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Posts
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Website URL
ridgewayforge.blogspot.com
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ridgewayforge
Profile Information
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Gender
Male
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Location
Emmitsburg, Maryland USA
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Interests
Aside from Blacksmithing, I enjoy Philosophy, Camping, Biographies, and Traveling.
Recent Profile Visitors
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Show me your blacksmith pets
Ridgewayforge replied to Glenn's topic in Blacksmithing, General Discussion
A good reminder to always Spade and neuter your pet [snakes] -
Experience with Blacksmiths Paradise?
Ridgewayforge replied to bajajoaquin's topic in Anvils, Swage Blocks, and Mandrels
Interesting side note: All of the anvils I am looking at on the website seem to have pristine edges and faces; Is this a matter of him collecting the best, or is there a general trend towards country's having long traditions in smithing to handle their anvils more carefully? (thinking in comparison to the dozens of farm anvils seen in the US that are marred to high heaven) -
Marc, A good variation is to add one avocado, roast the whole garlic head and add that and put some sour cream or creme fraiche. Otherwise I love me a good chimichurri on some flank steak, seared and still red. But if its BBQ that needs seasoned, nothing better than Arthur Bryant's in Kansas City!
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Forced Air Ventilation vs Open Doors/Windows
Ridgewayforge replied to Ridgewayforge's topic in Building, Designing a Shop
Is there a general rule for how many air changes per hour there should be? That would determine my CFM, in turn helping me choose an exhaust fan type. Additionally, my thought would be to have the fan pull air INTO the shop. Given the air changes neeeded, of course. Is there any benefit for the fan pulling air IN vs pulling the CO out? -
Greetings- I recently bought a townhouse and in the small back lot it came with a block shed, around 12x10x14 (gabled roof). There is a front man-door and two 3x1 windows. I know that I will need more ventilation than this; I will be using a Sandia Labs Recuperative Gas Forge. The block goes up to about 10ft", above that is wood on the inside, siding on the outside. My plan is to cut two ventilation holes on either side of the building, with the rear side (opposite the door) having a bathroom vent fan bringing air into the shed. My hope is to avoid death by CO. From a first glance, does this sound rather dangerous, or might I be alright with this plan?
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Colonial Anvil ID
Ridgewayforge replied to Marcus_Aurelius's topic in Anvils, Swage Blocks, and Mandrels
That crack looks too severe to weld, in my opinion. It is likely wrought iron there, so unless you know how to weld wrought I would not use it. If you want to preserve it for the historical value, then by all means! It certainly is beautiful. Also, Welcome to IFI! -
Dirt-box dirt shrinkage help
Ridgewayforge replied to WoodFireMetal's topic in JABOD - Just A Box Of Dirt
Welcome to IFI, Bridget! And, welcome from north central MD! Glad to see more smiths here in MD. If you need any help, don't hesitate to reach out! Cheers, Patrick AKA Ridgewayforge -
Forgive me if I am reading this wrong, but doesn't this indicate that A36 steel is NOT mystery mixed metal like some people claim? I am reading this that it has some slight variations in carbon content, but otherwise it is not the same as rebar in terms of its variability of content in the same bar. Is there anything I am missing?
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Those edges are not seriously damaged. I would use it as is for about 1000 hours until you know what you want to do with it. Also. Do Not Grind on or Weld the Face!!! Also, Welcome to IFI! If you put your location in your profile you will be amazed at how many members are within spittin' distance.
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Seeking Professional Silversmith
Ridgewayforge replied to Ridgewayforge's topic in General Metal Specific Discussion
Yes; I saw the ones offered, but my main problem lies in finding all the medals in the same size and shape, which is a very definite specification for the couple. I work with several manufacturers of gold and silver medallions and jewelry, but they are larger distributors and didn't want to work with a one-off medal. -
Seeking Professional Silversmith
Ridgewayforge replied to Ridgewayforge's topic in General Metal Specific Discussion
The hardest one to find is a medal commemorating the massacre of the infants, called the "Holy Innocents", I believe. The others I've found good enough examples of, Elizabeth Seton, Joseph, and some new ones, Louis and Zelie Martin. For costs sake, I wanted to give them to my friends in silver, but I am open to other materials. -
Two friends, who I love dearly, are getting married at the end of December. They have asked me to find for their bouquet several medals of certain saints, and I am not having luck locating them wherever I look. I also can't seem to find any silversmiths, only jewelry shops. I would like to, at this point, have them made just for them. Can anyone direct me to a silversmith who may be willing to make four small oval medals (3/4" or smaller) and with whom I can speak to about this? Thank you all in advance for the help! Ridgewayforge
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Here's a follow-up question, rather than creating a new thread: How do most blacksmiths size their rings? I am new to the world of jewelry, but it seems like there are standard sizes (6,7,8,9,10 etc). Are there mandrels with the sizes on them? I'd like to start making rings, but I do not know where to begin on the size issue.
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Dillion, I think if you read around these forums, a lot of your questions will be answered. Don't be afraid to buy something or try something without our approval or recomendation... If you are afraid of failure, I don't recommend blacksmithing. You are asking about style of tongs and hammers: How about you get a tong that holds your material, and a hammer you can hit the material with comfortably for your experience level and strength! Don't get me wrong, we will happily answer your questions, but you may end up going farther in this craft if you take the plunge before getting advice on each step... Cheers, Ridgewayforge
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first time firing up the forge
Ridgewayforge replied to FinnOnTheTank's topic in Blacksmithing, General Discussion
Anytime I build a forge, the urge to try it out overruled my previous objections. The anvil isn't secured, I haven't put up fireproofing, I need to work on the workbench first....