TedT2

Your honesty is refreshing Pulsepushthepopulace. If you perceive a problem and have an idea, I would suggest that you chat with Glenn first, it would be good protocol. First; a person would have to understand the history of the site in detail to understand how it is and has been run and financed. Many times the valuable information found here at “I Forge Iron” has been presented to us FREELY from highly experienced blacksmiths that were not inclined to be computer functional. And that is because they are Blacksmiths and not computer oriented people by nature. Some valuable contributors have been older (old school) and from very humble circumstances. I know that some extremely valuable information would be lost over time if it became even more difficult “by making people have to pay in order to share their valuable knowledge” with us. I am talking about the type of information that helped build this site to the (arguably) Most Informative Blacksmithing Site on the internet. We have been thus far very fortunate to have received information from craftsman who are NOT normally considered as to be “computer people”; as a matter of speaking. But are highly skilled blacksmiths who no longer had or have the luxury or means to pay to subscribe. You would have to know and understand that this site has gone through a lot of changes and adjustments in its history, and many people have contributed much by sharing their expertise and finances to help keep it going. Again; I would suggest that you chat with Glenn first, “Who knows” he may approve of the idea, and that is all that counts for me!

I Forge Iron VIP Pulsepushthepopulace I have a few questions for you. Your relationship to Glenn and I Forge Iron makes a big difference about my response to your question that you have posed to us. 1. Are you a part of Glenn’s staff? 2. Is this your Idea, or was you asked by Glenn to fix the site? To my way of thinking, we have enough people that act like VIP's. Blacksmiths that are Skilled and not Skilled, OLD and NEW, Poor or Rich, come in here. They are all VIP's in my thinking. Now if Glenn asked this same question, or if he asked you to do this; that is another story. Glenn has done nothing but Give, Give, Give to all of us! This kind of a question should only come from the authorized people who are in charge. I think some deep thought would be in order about the outcome of what dividing up people by financial ability and making them VIP’s will do to this site. Being a VIP does not make them a better blacksmith, but may sound good to some. If Glenn is upgrading the site, Then so be it! Again; That is another story!

Small pein (Paul), his wife and family are on my list and in my (our) prayers. The reason I say "in my (our) prayers." is that as quickly as possible, I always tell my wife about the needs of our neighbors that are expressed here at I Forge Iron. She stops what she is doing and together we ................... That is how important I see this opportunity is to be able share some of the load with someone else. Ted Throckmorton <><

Blacksmiths; you all have suggested some good workable solutions. I am approaching the issue from a slightly different approach, which is a product of my experience. When I forge small parts, I use a small “Hot Box”. Only when forging several small parts. A “hot box” is what I learned to call it, and it is only a flat peace of stock with sides welded onto each side of it. The box looks like a box with low side walls and no top. The side walls are necessary so when you lay small objects on the piece of flat steel they will not roll off or be knocked into the coke of the fire. When you are forging small parts, the hot box is kept in the forge fire, and it is always kept up to heat. The advantage of making and using a hot box is that you can place or remove small parts rapidly in the hot box without losing them, plus they will reheat uniformly without burning them. I have used this method successfully in a coke fire and in a gas forge. I am not the one who thought to do this. It was something that I was taught somewhere along the way that has been useful to me. Hopefully this idea added with the mix of other ideas will work for you! My best to you! Ted Throckmorton

No question that you are on your way!! Nice set-up! Good Forging to ya! :) Ted

There are lots of self taught blacksmiths. Some have turned out to be highly skilled and have eventually learned to also work safely. But that route is not for everyone. I suggest that you read the following if you find the time! http://www.iforgeiron.com/topic/31268-welcome-new-blacksmiths-here-are-a-few-suggestions/ My very best to you! Ted Throckmorton