Ted T

Now this has got serious What shall I do? Just to be on the safe side, maybe I "BOB" just enough to be a fence sitter "Bobber", and nobody else will notice. But with this admission, all bases are covered! A guy can't be too careful ya know! As you may observe, I have spent more time "Bobbing" on this post, than I have in my shop! It is all about Priorities!

Frank, I see exactly what you mean now. Now I can spot a "Head Bobber" with out any question! Thanks! Dennis, You are most likely correct! Now I do not have to watch Dr. Phil! I love this place. A person can still have fun after they leave the shop! From what I saw, I guess I am not a head bobber. Maybe I would be If I was not so old and tired! - - Or lazy! Ted Throckmorton!

Frank, I have never noticed "head bobbers" before. I have no question about the idea that there must "head bobbers" if you say there is. What you say about anything carries a lot of weight with me. I trust in what you say. I have never had hundreds of successful blacksmithing students to observe as you have done. Now I am wondering if I am a "Head Bobber" and don't know it! The best to you Frank, and thank you for all of your knowledgeable input! Ted Throckmorton

For over 50 years I always used an open face coke forge. I was not used to being restricted by the small openings of a knife makers forge. I bought the Diamondback "Metal Artist 2-burner Forge" The design of that forge gave me the freedom to increase the room I needed when I needed more room to fit different shapes or sizes of material! I LIKE IT!!!! Good forging to you all!

Bingo!!! You are on the job and it looks great. The very best to you! Ted Throckmorton

Wow!!!!! - I will say it again!! "Inspirational to say the least!" Ted Throckmorton

Your site development is a class act. You ask for opinion, here is mine! I would have nothing negative to say about anything I have seen, and only positive thoughts come to my mind. Due "only to my liking", I always like to see inside of the shop that someone uses to create there products. I know that you said; " My shop has no fancy equipment just an anvil, propane forge, drill press and a 12" reversible disc grinder that my blades are ground on. Of course there are also many files and other hand tools needed to make my edged tools." But that is the magic of it. To see what a craftsman uses to create something as nice as the knives you create, even though it is simple! ~ I truly believe it adds value to your product at some level. To see inside your humble shop may motovate others who are beginning, and also make some of us that are blessed with large and well equipped shops to keep our feet on the ground and realize it it the craftsman his self, and not just the tools that bring life into the steel. This is just a suggestion and a though Only! From what I can see, you do not have to take a back seat to anybody! The very best to you! Ted Throckmorton

Mark, Prayers will be "on-going" from here. Ted Throckmorton <><

Well Done!! Nice use of stand space for accessability and forging functions! I made a copy of your stand design to use as a good example of craftsmanship and for the possably copying your design lay out for my new anvil to sit on! Thank You!

Please save a seat for me! This is why we are here! Thank You!

Fiery Furnace Forge Dave, what a coincidence, I was reading this thread when I came across your comment when you said; “And just for the record, I feel awfully odd being an inspiration to you older guys.....I'm the one learning from all y'all!” I had actually been thinking to my self during the past week (before I read this thread) about how awe-inspiring you have been to me in your development as a blacksmith! I believe that it is not about age, money, or skills; but ATTITUDE! There are many people who visit this site who I hold in high regard. Unfortunately I (we) do not let them know enough, or at all. Dave Custer of the Fiery Furnace Forge Blacksmith Co. you are one of the people who I admire and have come to respect. From all that I think I understand about you, I know that what I say will not go to your head, but is to encourage you to continue as you are doing. I have watched your posts sense you first came into I Forge Iron. You are un-like a lot of folks that seem to start out strong, then fall away and we never hear from them again. You have stuck with blacksmithing like a hungry wolf that just caught a jack rabbit. You are a good example to my self and I am sure to many others! Your willingness to ask questions and accept opinions is reflected in your work product. I am 70 years old and have been blacksmithing for over 56 years, and I do look up to you! The best to YOU! And Thank You! ~ Ted Throckmorton

Chimney Height First I suggest that you check your local codes. But the general rule of thumb found throughout the country at one time was as follows. Chimney height Rule: 10’-2’-3’ This information is from an old file what I had accumulated and used years ago when I was active, but I would bet it is still valid. The Factory-built fireplace manufacturers specify minimum and maximum chimney height. Woodstove manufacturers may have similar requirements. Both types of appliances and most codes require the 10 foot/2 foot/3 foot rule for minimum chimney height above the roof: The chimney must extend at least 2 feet above any portion of any structure within 10 feet (measured horizontally) AND must extend at least 3 feet above the highest point of its roof penetration. The height of the chimney must meet or exceed both of the minimum requirements. If manufacturer requirements exceed code minimum height requirements, they should be followed. These minimum heights may have to be exceeded, however, for adequate draft and satisfactory performance. Additional height can help improve draft and may make the difference in marginal situations. It will not, however, cure severe draft problems. There are two situations that call for specific attention to chimney height: Heated portion of the structure above the top of the chimney: the structure can act like a chimney and compete for the air supply. This action, called structure stack effect, can result in weakened draft or even smoke spillage into the structure. High altitude: Your forge may need stronger draft to deliver a greater volume of air at higher altitudes to make up for the lower concentration of oxygen. Recommended sea level chimney height may need to be increased by 2-3% per 1000 feet of elevation. In general, a minimum venting system height (chimney or for some woodstoves, chimney + connector) of 15 feet is recommended. It should be noted carefully, however, that too tall a system can cause over-drafting problems for wood stoves, but would most likely be desirable for most coal/coke forges. Just something to consider.

Check out this old conversation in the forum. Scroll down to see how Hofi did just what has been said so far! The BluePrint doe's not seem to be available right now. But this will show it! http://www.iforgeiro...-forge-chimney/ Ted T

Very nice deal! I also like your shop! Best to you!!! Ted

That is what LOVE doe's! Good for you Curly, and give your wife a hug for us. Your Friend, Ted

Thank you John, Bob, Dave, and Fiery Furnace. Your creation and suggestions are in the center of that target of good Craftsmanship. I feel strongly in favor of the exelent suggestions that all of you have presented to Fiery Furnace. I had actually thought about making the same suggerstion that John had posted about placing stake down holes in the feet of your stand (I Do it myself). But lazyness or life pulled me away from the computer. And thank you Bob for puting into words of how important the value of presenting your equipment is as a show peice that may reflect the quality of your craftsmanship that the customer may expect. That principal is very strong, and not acted on enough I feel!

Looks like it works well. I could not hear what model it was, and could not recognize it as a Diamondback Forge. Is it a new model?

I don't know how new you are to blacksmithing. But when you show your metal fabracating skills by making that anvil, I have no question that you will go far as a blacksmith. You are a doer and not just a talker! NICE JOB!

I know of "Many" people who have attended Frank Turley's school. Every one of them said it was highly recommended. In fact it was a dream of mine to attend his school, but health reasons said no! She would be so close, why not get started right? I would highly suggest considering attending Franks Course.

Ken, I think I just got my ears scolded a bit. I am not exactly sure what I said to set you off to make you decide to receive a response that was meant for someone else and not to you personally. My response was not meant to be derogative in any way, and it was directed only to that specific person who brought up an issue that contained very little detail and who had also asked for an opinion It was in no way directed to you personally or about your ability to do a lot with a very little. Many people do so very much with so very little and I feel that is admiral. I have followed many people who still visit this site that started out with virtually nothing but desire, a brake drum, hair dryer, a pair of pliers, a claw hammer, and a piece of railroad track. No shame in that, in fact I have a high regard for people who have done that. Many have turned out to be highly skilled craftsman that add a lot of good information for us that are still learning. I believe when someone asks for an opinion on this site that there is nothing wrong to give an opinion on this forum as long as it is done in a constructive and an informative manner, and not with a mean spirited approach. If people respond to the forum in a negative and an emotional way, it may tend to keep other people from freely giving there opinions about skills and safety issues. It was my understanding that this forum was meant to be a family forum that was to be educational, interesting and enjoyable. Bottom line, I did not mean to offend you, but I would be interested in hearing more about the things you have accomplished in the blacksmithing craft. I believe you brought up a good point about skill overcoming lack of high end tools and equipment. I have been there done that. But I would be interested in learning more about anything you may share with us! I hope you will not take what I say as a personal insult, it is not meant to be that. Ted T .

Railroad Tracks are used quite often for making a first anvil. But it is not recommended for extended use. Most of them are cut out with a torch as opposed to being forged out, especially by hand. I suggest that you try to make a small one and then post the results. If it works well, make a bigger one and post the results with photos. Make sure your skill level is equal to what you may attempt to do. If you are not a skilled blacksmith and welder, please wait until you have mastered the basics! Start small. Your safety comes first. Good Luck!

I just received a new anvil via UPS. They have a 150 pound limit. The anvil I received was 150 lbs! The sender just taped a peice of hard cardboard on the top that covered the Face and Horn. That is where the address was placed. Good Luck

Firebug, “Only because you ask for suggestions” On some of the coal forges that I have used over the years, I never liked it when black water (coal dust and water mixed) that was created from sprinkling water on my coal would sometime escape in-between the lips of the firepot and the forge table, and would then drip down onto my feet. As a solution, I welded in a peace of ½’ round stock that surrounds the fire pot kind of like a dam. The weld should be continuous so water cannot seep out under the lips of the fire pot. The fire pot sits in its normal position and is un-effected by the round stock surround. It just keeps the water from dripping out onto your feet. It know that it may be to late to make other suggestions, so I will leave it at this! It looks to me like you have covered a lot of bases with your design. Keep up the good work!

I found this document to be very interesting. And I would have to say that it does in-deed concern me that this kind of reading would entertain me. I guess I must have to much time on my hands. I found the information on “Spark Testing” was worth spending a few minutes reading. And I loved how they defined the word: “SCRAP”. Here is an over view of what they said: ” C1.2. PURPOSE The purpose of this Handbook is to outline practical, cost-effective methods for the recovery and recycling of scrap (Defined as personal property that has been discarded for use and that appears to have no value except for its basic material content). Oh well, Back to watching Oprah! Enjoy!

He said just what I intended to say, but he said it in a much simpler way than when I tryed to say it! Let me see now? This thing has an appendage that looks like a leg, but it needs to be attached to a post! Humm?? I will call this thing a Leg post vice! , On second thought they (everyone but me) will not like that!! So I will call this thing a Post leg vice . They will not like that either I will bet . OH DEAR!!!! What shall I do?? -- I will call it MY VICE! because it is paid for! We need this guy to help explain some other very complacated aspects of blacksmithing. Such as: "Should I walk to the shop today? or should I carry my lunch? Please don't get up set! - - I am just kidding! I think!