Glenn

Clinker (in my forge) is usually a hard heavy substance that looks like there was some glass melted in to it. Different fires product different types of clinker due to the material that was not burned.

Sand, scale, rust, and impurities in the fuel all contribute to form clinker.

I thought it would be interesting to run a poll on this topic. Multiple entries are acceptable so you may choose both length and style.

For forging I use a full length leather apron. General shop work is a denim full length apron. But there is a waist length leather apron handy to throw on quickly when needed.

Recently I purchased a cotton full split length apron and am liking it more and more for the range of movement and the fact that the straps don't circle the neck but go over the shoulders, through loops at the waist and tie in the front. Takes a little time to figure out how to put it on the first couple of times, but it is very comfortable to wear and provides protection from both dirt and minor personal damage (shirts last a lot longer now). The strap arrangement will be transfered to the full leather apron soon.

HERE IS THE BIGGEST DAMASCUS BILLET EVER DONE !!!!!!!!!!!
63 CM X30 CM X 140 CM WEIGHT 2.4 METRIC TONS

EVERY LAYER 1.5 MM X 300 MM X 1400 MM ALL TOGETHER 420 LAYERS OF 3 DIFFERENT STEELS.

FORGED ON SEPTEMBER 06 AT THE LOHMANN STEELWORKS BY ACHIM WIRTZ MATTIAS ZWISSLER ANDNORBERT BAHLS.

UNDER A 1000 TON HYDRAULIC PREES TO THE LENGTH OF 340 CM



I am not sure if this is blacksmithing or bladesmithing. Posted here so please tell the knife makers.

Both the Grandmother and the kid will remember this Christmas !!

Bob, there was a discussion lately about needing more constructive criticism when someone asks for an opinion.

The bend where the blade meets the handle bothers me as it seems to be too much and puts the hand in an awkward position in relation to the work. The blade looks like it could visit a grinding wheel to smooth out the back edge in particular, as it looks unfinished. If the handle does not fit the hand, then the handle needs work also.

Not knowing the use the knife was designed for, I would like to see it used and then a second knife improved based on the difficulties encountered.


Keep THAT knife so you can look back and see where you started.

Harold has cancer and his condition is severe. Prayers are needed and appreciated.

Bob came thru the bypass surgery ok. He told the nurses when he came out of the recovery room he didnt want to stay to long, he said he had places to go and people to see. Sounds like Bob. He probably tried to sell some tools while in there.

Bob has a long way to go for a full recovery and needs our prayers
continously. He always has a cheerful postive attitude with a smile and a ready joke to tell. Fred Moye

The edit feature had been disabled only while we consider our options. Hang in there while we develop a plan.

When anyone feels intimidated by another, something is wrong. It inhibits the exchange of information and makes the site a less comfortable place to visit. If you have an issue such as this in the future, please contact me, and I will look into the matter.


We are here to build an informational resource and to assist each other. There will be issues from time to time, but this is one of the very best groups of people anywhere. I am privileged to many stories where one blacksmith has gone out of his way to assist another in the craft. It warms your heart and restores your faith. It is a group I WANT to be associated with.

Strine Let me address your post section by section on an informational basis. I apologize in advance as this will most likely be detailed and run a bit long. This is NOT to be directed toward you in any way, but only to answer your comments.

Obviously I can not see what all the fuss was over Alan since Alan’s posts are gone.

Let me review where and why this started. Reference: "can this anvil be salvaged" A person with 40 years blacksmithing experience tried to provide assistance to Alan who stated he had built 6 fires. Alan, in my opinion, did not accept the assistance in the spirit it was given, and became confrontational. The assistance is posted, but Alan's reply was deleted by Alan.

Alan, you have been given the benefit of 40 years of experience, please take his advice and the advice of others in the spirit it was given.

We need to get back on topic.

Post #9 on this thread refers to the start of the problem.

This is the post that caused the problem.

Post #29 and Post #30 (deleted) prompted my comment and as stated. The deletion of multiple (Alan DuBoff) posts deleted by Alan was the cause for his being banned.

Suffice to say there appears to have been quite a bit of fuss.

There was no fuss. I flagged Alan's membership with an "infraction" flag value = 1 (the lowest possible) which sent a notification to Alan. He then started deleting his posts. After the posts were deleted, he sent me a personal message (PM) through the site. His message read, “I think I cleaned most of it up for you Glenn.” It was only after I saw this thread that I realized what he ment.

But I'm seeing things slightly differently, maybe as a result of too many attempts at cryptic crosswords. Two things are troubling me
Surely it is Alan's rite to delete his postings and contributions when and when he wishes and for whoever reason. To that end I am asking how much of our posting are ours or, once they are posted, do they become yours (admin's) and we have no rights to our once, own intellectual property. An explanation would be much appreciated.

IForgeIron is building a blacksmithing resource, a legacy to the craft of blacksmithing and metalworking. When you build a resource one contribution and one post at a time, it is much like constructing a building one brick at a time. When a post is edited, it is like taking a skewed brick and turning it ever so slightly, so it is then properly placed into position. Alan did not adjust the bricks he contributed to the structure but REMOVED the bricks he contributed. The brick building now has many holes where those bricks (posts) have been removed. The building (site) is strong enough to continue to stand due to the strength and construction of the remaining bricks, but the holes remain.

You would not allow a brick layer to removed his bricks from a structure when he left the job site, or months or years later when he got upset for whatever reason. The same applies with the contributions and posts to the site, they must remain to support the site and the information continuity. If bricks were allowed to be removed, the entire structure would weaken and fall.

I'm struggling to dispel notions about what this could possibly mean.

When someone pulls bricks of information from the site with ill intention and intent to hurt I Forge Iron as a whole, the sensitivity level goes up. The edit feature was turned off to prevent removal of information until we can consider our options.

Also, I have been here for sometime and lost contact with the rule book. Lately I have just relied on common sense and decency to get by. Is it possible to be directed to the rule book so I can refresh my memory? I apologize if it's staring me in the face and I'm too blind to see it.

Common sense and decency is all that is requested in the guide lines. They are posted at Blacksmith Forum > I Forge Iron Forum > Keeping You Informed > New Site Guide Lines > post #1 and #5

Post #1

The Blacksmith Forum is a family site. The standards are set high. You are expected to conduct yourselves as gentlemen and ladies. Your posts are to be civil, polite, and respectful of others and their opinions. There are to be no "bad words", no personal attacks, and it should be able to be read from the front of the church on Sunday with no one being embarrassed.

The site is a way to exchange information. You may question or comment as you wish within these guide lines. Additional guide lines may be added as needed, and additions made to the rules of registration and any disclaimers as needed.

I charge each of you with assisting me in keeping the site a family site, a clean site, and operating within the guidelines set forth. I do not expect any problems, but if they were to occur, please contact me directly with your concerns.

Post #5

If you were invited into someone's home, or someone's business, would you be expected to conduct yourselves as gentlemen and ladies, to be civil, polite, and respectful of others and their opinions, and to not attack anyone personally?

This is YOUR home, and YOUR place for learning. If you answered yes to the question above, then it is how you expect others to conduct themselves already. It is only a rule if the expectations must be addressed and or enforced.

Everyone is invited to join us. Please make suggestions as how we can improved the site and make it better. Participate and make it YOUR home, YOUR place for learning.

This is not a rule book but a general guide line that has served us well for some 17,000 posts, and over 2000 images posted in the gallery. Of the 1, 200 registered members that understood our intent, we have had 3 or so that did not follow the guide lines, and were banned.

Pretty harsh though. A life sentence, and in the season we celebrate good will to all. Still, I'm not privy to the actual offence.

See the above explanation for details. Alan was banned for removal of information from the site with ill intention and intent to hurt I Forge Iron as a whole.

If someone tries to destroy something, you do not allow them back on the property. The time of year the offense ocured has nothing to do with the decision.

Ian,
I think your comment is answered with the removal of bricks illustration.

e-mike
We do have back ups. They are in place and functional. With improvements to the site, new features to the site about to be turned on, and many other things going on behind the scenes, it is a judgment call to move the site forward, or to take time and effort to replace what small amount of material Alan removed.

We encourage everyone to enjoy all the freedom of expression possible, within the guide lines of the site. We encourage communication between the membership and the administrators on any and all matters or subjects. Banning someone is the last option available in order to protect the site.

JWB
We will NOT allow things to get nasty or ugly. We encourage everyone to enjoy the freedom of expression possible in this country and on the internet, but ask them to please keep within the guide lines of the site.

To all:
We can be contacted through the site, by email, by phone and in many other ways. All work. We do listen to the voice(s) of the community, whether members of IForgeIron or not. We are always open for suggestions on how to improve the site.

On a personal note:
We are in the final stages before turning on new features to improve IForgeIron and to set the course the site will take in 2007 and the future. The people who post to the site become part of the informational resource by adding their contribution(s). It is those contributors that have built the site to where it is today. Thank you for your contributions and your support.

When a few individuals try to deface and or destroy what you have built through your contributions, we appreciate your understanding and support when we as administrators must act in your behalf for the better good of the blacksmithing and metalworking community.

This is the post that caused the problem.

Post #29 and Post #30 (deleted) prompted my comment and as stated the deletion of multiple (Alan DuBoff) posts deleted by Alan was the cause for his being banned.

Contact Old Moose or Honest Bob. Honest Bob is currently in the hospital so it may be a while for him to reply.

They work together and have a cast grate that may fit. If you need their email addy, contact me. Quick fix, see BP0333 or BP0133.

You ask, and you deserved an answer. No need to apologize.

Alan Duboff has chosen to leave IForgeIron when I ask him to accept advice in the spirit it was given by someone with far more experience in blacksmithing than he had. Alan has deleted his posting and contributions to the IForgeIron site without IForgeIron permission or knowledge. Due to the removal of information from the site, he was banned.

"Old topographers anvils" - great idea !!


I have no information as to the history of the anvil or the reason for the damage, intentional contouring, or present condition. It does weigh 137# (marked weight) if that is of any help.

Can this anvil be repaired?

I've been smithing for more than 40 years

Been building one every week for the past 6 weeks

Alan, you have been given the benefit of 40 years of experience, please take his advice and the advice of others in the spirit it was given.

We need to get back on topic.

Once Trying-it had the a double shot of WV lump coal for the trip back, he found that WV to be rich in iron ore.

Not sure what was in the black drum as it was a hitchhiker headed for Iowa. But there were 2 anvils, a bunch of "special" plants, a box of lead, a bearing that was torch cut and split into halves, a couple of gears, a couple of bearings, A 4" cylinder, a 3-1/2" x 40" cylinder, a couple of 2" cylinders, 6 pieces of 3", some cone shaped thing with threads on one end (maybe 125+ pounds), 14-15 pieces of spring steel some 1/2" + thick and 4" wide, some smaller, some assorted long pieces 4 feet by 1-1/2" dia, and a bearing with shaft, and a couple of loose pieces.

He took on additional air on the tires, something about the air being fresher in WV and was going to take some of it back home with him also.

Trying-it delivered a new tredle hammer to Pam and WV was half way between so they met there. So he would not have to go home with an empty truck bed, Stan ask for a double shot of WV lump coal for the trip back.

This is what he took home.

Honest Bob is in the Community Hospital, Springfield Ohio, and is scheduled to have bypass surgery, (four bypass) on Thursday morning. He is pretty up beat about it. Your prayers are requested. Old Moose

Thomas Dean's Work can be seen in the IForgeIron Gallery

Nick, As Alan said take note of any changes that could have contributed to the problem.

Back up and make something simple in mild steel. You looking at technique, not the finished project here. Then provide us details, what you did, and what happened, so we can help. Pictures will help us a lot also.

Turn your metal. Use the anvil face side to side rather than horn to heel.

As to "I could only look and fondle them for 30 minutes, cash and carry" that is not a red flag, that is an aerial flare, in my humble opinion.

Blacksmiths are problem solvers. If they can turn junk materials into tools and marketable items, what is the problem with attaching wheels to something in order to get it moving?

Have you used that anvil in it's present condition? Have you done enough blacksmithing on it to determine it can not be useful as an anvil in it's present condition?

After you pay for the skill, expertise, AND experience needed to do a proper job on the repair, you may have close to the cost of a good anvil or even a new anvil involved.

Offer the cost of repairs to Thomas Powers and challenge him to find a good anvil in good shape. You may be surprised with the results.