really cheap raising stake

[richsc]

Much as I like doing metalsmithing, even small raising stakes cost hundreds of dollars: look at the price for a 12" Grobel.
However, rummaging around the scupture studio while looking for something else, I noticed an I-Beam in the scrap pile. My instructor is keen on metalsmiths getting used to making their own tools, so it occurred to me that properly cut, this would make a great raising stake for almost nothing. I've attached the sketch. It could be vise mounted or have a stake welded to it. I will shape the end on a wheel and then use compound to polish it. I'll be working this out my next class and let you know how it works. Experienced armorers seem to standardize on cutting the bottoms off gas tanks and makind those into mushroom stakes and sinking tools (though a stump with a hole works great for dishing), but I haven't seen this yet.
If you have any suggestions before I start, let me know.
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[Marcus Julius]

A few ideas you might try to get other shapes and such:

Axe heads (for rounded), or masonry chisels (for straight)

Large bearings (railroad yards or heavy crane/dozer type shops are good places to find these) or a shotput for ball stakes.

Plain round and square bar stock of varios sizes, mounted onto a stake in a 'T' shape.

a piece of railroad track for similar pieces to what you have planned there, but RR Iron will be rounded on top, giving you a different shape from your flat topped I-beam.

Railroad spikes also make good material for that stake part :wink:

You'll find that making your own will almost always be cheaper than buying them ready made. First off, these aren't the kinds of tools that are found in your everyday hardware store. Secondly, once you do find them in some mail order catalog, how much does it cost to ship a bunch of iron to where you live?

If you don't have heavy equipment repair shops, or a railroad switching yard that you can leisurely peruse through, you might try a local steel recycling center. You'll have to pay scrap price for them, but it's still cheaper than buying new, and you have the possibility of finding some actual tools that someone disposed of.

[M. Demetrius]

Could these work for some armory purposes?

Harbor Freight number 93219-0VGA

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=93219

Dimensions 6: x 4.5", 5.5 lbs. They also have a teardrop shaped one, which might work, too. 93232-4VGA

[Carolus_Linneas]

Greetings,
I thought I would post on this because I have lurked and learned quite alot so far. I have a little experience armouring and leather working in different time frames.
I have one of these:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=93219
And the tear drop one also. They are nice, and they are cheap for what you are getting. Metal that thick is generally expensive. They are a little on the soft side however, so always make sure you don't hit the stake directly with the hammer, or it will ding.

Some other ideas for scrounging good adaptable tools are heavy walled pipe, in various diameters. Railroad rail, as it hard and not too bad of a shape to begin with. Railroad tie plates, they are hard also and railroad spikes. The nice thing about spikes is they are cheap or free if you know someone who works at the RR. I don't advise picking them up along sidings or taking them out of ties, but sometimes if you ask a crew who is doing work on a siding, you can get some for free. It is somewhat cheaper than them having to haul them away. Your mileage may vary though...

I use a old pipe vice to hold the pipes on my bench. It is a cheap alternative to having to weld a post to it and it is pretty quick quick change too. I frequent local flea markets and buy old tools to adapt to fit my needs in armouring, but I also buy specific tools as needed.

Check out these websites they have alot of information to share:
http://forums.armourarchive.org/
http://www.innovationaliron.com/forum/f ... .php?fid=4
http://www.arador.com/main/index.html
http://www.metalmeet.com/
I buy some of my tools from Eric here:
http://www.ironmongerarmory.com/

Sorry to be so long for my first post, but I figured I might be able to offer some help..

[Hibernicus]

Not sure if it's mentioned in the referenced articles/threads but the teeth of earth digging equipment can be useful. Many have wide square bases.

ex: http://www.kandsspares.com/manage/images/tool.jpg

[richsc]

For raising, at least in my limited experience, you need a flatter, slightly rounded edge so that you can 'set the edge' initially, and thereafter raise the metal (always bending inwards) in rows. The long insert stake is good for that.
The others, like the football, are mushroom type stakes, great for shaping and planishing: that $15 price is outstanding. I can polish it down further.
The earth digging teeth also look great, and can be ground/polished down, but I'd like to see one physically: probably places to go examine them around DC.

[richsc]

a little experience armouring

If you do have photos of your tools, could you post them? Either as links to Photobucket or however.

[Carolus_Linneas]

Rich,
I need to take some, as I have none at present. But it shouldn't be a problem...

[Chuck Russell]

http://www.ironmongerarmory.com/index.p ... &s=hammers
http://www.ironmongerarmory.com/index.p ... s&s=blocks
http://www.ironmongerarmory.com/index.p ... s&s=stakes

i have the large and small dishing form and the small and large mushroom stakes. all work very nice

[Marcus Julius]

I'm with Chuck, Having worn two of Eric's helmets I can vouch for the quality of his work. He obviously wouldn't be able to make the quality helmets without quality tools.

[richsc]

The portable dishing forms are particularly nice: don't have to haul around a stump.

Having worn two of Eric's helmets

? Eric? Pictures?

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

I've been around every tool supplier in Aberdeen and have yet to find anything suitable! Its a real pain in the are there any links to a UK supplier of these mushrooms? :?

[sulla felix]

Byron - I bought this kit which is quite useful with all the hammers as well. Some of the dollys can easily clamp in a vice.

[url:123hb7cu]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CAR-AUTO-BODY-REPAIR-7-Pc-HAMMER-DOLLY-KIT_W0QQitemZ110217084664QQihZ001QQcategoryZ30923QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem[/url]

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Thanks for the link Sulla, that seems like a good selection. Do they have mushrooms as well? I will search when I get moretime! We are going into R.Silence.....