BlackSmithBear
Member Since 07 Jul 2009Offline Last Active Jan 12 2011 08:48 AM
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Updated 24 Apr · 0 comments
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Hi,
I am 60 years of age(calendar age), and a machinist of 30 years. Due to the economy, I am no longer able to find that work within a "decent" driving area. I became involved with the CSCEP program to help "re-educate" me so I could find a new job. I was assigned to the "Northern Forest Heritage Park" (Local Historical Park, Based on the former Main Industry of the area I live in, Logging, and Paper making), as a maintainance worker, and also to handle the Information booth, due to my computer skills. The park is a reproduction of a 1890's/early 1900's Logging Camp, complete with a fully equipped and functional Blacksmith shop. I watched a local amateur Smith give a Demo for local school kids, and was fascinated by it! I spoke with him after the kids left, and had a LOT of questions. WHen I found out he would only do demo's for kids, I told my supervisor, "Hey, I can do this, and demo at park functions, where this guy won't". They gave me the chance, and the smithing bug bit me, real Hard! I had an opportunity to work with period correct equipment, in a period setting, in a fully equipped shop! Between the books I have read, and info from this site, I'm improving every day. I have also obtained the basic necessities for my home forge. I'll be posting in the gallery photo's of my workplace forge, and my home forge, as it comes together.
A bit about the workplace; located in a replica logging camp in Berlin, NH, The main paper producing are in the New England region until recent years, comprised of log buildings, the Blacksmith Shop is about 30 foot square, has a Wooden Box Forge (originally a side draft, but now reworked as a bottom draft by me), hand crank blower, an immaculate Peter Wright Anvil(260/300 Lb range), nice 6 inch post vice, and about 50-60 sets of tongs. ( I can hear you readers thoughts....Lucky SOB!...and I quite agree...very lucky!) I often think...WOW!..and they actually pay me to do this!
My home forge, is an ongoing project, and I now have an antique cast iron forge, Champion hand crank blower, 4 inch post vice, and a nice 120 Lb Trenton anvil that I picked up locally for $100.00. I'll be constructing a shop building to house all this, and have a local scrap metal recycler who has told me he has a large bin of Blacksmith tools (tongs, hardy's, etc.) that I have yet to visit (either he's too busy to find the storage unit they're in, or I can't get the time to get there). but this spring I'll find the time! I have obtained a business plan, and will file for a grant to establish a Blacksmith business this year.
I'm planning on building a tire hammer this year as well...as the joints would surely last much longer if I wasn't stressing them as I do now!
I am 60 years of age(calendar age), and a machinist of 30 years. Due to the economy, I am no longer able to find that work within a "decent" driving area. I became involved with the CSCEP program to help "re-educate" me so I could find a new job. I was assigned to the "Northern Forest Heritage Park" (Local Historical Park, Based on the former Main Industry of the area I live in, Logging, and Paper making), as a maintainance worker, and also to handle the Information booth, due to my computer skills. The park is a reproduction of a 1890's/early 1900's Logging Camp, complete with a fully equipped and functional Blacksmith shop. I watched a local amateur Smith give a Demo for local school kids, and was fascinated by it! I spoke with him after the kids left, and had a LOT of questions. WHen I found out he would only do demo's for kids, I told my supervisor, "Hey, I can do this, and demo at park functions, where this guy won't". They gave me the chance, and the smithing bug bit me, real Hard! I had an opportunity to work with period correct equipment, in a period setting, in a fully equipped shop! Between the books I have read, and info from this site, I'm improving every day. I have also obtained the basic necessities for my home forge. I'll be posting in the gallery photo's of my workplace forge, and my home forge, as it comes together.
A bit about the workplace; located in a replica logging camp in Berlin, NH, The main paper producing are in the New England region until recent years, comprised of log buildings, the Blacksmith Shop is about 30 foot square, has a Wooden Box Forge (originally a side draft, but now reworked as a bottom draft by me), hand crank blower, an immaculate Peter Wright Anvil(260/300 Lb range), nice 6 inch post vice, and about 50-60 sets of tongs. ( I can hear you readers thoughts....Lucky SOB!...and I quite agree...very lucky!) I often think...WOW!..and they actually pay me to do this!
My home forge, is an ongoing project, and I now have an antique cast iron forge, Champion hand crank blower, 4 inch post vice, and a nice 120 Lb Trenton anvil that I picked up locally for $100.00. I'll be constructing a shop building to house all this, and have a local scrap metal recycler who has told me he has a large bin of Blacksmith tools (tongs, hardy's, etc.) that I have yet to visit (either he's too busy to find the storage unit they're in, or I can't get the time to get there). but this spring I'll find the time! I have obtained a business plan, and will file for a grant to establish a Blacksmith business this year.
I'm planning on building a tire hammer this year as well...as the joints would surely last much longer if I wasn't stressing them as I do now!
Community Stats
- Group Members
- Active Posts 71 (0.07 per day)
- Most Active In Anvils (36 posts)
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- Member Title Junior Member
- Age 62 years old
- Birthday July 31, 1949
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Gender
Male
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Location
Northern New Hampshire
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Location
Northern NH.
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Interests
blacksmithing
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Occupation
machinist
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