Jonny Foreigner

Off topic but there was a great sketch on the Fast Show performed by Arabella Weir... Perhaps I just don't have a high enough forum post count.

We have been in a similar position in the past both in the UK and here in France. My advice would be to talk to the local planning dept., preferably the chief planning officer, outlining what you want to do and asking them to give you an idea about how they would view a formal proposal - they are normally happy to give you some feedback. It's easier in France, so long as you are friendly with the maire...;0) Ultimately how much you want it will dictate the extent of the risk you are prepared to take, which is a personal thing; if it was me and I got a positive verbal response from the planning dept. I would go ahead and negotiate a deal with the vendor, gaining formal approval after the sale goes through, avoiding the risk of the vendor hiking the price post approval. In parallel I would be finding out who's who in the immediate area and getting them 'onside' regarding your project. Build the local relationships it will smooth the planning and help your marketing enormously when you have it up and running as a business. But thats just me, I have never been risk averse and only lost money on classic cars and thankfully not property. Good luck

I had similar concerns to you having installed double wall for wood burners on several occasions but found that what Dan says above has been exactly the case for me. I used 10 inch single wall which penetrates a steel corrugated (lacquer finish) sheet roof, the top of the hood touches the roof but the pipe goes through with 2 inch clearance all round. I then sealed with one of these: http://www.fluesupplies.com/index.php?cPath=28_65&osCsid=71d99b31af3c1c13f0f6475446eed5cd Now after using it for some time the flue really only gets hot enough to warm your hands (touching) on and I realise that I could of used the low temperature version of the flashing!!! If your in an outbuilding I would of thought that like me, the biggest issue is what you roof is made of - sorry if I missed it but you don't mention in your post. Do you have a ceiling as such to be concerned with?

Radio Punch bag - my sons but I use it (more NOW due to number 4) Dart board Fridge - unused as I'm now on the wagon...and hating every minute of it Arrrrhhhhhh

Same here. Also, its the best 'penetrating oil' that exists - I have never used a commercial brand that works as well. Has saved me countless broken bolts and fixings, not to mention time and money over the years

Thought you might like these. Taken at a medieval re-enactment in France 18 months ago. This guy was making small items and knives using a bellows operated charcoal burning dragons head forge, the bellows were incorporated into its body. Pictures don't really do it justice - it might not be any use for bigger stuff but it was the best looking forge I have seen. Enjoy. Guy

Received my block today, big thank you to Giles for a great product and arranging a good, competitively priced transporter to France. The casting is top notch, obviously needs to be dressed and polished up on the working surfaces but nothing problematic as the basic casting is "tres propre" as the french would say. Looking forward to the mandrel next Giles... ;) :D

Thanks for the update, sounds promising. Completely understand regarding children, from 1 to 2 the effort seems to be exponential and with 3 you start to question your own sanity and find the red wine glass size increases - I'm currently up to dimple mug :wacko: next stop might be a full yard!

Hey Giles, Any news? Dog that barks loudest and all that... Regards Guy

Agreed on that one. It all changes at that point unless you are very lucky. I have constant elbow pain and locking finger joints, not caused by blacksmithing as such but most physical work now makes it worse. Visits to the docs are generally a waste of time as 'pills do not sort all ills', rest helps but if one wants/needs to keep using the joints in the same way then learn to live with it.

Hi Giles, I was only thinking yesterday about you and the block, looked in today and find you posted. :) My oak beam off cut and me are still patiently waiting. No metal bashing at the moment due to guests though to Sept. Got a ton of coal delivered a couple of months back - only burned a couple of lumps in the wood burner... back to making crossbows until the autumn :ph34r:

Looks really good - I would be well pleased if I had taken that from design to production. Got a mate coming over in June so allowing time for him to get over and pick it up before then, just let me know when available. Excellent job.

Understand what you are saying but from my perspective I agree with everyone above. Looks good to me, I like individuality, which is what I believe this craft/profession is all about. If I wanted 'perfection' (what ever that is...) I would commission tooling in CNC and "stamp it out in factory in China" (note: even if I did want to I don't have the money and anyway, vin rouge takes preference) Go for it!

Hammer with a saw cut in the handle and a rubber mallet... :D I could understand where Dave Budd was coming from however from my perspective I'm happy. Take a "grasse matinée demain matin" Giles

Hi Giles, From my perspective I am OK with cast iron - I will be using the block for thin plate work so lighter weight hammers will be the order of the day for me. A lot of what I have produced in the past has been cold worked using formers held in a cheap 6 inch cast iron machinist bench vice without problems and I know they have a name for breaking if used in this way. A waist high oak beam off cut to is awaiting to sit it on which will support it entirely so would avoid the situation Owen describes. I needed to get rid of a large wood burning cooker once (really awful french thing - worth nothing more than scrap, before I get berated) and took a sledge to it, very easy to break but the metal was only 1/4 inch in places so not surprising. I would of thought the biggest issue on a heavy block such as this would be chipping but again, for me using hot thin plate, can't see it being an issue. If it was the kind of block you show in the second picture above I would possibly be more wary. Good to talk to you on Tuesday even if it was a really crappy line, pity we could not meet up but c'est la vie. Took the kids to Bath on Wednesday and showed them The Baths. Look forward to seeing the finished product. Guy