Raturay

Six or eight years ago I was that total beginner and hadn't hit a piece of hot steel. I had read everything I could find at the time and lurked around this forum plenty. I eventually completed a two day beginners course. Over the two days, in a group of I think 8, we made a cold chisel, a hot cut chisel from a piece of leaf spring, a round punch, a centre punch, and a basic set of tongs. We made the jaws of the tongs and the instructor forge welded the reins while we watched. We riveted together - with varying degrees of success I might add. It was a terrific learning experience and we ended top with a very usable set of tools that I still use regularly today. Thinking about it now I'm pleased we made what we did and not s hooks and the like. Good luck with it Andy. Ray

This is an old family brand, but a new stainless steel branding iron. The interesting part is it was made by a very inspirational bloke who is confined to a wheel chair after being thrown from a horse some years ago. Steve has no movement from around the chest down and some weakness in both arms and hands. He has made his own jigs to produce all letters of the alphabet and 0 to 9 numbers. He still has his own cattle and can use an adapted 4 wheeler. He also trains dogs and competes in sheep/cattle trials. He is a funny guy and doesn't let anything get in his way of doing something. ........and he makes brilliant cattle brands from either mild or stainless steel. Ray

From memory Gary Huston posted a very interesting video called (I think) Riveting Tips on his Youtube channel a little while ago. He had made a park bench that was fully riveted (no welds). It had some tricky positions to get to and he made various snap tools to accommodate the riveting. I haven't gone back to find the video but it should be easy enough to find. As is usual from Gary, in my opinion, the video is first class and very informative. Ray

I can't offer much help. However I saw Terry at the Cobb & Co Museum in Toowoomba make an owl four or five years ago at the end of a weekend workshop. It was a guessing game as to what he was making. He started by forging what looked to be a leaf on the end of a piece of round bar. It was very similar in shape to a leaf but then he folded it back on the bar and it became the owl's wings. Some very astute hammering and chisel work resulted in an owl perched on a post. I haven't tried one and wish I had taken notes as he did it. Ray

I use an old 14 inch Buffalo blower and love it. I find it gives me a little extra time to plan the next move to the anvil (and provides some exercise for the left arm). My 5 year old grandson likes to help at times and with his new boots and safety glasses he turns the blower until he's worn out. He kept it up yesterday for much longer than I expected. And boy, can he ask some questions while cranking the blower - quality time........ I only use coke and find that the blower has no problem keeping a food fire unless it's left without air for, I don't know, maybe 20 minutes. Lighting is easy as well. My go is a few small pieces of charcoal in the bottom of the box a few chunks of solid fire lighter and then a few more chunks of charcoal. Get it going with some slow turns of the blower then add the coke. From start to hot steel is no more than 10 minutes. I've used electric blowers at classes and have a bad habit of not shutting the air down when at the anvil. Neddlessly burns a lot of fuel. I guess if I used one all the time I would soon get used to shutting off.

I'm certainly no musical expert but I found that Lorelei's design worked better with a longer striker than the instructions suggest.

My dream would be to have a shop that's a replica of the original John Deere blacksmith shop. A Google search should find you a picture. From memory a replica of the original is in illinois and is on the National Register of Historic Places. I'm sure our friends in the USA can provide more info. If you can cut enough timber..........who knows. It would fit in well in the Gympie surrounds.

Check out this site. Located in Germany (I think). It gives some of the technical info on the Hofi anvil. http://www.angele-sh...xklusive-anvils

You should be stoked - that's fantastic. When I started blacksmithing as a hobby I wasn't attracted to blade work. However the more incredible work I see on this sight from you guys the more encouraged I am to have a go at it. I would love to see a brief commentary of how you did this.

Thanks for the tip Mark. I was trying for a wavy edge but failed.

Here is a pic of the first leaf I have tried. I started smithing as a hobby last July and have been an avid reader (lurker) of this site. I was encouraged to try the leaf after reading some recemt posts about the subject and the advice offered so freely by so many. There was a link to a Youtube video that I watched and followed. The leaf forms part of a steak flipper handle. I messed up the veins a little and need to pay more attention to keeping my work clean of scale however I was really pleased with the form of the leaf. Apart from a beginners weekend that I attended most of what I have learnt is from reading this site and then trial and error. I have read with interest the comments about the new site format and have to say that I like it. Actually I couldn't care what format it comes in. The opportunity to learn from all you guys from around the world is invaluable in any format. Heck I couldn't care if it's writtenon the back of an envelope. The fact that Glen & Co take the time to provide it like this is icing on the cake for me. Well done guys you have my vote. Bush Bugger - if you are reading this you need to get into the steak flippers. They seem to be pretty unique in Australia. I can't make enough of them for people at work. It's keeping me in charcoal and coke and has paid for a few nice tools as well.

Thanks guys. I'll get some larger diameter steel. Also like the sound of using square stock and the bike chain. Might try all of them. Can never have too many tools.

I want to make a simple hold down to fit the pritchel hole which is 17mm in diameter. The largest round stock I have is 12mm which seems a little small. Will 12mm work or should I go bigger? Appreciate your thoughts.

Maths is not my strong point but I'm told the calculation is tan 60 degrees times 4. I think that results in about 6.9 inches. I don't have a protractor to check it and I could be way off the mark as well.

I'm new at this having fired the forge up for the second time now. My aim this weekend was to make a steak flipper for my son for his birthday (and for him to cook the bbq to try it out). Made a few mistakes but it works a treat.