Jeff Seelye

As a beginner, take time to develop your craft. Many times we say we don't have the time... maybe next year. Most of us here have someone or some place we can go to learn from, even if it is a few hours. I get lots of ideas here, but I develop my skills doing and watching much easier than reading ( that's just me, not everyone). Even You Tube helps because you can see how they are doing it. Watch people carefully, watch where they hit on an anvil, watch how hard they hit, watch where their thumb is (had to say it), watch what way the metal moves, it will save you hours. One of my welding journeymen told me "You will either learn to be a good welder or a good grinder, it all depends on how you look at the details" this applies to our craft as well

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!!

e94e4d1b26ac0a4420904a02a3db7b87

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?

Jeff did.... I was just checking to make sure I was not wrong about the location.
Sorry Jim, I've thought for years it was the State fairgrounds ever since they moved it from Studebaker farms. I stand corrected. Jeff


Really? I go through Mansfield every now and then..... Where?

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.

If you have questions about wooden handles these guys can answer them for you. Just so you know scoll down the page to view thier products. Neat web page all sorts of handles.

http://www.househandle.com/

Larry

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!

Here it is:

http://www.iforgeiro.../16-tailgating/

Go to the Forums tab and click "Feedback and support"

Harley,
That is a sweet shop! I love the organized chaos on the outside. Looks rustic and splendid.

WofShield, you sure are lucky to be told to go build the shop! Most of the time its more of a begging and pleading case.

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?