happens, I'll have the space (and power hook ups) to do some much needed equipment upgrades. I think I've decided on getting a large self contained air hammer some day, instead of going with the build it yourself type. The power and working capabilities of those big self contained units is impressive, to say the least (150 lb hammer going at 200 beats per minute). That or I'll build an air hammer and buy a chunky air compressor for it.

Here's what I picked up recently for $50

Its a nice big 6" bore hydraulic cylinder which will be for a nice big hydraulic press. Should make about 42 tons all said and done. I'll be accumulating the other required components over the next few months, and then once I get into a new shop, I'll do the build.

Hi Graham

yhea, been busy for the last couple of months, money and time has been scarce, but the orders are starting to come in and it looks as if this year might be the start of something good. I made a mistake with the anvil, it's 250#'s and not 180#'s. I will be swapping it for a 180 # soon that is in imaculate condition. Problem is I can't move the bloody 250# one, so where it sits, it sits!! My power hammer worked out to be 40# with 250-300 beats per minute using a 1800rpm 1hp motor. It hits hard and fast and i just finished a knife forged from 1" spring steel. The blade and tang took four heats and 15 minutes to shape instead of the usual 1-2 hrs. I have also just finished my belt grinder (today) so can now use the belts I ordered and get the best possible finish, wich will be a lot better than previous. I agree that the air hammer is better, but to justify the cost i would have to make and sell 300 damascus blades a day for the next five years, that's how expensive it is to get them here, so nessesity is really the mother of invention in my case. If you go to a site called artistblacksmith.com you will find a complete book for sale on how to build an air hammer and I beleive it's a good one.  I like the hydraulic cylinder you picked up, salvage yards is where i get about everything i use to make my tools - i visit about three every two days and picked up another blacksmith vice yesterday for about $10. I have just done my web page and will be posting all my pics there cos photo bucket is still problematic (http://tasfireandforge.webs.com/) will be posting pics of the shop and tool buidls tomorrow. 

Hey Tim.

Good work on the website. I also appreciate the link back here.

A 250lb anvil would be nice, so would a 180 lber (I've got a 140 lb, in less than ideal condition). I'd probably want to keep the 250, and then buy the 180 lb on top of that, if you could wing it.

The tire hammer sounds great. If I were to build a mechanical hammer, that's probably the design I'd go with.

For my uses, a nice hydraulic press will be more than sufficient in the "short term." Someday, when I build a super nice shop, I'll probably buy one of the self contained beastly air hammers. They are hard to touch in terms of control and working power. I'm not even sure if I could build an air hammer for too much less than what one of those big self contained units go for (when you start factoring in the cost of a big powerful air compressor to power it, etc.). I know I can get a big 150lb Say Mak, for about $10k, and the Anyang varities are less expensive than that, probably by a couple of thousand.

Thats for down the road though. I'll be more than happy when I get my press done. It will out work any hammer up to some of those big self contained hammers (in terms of drawing power).

Looks like you're making good progress with your knives, and keep stepping up your game. I also like your other artist blacksmith wares, they look good as well. Keep at it! 

Have a good one,

Graham

Thanks, will get there someday. Did you get my email withe the pics? will be posting my latest knife on the webpage tonight.

Yep Tim, I got the email, looks good. You're definately getting the damascus process down.