July 2019 - Gallivanting Craftsman

A close up shot of a pipe welder in action.

No Bullshit Guide To The Best Welding Shirts

July 23, 2019April 27, 2021 James

Picking out a shirt to wear is such a simple task in day to day life, but when you play with fire – as welders are known to do – you may find it’s a little more difficult to find a shirt that won’t look like swiss cheese after a day or two in the […] Read More

A small arbor press being used to press frets into the neck of a guitar.

No Bullshit Guide To Buying The Best Arbor Press Possible

July 23, 2019June 22, 2021 James

What Is An Arbor Press? An arbour press is a convenient and (relatively) cheap tool that allows a person to press with incredible force. These tools are great for at home hobbyists as they are compact and not too expensive. This means that they will fit in your home or your garage, and you can […] Read More

8 Rusty Dog Head Railroad Spikes resting on a wooden railroad tie. Image Source

How Much Are Railroad Spikes Worth? Are They Worth It?

July 13, 2019June 22, 2021 James

The quickest way to gauge the value of a railroad spike is to check current retail pricing: Retail Railroad Spikes 25 Spikes 50 Spikes 300 Spikes Check Price Check Price Check Price However, it may be difficult to compare the pricing of these spikes with other sources of steel stock. Therefore I did some quick […] Read More

A couple of flickering candles Image Source

Best Candle Snuffers – No Mess, No Fuss!

July 13, 2019July 13, 2019 James

Why is it that people love candles so much? Afterall, candles are waaaaay less efficient than lightbulbs. Why is it that people pay 20+ dollars for a glass jar full of wax? It’s not for efficiency, that’s for sure. A typical candle provides a tiny fraction of the light that a light bulb would. Candles […] Read More

A cartoon farrier hard at work smithing horse shoes. His assistant stokes the forge fire behind him. source - Boston Public Library

Best Blacksmith Punches And How to Use Them

July 8, 2019June 22, 2021 James

Whether it’s punching a hole for the eye of an axe, a hammer, or some other handheld tool, the trusty blacksmith punch is a great low tech solution for making holes in a piece of stock. There is no need for expensive machining equipment when you have a punch lying around. Today I will go […] Read More