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I Forge Iron

Ted T

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Everything posted by Ted T

  1. Please keep on having too much time on your hands. That means "EYE CANDY" for me! :)
  2. This is a wonderful, Nice, Fun, and Creative piece of art for sure. We need to keep this kind of ingeniously inspired thinking in the metal working craft. I see this work as a small but necessary antidote to offset the serious and sobering world we live in. You put a smile on this old (but pretty :rolleyes: ) face this morning! :P Thank You!
  3. WOW I am glad you made it back! Looks like you have come back with enthusiasm; and it shows! :) Nice, just very nice! My best to you!
  4. There are so many valued opinions found here that will no doubt assist a person to choose their direction of thinking. The beautiful thing about it is that you would most likely not go wrong with any of them. Then there is "FROSTY THE LUCKY" who we charish as a large part of the backbone of I Forge Iron. Thank Goodness that Frosty made it through that dreadful experence. I consider us to all be "Lucky" that you made it. Your a great teacher and a friend; specially to those who are new to this site; thank you! I think you summarized in the way that I would have liked to have said it Frosty! Thank You! :)
  5. You have many blacksmiths living near you! I would suggest that you contact the Bonneville Forge Council. Bonneville Forge Council In the Ogden area; all the way down the Wasatch Front there are many fine Blacksmiths you could meet! My best to you! I live in Duchesne, Utah
  6. When you start to learn the craft of blacksmithing, you don’t automatically sign in to be under someone else’s scrutiny. What you do by yourself, or call yourself is only your business. Only when you ask for an opinion or put your opinion out there; then you open the door to someone else’s analysis and their judgment. There are so many types of blacksmiths be it a hobby smith or a professional blacksmith, that specialize in so many different aspects of what we call blacksmithing; what you SHOULD make or how you do it can only be an opinion from their prospective. Yet, another qualified blacksmith may tell you something just the opposite and quite different. Everyone is on a different level of climbing the mountain of blacksmithing skills. I have been blacksmithing for a little over 60 years, and there are many things that I have never forged that many others forge on regular bases. I had no desire or need to. The reason is because I had no interest in forging something, or when I made a living as a blacksmith I was not asked to make it. But, in the same light, I have forged things that other blacksmiths never wanted to forge or that they ever had a need to forge. Basically; what you do is no one’s business unless you allow it to become their business. So if you think it is important to make a hammer, then make one. If not; be happy that there are fine blacksmiths like Richard (richardthibeau@dancingfrogforge.com) who makes them. Maybe you will make something that he would consider buying also. As you become more skilled at forging, most likely”forging a hammer will be on your list to make”.
  7. Mudman you have given us the oppertunity to chat in a positive and productive way. I believe this site was created for just this type of positive banter to be exchanged. you are not only showing positive improvement in your forging, but you are also setting an example for other new blacksmiths of how to accept positive input from more expernced members. This makes it a Win,Win for all of us! With your attitude, you will succeed as a skilled blacksmith. My best to you!
  8. "NOW your Logging" :) That is an old saying that means your doing the right thing! Keep it up, and someday you will teach the very same thing you are doing! Keep on doing it Over and Over and Over again Correctly, that is the key. Thanks for sharing your progress and work product.
  9. I am not trying to sound like the “Old Grinch”, but I see a concern here. From your other post on another thread that you started, you did not sound like you had any experience with blacksmithing. I suggest that you FIRST learn the basics of forging. After you have put out the effort to learn the basics, you will then know what skills you have, and recognize what you are capable of forging for your friend’s wedding; that is if it is not to close in the future. There is an “order of operation” used when forging. Otherwise; First things First, that sets you up the next step. Well intentions of getting your friend’s wedding present will not justify or thrust you past the obligation to take the time, effort, and cost to learn the basics. I must sound insensitive to you. But it would be more insensitive to you to go along with the concept of “not having to learn the basics first”. Safety is a part of learning this craft also. It is very hard to see through a wooden eye. Without proper instruction, that could be a very realistic result of not knowing what you are doing. I strongly suggest that you slow down and learn what you are doing first, then make and give something nice to your friend.
  10. Our biulding code - (JUST OURS) says we can build a 120 sq. ft. without a building permit. Check your code well. Because if you are able to build a 120 sq. ft. (example: 12' x 10' = 120 foot) shop you will find that the little extra will mean a lot later on. Over my life time I have had three (3) different shops while I was making a living at blacksmithing and welding. My largest was 2,400 sq. ft., and the others were only about 900 sq. ft. I say the above, just to say that you will adjust to your situation and make it work, that is a part of the skill! Now; my (hobby) forge station (that is not connected to my main finish shop) is 14' x 14' and it is just right with room to spair. Because like what Charles Stevens suggested, make it adjustable so you can open it up wide when you need too. Design your openings so you can take advantage of the predominate prevaiing wind direction to air out your shop. Make a 12' x 12" slot with a hinged door so you can feed long peices of steel stock into your forge station with ease. Let your mind jump out of the box (ref: Glenn :) ) and create designs to meet your needs and wants; that is all a part of the fun! I suggest that you store as much of your steel and any other material that is not always in immideate demand; somewhere else. It will keep your small forge station clear of clutter, more room to forge, and it will be safer. I ramble on and on :D - But I also wish you the best at whatever you wind up doing!!!!
  11. Toby, I feel I owe you an expaintion. I did not want to scare you off when I asked if you were older than 16 years of age?. The only reason I asked you that is to get a feel for your ability to be independly mobil and could travel with out assistance. Usually here in the USA young people obtain a drivers license at age 16. So IF you are younger than 16 years of age, we still WANT TO HELP YOU! My best to you, don't give up on your dream, it can happen if you want it too.
  12. We want to be useful to you. In order to do that effectively, we will ask questions. Are you older than 16 years of age? Do you know of any blacksmiths who live with-in reasonable traveling distance from you? If you do not know, PLEASE make the effort to find out. If you find a "genuine" blacksmith, do what ever you have to do to spend some time with Him/Her. Realize that to do it correctly - it is going to take some study, time, and money. If you have a few minutes, you may want to read this! '?do=embed' frameborder='0' data-embedContent>> I wish you the best!
  13. WOW; Rich! Very well thought out and expressed. I agree! Most all other posts hit the chisel square on the top also! I believe the end product of your efforts "Quickly say what would be approperate to call yourself". Of course; it is also in the eye of the beholder and their personal knowledge and expertise to know exactly what he is looking at. This very thread opens doors and windows to the mind of the thought process to what would be correct by some; but not by others! I will just give myself the title of "Greatful to be associated with all of you" I give my very best wishes to all of you craftsman at every level and stage of fine craftsmanship that you are striving for!
  14. Nice, Very Nice in deed! :) Thank You for posting! One picture is worth a thousand correctly or in-correctly spelled words! Again "Thank You"
  15. I would suggest ONE THING. Because you will have exposure to many aspects of the craft by the time you end your trip; I make the following suggestion. As soon as you return, get out into the shop and repete everything you have been exposed too with out delay. That way it will become confirmed as workable knowledge. Your memory will be fresh and you will remember all of the "seemingly small details" that are very important in the long run. You are doing what many would sure like to be able to do. Good for YOU! How about a report about your journey when ya get back!
  16. Liability weaver of third party and Blacksmithing To start with, my response in no way suggests that I am providing you with legal advice. I am not an attorney. I am sharing with you information that has been brought to my attention from my observations while in the business. I write this only as a WARNING from a layman’s point of view and experience, I found out that nothing is etched in stone when it comes to tort liability. Wisdom says to consult with an attorney so they can write up something that is defendable by them in a court of law; and not just something that sounds good just because “Joe” (your friend) does it in his unchallenged way. So make sure what you do is reasonable and sound. If you don’t consult with an attorney, then be ready and willing to pay a big price of you actions if what “Joe” (or I have suggested in this post) told you to do; turns out to be incorrect information about how he thought the law will deal with your situation. Talk to your attorney first before you act. Not after you have been notified of a civil action against you. There is a concept that says that you cannot sign the THIRD party rights away. That could be the insurance carriers, relative or guardian. By having a person signing a waiver, you not only indicate that you read the contents, but that you agree with the provisions of that document. But you cannot agree in the place of a third party. There are other mitigating circumstances that come into play such as how the document was written up, confirmed, and much more. You need an Attorney that has agreed that they could defend the contents of the document. A study of the subject of tort liability and all of its ramifications will quickly give you an understanding of why we have attorneys and courts. Nothing is final until the judge says it is final. Why take a chance by not doing it correctly? Third party subrogation. If you have been injured in an accident that has resulted in damages, at some point you will undoubtedly hear the term "subrogation." Literally, subrogation means one person or party stands in the place of another. Subrogation issues surface when a person has been injured and someone other than the person or party at fault pays for all or some of the damages resulting from the injury. By definition, a subrogation claim allows the innocent paying party, also known as a "collateral source," to stand in the shoes of the injured party. My position about this matter is one of using caution and common sense. Unless you are set up with your insurance carrier specifically to cover your activities of teaching blacksmithing, I would avoid it like the plague. We are all playing in the legal play ground like it or not. The attorneys are the monitors and the courts are the principal. That is just my opinion; please check with your attorney!
  17. You mentioned "After Christmas, I am mailing in my money to go spend 3 weeks in Sante Fe learning from Frank Turley. I am also planning on making my way to the ABANA gathering this year." Frank will light your rocket for take off with instructions that are supported with a firm foundation of proven basics. There are many good instructors out there who mainly teach, and there is also many exelent blacksmiths who will assist you that are found in local blacksmithing groups. But the only one that will be of any value to you is the ONE that you expose your self too. "It is up to you to follow through with action." A "PROVEN" instructor that will present the basics to you in an understanable way is foundational for your growth and is cost-effective of how your time and money are spent in the long haul. I suggest that you read, read, read, and figure out who is speaking with wisdom and then give it a try. My best to you as you move forward.
  18. As I have read through this thread it gives me hope! We all express our self’s different, and sometime we have feelings that we feel are important, but the right words do not seem to come out as we mean for them to do. I know! Because I have had to eat a lot of CROW in my life. This thread has reinforced to me the milk of human kindness people can have for each other . It is not exactly what we say, but what is important is that we put on the glasses of kindness so we can see “what is intended”; that is what is important (the intent of the heart). And I see this reflected in each post. It is a pleasure to read all of the input to this thread.
  19. Did ya get burnt? :o - - "NO", it just don't take me long to inspect it! -_-
  20. Very, very good advice give already!!!! I am impressed that you would reach out as you have. That is a step foreward. Meaning you are advancing. And that is GOOD NEWS! There may be others that feel the same way at times. I think all of us have felt that we could have and should have produced something better. I used to call it my "pile of shame". Then I realized it was my pile of "GAIN". Because I learned something from it. I would like to chat with you by pvt. message, or even a phone call if it fits your need. Blacksmithing espeshilly at a hobby level should be enjoyable, physically taxing, and mentally calming. I suggest that you read and ponder what has been said! - It is good advice!
  21. To work or not to work in adverse weather conditions? Working in extreme HOT or COLD conditions may equally produce dangerous or adverse results on the person and the forging process. When a person is young their bodies are more able process the effects of heat or extreme cold properly (good circulation). So I would conclude that a person’s age and health condition must be considered to a large degree when making a decision whether to work in extreme environmental conditions or not. An example; is when I was a young man, I had to weld on large pieces of construction equipment during the winter and summer months. Tempters would range from 104 degrees F in the summer, down to below zero in the winter time. In the winter months while working outside on snow removal equipment (trucks, plows, and graders) it would reach sub zero tempters. We had no choice but to do it if we wanted a pay check. And then I had just the opposite experience in the summer months. Tempters would reach above 100 degrees. In the summer or winter conditions I was required to wear full leathers, hat, helmet and gloves when welding. Although, in the summertime conditions were compounded by having to weld in the direct sun with the resulting radiant heat produced by the machinery while standing on top, along the side, and underneath the sun heated equipment. While I was young, this was accepted as all in a normal days work because I had to make a living. BUT; now that I am somewhat older, I could not even consider doing what I used to do. For one thing, I could not do it, and the other thing is that I don’t have to do it now. What I have just said leads me to believe that “Necessity” is a driving force of weather it is worth subjecting yourself to adverse conditions or not. I did, and now I get shots in my neck, spine, shoulders, knees and ankles for arthritis. I have found there is a price to pay in the long run for everything we do. My suggestion is to subject yourself to adverse conditions; but only if you have too. Don’t be in a hurry, save money, gain some foundational experience and then build yourself a shop. A decent shop will solve all of the issues that we could bring up about the effects of the cold on you in the long term; and also on your equipment. Here is a photo of my “outside shop” when I was young. '?do=embed' frameborder='0' data-embedContent>> If I had to do it over again, I would have let wisdom be my guide and saved money to build me a safe place to work in. Please use wisdom and not be in such a hurry that it may not be worth it in the lone run!
  22. “Don’t waist a good bend over”. When I was in my mid 60’s, I trained to do Repousse with Mr. Naham Hersom. He made me call him Grandpa. While I was training with Grandpa; I dropped something and bent over to pick it up. With a loud voice of authority Grandpa said “don’t move”!!!! All was quiet for a few seconds, and then he said “pick up everything you can while you are down there. Don’t waist a good bend over”.
  23. ChiefCodeX, - - - I; by no means do I say what I am about to say as derogatory or unkind in any way. You are doing the right thing by asking questions, BUT; it is also important for you to listen and think about what has been said. Why? Because these craftsman have been willing to take the time and effort to provide you with their opinion about what you have asked. I would re-consider all that has already been said; I think there are some excellent guidelines that are overflowing with experience and wisdom of people wanting to assist you. If you only knew the expert background qualifications of some of the responders, you would most likely accept and value their suggestions in a more positive and thoughtful way. It is also important to be realistic about what anyone may say or claim; and, that it is indeed a fact. Theory and actual experience are most often quite different once you are put to the test. Skill, experience, and knowledge do not come about by accident. So I suggest that you be good to yourself and take some time, effort, money, and sacrifice, as we all have to do, and then do whatever it takes to obtain the education and experience to do what you want to do. Some time it just takes a longer time to save money or find what you need to help you move ahead. But we all have had to move slowly at times and then very fast at other times, that is just life. I believe it is only natural for a young person to reach out for suggestions. And then at the same time want to start on the top rung of the ladder as opposed to starting at the bottom of the latter so they could lay out a proper support system. I have been smithing for just over 60 years. During that time period I have been employed as a government blacksmith and have worked for many welding/blacksmith shops. I have also had three different shops of my own over the years. I worked persistently and “sacrifice” was the underlying operative word and price I paid when I was younger. Such as; (no insurance for my family) ~ (no dependable paycheck at the end of the month) ~ (Long Hours) ~ (deadlines to meet that sometime were complicated by equipment breakdowns and bad weather), and on, and on! It is called business! You sound to me like you have a lot of energy to invest into something. I suggest that you find someone (like a skilled Blacksmith) to help you direct that energy in the right path for the accomplishment you desire. I wish you the best as you position yourself for success as a blacksmith.
  24. Use Clay to assist you with sizing!
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