I need a fork!!!

Well my missus is a good fork but thats for me, you can pick one up for yourself at most pubs towards closing time.

After you find one , Don't forget to smooth out the tines !

Bret

Ak thrower, what do you mean by smooth out the tines?  Sorry I'm a noob.

Oh, and the tines are the pointy-stabby metal bits.

I just ordered a 3 tined pitch fork for a friend. And I made a 2 tine fork
out of a 5 tine manure fork. I found that there is some subtle differences
the Manure fork has slightly longer tines and the handle has a smaller
taper in the top 1/3, It also has an extra sleave of metal at the base
where the fork attaches to the handle. The forged tines are both stamped
Austria. The 3 prong is a Union and the 5 or 2 prong is a Ames. The Ames
was less expensive. More work involved cutting tines and shaping. The
Union fork is more stout in the handle. It will take more than sanding to
get those tines smooth. I have an air file and a high speed buffer to get
that metal wicked smooth. If you don't have these tools then a hand
grinder and some files and sand paper and steel wool will work fine. I
sand the handles down and clean them up as well. The new fork looks
very nice as is but it needs staining and some clear coats.

Branimal,

I got one from the local hardware store that works fine. As soul eater said I just ground three tines off a manure fork.  Some people prefer the union tools models which you will probably have to order online.

Bosyn,

As far as smoothing the tines I used the orange grinding wheel that came with my dremel tool.  If you are doing it by hand I would start out with a file and work my way up to sand paper. I would not go any higher than 220 grit or so any more and you will just be polishing the tines IMO.

 

dl_buffy wrote: Looking on line the Union 3-tine is about $56...is that normal or pricey? (Right now I'm asking all the farmers I know if they have one.  None of the farm stores I have called so far carry them.)

Go to Feldman's, there's one out by Sandstone and one in Blue Springs. They have the razorback one for like 25-30.

Thanks Travis!  I have a fork...and seem to have gotten it for about half price.  Rang up at $30...but the sign on rack said $15.99...so that is what I got it for.

Now...after cleaning and stuff...how do you get the tines to point straight and not outward?  (I hear not to heat it to do it as then you have to know how to re-temper it and I have no idea how to do that.)

'Nuther question...guys with big hands...this three tine has a decent curve to it and not sure my hand is going to fit it.  The five tine one had a flat part where if I took off the middle...and two outers...then maybe my hand would hold better?  Just wondering...anyone got thoughts on how your hand fits into that space?

dl_buffy wrote: Now...after cleaning and stuff...how do you get the tines to point straight and not outward?  (I hear not to heat it to do it as then you have to know how to re-temper it and I have no idea how to do that.)

I used a friends big vise. Clamped one side in and bent it, then the other side.

Well, the jaws on the vice are probably 6 inches long and I put it all the way to the bottom of the tine as in where it curves at the handle, where your hand will be etc. As for the amount of pressure, the tine has some spring to it so you will end up moving it more than it will bend, ie when you let off the pressure it'll spring back some, so just bend and stop and see where it is and go more if needed. It's just by the feel type thing. Also make sure they are in line with the handle, the first time I did it they looked great if you were just looking at the two tines but when held up by the handle they were cocked to the right so I hand to bring them back so they were in line with the handle.

Then it's up to you as to how much flare you want. There were some old threads on here about that and if I remember correctly the consensous was more parrallel will allow the bag to slide off easier (even on the upswing so maybe losing the bag it you're not careful) and the tines with more flare allow it to "pop" off more.

I'm still pretty new so all I really know is I have mine flared just slightly beyond parallel. The bag slides off pretty easy but when I hit it good there'll be a pop and the end of my fork turns into a tuning fork and vibrates.

 

 

The Branimal wrote: ...what do you mean by smooth out the tines?

A little tip that l haven't seen here.  l found in preparing our forks that if you give the tines a good heavy coat of paint before you start grinding and sanding, the low places are already filled in and less sanding is required.

when did the sheaf toss become so bloody scientific!!!!!! hook the bloody bag and let er' rip

JWC III wrote: I have 4 different types of forks and I could write a book on tossing the sheaf.  I loves me some sheaf

Why so many? To be sure you have one that meets local rules as you travel?

wouldnt a "spork" be more versitile? I mean really!  whatif yuze gunna hav sum puddin pie?

Well the fork turned out great, and it's already at it's new home. I used
different paints but nothing moved on me. I cleared it with a spar Urethaine
indoor outdoor to handle the weather. The spar won't crack like regular
clear. I even got my next order. Deep Purple