Ted T

Glenn,
Nice score. You trained him right!
When you said "That is when I saw MY cash go from my hand, to Whitesmith's hand, to the tailgater's hand, faster than it takes to type about it."
It made me think of how many people would give just about anything to be able to say that, as opposed to say the cash went to drug dealers hand etc.

That 5 1/2 inch jaw post vice looks so pretty. I would let him use it in the shop during the day, but then I would keep it in my living room at night.
I would use it to crack nuts and hold my beer! That way you will get more of a return on your investment.
Be safe!
Old Rusty Ted

Be safe!
Old Rusty Ted

Mrfixit
Welcome to IFI
I have tryed to say it many different ways, but I would have to say that Joseff said it all when he said "Welcome mrfixit, I'm fairly new here myself. Feel like a kid in a candy store".
Please feel free to post photographs (hint,hint), we love photos and information about what your doing.
Be safe!
Old Rusty Ted

Mat, AKA Rhandir
Welcome to IFI.
Oregon has some fine blacksmiths and bladesmiths living there.
I know of at least five of them that live pretty well around the state. Here are some of the locations as found on IFI. Maybe one is close to you.
1. Williams, Oregon., 2. Klamath Falls, Oregon., 3. Portland, Oregon. 4. Eugene Oregon.
I would provide you with some names with a phone call if you are interested.
Glad your aboard.
Be Safe!
Old Rusty Ted

Hutch
Welcome to IFI.
Please review the site with the idea in mind that your fellow blacksmiths found here at IFI here are willing and want to assist you in your quest into the blacksmithing craft!
I found the information and the support that is given so openly about the blacksmithing and metal crafts is awasome.
Be Safe!
Old Rusty Ted

Welcome to IFI Tecnovist.
With a moniker like that, I am sure we will be asking you many questions in the future.
Due to you just getting started in blacksmithing, we have the people here at IFI who without any doubt will help you get a jump start into blacksmithing.
Please keep us posted with questions, answers, photos, and point out things of interest to the rest of us,
Be safe!
Old Rusty Ted

Jae Mobley, AKA Standingwolf,
Welcome to IFI
You said:“Thought id give you fellas a try”. Please stick around and make sure you us give a good try. There is so much more to this site than what first meets the eye. So please consider the following.
1. Please study what is available on the Blueprints.
2. Relax on Tuesday nights and visit the live blueprint demo held every Tuesday night.
3. Visit the Chat room as often as you can. You will meet world class blacksmiths, farriers, machinists, blade smiths and all types of metal working craftsmen who frequent the chat room often.
One of the benefits I found in the chat room was that I could ask a question and get an immediate accurate answer.
4. If you have questions about solving a specific problem, you can post it on the “Problem Solving” post area. We have had people from all around the world read and respond to these issues.
This is only a few of the perks you have available to you at IFI. It only takes the energy to type a few words in, and “Woooooola”, an answer is at hand.
Members of the IFI are friendly, knowledgeable, and willing to help you.
Please give us a good try!
Be safe!
Rusty Old Ted

Ben, AKA “Kustomrod”
Sounds like a potential “chance of a lifetime” is staring you right in the face.
You said: “I have no experience with blacksmithing at the moment”.
The operative words are “at the moment”.
Sounds like the Blacksmithing Bug of Interest has gotten you. With the interest and attitude you have expressed to this point, I will bet you will find a way to make it all come together.
The photographs of the smithy area you posted are like eye candy to these old eyes.
Wisdom says now is the time to put the effort and time in you need in order to take advantage of this prime situation (strike while the metal is hot).
You don’t want to have regrets later down the road when you find out that a blacksmith was living inside of you all this time and you missed a chance to let him come out!
At this time in my life one of the things that give me great satisfaction and pleasure is seeing new people entering into the blacksmithing craft.
We have a lot of IFI blacksmiths who had no financial resources or tools available to them to start with. But the ones that make it seemed to have one thing in common. That was, that the spark of interest glowed long enough for them to start their first fire.
I have seen it over and over again where people with the true spark of interest have made it happen out in there backyards where they created something, out of nothing so to speak.
Please keep us posted on your progress. Photos seem to be loved by all (hint, hint).
I suggest you bring some popcorn with you on Tuesday nights. We have a “LIVE” Blueprint Demonstration here at IFI.
Be safe!
Old Rusty Ted

Adam the Mortician
Welcome you to IFI.
WOW, as old as I am, just seeing your moniker sends chills through this old unhealthy body…………….. (Just kidding), …. well, not really, I think!
I believe I can speak for a lot of people found here at IFI when I say that we love to view photos. As you know “one photo speaks……words.
As you assemble your shop please consider photographing the progress you make, and of your self, and of your tools or products that you produce. It just may give an old hand a new idea or a lot of ideas for other smiths who are just starting into blacksmithing.
I found over the last (+) 50 years that blacksmithing is a fun vehicle to be hooked on!
I wish you the very best to you as you travel down the blacksmith highway!
Be safe!
Old Rusty Ted . . . . . . .>. who is trying to stay ahead of Adam the Mortician!

Blademaker,
I welcome you to IFI.
This is a good place to be for a person who is "Hopelessly addicted to making knives, and sharp pointy stuff"We have world class knife makers who make frequent visits to IFI via the forum, Tuesday night live Blueprint presentation, or the chat room.
Now you are one of them (us). I hope you will enjoy you association with IFI.
Be safe!
Old Rusty Ted

ChrisP,
Welcome to IFI.
Please take good notes during you training. That way you can answer our questions that pop up.
We will be looking forward to your suggestions, comments, questions, and the photos you will post in the near future (please).
Be safe!
Old Rusty Ted

Colleen, (AKA) tzonoqua
I also welcome you to IFI.
For reasons beyond my understanding, I have not been able to open your site. So, I will have to take the word of the other blacksmiths who think it is exceptional!
I agree with Sam the Apprentice Man when he says: "Picking Jr.’s brain will keep you busy for years". Jr. has a whole lot of information in his brain. He is a wonderful resource of information and experience for all types of craftsman.
Colleen it sounds like a dream has come true for you. Please share your dream with us as it develops.
We love photographs, suggestions and the challenge of problem solving!
Be safe!
Rusty Old Ted

nmgross,
Welcome to IFI.
I agree with Glenn, who is the IFI site administrator, when he says: “Blacksmiths are problem solvers".
With your years of experience we welcome your input to help us advance the quality and magnitude of information that can be found on IFI.
Tuesday nights are special here at IFI. We have a live Blue Print presentation. Please try to attend and enjoy!
If you look in the Forum section of IFI, you will find under Blacksmithing, a section called “PROBLEM SOLVING”. We encourage people like your self to check that section and see if you could help someone out that has a problem that needs solving!
Be safe!
Old Rusty Ted

Alberta Welder,
I told ya so! "That you are a blacksmith in welders clothing".
Doing a pineapple twist is a good exersize to practice with.
The advantage is that you can see a pleasing result when it is done correctly. Plus you get to practice a couple of the blacksmithing disciplines such as chisel work and twisting techniques.
Nice Rig ya got there. Please send photos of your projects, tools & equipment, shop, and any other thing you think our eyes need to view!
Be safe!
Old Rusty Ted

Sam,
I love to see your stuff. No telling what your going to make next.
Thanks for making knife making / Blacksmithing FUN.
Be safe!
Old Rusty Ted

Alberta Welder,
Welcome to IFI.
You made me smile when I read your intro.
I believe your a blacksmith in welders clothing. Take a welder, Add some interest to become a blacksmith, wammo!! = Blacksmith!
The Idea that your willing to share welding knowledge = an IFI blacksmith!
The Idea that you came to the table is enough (for right now). We will pick your mind later!!!!! - - - Just kidding! - - Well maybe not!
Be safe!
Old Rusty Ted.

hamad,
I welcome you to IFI.
I do not know anybody in your region that you could call upon for training. Hopefully some of the other smiths would.
It sounds to me like you have the right attitude and interest level needed to become successful in your quest to be trained as a blacksmith.
I see you have reviewed some of the IFI Blacksmith web site, and are interested enough to ask a good question about heat treating.
Due to you not having anyone close around you who could train you, I would suggest you start training yourself now, while your interest is high.
IFI can provide a whole range of information to someone like your self who is just starting, and to guys like myself who used to think I knew it all!
I feel like I am just starting all over again after becoming familiar with this site and the intelligent Blacksmiths who frequent this site.
I think it would be a good idea to use the information found on IFI to assist you in training your self, until you find someone to train you.
I would suggest doing the following:
1. Study what you find on the IFI web site closely.
2. Take note of what you see in the Blue Print Section.
3. Study the photos of how some of the blacksmith shops are arranged, and how the Tools and Equipment are used.
4. Ask questions on the forum like you already have .
5. Visit the chat room. You can talk directly with highly skilled blacksmiths. We also have world class Blade Smiths.
6. On Tuesday nights we have some “Live” Blue Print demonstrations. Please give it a try.
PS. Anything you would be willing to teach us while on you venture, please do. We Love Photographs!

That is just some of my thoughts. But, now you go out and do it the right way!
Be safe!
Old Rusty Ted

Dief,
Sound like you hit the jackpot.
Good for you!
Be safe!
Old Rusty Ted

The small shop I am building (120 Sq. ft.), all of a sudden looks pretty large and modern.
Prople are amazing to me.
Be safe!
Old Rusty Ted

Mammooth,
Thank you very much for your reply.
I am so fat that it takes up a space that is 56.25 sq. ft. just for me to stand in.
Thanks to you, I feel like I am designing a blacksmithing palace with it going to be 120 sq. ft.
The whole reason for wanting to build a compact open air forging shed is because I have “reactive lung disease”. Bottom line, I have a need for an abundance of fresh air.
By having a dedicated area to use just for forging, I figure I can design the shed to ventilate well by taking advantage of the dominate wind direction. In addition, I plan on building the sides so the upper three feet will be open with only bars or screen installed.
It should help dissipate the heat created by the forge and promote free air circulation.
I do have a 30' x 30' Shop. Of which 12' x 29' is dedicated to welding and metal finishing. I use a “Fume Extractor” when I weld. Until now I have had to do my forge work out in the open, then hurry and try to put everything away during bad weather or when ever I had to leave.
I will continue to do my grinding and finish work inside the welding shop as I do now.
In the welding part of my shop, I installed a ceiling this past winter that is insulated. Because of the cost benefit ratio, I have a need ($) to keep heat inside during the winter months without having to loose the heat by venting the heat to the outside.
If this shop works out well, I will post photos. If it doesn’t, I will just name it my “Hall Of Shame”
Thanks again.
Be safe!
Old Rusty Ted

Mammooth,
Welcome to IFI.
Your small shop is very interesting to me at this time.
Would you please tell me what the dimentions are of your shop.
Out city ord. says I can't build an out-building that has a foot print over 120 sq. ft.
I was considering a 12'x10' or a 15' x 8', just so I could do light forging in.
Would you please comment on how well your shop works for you.
Be safe!
Ted

Pault17,
As you can see there are several opinions about the safety issues with working with Galvanized material. That is why we are fortunate to have the IFI platform to facilitate us to lay issues out in the open and learn from each other.
As you see, some opinions indicate galvanized material can be worked with safely.
I am convinced you can work with galvanized material safely. But, you would have to be sure you know exactly what you are doing with out question.
When I wrote the first reply, I was trying to keep it short as possible. But I think I need to say a little more about who may be effected by galvanize and other hazardous fumes.
Ref: An old doctor who treated people who worked in the ARMS Plants during the 2nd world war learned a lot about the effects of toxic fumes. He had a large population of welders that he treated to learn from.

He said that some people cannot process the effects of toxic fumes as well as others.

Meaning, Joe may not have problems with it, But Sam may have difficult problems with it while under the same exposure level. This is just another factor to consider in the equation.
I certainly appreciate all the opinions voiced on IFI. I learn more and more all the time.
Be safe!
Old Rusty Ted

Thanks Jr.
Thanks!


Old Rusty Ted.

Joseff,
Welcome to IFI. Yep! It took this time.
As you feel more comfortable about giving us a little more information about your self, it will help us know "How you may be able to help us" or, how we may serve you in some way.
I would suggest to you that you review this site carefully. Glenn has accumulated a lot of information about blacksmithing (Black Gold).
The site is just being re-built and is not totally intact yet. So stand by, the best is yet to come (now that your here).
The best to ya.
Be safe!
Rusty Ted

Hello, and welcome to IFI eb450.
Sounds like your right "on Track". I hope you will share a few things with us as you develope. We would enjoy having photographs of what your doing.
I would like to mention that on Tuesday evenings we have a "Live Demo" of Blueprints covering all different types of blacksmithing topics.
Please join us.
There are a lot of wonderful blacksmiths found all over this world, and a lot of them call IFI home. Now, you can to!
Be safe!
Rusty Ted

Pault17,
My advice and my vote would be to