Make a blacksmith's guillotine tool with metal bought from a big box store!

This is a beginner Blacksmith project. Ever notice all those videos where blacksmiths or metal fabricators make something out of "scraps" that have just "laying around"? As a beginner blacksmith, I don't have mounds of heavy scrap metal but I don't want that to stop me from making some blacksmithing tools. Try checking out the selection that most big box stores have in stock. That's what I did to buy what I needed to make my guillotine.

[@RustyGlovebox]

That's like having a third hand and does a nice job working the metal.

[@jarredsegal6842]

Having scrap doesn’t just happen it takes years and decades of constant vigil and being the guy people turn to that gets you the pile of scrap It starts with one or two pieces found here and there and increases when you buy extra on every job And it gains a life of its own with people you know bringing you scrap

[@Journeyforgeusa]

Love it. Very clever design. I'm definitely going to try this. I've been watching videos and trying to get ideas and this seems like something I can actually do. Thanks for sharing. I'm no welder either. All of my welds look like I turned a toddler loose with a hot glue gun. but that's what the angle grinder is for. As long as it sticks that's all that matters.

[@eviltwinx]

Thanks for the feedback! You should definitely try building your own. Even if it's not pretty or doesn't last long, you will learn from the experience.

[@swdweeb]

"Don't let your limitations hold you back"... I try not to but they get in the way all the time :-D :-D Nice job

[@eviltwinx]

I hear ya. Whether it’s time, money, or large piles of scrap, there’s always something blocking you.

[@theoriginalNoOne.]

Simple enough to inspire my build!

[@Vikingwerk]

I’ve been wanting a guillotine tool for a while, but the cost of the pre-made ones, or the materials for the designs i’ve seen do far have been keeping me from pursuing it. Your design is do much more simple and cost effective, Just the thumbnail had me thrilled!

[@eviltwinx]

Hi Jarik. Thank for taking the time to comment. I'm glad you found my video helpful and I hope you not only make your own tool, but put it to good use soon.

[@sherwoodlayton9595]

I like that you have the courage to just do it, and not make excuses as to why it can't be done. Good on you. And I was impressed at how thorough you were in building your little shop. Again, well done.

[@eviltwinx]

Thank you! I tend to over think most projects and it takes a lot for me just to dive in. I'm trying to embrace “just make it as best as possible” and then “make it better” if needed type of thinking. I appreciate the comment!

[@jakebendel5238]

May i suggest you contact a local tow truck driver/company. they are always picking up leaf spring pieces, coil springs and axels at accident sites. A six pack of cold beer and or a few bucks will get you some "scrap" quickly.

[@eviltwinx]

Not a bad suggestion! Thanks!

[@manuel78776]

Lo felizito hno forjador desde Argentina muy ingenioso😊😊😊

[@thefarfiles]

Thanks

[@ChirpysTinkerings]

Pretty cool man, that's defenitely one of the tools that's on my list to make, but I was going to use some leaf spring steel for the dies instead, then they wont upset down into the guillotine tool like mild steel will. That may be something to keep an eye on, the mild steel dies will upset slightly and can lock themselves solid in the slide rails, and then you have to pound them back out. I would drill a hole in the bottom underneath of the middle of the die, that way if one gets stuck, you can just insert a pin and knock it back out rather than trying to pry it out and messing up the guillotine tool. If you were more local, I would load you up with as much scrap junk as you could probably handle, lol.

[@eviltwinx]

Thanks for the suggestions Chrip! Yea, it would be glorious if we were neighbors!

[@ChirpysTinkerings]

@@eviltwinx lol, kings of the scrap pile.

[@ironhead65]

@@eviltwinx Great message! Not everyone is like Chirpy, where he almost never has to buy anything! Took me a long time to get to that realization. In fact, where I used to live, I finally did find how to get access to the scrap material, but because of the local laws the permits and other things I would have had to get, it was actually cheaper for me to just buy brand new from a steel supply place. However I do have quite a bit of material from Home Depot. In fact I just made some strap hinges over the weekend and the pin was a go-kart axle which came from Home Depot.

[@ironhead65]

Then again, no one is like Chirpy. I buy a vise for a vise, he sees raw materials for casting. He's awesome like that!

[@eviltwinx]

Us makers just love to hoard materials because we see the potential in every object. Just so happens that the big box stores have most of the objects I want!

[@jster1963]

I don't have the great scrap metal place either! I have to get my steel just like you. Great build my friend......

[@eviltwinx]

Thanks jster! There is a scrap yard sort of close to me but it’s a hassle to go and it’s a muddy mess after rain or snow.

[@WideVisionMetalFab]

Also, ebay is a great source for "drops" of steel. Nice project! :)

[@eviltwinx]

I never thought of that. Thanks!

[@michaelanspach6314]

Pretty cool. Enjoyed watching this and learning!

[@eviltwinx]

Thank you for the awesome comment!

[@DavidKirwanirl]

Not half bad!

[@eviltwinx]

Thank you! I’ve used it a few times already.

[@twelve_rings3214]

I love this design!

[@eviltwinx]

Thanks!

[@chaddavidson9403]

Nice to see you adding content again man !!!

[@eviltwinx]

Thanks! Trying to keep the videos coming.

[@RPMechanics]

Very nice build! And first rate editing.

[@eviltwinx]

Thanks RP! I try to balance information with entertainment.

[@mfrazeehvacc5012]

Thanks for making this video!!!

[@eviltwinx]

Sure thing! I hope it’s inspires you to make and use one yourself.

[@stoneinthefield1]

The key to scrap in my case is make a trip to Industrial Metal Supply’s and rummage through their off cuts / per. Lbs area. Buy all the small square, round and 1’ x 1/4, 3/8 etc. you can find… buy more than you need. Great job tho. Good luck.

[@eviltwinx]

Yeah, I need to find a supplier near me. That would be handy.

[@MagnusUS1776]

Your nearby Metal Supermarkets retailer is an option as well.

[@waxnmoon8604]

Good welds are those that hold. Yours did that. Nice video 👍🏻

[@eviltwinx]

Thanks man!

[@shepardsforgeh2031]

Not only is it great to see you back at it again and great to see you! But that looks like a nice lill tool you made! However....your cut off tool w probably deform. That ypu might wana make out of some air hardening tool steel. Thats my only suggestion! Nice wark and again great to see you again my freind!

[@eviltwinx]

Thanks man and great suggestion! I was going to try to use some case harding powder. That’s for another video. Trying to keep the videos coming.

[@brianfalls5038]

Nice job on the guillotine sir. Like you I am just getting into the blacksmithing as a hobby and I like making my own tools too. I think if I were to make a guillotine tool like yours then I'd see about putting the shank on it so it will stay put. The hold down is a great idea but I think having a shank to go into the hardy hole would be a little more secure. Aaaaaaaanyway my friend, you now have a new subscriber!!! Well done!!!

[@eviltwinx]

Thanks for the comment and subscribing! The great thing about making our tools, is that there is no wrong or right way. We can customize to the individual needs. Good luck with the hobby and keep at it!

[@JustinTopp]

Nice work! That should be handy!

[@eviltwinx]

Thanks! The creative juices are already flowing with the possibilities already!

[@ianmcgougan1173]

Made one like yours. Really easy to make. Thankyou! Just a thought, the music doesn't add anything and wish you had millimeters in the US😄

[@eviltwinx]

Thank you for the feedback. Yes, I should be more conscious of the metric system!

[@jeanlucchasse3571]

Congrat, it work well.

[@BisonWorkshop]

nice.

[@eviltwinx]

Thanks Bob.

[@stickermigtigger]

Dude! Weld a hardy to the bottom of that thing. 😁

[@steve_____K307]

Great video, thank you. Honestly the only improvement would be to skip any background music. :-)

[@eviltwinx]

Hey! Thanks for watching and the feedback!

[@wilcooley]

Not being able to weld, I'm wondering about other ways put it together. I can easily imagine rivets holding the sides together. The sides could be attached to the base by making the bottoms of the sides into tenons, passing through the base and then peened on the bottom. I suppose the same could be done to attach a Hardie shank on the bottom.

[@eviltwinx]

Without a doubt, you can build one without any welding! Do a search and there are examples out there. I contemplated that route. This was more about being able to utilize material from a box store if that's your only option of getting metal. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment!

[@wesleymccravy901]

Bevel the corners on struck portion of an item. Chisels, punches, dies of any kind. Keep mushrooming to a minimum

[@eviltwinx]

Great suggestion! Thanks!

[@arthurvarady7258]

How come you didn’t harden the the jaws , Super little Guillotine excellent video and you have about as much room as I do LOL keep on Hammering.

[@eviltwinx]

@@arthurvarady7258 Thanks you! This was steel from the Home Depot so it’s just mild.

[@backwoodsbushcraft2633]

Just came across your channel. Seems odd I've never seen it especially since I watch alot of blacksmith video. Thank you for the video. Would you add a shafts for the hardy hole? Would heat treating the dies make a difference or swap out for tool steel? New subscriber

[@eviltwinx]

Hi and thank you for taking the time to watch and comment! You can customize the guillotine to suit your needs and adding a shank is a great example of this. You can certainly use better quality steel for the dies. The mild steel I used does work but will need dressing or replacing a lot sooner. This video was more about building a tool with steel from a box store. I don’t have giant piles of awesome scrap that most blacksmiths seem to own. As a beginner, I didn’t want that to limit what I could make.

[@partsguy9423]

slap some leather between your holdfast and your guillotine base plate it wont move around so much

[@eviltwinx]

Thanks for the suggestion! I'll have to give that a try.

[@stevesalles6047]

i have seen worse welding the angled steele can be aquired from a old bed frame you can V grind two dies 6014 or 6011 rwelding rod is a easy to weld with look for metsl plates along rail road tracks

[@eviltwinx]

Thanks for the feedback and suggestions!

[@wesleymccravy901]

Butcher dies not cut off

[@MrBakkerBolletje]

after 3 years how it stil holds up

[@eviltwinx]

I haven’t abused it too much. The guillotine itself is in great condition. The butcher dies are chewed up a some and I had to dress up the top of rounding dies. I used those the most and they were mushrooming a bit.

[@MrBakkerBolletje]

@@eviltwinx so beter to use some springleaf steel