Holland Anvil 50 pound Swage Block

[@xFalconFixer]

Great work; you make projects seem simple. As always, thank you for sharing your knowledge and skills.

[@johnjude2685]

That 2 in double handed chisel is a perfect project, something I need Thanks, John Switzer

[@PuissantPike]

The forged band on the stand looks great! I appreciate the idea of saying "well I'll probably buy all three of these eventually" and sizing the stand accordingly. There's always another tool! Might as well plan ahead.

[@xFalconFixer]

@@PuissantPike I also liked that John explained the additional measurements if we wanted the crisp corners. That is a valuable tip coming from his decades of experience.

[@ga5743]

Oh how sweet…this Holland Swage block has been on my wish for some time now, and as they say “ one of these days” Love this small shop series John. Thanks for all the tips. Enjoy our day.

[@chewyakarieckenicholas6049]

I'm really looking forward to seeing what the hand tool shop is going to look like when you get it fully set up

[@user-br3ou2cs9o]

I like the simple yet pleasing aesthetic value of the half-lap and rivets.👍🏻😎

[@scrappyddz]

I love your frequent and unrelenting reminders of wear your safety glasses =) When I started this 'hobby' I rarely wore them, because I'm impatient (read: dumb), but then I got a fleck of hot metal in my eye, no damage to the eye, but it hurt like heck and got inflamed and irritated for a few days, was awful. I wear my safety glasses much more religiously now.

[@frankgaletzka8477]

Hello John Thank you for the Video. This other Shop is a fine Projekt. I wish you and Jannet a good week. Yours Frank Galetzka

[@spudhut2246]

Wonderful upgrade and thanks for featuring the swage block.

[@HisWayHomestead]

Great… now I want a swage block 🤪. Great video John!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

[@potsy9973]

Very nice arsenal of grinding tools so far Blacksmith. I must get one of those mini Milwaukee die grinders to with my angle grinder and belt system. Videos like these never cease to further inspire also motivate on those "I'm not feeling it today" days. As always thanks Blacksmith.

[@douglasfathers4848]

The forged band made all the difference John , Cheers .⚒👍🤠

[@slomkaadas9603]

I love videos like this. Thx for upload! Cheers from Poland

[@BlackBearForge]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@AFGaskillJr]

I have had dealing with both Hobie and Greg Holland and My interactions with both have been nothing but, Very Positive , I use and enjoy using their products and I am sure my offspring will be using them for generations to come . I have Almost every swage block they make all the drifts they make and one their anvils , Holland started working with me back when I didn't have a lot of money for Blacking tools and now that I have a few dollars to spend , I will continue to do business with as long as I can .

[@georgeschmitt8205]

John just gingerly moving that 50 pound block of steel like it weighs nothing.

[@BillyBOB-sm3rl]

Shop builds are some of the best videos to watch. I like watch how someone sets up their shop. It gives me ideas. About how I would set up my shop.

[@BlackBearForge]

Glad you like them!

[@threeriversforge1997]

You'll love how that pine tar treats the wood. That's all I use on my hammer handles anymore, and I'd never go back to a different finish. My recipe is 1 part Pine Tar and 1 Part Turpentine to thin it out. Sometimes 2 parts Turpentine if I'm running low on the Pine Tar. The Turpentine is a pine product, too, and adds to the anti-microbial/fungal jive going on, but also makes it easier for the tar to penetrate into the pores of the wood. Adding Linseed Oil isn't a problem, imo, so long as it's genuine Linseed Oil and not the BLO that we all know and love. For a harder, shinier finish that goes on nice wood projects, adding shellac flakes to the mix will work wonders. Adding beeswax to the pine tar and turpentine is also quite nice. No matter how you mix yours up, use a heat gun to warm the painted wood and you'll see it suck the juice straight in. End grain will really take a lot of the stuff, so be careful you don't go overboard!

[@MASI_forging]

Nice work dude. Looking forward to the next video 👍👍

[@BlackSunCompany]

Nice little block and looks to have cleaned up just fine. Thanks for covering this one! Got a cone mandrel from Holland a while back and ayep, they do leave just the rough cast finish on most all their products (it's mainly the anvils they clean up). Also just wanted to call out the good design principle that the stand isn't made to only fit a single block but can instead be used on multiple. Space and materials are always a concern and you save a lot avoiding single-purpose stands/tools whenever you can. Not always possible or feasible but good to keep in mind when drawing up plans.

[@PhilBaumhardt]

I just bought one of Hollands swage blocks, and since I live in MI I was able to pick it up at their shop. Great people to deal with, I love that it is American made. Thanks for the video!

[@stephenjohnson6841]

Another great video filled with useful tips! Thanks again John!

[@RussBriner]

Thanks for the video, I followed the link, and received my new 50lb swage from Holland anvil today. Thanks for the tip. Russ

[@BlackBearForge]

Enjoy!

[@BlackHoleForge]

I'm looking forward to making some workshop improvements myself.

[@AtholIronworks]

Great addition to the shop! I love Hollands swage blocks. I got 3 of them about 3 years ago and I have never regretted it.

[@Dominic.Minischetti]

That was excellent! A multi-functional tool! Funny, as soon as you dropped it in on it's side, I said to myself, dang that's low. 😂

[@jllaine]

Four freehand bends and the ends line up without it corkscrewing, that is some serious talent.

[@josephdorey8458]

I love the offset tooling in your flypress, simple and effective :) definitely going to make one for myself. It's the little things like that that I pick up from your videos that I value as much as anything else, it's a real pleasure to get to learn tips/tricks by watching more experienced smiths at work

[@BlackBearForge]

Glad you like it!

[@rh5971]

I have several things from Holland Anvil and I have been up to their shop in Michigan. They are great people and I love the stuff they make!

[@nppjbrown]

I bought an Iron Mountain mini swage block. It is terrific as a bottom swage on my fly press. Made an angle iron holder to stop it moving. Cheers from Australia.

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Thanks for the information about the swage block John. Really enjoyed watching you build the swage block stand too, Turned out really nice and usable for lots of things. Keep up the great videos. OLD DAWG DREAMING Fred.

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Nice job on the swedge block stand. I have the largest block and I made a very similar stand. Works great these are very nice swedge blocks. Thank you for sharing yours John.

[@3870TheDad]

John, I really appreciate this series of videos showing how to set up a beginning blacksmith shop. Thank you.

[@BlackBearForge]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mikehodges6598]

I'm going to make one of these for my Saltfork Craftsman swage block. It's about the same size as the Holland. I'll also go ahead and clean it up like you did yours so that it behaves better.

[@gilauth6791]

Great What a useful and beautiful addition to any shop Top Contenders to my holiday present where once a year a wish come true Nice video (tutorial) as always . Thanks for sharing Take Care Enjoy

[@SchysCraftCo.]

John it's really looking good comeing along nicely so far. Really likeing this video series so far. Can't wait to see more updates and videos and projects ahead. Keep up the great craftsmanship and hard work my friend. Forge On. Fab On. Weld On. Keep forge lit. Keep Making. God Bless.

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks, will do!

[@jetich]

Great video. I feel like I can see my grandpa doing a lot of what you did here, a lot of the same tools are lying around his garage and he passed in 89! He had a giant swage block and I didn't know what it was until about a month ago. It sits on a big concrete block.

[@markschoenhals4816]

Really enjoyed this one. Thanks

[@The_Smith]

That little shop is starting to look pretty homey John!

[@paulorchard7960]

Nice little swage block John, and lovely stand, mine just sits on a stump!👍🇦🇺

[@pjamestx]

That seems like a really great deal on a swage block! I was looking at Holland when shopping for an anvil and heard a lot of good things. And I think forging that band with the half-lap looks really beautiful, I think you're going to appreciate that you didn't go for a simpler welded band every time you see it. Thanks for the video and keep up all the great work!

[@toddcaldwell5614]

i am following your design for my shop accept for the anvil size . Thanks for helping me get my set up going . leg vice will be a later purchase after i see how yours performs .

[@dadegroot]

I really should make a swage block stand for my little block. At the moment, it sits on a stump, but does move around a bit.

[@holyhammerironworks2384]

Nice project!

[@Bangalangs]

I’m interested in the swage blocks Holland Anvil makes. Their anvils and other products are excellent for the price, just be sure to dress them well. I made the drive last summer to pick up my double horn direct from their shop. I like the look of that stand, I’ll keep it in mind when I purchase a swage block of my own. Another excellent video sir.

[@tropifiori]

I have a different version of the same size block. I haven’t used it much but I like it.

[@budove58]

I got a stiffy when that huge chisel came out. Wow, I need to make one of those!

[@coreyshier7526]

I have one of those 50# swage blocks, i haven't had a chance to build a stand for it yet but I think I will be using your design. I was thinking before of using some heavy angle iron at least 2x2 to wrap around the stand; that way I can have the one leg sticking out for a place to hang tools specifically used on the swage block. But that may present a "snagging hazard" for your legs 😮

[@332mcdaniel]

Nice job as usual!! Useful project. Nice touch sizing for other blocks.

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks! 👍

[@grandadz_forge]

I've said this before. Milwaukee owes you a sponsorship. // i have 3 Holland swage blocks that i can't live without.

[@BlackBearForge]

That would be great, but I won't be holding my breath

[@frrapp2366]

WHAT no HOT riveting :) looks like a good addition to the shop ! my wife would drool over it she does decorative copper for wind chimes. looks like a 2 by 4 would raise it up about the right height to match up with the anvil, might even do a couple of wedge shaped (2x6) boards to adjust for different heights ??

[@ToyCollectorBoy]

Dude's forearms are jacked.

[@e_wonderment6618]

well explained, nice video. Great work 👍

[@BlackBearForge]

Glad you liked it!

[@y-notforge8913]

..Nice thinking on the height of the stand and it doubling as a rest...

[@xXVintersorgXx]

I love how different people think different solutions.. i would have just shoved 2 2x4s into the slots that were slightly higher than the top of the stand.

[@elliotwhite32]

this is awesome

[@CleaveMountaineering]

Nice slick!

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks!

[@Elessar_25]

Hey John, great video once again, thank you! Have you done a video on dressing the edges of an anvil? If not, could you do one? I need to dress my edges but I'm not exactly sure how to do it. If whether to use a grinder, and if that's going to soften the edges and face of the anvil etc. 😊

[@BlackBearForge]

Its one I have been meaning to do, I would use an angle grinder with a flap disc starting at around 36 grit and finishing up to 120 or 220

[@glencrandall7051]

Nice piece of work. The bottom of your block could use a little attention. It appears to wobble a bit. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.🙂🙂

[@BlackBearForge]

It has more to do with the dirt floor and it lumps bumps and soft spots

[@erikcourtney1834]

That’s a good price in my opinion. I’m going to buy one now. All the others I’ve seen are overpriced. Although the finish may be a higher quality on others, I would rather finish it myself.

[@elitearbor]

For that gigantic "plane chisel" you used, if someone wanted to make a copy would you suggest using fairly cheap mild steel for all but the cutting edge back a couple inches? I'm thinking about making my own, and the cost of a single piece of decent steel large enough to make one would be a bit much! I figure forge welding a piece of tool steel or other hardenable material to the edge of the blank would do it.

[@BlackBearForge]

Forge welding the edge on would certainly be the traditional approach. However, the only one I have ever made, I used a large leaf sprig and made the blade as a single piece with the socket made from tube. The chisel in the video is an old one I bought, the one I made was sold.

[@elitearbor]

Leaf spring! The obvious solution was staring me in the face. I don't think of using things like spring steel for woodworking tools, and I certainly should break that habit. Thank you!

[@robertlamb7513]

As for the power file they make and you can make one for a angle grinder

[@Cleo8575]

A nice touch to the swage base using an overlapped band! You mentioned in your last video, a favorite hammer for anvil work, what weight is it, and who makes a well balanced hammer? Thank You

[@BlackBearForge]

That hammer is 3 pounds and was made by Brent Bailey www.brentbaileyforge.com/shop/bailey-cross-peen

[@Cleo8575]

@@BlackBearForge Many Thanks For The Kind Response and Link!

[@TalRohan]

I have no reference to go from except your anvil heght, are you around 6ft 5 John. great stand, I wish I could get pine resin here. I'm just in the process of building myself a swage block stand, I managed to get a 269lb alldays and onions block but haven't been able to use it much until now. ..I can't believe its taking this long to get my workshop usable again ...theres nothing worse than wind to stop you putting roof sheets or beams on lol

[@BlackBearForge]

I'm 6-1

[@archisalvage]

That's a nice looking swage block. Having worked at an iron foundry in the past, castings generally are pretty rough out of the sand even if blasted and chased. I've been wanting to make my own for a long time but $200 seems like a bargain to me.

[@BlackBearForge]

Compared to many of the others out there, I think $200 is a great deal. I have always wonder, what do you call someone who works in a foundry? Some one who forges iron is a blacksmith, welding makes you a fabricator then theres a machinist, but I don't know what the name is for a foundry worker.

[@archisalvage]

@@BlackBearForge these days I think simply a foundry worker. In the old days foundryman. But there are specific tasks like furnace operator or mould maker or patternmaker that are often used to describe specific types of work done. I was a patternmaker myself.

[@craigpadley3535]

By gum that's a reyt owd chisel thas got !

[@raving-rambler]

Love the video, love the build and refining, but I have to say that wood chisel was so comically large it made me laugh out loud

[@BlackBearForge]

Thats a carpenters slick chisel, used for leveling and smoothing large areas.

[@billwoehl3051]

I was watching you bend the band to go around the stand thinking "the forge press would make an excellent brake for bending corners like that.🤔

[@BlackBearForge]

Thats a great idea, I'll need to make some dies for that job

[@Dzon_Jacek]

👍

[@Jarvis30]

I have a concern. Striking material with the swedge on end will bring your knuckles very close to the upward edge of the guard band. I realize it isn't sharp but with force it can pop a finger right off. Maybe if it sat up higher from the edge.

[@BlackBearForge]

Not really a problem. My grip on the hammer is out side the foot print of the block, the block is higher than the band and even without material in the swage the height of a hammer head bring the hand even further up.

[@Jarvis30]

@@BlackBearForge cool, it was difficult to get that perspective on the initial build. More videos! 👍🏼

[@christophersee7181]

Hi John thank you for your videos I have found were I can get a 5” inch swage block from Do I need to put it on a timer bace or can I make a steel frame for it

[@BlackBearForge]

Either one is fine. The blocks in the main shop are on fabricated steel stands

[@mytomorrowsdreams]

Do you have a link to the pine tar you mixed with linseed oil to treat the wood? Same stuff as used on horses hoofs?

[@BlackBearForge]

sagerestoration.com/products/black-pine-tar?variant=8371768721454

[@brandonojutkangas3348]

Which Milwaukee skill saw do you have? I have been meaning to upgrade from my starter kit one.

[@BlackBearForge]

I'll try to remember to look at the model number.

[@doxnoogle5782]

How do you like the metal chop saw blades? Have used them for copper pipe and stuff, but never steel, curious how they cut and last.

[@BlackBearForge]

I have been very pleased. I'm only on the second blade in this saw in about 3 years

[@doxnoogle5782]

Oh wow, id say the money then.

[@mikehodges6598]

So how long did you use the new die grinder before you switched to the air-driven one?

[@Brian-bn3qp]

Did you end up putting a new handle in the Timothy Dyke hammer?

[@BlackBearForge]

I haven't yet, but I probably will

[@hump31951]

what do you think of the Milwaukee m12 die grinder? IS it worth the investment?

[@BlackBearForge]

I think it was for me. Its lighter than the m18 grinder and easier to work with for lots of things. I've been glad to have it. Like so many tools it's just nice to have options

[@z0mb13h0rd3]

John, Did you make that carpenters slick chisel yourself? It was a good looking tool! I think making one of those is in my short list for it will come in handy for this summer’s projects. -John

[@BlackBearForge]

NO, this is an old one I bought several years ago.

[@davidurilee4931]

If you have mentioned before i missed it. But how big is the small shop

[@BlackBearForge]

I think its 12 x 16. But I will plan to get an accurate measurement and show a drawing of the layout.

[@andrewgarrett76]

Same link as the curved flap disk on the disk holder.

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks for the heads up, it should be fixed.

[@dadawesome784]

What would be the cost of a sewage block that was of a higher quality that did not require all this grinding?

[@BlackBearForge]

This block is certainly high quality and most blocks will require some clean up and dressing of sharp edges. The Centaur Forge blocks would be a nice set at $760 each. But they are also more than twice the size www.centaurforge.com/Centaur-Swage-Block-A/productinfo/WYSWBLA/

[@demastust.2277]

I should have bought the other one. While the bowls and spoons are useful, you can't really make your own tools with it. No holes for making anvil tools.

[@BlackBearForge]

I only wish the other blocks featured a 1 1/4" hole that matched the hardy hole on my anvil

[@MarquesOtto]

Is there any downside to using wood for the stand with hot material

[@BlackBearForge]

Not really. I suppose if you have reason to put hot material right on the stand it might be better to weld something up

[@MarquesOtto]

@@BlackBearForge thanks for the info and keep up the good work 👏

[@GWTX]

Is that a new propane forge?

[@BlackBearForge]

I've had it a few month now. Here's a video about it kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGe3lWagq86tfcU

[@djb341]

Is that cast iron or cast steel?

[@BlackBearForge]

Cast ductile iron, which isn't brittle like regular cast iron. Its the common material for swage blocks

[@LIrwin74]

Seriously, can I move in with you?

[@DavidSellars-b8l]

You say buying $1200 worth the tool to work on a $200 swage block like it's a bad thing. Remember, he who dies with the most tools, wins. Most of us have no chance of winning but, by our nature, we have to keep trying. There has always been this notion that women have a "nesting instinct" in making the house their own. Guys are just as bad with our tools and equipment putting our own touches on everything. There is always an improvement that needs to be made to make it better. None of this is a criticism. It's just an observation about the species in general.

[@BlackBearForge]

Excellent point

[@kenbultman8670]

I have watched all of your videos. Nothing new. NO BLACKSMITHING INVOLVED

[@BlackBearForge]

Sundays video will cover forging a hardy for the little anvil. In the meantime here are a few recent videos with blacksmithing. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYbTXqGFhLmKjdU kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3jQnqOMgKx-qsk kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZDGfGqLpraWj6s I have also mentioned several times in the last few months that I had to deal with other priorities and that the video content might look a bit different through the summer. By this fall things should be be more normal.

[@patsforge3775]

Just beware. I just brought one of these. They are very rough! I have spent approximately 75$ on abrasives and so for an hour of “finishing” it and still not ready to use. If you are looking to start using your swage block right away you may want to spend more money on a better one that only requires a little touch up not a refinishing…