DocJohnson

Any glove used on the hand swinging the hammer requires the hammer to be held more tightly causing muscle fatigue, possible tendonitis, and potentially carpel tunnel syndrome. If a glove is used around hot steel and the glove gets wet, the steam will burn before before the glove can be removed. This is especially true of the plain leather gloves. I like the Kevlar glove for my right hand, as I am left handed, not for the sake of the heat, but rather to prevent the tiny cuts in the palm from holding the end of poorly deburred barstock. As I work in the medical field, I also need clean hands. Coal, charcoal, the really dirty black dust from sanding scale, and used Harley oil, all come off with a wire brush. Please note, the wire brush comment is meant in jest and is not advised. I actually use a GoJo- like waterless hand cleaner so my spouse will let me back in the house. I then use bar soap and a stiff nylon brush. No problem.

I have found that when demonstrating and someone tells about their grandfather being a blacksmith, they are trying to relate to you. Asking what kind of work he did can be really interesting. He may have been a farmer that got equipment from Sears because there were no smiths in the area and he needed to be able to do repairs, or he may have done industrial work. I have two great grandfathers who were blacksmiths working the big steam hammers for the Great Northern RR. I have a work record for one of them. He made as much as $32 in a month.

One advantage to having the anvil level is that when punching or slitting, the tool can be held plumb. That is a lot easier than trying to hold it two degrees off plumb in one direction and four degrees off in another. Makes for better hammer eyes, mortices, many things. The floor in my shop is nine inches higher in one corner but both my anvils are level.

Tom, Yes, Bob Johnson here. This is my first post, anywhere. I am glad to see this site back up. This is where I got the plans for the unusual tongs with the dangling loop, that I showed at the February Guild meeting. I can no longer find it in the Blueprints. I made the bending forks for, and then made a pair of Poz tongs last weekend, and during the week, have sketched a tool to help keep the bends tight. I will make that Saturday. Sunday Jim Moenck and I will visit Ben's shop for another informal mentoring session. Catch ya'll later, Doc