CBrann

Just read an article about iron beads in Egyptian tombs. The iron is thought to be metoric in origin, and drawn out to thin layrs and wrapped into a bead form with a hole through the middle. The articles author though this was silly and drilling a hole would have been easier. I was interested in the tim eline that the Egyptians were playing with iron 1,000 years before most documented sources say any one was. Give it aread, and let me know what you think, cbrann http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-egyptian-beads-meteorite-20130820,0,1388898.story

I have had a certain amount of luck with using hole saws without the center bit.. think drill press and vice here... to create disks for various needs... Milwaulkee has carbide hole saws and it sound like you have enough equipment to make that work. I would think either a drillpress or a magnetic portable drill would get this done. I am planning on filing this one away, just in case I need to do this again.. Cliff

http://ablyth.photoshelter.com/image/I0000QBiqfbREN4o Then I guess this is out too....

I see. I was thinking along the length of the stave, but I also thought that the staves were tapered by hand on a long inverted plane. Had no idea how that would be good. Now I understand. had no idea its call cutting a croze. Never know when thats going to be useful. The bands that hold barrels together are called bands I believe. I can't beleive that you can bend 1 inch thick oak that easily for whiskey barrels, but I have seen it done. I know it looks easy, I know it is not without the skills of long practice.

The rehab from surgery can be tough, but sometimes you can find an alternative that works. My Dad had very serious brain surgery, and after 9 months of rehab my Mom bought him a portable sawmill. How does this relate you may ask, they talked to the doctor before the purchase and she saw that the activities that would provide would be beneficial both physically and mentally. And thought they would be beneficial. He made enough money selling his lumber in the next 4 years to pay for the saw mill. Dad would saw lumber 4 to 6 hours a day, almost every day. If he fell down twice with the chainsaw he was done with work. The brain surgery (he had a base brain mynigioma) messed with his equilibrium, so he fell sometimes. He had a lot of fun and excercise sawing lumber. He called it good rehab. Incidently he out worked a bunch people 20 years younger and reasonably fit everytime they came to "play" with him. All I can say is that my Dad like to work, and gym rehab would not have worked out for him, stay with wht the doctors say, but be creative with what you have to do for follow up, you never know, you could find something new you love or rediscover something old you love. Cliff

If you wouldn't mind giving a few more details about how and what that does, I would love to know what that is and what it does. I am a fan of hand working wood. I dont make barrels, but it never hurt to know a bit more about things like this. Some pictures of what one looks like might be helpful too, I had no idea barrel staves were grooved. Cliff

How many hours have you studied equine anatomy? It is truly amazing that you have found bit and pieces that are just right. How much time do you spend at the scrap yard looking for the right bits? And its amazing how you have captured the movement mid stride! One good lighting strike and this beasty is going to run the praires. Beautiful. Keep giving us pictures! Cliff

In my experience steel that has been hardened a bit has better tone. That being said, I have had junk rod sing beautifully and pieces from springs go clunk. So I am a go with the heating and quenching. I would suggest a bit of temper if it is HCS, otherwise it might crack or break. Yes I found that out the hard way, sounded good until it went crunch. John's advice for finding a harmonic node is very good, and what I was was going to suggest. Usually I find the node to be 1/5 to 1/3 the length of the piece. There will be several nodes, pick one you like. As for tuning, filing the ends will raise the tone. I have not found a way to lower tone, so file carefully. The clapper will influence the sound, a wooden clapper will have a more mellower tone when it strikes, where a steel clapper will have a sharper attack. But I am sure you have fun playing that game. I would look at the library for a book of informal instrument making. I built a wooden xylophone out of 2 by 4 once, the build was easy, tuning took a long time. And the difference between a pleasing tone and scale was 1 stroke of the saw. You cut grooves in back center to tune it. The drawing gives you the lengths, but wood have variable density so tuning is by ear. Beautiful work, keep at it! Cliff

What about those self pack, pay to move container services like pods or pack rat? I have some friends that moved from CT to Chicago with it. They didn't have blacksmith stuff, but it seems like a better way than a rental truck. I am not sure how much the cost was, but even if you can get your anvil and basic tooling, that would be a good start. Knowing my friends I am certain they checked around and found that to be the most cost effective option for them, when you consider money, time, etc. I am curious about the same thing. I am contemplating a move to Texas from Connecticut. At least I will bring my anvil, hammers, and tongs. Everything else I can deal with. Best of luck, Cliff

I am not sure about handles, but I found out the hard way to spilt handle blanks, not saw them. Splitting follows the grain, whereas sawing does not. I made a beautiful handle out of hop hornbeam, and it split the first time I used it, because it was sawn oblique to the grain. Quite a surprise to have a handle crack and fall apart between one strike and the next....

As another update I saw Sharon (the grandmother), she told me Noah's brother Patrick has named it the Zombie hand, and PT is starting slowly and painfully but is getting better. There have been some worrysome episodes, but the doctors say that things are normal, and his healing is excellent! Also she said his hand is beginning to tingle and have some sensation!! Everyone is recovering well from both the physical and emotional damages. Sharon says thanks for all the prayers and she hopes you will all continue to keep on praying! Thank you all very much, Cliff

Funny you guys discussing this. I am in school to become an optician. The guy who makes the lenses and makes glasses. I have written 2 papers and done a full presentation about safety eyewear. the high points are: WEAR IT!!! When doing things with motorized tools like grinding wheels and wire wheels add a face shield!! If you have an Rx, ask your employer about reimbursement for RX safety eyewear, most will be willing to do it. If your employer doesn't provide, get it yourself. Remember we have 2 eyes only, and they don't grow back, wear a blindofld for a day or get something removed from your cornea. you'll be a believer. The thing that dust and particles get around you safety glasses? It does, but that indicates you need to wear a face shield, and clean you face/eyebrows, hair etc, before removing you safety specs...Im not saying clean up for open heart surgery, but a wipe or brush of the face, eyebrows and hair can knock a bunch of dust off, and not into your eyes. Everyday eyewear is sometimes made from the same stuff as safety eyewear, but is not the same at all!!! RX safety eyewear is available from most good opticians, just ask. I'm not a doctor, but right now I apprentice for 4... Between OSHA and ANSI, the rules are on paper, and relatively easy to read. OSHA and ANSI (For the US) even provides charts for easy determination of what you need. Over 80% of eye injuries happen to men between 20 and 50, in the construction and manufacturing fields. These injuries result in over $300 million!!!! in lost productivity, wages, and other expenses annually!!! that was from 1980, and is the most recent study of such things I found. I could go on, but wont, take care all of you Cliff

Prayers from here. Big hopes for speedy and complete recovery. I must admit that seems like a high mark for minor injuries, but if that is the yardstick, I will roll with it

Pete 76 I know the grandmother, and she asked for prayers. The whole situation is ..."complicated"... As an update, he saw the doctor and things seem to continue to be good, he starts PT and OT soon when the splints come off. Thanks to all of you Cliff

Honestly, I seldom ask for prayers, but in this case I feel that my brothers and sisters in iron can help me help a family I know from my home state. A family I know has a 5 year old named Noah. About a month ago his left hand was severed in an accident. Within 12 hours he was transported from Maine where he lives to Massachusetts General Hospital where it was re-attached successfully. In the last 2 days the hand has not been doing so well, and his grandmother asked for prayers to help in any way. They are on their way back to Mass General on Monday, so they are doing all they can. Help me send a little help of the spiritual variety their way. Thank you all so much, yours in iron and fire, Cliff