Bwilloughby

W00! I'm on my way :)

On that remark if and when I get under your skin from all the questions I willbe asking I only hope you will remember you told me to. No, I don't want to just call myself a Blacksmith, I have seen some much work that is just incredible and I feel this is my calling. I told Mr. Anon that I didn't want to be in his way as I am a very novice. and I didn't want to slow him down with his class. I have no correct hammer skills yet, I thought coal came in one color Black not green too o.0; , But if thats what you recommend then I will do just that, I will register for that class and try my hardest to get in ahead of any groups. Will you be at the conference? Who else might be there that posts to this forum? As far as practice goes I will have days upon days to hone my skill, I am jobless wanting to make this a living, if it's thru selling Sconces, coat hangers, or blades. I have set my sights on Entrance gates and drive way fences( I may have said this already) I hope with time and practice, I will be as good as the folks who post here. One more thing I'm a bit confused, I am looking now at the Registration form but i don't see anything about that course on Friday. What should I be looking for? I will fll this out and mail it in tomorrow. I will join ABANA tonight online :)

Thanks for the concern, I had thought of that as well. Dunno what was in the tank, I have already cut the top off with a cut off wheel. from the looks of the inside the valve part has been gone since moses parted the red sea. Spooky is a Red eyed white Ferret, shes about 3.5-4 years old, I think someone got her and didn't realize what a hand full they are and couldn't take it so they let her go.

heh, Halloween 2003, this was out in my front yard. (Kinda followed me home)her name is Spooky Just a few weeks ago this one followed me home, the junk man said "the boss is not here, Throw them in your truck an git" The tank is about 40" long and 16" diameter. I've started making the forge out of this, I'm gonna cut maybe 18" off and seal up an end and make the other the door.

Ed Thanks SO much! that was one of my on going thoughts I have had, How do they make such beautiful work? And you have answered that. I will follow your example and take to forge welding. My ability to learn thru doing is almost like a gift. Understood, I just spoke to the wife about her getting That friday off, or me going up alone. though what do you mean about my stye in dressing 0.o; have you seen pictures of me? :mrgreen:

I have spent so much time thinkin what to do, how to do it. Being that I am BRAND new to this, and want to start my own business. some of the things you mention here will carry well with me, "Just say no" most definetly will need to learn that. seems my ambition and my skil and knowledge get in to a quarrel sometime . "Don't take deposits on Jobs, ever" I have always wondered what the rule would be on that. now I know. Thanks so much for this advice, from a very new beginner.

Yep same guy, I did a google search for Blacksmithing forum and found this site heheh The working spouse was a hard find though she loves her job and taking car e of people. Unfortunatly I will not be able to be ther etill late friday, my wife thought she would like to go with me to see whats happening, and she has to work all day friday, But I will be there Saturday. I hope to get to meet some people that work in the areas I live and will be living in. I am not hard to recognize. My whole left are is Tattoed and I have long red/black hair tied in a ponytail sort of a top knot thing. Do we get name tags "Hi my name is ----" I am currently putting finishing touches on my forge burners, I am useing the Ron Reil burner style, seems easy enoug to put together and tune. http://www.frontiernet.net/~gnreil/burner.gif I have a couple of questions about welders if anyone is willing to give me some advice. I am more than likely gonna do drive way gates and entry gates. Seems that forge welding some of those peices will be out of the question, what sort of welder should I use that would best suit this sort of work, I am pretty proficient in arc welding, but have never gave wire fed a try. Should I try to forge weld and rivit as much as I can to make it as authentic as I can (if this matters)

Hello everyone, I am new to the Blacksmithing Trade and I hope to get a fresh start. I will be at the Madison Conference this year to pick up some tools and training. I am a Navy Veteran, 32 years old, and have started learning about the ins and outs through books. There is really no one here in this area where I can apprentice but my wife and I are moving to North Carolina in July. I have degrees and years of study in Electronics but have since been burnt out on the field(seems to be getting flooded and boring). I used to work for a DoD contractor but have since left that job to prepare for our move(The wife makes enough money as a RN). I hope to be able to learn from some of the more knowledgable people here and be able to share with many my knowledge of what I know to anyone who may need help. Bruce