Category Archives: Crafts

Super Quench Formula for Mild Steel

Posted on July 14, 2017 by

This is used to harden mild steel (up to 45-50 points of carbon) by rapidly quenching it. We use it for ad hoc tools. This will not work for hot cuts, as the thin edge will temper quickly and lose … Continue reading →

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Finger (Clamping) Plate

Posted on July 2, 2017 by

The next project in the book is a “finger plate”, which looks like it would be really useful for drilling holes in round stock. If you want the plans hit me up. Base Plate First I would like to say … Continue reading →

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Building a Micrometer Stand Part 2

Posted on June 26, 2017 by

Here’s the completed project. Holding Screw The instructions call for the holding screw to be machined from a piece of brass or plastic so as to not mar the micrometer. What I ended up doing as making it a steel … Continue reading →

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Building a Micrometer Stand Part 1

Posted on June 23, 2017 by

These plans were inspired by Useful Machine Shop Tools to Make for Home Shop Machinists by Stan Bray. Unfortunately the plans and instructions in that book are woefully incomplete, often missing key steps and measurements. Furthermore, they use British screw … Continue reading →

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Collars for 1/4 by 1/2 Scrolls

Posted on April 16, 2017 by

Collar material should be thinner than the metal being joined. For joining a pair of 1/4 by 1/2 scrolls, a 3/16” x 1/2” collar stock works well. If you make it out of 1/4” thick stock, it will look too … Continue reading →

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Ground vs Forged Fullers in Swords

Posted on March 21, 2017 by

The central grove, or groves, in a sword is usually referred to as a “fuller”. The reason for this is that they are normally made with a blacksmith’s fuller, a type of stamping tool, rather than by grinding away material. … Continue reading →

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Rapier Pell, Mark 1

Posted on February 16, 2017 by

The height is adjustable by loosening the two bolt. The angle is set using a pin. Eventually I want to add a metal plate for the angle pin. This will work for now, but it’s clear that will be the … Continue reading →

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