Made my self some new tools

[neil oshea]

After reading a few threads on this site lately, I have decided that I'm not just a big wimp but that I needed some blocking hammers to get some decent shape into sheet steel instead of wooden mallets.

I would be the first to admit that I am no great machinist and I haven't got a clue about all the different grades of steel stock so I just grabbed a couple of chunks of suitably sized round stock off of the shelf and started carving !!!

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After cutting to shape on the lathe I polished the ends, case hardened them with Kasenit, re polished and painted. I have no idea how long they will last but they seem to work great and I am pleased with them.

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Whilst in tool making mode I finally got round to making some slappers. The larger one is made from a pretty heafty leaf spring ( probably a little too heavy - but I can always shave some weight if need be ), the smaller one started life as a farriers rasp ( still stank of toe nails !!! ). I have another leaf spring now which should be somewhere between the two weight wise.

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I also finally tracked down some rail road track. This is the smallest piece, I have another bit about 10" long which should end up nearer 8" once I have sorted each end out. I think this bit of track and the last slapper will have to wait for a bit as I am sick to death of grinding !!!!!

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[Jacob]

very nice looking set of tools there, Neil.

[kfs]

Nice tools :)

[Jim Stabe]

I'm impressed!

[jlrussell4]

They look good Neil. I used Kasenit on a slapper I made out of mild steel. It's heavy so I don't use it often, but it has held up well.

[bobadame]

Really nice work Neil. I especially like the heavy slapper. I suspect that these will be around for generations.

[Metalman Sweden]

Nice toolset! impressed!

Often the best ones is the homemade ones :D

Now let us see them in use ;);)

Take care and watch your fingers!
// Per

[Carbuilder]

I likeeee especially the long slender hammer I need one of those.

[Basscat24]

Nice work....makes me want to get to my lathe..!!:-)

[Tisdelski]

Nice job,

I have a piece of rail here and was wondering if i can cut it with my bandsaw ?? I think its hard.

Gary

[60 convert]

we cut some of it on Kerrys bandsaw at his meet and some more of it at Dan's meet I would say go for it. if you are still nervous cut the bottom side first so the hardest part is last.
Jesse

[neil oshea]

Thanks for all the great comments :D.

I also thought the rail road track was going to be difficult to cut, but my Mickey mouse bandsaw went through it no problem ( except for the depth of throat on the machine ). The biggest problem was grinding out all the pitting on the top surface. After a few hours grinding I cheated and filled the remaining pits with the tig.

[humandurk]

any chance you might make another one of those bossing hammers to sell? they seem to be stupid hard to find to buy.

[neil oshea]

Hi,

I am sure that you could find somebody local to you that could russel one up for you. There is less than an hour machining time in each head. The steel stock is bound to be much cheaper in the US than it is hear in rip off Britain and you wouldn't have the shipping costs. Plus if you have one made you can taylor it to your own needs.

Neil

[humandurk]

OOOOH!! so that's how you guys do it!! keepin the secrets from us newbs! now i got to find someone with some machines and skills!

[anders nørgaard]

OOOOH!! so that's how you guys do it!! keepin the secrets from us newbs! now i got to find someone with some machines and skills!


Hi Ryan,
Welcome to MM :)

I don't think Neil is keeping secrets from you. He's just saving your money on expensive material and OUTRAGEOUS shipping :eek: :eek: http://www.metalmeet.com/forum/images/icons/icon10.gif

Here's a link to the list of all TX members
http://www.metalmeet.com/forum/memberlist.php?do=getall

I'm sure if you ask Neil, he'll provide some dimensions of the hammer for ya! :) :cool: ;)

[ShawnMarsh]

any chance you might make another one of those bossing hammers to sell? they seem to be stupid hard to find to buy.

http://www.fournierenterprises.com/cart/product.php?productid=16185&cat=43&page=1

[-Jesse-]

Beautiful tools!!!

[humandurk]

no doubt a gorgeous tool, but that's a 130 hammer after shipping.


OH!! sorry I forgot to mention. I'm a cheapskate!

[anders nørgaard]

no doubt a gorgeous tool, but that's a 130 hammer after shipping.


OH!! sorry I forgot to mention. I'm a cheapskate!

Sure, but the site has got all the info you need in it :cool:

Specifications: Weight: 35 oz., 1-3/8" dia., Head length 5-3/4"

;););)

[humandurk]

aaaahhh!!!! I see where you're going with this!

[ShawnMarsh]

no doubt a gorgeous tool, but that's a 130 hammer after shipping.


OH!! sorry I forgot to mention. I'm a cheapskate!

I don't think you're going to find someone who can machine that for you locally for less than the cost of that hammer. If you can machine it yourself, use the specs. Otherwise, you may need to look for a baseball bat and make a mallet to use while you save your pennies. $130 is a lot of money, but for a quality tool it's very reasonable. If it saves you 3 hours in your lifetime, it more than paid for itself in time savings alone.

[Jordan]

Orrrrr, u can grind cut and weld any number of cheap heavy-ish hammers and make a fine tool cheap. if u have the machines thats one thing (I would make hundreds of body hammers) but its a bloody hammer for a shot bag...

Nice tools! Wood handles work wonders on slaps

[humandurk]

you guys are definately giving me some good food for thought... thanks!

[rhbostiga]

I saw a documentary back in the early 90's about the Russian invasion of Afghanistan and they mentioned how the Mujahadeen made replacement parts for their weapons. They would disassemble a working weapon so they could view what replacement part needed to look like, and sit down with a hunk of metal and a file, and keep filing until they had the part they needed. There is a large spectrum of machining accuracy possible. You just need to find one within your means. I too am a cheapskate.