I Forge Iron: RoryMay - Viewing Profile - I Forge Iron

I have been making some more metal bowls. Here is the latest one. Its currently in the little local gallery for sale. I try to make these as fast as I can to keep the price affordable. I use a 50 ton press and a ring, I think it has a 5 inch ID and is 1 3/4" deep, I would have to double check that measurement.

Forged out of a 10" diameter, 1/4" thick Plate. With this bowl I particularity was going for some contrast in shape and design. With the weight of the steel, rivets and color it had an industrial feel. I decided to forge a simple organic stem that starts from the bottom and runs up the side, wrapping its self around the lip. This bowl has the natural colors of the steel with a bees wax finish.

Enjoy



This one was a result of sinking to far. I did this in one heat and didn't control the steel. It was a fun experiment but am not going to repeat this step unless I am going for the look.

Dragon Forge LTD, Craig and Rory May, will host a “flat die forging” and tooling demo on Saturday, August 28, 2010. The demo will cover basics of flat die forging, the making and use of the basic tooling for working metal under the hammer as well as power hammer safety. The tools made and used will include: hand held spring fuller, round fuller/spreader, bottom half round swedge, and a demonstration of using tools in combination such as the: flatter, fuller, butcher and inclined plane. These tools will be produced in order and used to make the next tool on the list. Techniques to forge efficiently using these hammers will be demonstrated such as a turn hit method of reducing stock on flat dies followed by good `ole S.O.R. (square, octagon, round.)

There will be a two day, hands on workshop Sunday 29 and Monday 30 host by Craig May’s School of Blacksmithing. Cost for the two-day event is $250.00 with camping allowed. The class would cover all of the above items plus slitting and drifting, punching a hole and especially tooling for grooving and stamping. This is a hands on class and everyone will leave with a set of tools. The shop has 5 hammers ranging from a 75 lb Bull to a 250lb little giant.

Contact Craig to sign up. Shop phone number: 303-838-1302 or email at Craig@dragonforgeltd.com. Shop location – 1498 mount evans blvd, Pine CO 80470

Dragon Forge is hiring! You can send me your resume with portfolio pictures or email Craig directly. Please visit the website or contact me if you have questions. Thanks!

Employer Name: Dragon Forge Ltd (www.dragonforgeltd.com)
Job Available: Journeyman Smith
Salary Level: Wage dependent on experience
Qualifications: Minimum 5 years working in architectural shop

Additional Information:
Minimum 5 years experience in Architectural forging and manufacturing.
Must be proficient in all manner of traditional forging and modern fabrication.
Layout skills needed and attention to fine detail is crucial!
Long term position to the right person.

craig @ dragonforgeltd.com

Before I go to squishing this hammer...is it a hammer? The one end has a slight tapering back, and it not really that well balanced. Am wondering if something attached to it. I got this to make a pipe hawk and just dont have the heart to do it.



and I have always seen these. One shape or another. I have heard 2 stories: 1-was used to make star chisels. 2- was used for making wagon tires. This particular one was a pic of someones tool in our smithing group who was wondering as well. I have not seen one like this where it was tapered.



Thanks!

-Rory

We are having a 3 day intro to blacksmithing class at the studio of Dragon Forge LTD on April 30th - May 2nd. Craig May is teaching this class. Students will be learning everything from how to tend a coal fire, hammer control, twists, rolling an eye, forge weld and applying all these to make a fire poker. If interested to learn more please send me an email we can reach you at. We are located in Pine, Colorado.

Thanks!