Everything Else

I have an Ashley side-door wood heater in my basement. I like it for the most part, but sometimes if the conditions are right, the thimble into the chimney will get extremely corroded with creosote. I'm not talking about the brittle, foamy stuff that brushes out easily. This stuff is like black hot-melt glue. When it's cool, you can chip it with a screw-driver. If it gets in the pipe, you can take the pipe outside and burn it out (and it certainly does burn). However, I have some that has run down my brick work. I have chiseled off a lot of the solid part, but it has left a bad stain. Any idea what might disolve this stuff? It will be indoors, so I have to be carefu…

G'day all! Just to let you all know, Baby Rachel Evelyn Briggs was born at 10:44 this morning, Perth time (GMT+8), weighing 9lbs, 10oz! Mother and baby doing very well - Dad feeling a bit frazzled! Will post pics soonish!

Just read the thread about the sword on ebay. Man - you have to be really careful when buying things there. People have been trying to sell supposedly authentic civil war era bowie knives with no reserve. They are either crazy or are trying to con you. Hmmmm - let me which one would it be??!!! CON!!!!!! I am sure that everyone here is practical and has a level head on thier shoulds but if you should happen to see that one thing that you really need at an unbeatable price - log off and think about it. The old adage about "if seems too good to be true then it probably is" really rings true here. I have not purchased anything like that but have been saved a couple of time…

Go find a Veteran and thank them for their service and sacrifice to this country. God Bless the USA and the men and women who protect it.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARINES!!! SINCE NOVEMBER 10th 1775 KEEPING THE WOLF FROM THE DOOR SEMPER FIDELIS (always faithful) OOOHHH RAAAHHH!!!!!

Hong's Speedy Quick Delivery & Installation Service

I bought this postal truck from a friend of mine... it's a 1984 AM General with only 50,000 miles on it. Automatic tranny and a rated load of 1/2 ton... yeah right! With the 250+ CI straight six in there I'm pretty sure it'll handle quite a bit more. Right hand drive, too! Needs only a few minor bits of work (plus registration) and it'll be back on the road.

We had to put wifes 20 yr old cat to sleep Friday. Wife took it real hard, so I checked local humane society web page, a friend had some 6 week old kittens so I got one Saturday as a replacement. Wife turned into a little girl with a new doll and little kitten is so much fun, she cheered up right away, wouldn't put it down for several hours, they bonded right away. She named it Misty.

The ammo cases that are given as door prises are 50 cal boxes, inside dims are 5 1/2 x 11 x 6 3/4 approx. scrapman1077

Happy Halloween to all those out there who are participating on this fine day of candy, cheap costumes, and cheesy horror movies on TV! Peyton

Jr - I sent you a private message on 9/28 and a follow up on 10/13. I was trying to find out if you are still making hammers. Can you let me know? Thanks for the time -

As it is the fall season in the USA, when was the last time you checked the fluid levels in your vehicles? That is the oil, the radaitor for fluid and antifreeze, the tranny fluid, the diferential fluid, brake fluid, turn signal fluid, greased the greasable joints, and checked the battery fluid. Did you check the air pressure in the tires and the depth of the tire's tread? Just a reminder to check things now when you can easily go to the auto parts store for supplies or get tools from the garage. You do not want to get caught out on the road in bad weather. For those in the "other" side of the world, the same is ture only you have the heat to deal with as your e…

or quit lurking about! LOL! I've been up to my gills here lately with a WSP who is making great demands on my time. For those who aren't in the know, a WSP is a 'woman shaped person'. I've gotten the rings bought, but haven't had the perfect chance to spring them upon her. Crikey what am I thinking!!!?! I get angina every once in a while when it crosses my mind. At least every twenty minutes or so! Suffice it to say that I have had my mind in yonder pastures. ACH! She is so totally cool with the idea of expanding the blacksmithing and post industrial iron working into a business that I think I've been hit in the head with a brick. LOL Love, however it may manifest i…

Hello. I am working on making my school pottery studio to be more sustainable/ user friendly. One of the things I want to do is build a few simple pedal driven pottery wheels. How do some of you turn your footpedal grinding wheels? And how would you suggest turning this vertical rolling motion into a flat wheel turning? Simple drawings would be much appreciated. Thanks eversomuchmoreso! Archie

G'day all I noticed there was some discussion on Vegemite in the forums and chat room of late, so this might raise a few eyebrows. According to today's (Sunday's) paper, Vegemite has recently been banned in the US! It can no longer be imported! It contains folate, which apparently only allowed as an additive in certain foods, of which vegemite is not one. Can anyone confirm this? Or have I been sucked in by the latest rumour??

I know, i know. Not really something one would typically post up on a blacksmithing forum. But I'll get to that. My granny is 88 and pretty spry, but she's mostly been telling me the same stories for my whole life. Well, I've been into this blacksmithing thing for about the last year, and this was the first time I've spent any one on one time with her since then. I knew from talking to my mom and aunts that my grandpa had a couple of forges and plenty of bs'ing tools. He was a farmer, and their ranch was pretty remote so he had to be as self sufficient as possible. I'd also heard stories about how all the neighbors would bring stuff to him to get it fixed if it was…

Water or Coke, VERY interesting WATER #1. 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. (Likely applies to half the world population.) #2. In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is mistaken for hunger. #3. Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as 3%. #4. One glass of water will shut down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a University of Washington study. #5. Lack of water, the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue. #6. Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers. #7. A mere 2% dr…

Just wanted to let everyone know that I passed the CPA exam. I am now a Certified Publie Accountant. A lot of prayer and preparation went into this. It has been a long time coming. Now all I have to worry about is 40 hours a year of continuing education. This is a very exciting time for me and my family. Rush

Looking at getting an oxy/acetylene torch setup. I want something that will allow me to go from FIRE LOTS OF FIRE!!! down to the little pencil point flame. Who makes a good one? I see a bunch out there, but anytime I see wide variations in prices, and names like "Generico" I know it's the type of tool where it's easy to get burned (harr harr harr). What brand(s) do you all recommend? What are some "watch our fors"? What's the general set of tips/accessories you all would recommend? I don't by the way, plan on doing anything like cutting 1/2" plate. 1/4" maybe. I do plan on using it for melting (very) small heats of silver/bronze/brass for casting, some cutting …

This is awesome beyond words. You have to read this & watch the video. When you click the link to watch the video you get connected to the internet site. The video screen is small but there's an icon in the bottom right corner of the screen that will make the picture as big as your screen.Strongest Dad in the World [From Sports Illustrated, By Rick Reilly] Eighty-five times, he's pushed his disabled son, Rick, 26.2 miles in marathons. Eight times he's not only pushed him 26.2 miles in a wheelchair but also towed him 2.4 miles in a dinghy while swimming and pedaled him 112 miles in a seat on the handlebars--all in the same day. Dick's also pulled him…

I don't know how many of you may be familiar with this show. I watch 3 episodes on the History channel yesterday - armour, sheilds and only saw bits of a one hour episodes on swords. The show is presented by a fellow who trains actors and reenactors on the proper use of medeaval and other weaponry. Really interesting stuff. Being metal workers we would find any one of these and most likely others interesting. Lots of information and tidbits on the development of weapons and armour which are directly related to developments at the forge. Some of the things on armour was how sowmtime in the mid fifteenth centiry Italian blacksmiths and armourers figured out how to harden…

#1 son sailed tuesday for a six month deployment to the Mediterranean and/or parts unknown . Emails say they are sometimes working 20 hrs a day. Makes me glad I am back here with a union contract so that I have a little bit of time to mash metal. :)

Today is the opening day of the 2006-2007 Ohio Whitetail Deer season (archery). For those of you that hunt, what is/was your most memorable hunting trip/camp you have been on. I know for a fact that every hunter has a good "Deer-Camp" story to tell. So, let's hear it. For those of you that don't hunt personally, I'm sure that you know someone that does hunt. What do you remeber about any certain hunt your friend or family member went on? If it helps, I'll tell you about one I had. About 3-4 years ago, I went to the southern part of Ohio with my dad and a family friend for deer shotgun season. One day I was in the woods, and mother nature called. So, I walked over to a tr…

OHMYGOLLYGEEWHIZWOW!!! Finally got my hands on that firepot/tuyere I've been hunting and ain't she a beauty, (need to get some digital pix to post) an antique, mighty stout and large. Has tuyere with ash dump and no clinker tickler. The blacksmith I got this from is a true Gentleman, his smithy a living museum beyond compare and I am awestruck at the ease with which he oozes experience and wisdom with every sylable. I will not take the liberty of mentioning his name in cyberspace but if you ever met him you would not be lost on the magnitude of making his aquaintance, a nicer guy you will not meet. When I asked his price I was floored at his reply- $25. That was four hour…