Jeff Seelye

Hey Straysparks, I haven't seen any other finish either, but by sandblasting, it will take all the scale off and that leaves you with other options. I have been acid etching some stuff lately. This is the same process as gun blueing or browning. This adds some different effects. I have also been using stuff called guilders paste. This adds color but I don't know how "wearable" it is, I have only used it for artwork that you look at. Also have you tried/thought about a power wire brush or a bench grinder type wire brush? Both can be dangerous but might be easier on your hand.

Great job on the poker! Also a great video, Ciladog, you are multi talented!

Silver Sulfadiazine cream, it's prescription only. My Dr. understands what I do and he writes it before I need it.

Some people are not great at sketching, but I would say you have to have some aptitude for it to be a blacksmith. I sketch, use a camera, use Sketchup, I like copper wire many times to replicate parts in the field that I have to transfer to my shop. Squares, rulers, cardboard templates, (yes, I have caught one on fire), I have some cool angle finders. I can't say that one thing is better or that I would settle for one thing but the copper wire has really helped on some pretty complicated things.

I have used candleabra lamp sockets inside 3/4" pipe. The "cardboard" tube insulation that came with it, fit right inside. Just make sure they are well insulated as they are not UL aproved as made, even if the socket was UL aproved. I checked with our local electrical inspector and as long as they are not permanently wired into the house it's ok. Your insurance company may not agree though! Then you have a selection of bulbs to pick from.

Just being curious, (as well as taking MLMartins advice) I would touch it on a grinder and spark test it. White sparks are Ti. but Ti by itself is non magnetic The only way I have of checking alloys is against known samples.

Welcome, from Michigan!

Hey Chad, Most of us were newbies (once). I was nervous the first time but found out that it's just a bunch of people that share the same common interests. we have people who are Professional smiths all the way down to real newbies, people with big equipment down to people with a brake drum forge, hammer and an anvil shaped object (ASO), we even have people with no tools that like to just come and watch. Being prejudiced, I think we have one of the best newsletters out there too. I spent 2 years as a member before I went to a meeting, before that all I did was read the newsletter. We meet all over the state so I don't always make it to every meeting or sometimes we share rides. Several members live close to the Detroit / Ann Arbor area, so you should be able to make it to some meetings. If you have more questions you can PM me or find me on facebook (on the anvil blacksmithing). Hope you find your coal!

Larry Carrigan of MI Artist Blacksmith Org (MABA) has some in Rives Junction. Chad, Think about joining MABA, Tim and Larry's ad's are in the paper. Also there are others that meet that get their coal other places, and I'm sure they would be glad to share their locations where they get it. One guy gets his somewhere in Detroit, but I think its coke not coal. Seeing you're on the boarder, Ohio has at least 2 organizations, SOFA (Southern Ohio Forge & Anvil) being the biggest I've been to. Or just show up at a meeting and ask questions. Great bunch of people with a LOT more talent than I've got.

It's a pleasure! I can't think of anything worse on here than not having an opinion. If you fear criticism... don't post.

Thanks Curly, Great pictures and nice job on the candle holder!

That is one site that I will file for future use. What a treasury of ideas. Thanks

Great Tutorial! Thanks for all the notes and pictures!

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By my drill press I have all of my drill "stuff" which includes my steel bits & wood bits in an organizer, portable drills, battery drills and other assorted goodies. I also keep a row of Plastic peanut butter jars labeled on top and side with sizes of most used taps with their drills and an assortment of bolts that all fit together. It has just been a time saver for me to have it all in one spot. Tap drill charts are great but IMHO when I can grab the jar and have it all, it's just to simple. If I was a big shop I might do it different. I usually only use about 8 sizes regularly.

Tom Allyn brings up an interesting point. Hammering blacksmith style or carpenter style. When I hit oak it is like a dead blow, not much bouncing back. When I hit hot steel I feel the rebound. Taking lessons from others has led me to realize when my thumb is up, I feel the shock up my arm from my thumb. With my thumb wrapped around the handle, my arm feels better at the end of the day. Thumbs up or thumbs down, to me could have been rephrased as "do you hammer like a blacksmith or a carpenter ?"

How much room do I need while doing a demo? I would like to have people as close as possible, but want them out of the danger zone. Not planning on doing any forge welding.

Hi Drewed, I only demo occasionally, and that is for kid groups. I built a shield out of Lexan that is 4' x 6' x1/4" and rope off the area so that the only way they can see is through the Lexan. I block the sides. If you do this, I suggest you keep the forge back about 4', when you surround yourself, you don't get much air, so it is me, the anvil, hammer & a hot piece of steel. Kids love to see what you are doing and I feel more comfortable with a good shield. After quesnching, I will walk out in front so they can get a closer look.
I do many simple things but what gets the biggest reaction is when I pre-build stock for basket twists in handles and twist them right in front of their eyes. Have fun, Jeff

Yes I will be making a a grate out of some steel flat bar I having laying around, though I might just cut it into a few strips and lay it in the bottom of the forge

If you just lay it in the bottom it will move when you put stuff in it, then your coal falls in the hole. Use the bolt holes, weld it, mud them in, do anything... but make it solid.

Hard to beat a nice new induction forge!

OK Grant, Do you think a custom touch mark would be a good idea?

Anything that can be done fairly quickly... unless you are a good talker while you work, that seems to hold attention. I built a lexan shield around my anvil because Kids like to see up close and I don't trust parents/chaperons to keep safety glasses on kids. They can be the same eyeball height as the anvil. Frosty has a cool idea about the coat hook. I have never sold at a demo, I was paid to demo.

Mark,
That is awesome! Yes, it truly is a blessing. Jeff

Francis, Thanks for posting this! I knew something like this had to exist, I use the golden mean, thanks for another tool. Thanks also Glenn for the blueprint!

Unbelievable! Awesome detail.

Hey, how can you be "learning"? We are ALL learning here :lol:

You don't have to bury yourself in metallurgy, but if you are making tools, You need to learn Carbon content, annealing, hardening, Quenching and tempering. I would rather see it and ask questions than look at a book. But both will get you in the right direction. Have fun, Jeff