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Good Morning, Welcome to our world. again. North West Blacksmith Association will be having their Spring Conference in Longview, May 17-19. The Conference will be at Longview Fairgrounds, just over the first bridge and to the left. NWBA is using one of the buildings for their home base. www.blacksmith.org There are a bunch of Blade Smiths that you would want to talk to. In actual fact, some of them live probably 20-30 minutes from you now. If you can make the journey, I hope to see you there. I will be there. If you can't, send me a PM and I will get you their information. Another fine day, above the dirt!! Thanks, Neil

Good Morning, I would contact them, there probably is someone else who lives fairly close. The HinterWeb makes someone a ways away, like next door. I am only making a friendly suggestion (lol). Some States have more than one group or association. The benefit of joining Learning Forces, is HUGE. Learn from someone who has already made a mistake or two, it is nothing to be ashamed of. I call it learning. Check out the ABANA web-site. There are a lot of Lessons, available on-line. There also is a Bi-Annual Blacksmith Conference (every 2 years on the even years) in Johnstown. I don't expect you to saddle up and go, but there will be a lot of Tools, Equipment and Suggestions as well as hands-on Demonstrators. Some people we meet, only every 2 years. In Canada we have our Bi-Annual Conference 'CanIRON' on the odd years. See www/caniron.ca You can look at the history of all the previous Conferences at the bottom of the home page 'History' Don't be afraid of making an Anvil out of any shape, large or small, it all works. There are no Blacksmith Police. Go for it and enjoy the Ride, we all are on the same ride. Whatever you have to do a job, it is the right Tool for that occasion. Neil

Good Morning Will, Welcome from the Left Coast. It seems to me, you live in the middle of a VERY ACTIVE Blacksmith Association P.A.B.A., https://paba-site.org/ Check out your local Blacksmith's first. Neil

Most machinery shafting is 1045. Talk to your local Machine Shop, they will have it. I don't weld a bit in, with 1045, I punch for the handle. EZE-PEEZEY. I have also used Dywidag (dewydag), it is a steel for rock anchor during Bridge Construction. It is stretched with hydraulics (thousands of pounds of tensile stretch) and a nut (often left hand thread) tightened by hand, then the hydraulics is released. Spring tension holds the Bridge footings for a lifetime. Great for Axes, got some spring. I have a friend who operates a concrete pumper truck and he snags some drops. I punch the eye and make the Axe any shape I want. Small beard, big beard, no beard, whatever is wanted. If you can't find 1040, change your focus. Most Jack Hammer bits are 1040 to 1060. Neil

Good Morning Camelia, North West Blacksmith Association will be having their Spring Conference at the Fairgrounds of Longview, Wash. May 17-19, 2024 Their website is www.blacksmith.org Hope to see you there. Neil

Good Morning, I converted to 'Tooth Belt' like a timing belt, 1/2" pitch. All sizes of pulleys are available from your local 'Industrial Supplier'. The friction/contact surface is better than 2 V-belts. Yes, we have to lift the shaft to change belts. We lay a spare belt loose, when we replace them. It is not difficult. Neil

So no canister damascus:tm:? Boy are you ever missing the intended meaning of the saying. Left field, out of the park!! This is my saying, the key words are "If you don't create the box to contain your thinking, you can't be accused of Thinking outside of the Box". This has absolutely nothing to do with Canister Damascus. Neil

Good Luck, Which part of Alberta? There are quite a few Blacksmiths in Alberta. Neil

A Sawyers Anvil doesn't have a horn, it works wonderful for it's job. Neil

Good Morning Toor, Canada is a big place, can you be slightly more specific. If you put your area in your avatar, people will then know how to help. I live in Victoria BC. There are a lot of other association's across Canada, I was asking to help point you to someone closer to you, than on the interweb. Neil

Good Morning, What part of the rock do you call home? I would ask the supplier. Neil

Good Morning, There is a Cafe, here on the Island, made from retired 2" Wire Rope (main Line for High Lead Logging). It is called the 'Cable Cafe'. If you make a Door Frame, that would be 'the Entrance to the Chain of Command'. LOL Neil

Good Morning, Talking about a 'Left Handed Monkey Wrench', There is such a thing. There is a 'Left Handed Crescent Wrench'. Yes you have to rotate the thumb screw the other way. The first time I used it, it was awkward, Then I became used to it. Neil

Good Morning Bored, The wonderful world of Hooks is absolutely open to interpretation. Nobody sees the same way or procedure the same. What I teach is, when you draw out the tapered square for the part that is driven into the wood, I give them a half turn counter-clockwise (when hot). This makes a right hand thread. They will not fall out, regardless what you hang on them. Enjoy your Journey. Neil

Good Morning, mni Welcome to our world. The best Teacher is to pay attention to our "OOPS" and learn what the material is telling us. There is no failure, if you are learning. I learned from Tom Clark (RIP) to take the time and set up the blank with a small square, center punch and either 2 or 3 small drilled holes. Jennifer has a video here about a Handled Cold Cut she just made. She didn't predrill and she shows how to correct for an uncentered hole. She also shows how to create an oval Handle Hole by punching the hole with a Round Punch and then ................. 'watch the Video'. Enjoy the Journey, there is no Destination but it all matters!!! Neil