ornametalsmith

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.

Hi Folks -

I am new to this forum, but have been blacksmithing for about 10-15 years now. Part time and without pay, of course. I just finished (finally) rebuilding an old power hacksaw that I got a while back. Will add a pic here if I can figure out how.

Guess I can't but will find a way soon. Anyhow, Hello to all.

Thanks, Jayco, that works well.

Smoky Rick Crawford at Smoky Forge.

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.

They are aluminum, I would beware of using aluminum.....

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.

Last year it was. See the attached photo of myself feeding material to said machine.

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.

Hello.
I was recently at Penland School of Craft, and all of their railings are made by blacksmiths who have taught there. They also all have the same kind of finish. It's slick and waxy looking and is patchy red and black. I really really like it, but when I asked, they just said it was "goop". so how might it have been done? partial russet-finish? some fancy combo of oils? I really want to know because I really like it.
Thanks eversomuch!
be merry,
Archie

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.

Well, Matt........if your ever in Ocala.....come on by the shop.
I noticed the next FABA meeting in the SW region will be in Tampa. I might try to make it. Sounds like a good one. There's a map on the FABA site, fwiw.

SE - Jul 26 - Tandova, Inc Welded sculptures by Greg Ecenia
and Lash Oberst. We will see a welded dinosaur sculpture
and other creations of this full-service theatrical scenery and
props shop. ***No sandals or flip-flops, please!!!*** Maybe
we can learn to "make our own creation" !!! Demo starting at
9AM, Lunch - Bring a dish to share and BRING an Iron in the
HAT item. Lisa Ann will also have a "glass-bead station" for
anyone who would like to learn a new craft.

maybe I can meet ya there.

happy hammering

hi Matt,
welcome to the forum. Good to have ya with us. What part of FL are you in? For some local action. There's a Florida Artist Blacksmithing meeting every Sat. in some part of the state. Fwiw, I'm in Ocala.....(Horse Central LOL)

here's a url for some info on the meetings:

Florida Artist Blacksmith Association-Newsletter

and FABA's site:

Florida Artist Blacksmith Association