Category: Crucible Tool

We have just delivered a big batch to our warehouse – you can buy yours here. If these sell out, know that we have a second big batch that is almost done. We just need to do some quality control inspections and package them up.

— Christopher Schwarz

We will begin selling our biggest batch of lump hammers at noon (Eastern time) on Friday, May 10. We hope that we do not sell out of these hammers and that we can return to our lives as furniture makers who sometimes make nice tools (instead of the other way around).

You’ll also be able to pick up one of the Arno burnishers we’re now carrying. We love these, and we’re selling them at an excellent price ($20 less than some places).

— Christopher Schwarz

Another massive load of Crucible Card Scrapers are available for immediate shipment from our warehouse. The price is (still) $20 plus shipping.

The scrapers come with a magnet attached, which absorbs heat while scraping. And they come in a paper wallet, which is ideal for protecting the tool when it’s not in use. I say these things so you don’t throw them away and then ask us to send them to you….

— Christopher Schwarz

This week I’ve thrown myself into production for Crucible Tool along with help from Megan Fitzpatrick and Brendan Gaffney. Today, Megan and I finished up 600 card scrapers and sent them to the warehouse. They should be for sale by the end of the week – so take this as fair warning.

We have a new jig for machining the scrapers in a CNC mill. This speeds the process and eliminates the abrasive polishing of the edges. That’s a win for everyone’s lungs (and fire suppression equipment). Abrading metal blows. And burns.

Speaking of abrasives, during the last month, we’ve redesigned the way we make hammer heads to reduce – and almost eliminate – the abrasive grinding processes to make the heads for our lump hammers.

I know that some of you simply want your hammers and don’t care about how they’re made. If that’s you, know that we should have a batch of hammers for sale next week. You can now go back to your cat videos.

For those interested in how your tools are made, here’s what we’ve been up to. When we started making the hammers we machined the heads and then had five abrasive processes to finish them. We used three grits on the flat faces and two on the striking faces.

With the magic of changing the tool paths, we’re down to one abrasive process. We’re hoping to eliminate that one as well and just have a little power buffing.

The heads won’t look different to the naked eye. All the facets are the same. The striking faces are the same dome shape. But the surfaces look a wee bit different under a loupe. I think they look better.

Note: After five minutes of hard use, all our hammers look about the same.

All these changes will make the heads easier to make. And it’s safer for the machine operators. So thanks for your patience (like you had a choice).

— Christopher Schwarz

P.S. Before you email John and Meghan: No, we’re not working on dividers. That tool has been suspended until it can be redesigned.

I just packaged up a batch of Crucible Card Scrapers and they are en route to our warehouse tonight. We have sold out as of 8:15 this morning….

As I mentioned last week, we are consolidating the Lost Art Press and Crucible websites to make our lives (and yours) a bit simpler. We have set up a bunch of redirects to help direct the traffic to the right place, but we are sure there will be 404s and LOLs. Apologies for sending you literature on sausage making at home. It was not our intent.

Back to scrapers. This isn’t the biggest batch we’ve made, but we hope this helps satisfy the demand. Note that we have not raised the price (we resist Adam Smith’s invisible backhand).

— Christopher Schwarz