Very nice job on the metal work. Does the metal twisting jig do square stock. I'm also starting to build a propane forge for my smaller work. I use coal now but I bend thicker metal for my benches and arbors and coal works great for that since some pieces are long with large bends.
Do you have a blacksmith's vice. I looked for about 5 years for a used anvil and bought a very good one 225# for $5 yes $5.

blacksmithman:

Yes, it will do square stock. It will hold up to 1.5" square, but bending stock that thick is another matter. I've used it to twist 3/4" square, and it was tough but doable. What I've done is make inserts for common size stock, like 1/2". That way you can just put the inserts in and slide your stock through and twist away. For uncommon sizes I just tighten the hex bolts down to get a grip.

I'm looking forward to the propane forge, it will be awesome to have that capability. The body will be 12" ID pipe (5/16" wall) about 24" long. It will be lined with Kasto-Lite refractory cement, about 2" thick giving us an 8" diameter working area. It will be heated with a two burner set up with a small blower. I'm gather materials right now, so if you're farther along and can post any pics we'd appreciate it.

225# for $5! Wow! I doubt we find a deal that good. The problem I'm having is when you call about an anvil and the guy says it's huge.......and after more questions you figure out it is about 50#, and that's when you can find one that's not cast iron. So we're still searching. EBay has quite a few, but there ususally in the Northeast or Midwest which is real haul for us to pick up, and shipping gets expensive quick.

BS vise, yes, my folks have an antique shop and we got a good one, about 5" jaw, spring intact, threads good. I see those on eBay as well.

David

Wish that I could find a good anvil too, and thinking about making a coal forge kinda in the back of my mind. Meanwhile I am mickey mouseing it with a bit chunck of half inch thick I beam that I have adapted, got a # 4 tip for my cutting torch and all that I have tried so far is 5/8ths rod. I made a hole in the I beam, put some three quarter inch O.D. pipe below it with a pin thru it to act as a depth guage to get uniform depth. The guy at the welding supply place said just be sure and not hit the oxy lever when you have the rod cherry red, it will "go away in a hurry with that tip on there (made to cut 4" metal) ! So far that has worked out pretty good. I can make the first bend by hand with gloves on, then slip a short piece of pipe on it for a cheater and curl it back over for the second bend. I have since welded some funny looking vice grips to the retainer to hold the bar in place for the second bend which helps clip it down and hold it steady "while the iron is hot". I was thinking today about how to twist a piece of strap 3/8ths thick 90*. Thought about putting it in a vice, heat it and taking a big crescent wrench to it, but another idea occured and I did not need the twisted part. Here is what I have I think that it weighs about 80 pounds and have not needed to bolt it down yet.
Bill P.

David,

Very nice work, by you both.
But that twister and the piece in it are really great!!!

Joe

Thanks for the kind words everybody! We use the twister mainly for pickets in gates and railings, though what shown in the picture is 1/4"x1" bar stock that was used as part of another project.

David

Thanks for sharing these - Very cool. I really like the twister. I would like to make one sometime, if I time and talent would permit.

Kurt

That's great that the 2 of you can work together on your projects and create such nice pieces.