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I Forge Iron

Albert A Rasch

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  1. Trip, If you are not happy, then tear it down. It's tool like all others, albeit a very aesthetically appealing one! None-the-less, if you can't concentrate on the work being done, because it's the wrong, height, can't get to this o that, tools aren't handy, then your just getting aggravated instead of enjoying the task and creating things. I was contemplating building something similar, but with with wider gothic arches, and a removable top plate. Still in the planning stages. I am glad you mentioned height as i will have to look into that. Good post, and great ideas Trip! Regards, Albert
  2. Pulse, I'm telling you Sarasota is a hotbed of smithing activity! Who would have guessed! Nice score, and I am sure it will be "lively." Best regards, Albert
  3. DK, Thanks for the explanation. I was beginning to think I had missed something... And that's for power tools right? Albert
  4. Pugh, Then the answer is most certainly no. There are a ton of guys out there doing "smithing" with nothing more than a hunk of steel, visegrips, a and couple of sledges and ballpeen hammers, with forges made out of washtubs and clay dug out of a river bank, and making a living dong it! If we break it down though, and I do not have the answer to this, on a per capita basis, there might be fewer smiths now than there were 100 maybe even 50 years ago, but in absolute numbers, there have got to be more than ever if Youtube is any indication! Or if you look at the number of suburban farriers, their numbers are astronomical. I'm beginning to think that well heeled "hobby" smiths who build up well equipped "traditional" shops might outnumber traditional smiths of yesteryear! Interesting speculation; I'm going to keep my eyes open and see what is out there. Best regards, Albert
  5. Now there is a huge difference between the two examples! As you can see, It is still a hammer, but the finish has made a vast difference in the perception of your skills. And a stripper plate? That lends itself to way too much speculation.... best regards, Albert
  6. Mr Charlie, Thanks for the feature length post! I certainly enjoyed it! I too am less than, shall we say, conversant with any mathematics higher than say... addition...of single digits, but I do understand pictures and ideas. Your spiral pulley, reminds me of the linkage on weight machines to keep the line of pull and push the same. I'll have to study the drawings more carefully in order to appreciate the science and mechanics behind them. I appreciate the time and energy you put into the post, I really do! Thanks again! Albert
  7. Professor T, That makes sense in that the smith was probably doing the same operation repeatedly on two specialized tools that were rarely moved. And i suppose, even a smidgen of energy lost on a single blow would accumulate by the end of the day. Thank you for the input! Regards, Albert
  8. The cap if you don't mind! I've always liked flat caps so i was curious how it looked. thanks, Albert
  9. Interesting piece, I like the use of copper accents. Are the notches meant to be a key? Oh, and how about a picture of the back-end of the knife? Thanks for sharing! Albert
  10. You will do well with that attitude! Welcome aboard! Regards, Albert
  11. Big business that of raising old cypress logs out of the waterways and swamps. Beautiful old growth stuff that hasn't seen daylight in a hundred years or more. Albert PS: So I go to check on logs raised out of the swamp, and of course, they have a show about it...
  12. Mods. That's what they are. If we didn't spend our time modding (experiments) where would we be? I see absolutely no problem with Tex's modifications to make his work efficient and effective. As a horse owner, all I care about is that the shoe fits and fits properly. As a farrier all he would be concerned with is making the best shoe for his clients possible. If that meant modding his anvil, then I am all for it. i bet he has made his money back in efficiency and effectiveness. and in the end, it really is just a tool. best regards, Albert
  13. Ok, I was talking with my son last night, (This morning for you guys) and I told him we needed to look around for a bigger anvil. Not that we really need one, we have a very nice almost new london pattern that weighs between 90-100 lbs, but it would be nice to get something twice that weight or so. As I am talking to him, he is multitasking on the computer. (For those of you older than 28, do not try this at home. After age 28 Multitasking only leads to doing several things poorly at the same time.) Within moments, while I was chatting with him about the shop we are going to build, he says to me,"Dad, here's a 275 lbs Anvil and he wants $400 bucks, oh, and here is another one but it's only 160 lbs. and he doesn't say how much. Do you want me to call them?" He was checking through the computer while talking to me. We live in Sarasota Fl, obviously a hotbed of smithing activity, and in a couple of minutes he found a couple of anvils, and then hardys, tongs, and two, TWO, hand cranked blowers. I still am somewhat amazed and mystified. When I get back, I am going to apply the TPAAAT. May not have to go to the scrap yard after all! best regards, Albert
  14. I would not mind doing a few classes in NZ if there was interest...you guys have some good smiths and knifemakers. And soldiers too! Some of the best I've worked with! Best regards, Albert
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