Gary

I have 3 at home. I'll try to post some pics for you later this afternoon. they all have similar markings but a wide range of sizes. Later, Gary

I paid 50.00 for a champion 400 blower 2 yrs. ago, without the stand. It works very well.

Frosty, I'll check on that but I'm pretty sure it's eureka 32. It is expensive. The guild bought some a few years back and it's just about gone.

We have a member at Ft. Vancouver who has had success with a rod called Eureka 32. He did an 89 lb PW anvil for me awhile back and it seems to be holding up well. It's not supposed to work harden and become brittle. He even added a bit onto the end of the horn which had been blunted like most.

I took it up 5 years ago when i was 48.

The only vise I have paid for is a 70 lb Peter Wright, bought at a barn sale for $50.00. 2 years ago, Very good shape.

89 lb Peter Wright, $125.00, 2 yrs ago. 125 lb. farriers anvil, $125.00, 3 yrs ago. 150 lb Trenton, $350.00, last weekend. Farriers anvil like new, Trenton and PW good useable shape. All in the Pacific northwest.

10'x20', a bit deeper would have been nice, but I used the room I had. I put in a 6' sliding door and can stand at the forge and see the pond in the backyard. Very relaxing!

"Lone Wolf Forge", I have always admired the wolf and I usually work alone.

chyancarrek, was that the one that blew at Ft. Vancouver a few years back?

30 yr. Postal, 20 yr. National Guard (Army), 4 yr. smithing, volunteer smith at Ft. Vancouver National Historic Site. Most important, married 27 yrs. (same gal!)

I found this post vise in an elderly neighbor's garage that I was helping to clean. She gave it to me for my help. I have never seen the maker's mark before and wondered if anyone else had? Her husband worked for the natural gas company in the 50's and 60's and was fond of bringing home tools they were throwing out. Any help appreciated, Thanks, Gary ( I posted two pics in the gallery, below is the link to one) Unidentified Vise - Blacksmith Picture Gallery

Logging chain. Age ? 1900 to recent?

Nice old bandsaw you've got there! Never seen one that big!

I have used the Elkhorn coal for awhile now. We also use it at Ft. Vancouver and it's very clean burning. We go through a ton in a month and a half or so. For those used to eastern prices the coal costs $22.50 for a 50lb. bag.

There is a show that I have heard periodically features blacksmithing. It is on the RFD-TV network and it's called Rural Heritage. I have not seen it myself yet (I don't have satellite) but I hear it's good. It airs initially on Friday at 2 pm, Eastern, then repeats several times. This Week on RFD-TV

I talked to John recently while there on a coal run and received the same info. He said he will still sell coal and hopes to give classes. He said his classes last five weeks and include a lot of forge welding. He is a very interesting guy with a lot of experience. Hopefully he'll be around quite awhile longer to impartmore of his knowledge.

Thanks, Thomas!

Gentlemen, thank you all, you've given me much to chew on and some good starting points. I'll see how interested he is after letting him know what I'll be dealing with and post results if and when I carry through the project. RF- he just wants a landing hook that won't rust on him. No poaching as far as I know! He does know a lot of other fishermen and maybe I can get some of their business too. Thanks again all.

I have a friend who would like a stainless steel gaff hook for fishing. I have never worked stainless and couldn't find a BP covering its properties. I'd appreciate some pointers on it's differences from mild. Thanks, Gary

I'm making everyone on my list a paint can opener ( just a stocking stuffer). My wife needed one, I couldn't find ours and I made one. Stock: 1/4 rd, 8 in. length. Spread one end in a small tapered fan and give it a slight curl on the horn. I've been just making a circle on the other end, but you could make a fancier hook. You could make the hanger end a bottle opener too, for the guys.

ABANA even with all the problems of the past is still a resource I don't think we can afford to lose. Hopefully the new leadership will take to heart the input of those who took the time to fill out the survey. I urge all to do so.

Congratulations, and keep up the good work! By the way, what's a bean pot spider? Is it another name for a cooking tripod?