Jeff Seelye

Thanks for the pictures, Frank! I think it's always cool when a group can get together and produce something historic that everyone can see how it was used.

Got my Quadstate info in the mail today. The website also has info at http://www.sofablacksmiths.org/conference2012/2012index.htm Looks like a good mix of stuff to see and as usual, I want to see it all!!

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Can you make a "double set of tongs" to go with this.That way you could quadruple your work! That is a riot!

i don't know what the first and last thing is but if I was still tying grain sacks I wiold use that to hold the sack while I tied them. It might be used to tie something that would otherwise come apart. Just a guess?

I'm sure the website will be up when they have more info.

SOFA = Southern Ohio Forge & Anvil. Sept 21 -23 (officially - you can come early for swapping and other stuff) It is at the state fairgrounds. I got an early brochure telling the date but no more info. Should be coming soon.

I used to test paint for automotive use. One of our tests was to put cars in direct sunlight in the hotest parts of the US. We routinely would hit 160°F.I have seen 150°F on a hood in MI. If a hood can be that temp witout damage all day long for several years, how are you going to damage an anvil? Yes, the paint fades but consider the steel under it.

I made a reproduction part in AL using my propane forge. Mine is a 12" pipe about 18" long on its side (Larry Zoeller design) For a cruciable I used a 2"x4" sq tube 5" long with a bottom welded in, l used a 1/2" rod about 40" long welded on the side. Pay attention to the previous warnings about water or moisture. I had a green rammed sand mold (baked). Melted Al rivets in it, skimmed off the dross with my borax spoon.Poured with a Carrhart coat, welder gloves and a face shield and probably should have done more. Read lots, find someone who has done it before, look at some You Tube videos, be safe. It only takes one mistake.

You ARE a good friend! Looks cool, are those nails in the wood or bolt heads? Interesting design.

Larry, This is cool site. I can't believe I hadn't seen it before. Thanks for posting it!

What an honor!

Might check with the Michigan Artist Blacksmith group (MABA) Check their website. Their are a lot of members in the SE corner of the state. If you want more info, PM me. Jeff

Cool! Looks like fun to me! Time to think of a few projects now and jump in. Happy hammering, glad to have you!

Very nice!

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It really helps if your wife loves iron things. The first things I built were for the house or yard using a torch and a RR anvil. It is not hard for a woman who sees possibilities, to ask "so what kind of tools would you need to build me one of those?" I've seen pictures of Harley's work in his house. Lots of talent and sweat.

Ed, Those are great looking chisels. Nice roll on the attachment point. Is anything about an Ice chisel, different than a regular chisel? Is the grind angle different? I realize they are bigger than usual. Bigger picture is OK, I like looking at the detail. Nice "S" touch mark.

What a great place to share your talent and inspire kids!

Welcome Josh! I started in blacksmithing while I was building my log house and I wanted forged hardware, so I started out with a piece of rail for an anvil and a torch for heat. YES woodworking and blacksmithing go together! If you live that close to Troy, It would be a shame for you to miss Quad State. JMHO Jeff

Got a protractor? 360 degrees in a circle divided by 3 is 120 degrees. If you do very many, it's worth the time to take 3 pieces of flat stock and weld them together at 120 degree intervals. Then you can clamp the legs (or scrolls) to the flat stock. The pieces will be 120 degrees on center AND vertical.

Happy Birthday Sir!

Why does it have to be square stock? Looks like the hole in the bench is round. Why can't the bend be round?

I had one for a while to. I took it to my gas supplier and asked him if they would trade for a oxygen bottle. They did. Now I have a spare because I always use more O2 than acetylene.