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I use an Ames model 1 handheld tester. I think I paid around $150 for a used unit on Ebay and it works very well in warmer weather. If it is below 50° in my shop, the tester loses repeatable accuracy. I just do my testing in the house if it's cold outside. I always test the standard first to...

This is not specifically related to my forge build but, I just had to show it off somewhere...my first anvil. UPS brought it today; driver was not impressed. Bob Untitled by Bob, on Flickr

Here is my disc grinder setup. I mainly use the horizontal grinder for flattening or thicknessing scale material. It is especially useful for mammoth ivory and stag. That is stag dust on everything in the photo. You can see an extra disc for the Neilson system in the lower right corner. I find...

If you want the best, you will need to make it. I bought two 3/4hp 3ph 1750rpm 56C motors with mounting foot. I bolted one to the top of my workbench and the other vertically to the face of my workbench. I wired both motors to a small box with a 3-position switch (on-off-on). The switch receives...

Thanks Bill Bob

Ok, I ordered an anvil today. I ended up going with an Emerson 100lb traditional w/o cams. I felt the 4140 would be more durable than the ductile iron in the long term. I have nothing to back this up but, the Emerson does have pretty good reviews as far as I can tell and the price was not much...

Thought I'd post a little of what I've been doing lately. The drop point is one of my EDC's featuring a 3-1/8" blade from CPM-S35VN. It has an overall length of 7-1/8" and has 416 bolsters and some really chatoyant Hawaiian Koa. I offer this knife in several different blade profiles. The folder...

Nice work Mike! What is the tortoise shell product? Bob

You will never get a .125" pin into a .110" hole. That is a fifteen thousandths difference. If you are set on a press fit you will want a reamer that measures .1245". Bob

Thanks Bruce and yes, feel free to add anything. I will get some pictures up as soon as I get organized. Ordered my regulator, hose, gauge assembly today. Did you use the quick disconnect in lieu of a ball valve shutoff? Bob

Thank you Doug, very useful stuff. I spent hours last night doing more research (the internet is so amazing!) and I'm feeling a bit more knowledgeable today. I feel like a plan is coming together. Bob

Now I haven't made a ton of folders yet but, in my opinion, getting a fit you like is going to be more of an accident than anything. There are a lot of variables and unless you have some really good equipment, you will not be able to eliminate them all. I don't like press fit personally. I might...

Not too long ago I asked about buying an Atlas Mini Forge. One thing lead to another and here I am about to build a blown forge as my first forge. I received several components from Bruce Bump and I've begun purchasing/scrounging everything else. I ordered and have received a 60cfm blower and my...

Everyone has different circumstances and many of us have different goals and reasons for making knives. I'm semi-retired but, my wife is not and she works 14-hour days. We have a small 10acre farm with horses so, I have most of the domestic and farm related chores. It can be a lot! There are...

Ok, so I am all over the map on this. I went ahead and bought the forge parts Bruce was offering so I will be making my first forge. I'm feeling a little thin on funds so now I'm back to probably going with a TFS 100lb anvil to get me started; it's half the price (with free shipping) of the...

Personally, I don't think you need the kind of accuracy that makes using a syringe necessary but, if you want to buy them in quantity and cheap, most farm supply stores sell them. Bob

I use the small plastic medicine dispensing cups that have graduations marked on the sides. You can get them at any pharmacy and they are like $5 for 200. Use it once and throw it away, easy peasy. Bob

Wow Bruce, very generous of you! You have a PM. Thanks! Bob

Thanks Ed, I certainly appreciate your input. I am definitely the kind of person who wants to know how/why everything works. I have given a lot of thought to building my own forge and I'm sure I will at some point. I just have this one problem...time! I just don't seem to have enough of it and I...

Ok, after a lot of reading I've decided that I'm going to go with the Nimba Titan and hopefully never need another anvil. I'm going to send them an email today and see what the lead times are. I am still undecided on the Atlas Mini Forge just because of the small diameter of the heating chamber...