Acier

Really love it Kate!! Very cool. Looking forward to seeing more.

Shame, sounded fun. How about projects on a monthly 'theme', and see how people interpret it?? Maybe easier for folks at all skill levels/ on a budget/ with not much kit, to contribute?

Cool piece of work Dan, great idea. I really love the texture on it.

Just got my first (second hand) leg vice (post vise). The jaws are set at quite a large angle when closed, (tight at the top, big gap at the bottom). Due to the nature of how it works, they are only truly parallel at one point.....this being on mine probably over 2 inches open. It does need the grip and some of the sharp edges removing, as it is making lots of mean marks on my metal, so i was wondering should i start grinding the fixed jaw to make it parallel when almost closed, as i am currently working on fairly small stock and its just not holding it well enough. Bit nervous of attacking my new toy! Also it is on a stand, but currently not bolted down.....when it is, would this problem be compensated by the fact i could just tighten it a lot more? During training i never really noticed or encountered this problem! :confused:

My father-in-law, a bee keeper, makes a beeswax cream with beeswax, liquid paraffin and borax. Absolutely brilliant stuff! Smells lovely too. I must steal his secret recipe one day!

What method do you find works best for forging tenons? Any good tips?

Would a new hammer count as a friend? Worth a try ;)

Salut Forge. Je suis anglaise mais j'habite en France. Bienvenue!! Louise

A Blacksmith can never have enough............. .......Coal dust up their nose!! :D

no but he has some peat

I did my first few bits of very basic forge welding the other day.....with mixed success, so yep i am impressed! Bet you're feeling seriously pleased with yourself!

That's how i feel most days! Obviously not physically upside down though.....that would be silly and probably dangerous whilst working, although may open up a whole new dimension. Upside down Blacksmithing anyone??:o

A MOLE hole??

do you RACE up mountains?

I've hacked it to Hock

Just a thought......but maybe look more at the level of their ideas/ imagination/experimentation with the metal as opposed to actual technical quality..........which can be worked on with practice but the other has to come from the heart and exist to begin with...doesn't it? But i could be wrong........i've no experience of this, it's just my take on it if i were in your shoes! Good luck and enjoy seeing work from a different perspective! Great to see youngsters are being taught blacksmithing....you'd almost want them all to win! Reckon you could get some piccies up?

Very cool challenge strine! Boundaries are there to be pushed. Waaaay beyond my abilities ..........gimme a year or two and i'll crack it! ;)

Not sure if this is what you are after but have you seen in part 5 of the Blacksmiths craft book download here: The Blacksmiths Craft

Well i've had a good day's work....i printed off all the pics and thought of all the advice, had a good bash about and i am now getting my head around the whole concept. I think i have it......just needs practice now. I also did as suggested and reforged some tin snips..bit rough but they work and helped me see how it all works. So now i have been totally distracted from what i wanted the tongs for in the first place and am just interested in making tongs now! Doh! Thanks all......great stuff!

Just an idea.........how about using some sheet to make small tags, use number punches for putting the price on, and tie to the piece with wire. Quick and easy to make, reusable and just a bit different.

Good ideas! Ian, very helpful advice, thanks! Now off to bash some shapes!!

Yesteryear......looks good. Wooden background really shows off the work well. It stands out and has impact. That's the key.

What type of stuff is it? Can you get some back boards to mount smaller stuff on and put the price on there. Also something laying flat on a table never really catches the eye to someone just strolling past......larger things freestanding yep i'd go with tags and have them on the table, larger non freesatnding items i'd make up some kind of wooden block on the floor to hold them upright them in? Think about your display in 3 dimensions, with height and depth, not just as a flat table to lay things on. You're work could be amazing but not presenting correctly means you loose a huge audience. Keep it eye catching yet simple. Good luck! Hope it goes well.

OK..... got ya! That's clever! (although i have quite skinny fingers so I'll be using some thickish wire??! )

Hi Is there a blueprint for making some scrolling tongs?? I've been searching...but i could have missed it! I desperately need to make some! Any tips? I've never made tongs before! Cheers Louise