ornametalsmith

here's mine, (the one on the left). Shop signs are a great way to make a "first impression". and here's another "shop sign"(right image) that I just finished with some welding students at the local community college. They did the "lion's share" of the work.

This is an interesting thread...... and I'm enjoying reading all the different perspectives. fwiw, I've been a full time smith since '84. Starting out as a silver/gold-smith and in '89 was introduced to blacksmithing and architectural metalwork. It was then that I learned to make larger jewelry (house jewelry). Since then I've just "added" different metal arts processes to my creative palette. So .........for me......I do more artistic than basic "cut and weld" fabrication. That being said.......there is "fabrication" in every artistic project I do. In the beginning ........I got most of my work via friends, word of mouth, "juried" art shows, interior designers. FOR the last 5 years or so.......the internet(website) has been my main SALES tool. I didn't have any money "set aside" specifically. I found that I was able to "find/get" projects that enabled me to purchase or build tools as they were needed. This was a very controllable approach to growth. As for "what kind of income" can blacksmithing bring...........as with almost any kind of specialized work......that depends MORE on the individual. As they say "your mileage may vary" Same goes for the "hours you work"...... different strokes for different folks.....but that will be reflected in the "degree" of success. As for retirement............sure. IF you work for someone else and they have a benefits package..........or if you are self employed and start your own 401K or similar "retirement plan". But as was said.......I too...........can't imagine retirement......I'd be happy if I passed away with a hammer or piece of decorative metalwork in my hand. Retirement is for folks that WORK,. When you do what you love.....and love what you do.......I, for one, haven't worked a day....since discovering decorative metalwork. And as for it being "hard on the body".......if done "with respect for your body" then it could actually be GOOD for you mentally and physically. IF not......it can leave you deaf, blind and/or broken........if not just dead. I look forward to following this thread.......good questions, Mulciber.

Thanks, Orgtwister..... I use propane. I do also melt bronze in it. I've got two other kegs that I've got plans to make furnaces to melt glass in...... FWIW, I use a forced air burner, but an atmospheric burner would work fine.

FWIW, here's a pic of a foundry furnace that I made from a beer keg. Big hit at blacksmithing events LOL I've threatened to add a "TAP" to it........

Truly a sad day.........his passion for the "art" was infectious.

I agree with James. Silicon Bronze forges like crazy. It's one of my FAVS. 2 cents,

Hey Rick, good to see you on here......welcome to the forum. Lookin forward to seeing pix of your Ol Toyl. WOW.....just refreshed my page........that is a beauty. Gotta love ol tools.

Actions always speak louder than words. :o

here's a video with one being used. YouTube - Makin' Steel BOO FULLresVid It doesn't start until 1:25 into the video. I'll try to find some other still pix of it, so you can see the whole stand. All you need to do is get one of those gas savers and make a stand for it so it can be foot operated. I used an old brake drum for base.

Glad you weren't seriously hurt. Only thing I can add.....with ANY rotary tool, STAY AWAY FROM THE LEADING EDGE of whatever your working on. No matter the direction of the rotation....there will always be a "leading and trailing" edge. It's next to impossible to get in trouble while working a trailing edge. safety first.

here's the small and large one. :o

Cool Tool.....mighty fine effort. I'm sure your brother in law is proud of it.

Another WONDERFUL addition to your "Multi-Colored DISK" series, Adrian. Definitely see the Calder influence. Thanks for the flashback..:o

Always was a late bloomer LOL I started late......I was 36, and never did it as a hobby. I was a jeweler(for 5 years)....and met some architectural metalsmiths......and the rest as they say is history. My first project was working on a 28' chandelier that was going in the Advernture's Club at Pleasure Island in Disney. And it only got better from there. Next year will be my 25th year as an ornamental metalsmith. wooooooohoooo

one thought about the aluminum ones. I've never had a forge get to 1200 deg. F on the outside. IF you did....there would be problems in the refractory lining. IMO. That being said.....I wouldn't use aluminum to make a forge. DOH!!!!:o

there is a DOVER paperback book "Wrought Iron in Architecture" by Gerald K. Geerlings That shows MANY examples of Italian ironwork from the fourteenth thru the eighteenth centuries. Might be of some help. Great resource when it comes to specific styles of work. FWIW, it shows Italian, Spanish, French, Belgium and Holland, German, American and English examples. Also has a section on 20th century wrought iron.

I've HAD to use this a few times. Speaks volumes. I've altered it to......"Poor planning on your part, doesn't constitute an emergency in our scheduling" and when I was just doing jewelry work....."Turn your ideas into GOLD"

I'm also a "tapper". it's a rhythm... momentum thing for me. Never have done the superstitious tappin.

FWIW, the ones I've gotten were stainless. and maybe if you cut a keg in two.......lengthwise....that might make 2 forges with nice sized floors. I like em for foundry furnaces .........just about perfect. AND most metalheads...........like/love beer DOH!!!! don't think beer, don't think BEER. At least until the MELT/POUR is over.

Cool thread. here's TWO(the larger pix)that I've done that I print at 5"x7" and I've got about four pages like the lil thumbnail for business cards.

Priceless, Brian.........that made coffee come out my nose. What a riot. I think a video on YouTube would be great. START with an extreme close up...maybe just the dies hitting......then as the hammering starts...............s l o w l y...........zoom out......first showing the red base.......then a lil more .....til the helmet starts to reveal itself. Then keep zooming out until the whole scene is viewable.

BY JOVE I think you've got it. With maybe a linseed oil, turp, bees wax, (japan dryer possibly) finish. Doesn't look like a painted(faux) finish to me.

Archie, did you happen to take any photos of the finish? A close up or two would be helpful.

since this is a "lil hammer" thread. thought you all might get a kick outa this one. Saw it at an ABANA conference years ago. smallest "simple air" I've seen.

Hey Mitch...... will you be attending that FABA meeting? It'd be good to see ya again.