The Guillotine tool or Smithing Magician. - blacksmithing tools

[@terrykleier5068]

Thanks for sharing…this is my next project

[@stewartboggs1089]

My father in law gave me an old pipe vise the other day. It is welded to a plate on a 3 1/2 ft. Tripod. It resembles the same shape as the blacksmithing magician. The steel is in good shape and fairly thick. A little over 3/8 in. It has a threaded shaft that i plan to take out and grind down for smooth operation, and the bottom jig comes out as well.

[@JacobvsRex]

Funny to watch these videos from a year ago and see how far you’ve come, but at the same time what an encyclopaedia of knowledge on the topics. God forbid Johns videos ever leave us

[@kensmapleleafretirement]

I needed this, I was about to spend a few hundred dollars on a guillotine, when saw this video again for the first time. I am older, so I forgot the first time I watched it. Well worth a second watch. I was thinking I could use mild steel with the working surfaces stick welded on. Ya, maybe, I will have to buy some tool steel. I hate the idea of that. Thanks for the chat....

[@fisshayemezgebu8858]

Thanks Mr you are teaching as more things simpel to mack tools.

[@Vange-smeden]

Very helpfull, thank you for this!

[@binkykingsbury2000]

Hi John, as always enjoying the videos. They do still sell the Smithing Magician III.

[@wedo4fun251]

I love this one. Thanks for all the videos. Not only informative and educational, but also very inspirational.

[@mathieupellieux9468]

As always, great instructions for great tool. Can't wait to build and try it

[@frankclarkjr6369]

Good Ol'E Mc Mastercarr , love em

[@ajwhittlebang6977]

No forging this time of year at 47 deg C today so enjoying catching up with your videos. I feel so at home with your style.Your use of quick clamps reminded me of a visitor to my shop commenting that I have enough clamps for wood and metal fab for three blokes to which I sturnly replied "You can never have enough when you work alone" and my neighbour has yelled at me for keeping "junk"....again I replied sturnly "You can never have enough if you know what to do with it". Several tools and workshop treasures have emerged from the MESS that's taken a lifetime of collecting. Best to you.

[@mikemullenix6956]

I think you could use a few more clamps. I also used your Milwaukee band saw design. Many other youtubers did the same. Really enjoy your videos Thank you

[@AlphaFirstPrime]

can't wait to see the all forged one

[@BlackBearForge]

Me too. I hope it works

[@HighWealder]

Very useful 👌

[@HisWayHomestead]

I saw one that had a 90 degree dies to make a 90 degree bend for tongs... very cool tool... would be nice if the top die would be spring loaded up to make it faster to insert the material and work it... probably would be too fiddlesome....

[@thomasmangine7564]

thank you

[@reneemills-mistretta790]

This looks like a tool that is used frequently. Thank you for your time and lessons in providing another useful video.

[@10004iomthon]

Morning Black Bear Forge . Thanks for your sharing Idea from Thailand

[@3870TheDad]

Great idea!! Good one for Blacksmith Associations meeting and build together.

[@wildernessworthy]

Amazing walk through! Thank you so much for sharing!

[@stuffbywoody5497]

This is something I've been planning to make, along with a tredle hammer. Thanks for the video and inspiration John 👍

[@stanervin7581]

John, you got an octopus of C-clamps going on. Goes to show, never too many!

[@BlackBearForge]

You can never be to rich, to good looking or have to many clamps.

[@1averageamerican]

This is great. Being new at this a lot of my projects are tools. Thanks.

[@bhaktapeter3501]

My blacksmith depot guillotine says “bd - geliton”. Quite a funny way to spell guillotine. Btw it works very well, but if i had to get another I would get the one that is kiltered off to the side which enables you to fit larger pieces in it and in more ways.

[@peterholmbushcraft590]

U are grate thank u. Im new to blacksmithing

[@pascualvasquezjr.6285]

Keeping it simple. Love this tutorial. Functional is sometimes all we need.

[@BlackBearForge]

Functionality is the first issue for sure.

[@bobhumphries3998]

Great video John, Made one today. I chose 1/2" X 2" mild steel stock for dies. Blacksmithing is a hobby for me and this will serve me well. Thank you.

[@trminer]

This tool is on my list for sure, either fabricate, assemble from a kit, or what have you. I saw a fabricated design in "Backyard Blacksmith", but yours looks a bit stouter. Thanks!

[@leperejoe1536]

Nice functional tool. Thank you.

[@tonylewis7644]

Thank you for your brilliant ideas

[@davedreds5905]

Well presented and explained. Thankyou.

[@klkkylekin5948]

Cool video can't wait to see all the dies u make

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks. I will probably just start with some basic styles.

[@007-b9n]

Very cool. Thank you for your time and videos.

[@TheOldaz1]

Thanks John, think I'll make the dies out of truck spring.

[@BlackBearForge]

That should work if you have a reliable supply of spring in the same size

[@anthonykent7983]

Cutting out a window!! Brilliant idea John thanks bro Anthony Kent

[@gurvinderkau1e5w18]

Great video. Lot of information there👍👍👍👍 loved your simple but well working version of guillotine tool.

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks! 👍

[@bentoombs]

Thank you for more tool videos.👍👍😁

[@johnyb3454]

Morning John, great video again thank you, definitely a project on the list 👍🇬🇧

[@luisiannelli9474]

Excelent !

[@lenblacksmith8559]

Love it gonna make one.

[@JRMease]

When I made my Guillotine tool. I made the dies from some 1/2inch by 2inch Stainless Steel that I had in the Fab. shop. No rust and tough.

[@vincentgolden5352]

I enjoyed the video and i appreciate the idea thanks.

[@scarface-39]

Some good ideas here!!!👍

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks

[@donstephenson9474]

Another nice job John. :-)

[@MrScandiLeon]

Danke fuer deine super Videos

[@WinDancerX]

Bravo, John! Dave

[@stelmac3212]

John, you do good stuff. You are a humble blacksmith and you have no reason to apologise for anything. I believe us newbies all get it. Cheers cobber for your wonderful teaching and great videos. You are a professional in your trade........👍

[@srinuvasurao2849]

B ch fi

[@billy19461]

Just like an online school! Thanks!

[@jetblackstar]

Woot, been looking forward to this for ages. Also your comments on die steels has reminded me I know where to get O1 in those sizes. 4340 (En24t in the UK) is the only stuff I can normally get hold of and that's almost always round bar. And it's still difficult. But O1 I can get square shipped. Thanks loads.

[@peltiereric6497]

On the dies if your Guillotine Tool uses smaller die stock then definitely get some new 4140 or something similar but if it uses larger stock then just go the mild steel route and realize that you need to replace it more often. One of my Guillotine Tools uses 3/4” by 3” dies so tool steel that size is quite costly so I use mild steel on that one and when the top die starts getting short I save it for use as a bottom die and remake the top die and I can get a 4 foot bar of die stock in mild steel for less than what 1 foot of 4140 costs me for that size. I do however use tool steel for my smaller Guillotine Tools and occasionally leaf springs will be the right dimensions

[@jackdawg4579]

My local scrapyard sold me a 3 foot length of 3” x 3/4” hardox, I used that to make my dies. I couldnt even drill it with a cobalt bit after annealing it. So I gave up on the rivet set I was trying to add to my die collection.

[@stanervin7581]

Jack Dawg That hardox is mean tough. Water jet is cleanest option. Good luck Dawg

[@Xlaxsauce]

Checking the scrap yard is a great way to find material. Be nice if those x-ray guns that tell you material properties were more affordable. Then you know exactly what you are getting. Cody's Lab recently did a video showing his when he was looking at his Gold Bar Purity.

[@manga12]

hardox is like ar 500 plate very hard and brittle usually, you will not get though that without some significant effort, very hard to get though

[@gdwright65]

Great video on tool making. I love it. Keep’em coming.

[@wallyg9512]

Much appreciated John. You make excellent technical videos. Thank you!

[@BlackBearForge]

Glad you liked it

[@ronaldkirby9299]

Thanks for video I've been wanting to make and wasn't sure how to start

[@BlackBearForge]

I will try to show a couple other options in the near future as well.

[@anthonystickel3463]

Could also use channel iron for the sides

[@cornhulio1740]

build mine as a U-shape. a u laying on the side. the dies sitting on the front, so you can work at any angle on your piece.

[@BlackBearForge]

That is a practical approach. I will probably make a version similar in the near future.

[@jamesbrandon8520]

Great video as usual John but how about making one has a C shaped frame that makes it possible to run your material across the die, like yours or parallel with the die that’s the one that I want to make

[@BlackBearForge]

I do talk briefly about a C frame tool in the second video on guillotine tools

[@jamesbrandon8520]

Yes I watched it right after I replied lol , it’s going to be a lot of work but I have about a 300 lb. forklift tine that all my information so far says it’s 4140 but that’s what I plan on making my dies out of, its a good thing that I have an endless supply of what most people call a zip disc lol

[@kevinowens8653]

Thanks for the idea.. wish i could post a pic of the one i just made.

[@krustysurfer]

Absolutely Fantastic B.B.F! Thank you very much! Aloha td approved

[@tonytroyer9729]

Would flame hardened steel work for the dies? This steel is from the snow blade cutting edge.

[@robphone4895]

I made one (tube version) a while ago with mild steel dies with c45 steel welded on the end of the dies. But the striking end deforms enormously. Will post pics on the Fb page. If I makefiles again I'll try and find some tougher steel.

[@BlackBearForge]

Thats the same trouble I have had with the soft dies. But they do work if you dress them frequently.

[@robphone4895]

Black Bear Forge I definitely agree!

[@HisWayHomestead]

I'm really new to this... what does the butcher die do? It looks like a cut-off, but it sounds like its different.

[@dcw32401]

John Elliot at Blacksmith Supply bought the Smithin Magician brand from Jerry Hoffman. They are still available at blacksmithsupply.com. Keep the videos coming.

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks. I will add that link to the description

[@gateway8833]

First one. Yea.

[@johnelliott9148]

The Smithin Magcian, is available from www.blacksmithsupply.com here is the link www.blacksmithsupply.com/Smithin-Magician_c_56.html

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks

[@davidedgar3037]

John, On the version for the flypress, how do you make the collars for the 1" shank to stop it bottoming out and jamming? I am having trouble finding suitable pipe to slice up .

[@BlackBearForge]

I like shaft collars but have also used bolts the right size so the bolt head acts as the stop. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4jXd6xvaJuparM

[@billwoehl3051]

i'm thinking bedframe angle iron for the guides, that's some tough steel, don't try drilling it without the sharpest and best drill bits, even then, good luck with that.

[@analogplanet9675]

Its just excessively work hardened...

[@matthewhall6087]

Welder yup forge you bet anvil check imma make one of these soon.

[@Northfordtrailcam]

John, what's the angle of the butcher die? Looks somewhere between 35-45 degrees.

[@BlackBearForge]

70 degrees sticks in my head. 45 seems a bit sharp. I know I have mentioned in one of the videos.

[@gabrielnavarro8721]

Good advices everywhere ! I just abused my guillotines tools this week. The dies are made of mild steel, with a piece of forged to shape spring steel at the end to make the tip of the die. The bottom mushrooms so badly I can see it getting fatter at every blow. I was thinking, would a tool steel shank on the top of the die help ? 2 inches of round stock tool steel weld straight on the die, as a striking end. What do you think ? Thank you very much for the videos !

[@BlackBearForge]

That might help and would be worth trying. But in the long run I think dies of a hardenable steel are the way to go.

[@gabrielnavarro8721]

Will try. Yep I agree, the solution is to build tool-steel tools ! I just ordered 1045. It's really, really hard to find tool steel in my country (Corsica, france). Online purchase is the only way, is it easier in the US ? Thank you again, you are a source of inspiration for many of us I believe.

[@BlackBearForge]

It is hard to find locally. So I do mail order most of what I use. But it is still in the US

[@seeskiff]

Is the die stock 6" long with the rails 5" long before welding? You mentioned the other dimensions but not the length.

[@BlackBearForge]

Yes, Although I think that one could have been a bit shorter with shorter dies.

[@lastfrontierforge6170]

If I may ask a question not directly related to the tool I’m one who pays attention to detail and noticed on your first weld when you turned of the camera I noticed you turned it off from your cell phone may I ask what kind of system you have I want to do vids my self and not sure what the best way to do it if you could help me by giving me some advise on how you do vids It would be very appreciated

[@BlackBearForge]

I think I explained it for you in yesterdays Q&A kzbin.info/www/bejne/gomrZ5SZoa-Iopo also see an earlier video on my cameras. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKTVhJygrbeoq80

[@bobasaurus8911]

What are the butchering dies for? I can't really figure it out from the shape, they look similar to cutoff dies but less steep.

[@BlackBearForge]

Butchers are tools used to create a clean shoulder for something like a tenon. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZuYpqeqi7h0a9E

[@TheGdcb]

Could that be made in a spring version?

[@BlackBearForge]

I suppose but I can't see much advantage

[@886014]

Does case hardening hold up to hammer blows? I've made a number of tools for machining applications from mild steel and case hardened them with Kasenit/Cherry Red, the steel is a fraction of the price of tool/high tensile steel, however I'm not (yet) a blacksmith so don't know if it would help in this application.

[@BlackBearForge]

Case hardening helps, but its best for high wear as opposed to high impact.

[@886014]

Thank you. I've only used it for machining tooling, which is low impact but sometimes high wear. I don't have room for blacksmithing equipment in my current shop, but when I move is my #1 goal. Thanks for such a good channel as I'm learning a lot.

[@neilyeag]

A superb version is available from Glen at gstongs.com .

[@wentdavid12]

Do you have a source for 4140 for dies. Not having any luck.

[@BlackBearForge]

I by 4140 bar stock and cut to length for dies. McMaster Carr has a good selection www.mcmaster.com/#standard-steel-sheets/=1d1vidp

[@wentdavid12]

Black Bear Forge wow! It says arrives tomorrow. That’s awesome!!

[@mikemullenix6956]

I wish I could come to your shop in Colorado and drink some beer then beat on some steel

[@verdigrissirgidrev4152]

guillotine is nice for accuracy but side fuller jig has better efficiency