Archie Zietman

Hello. I remember there used to be a blueprint with tongs that looked like these. What are they called, and must I make separate tongs from square, round, and flat stock? (the lower jaw indented, and the triangle fiddled with?) or can I use them for all three? thanks eversomuch, Archie

here's a photo, not mine, but it shows the patina. looking at it again might it have been rusted and then oil finished? On other railing, the red and black were more mixed and patched.

I'd make the axle into a small post anvil for doing 17th century flesh forks and small knives. coil springs would be punches and drifts and chisels. Sheet metal would be a forge hood, and bowls and leaves. I'd make a smithing magician hardy with the chunkiest parts of the leaf spring on its' side. Axes and other tools from the rest of the leaf spring, oh, also a heatshield from the forge out of a window or the windshield, for really hot days.

Hello. I was recently at Penland School of Craft, and all of their railings are made by blacksmiths who have taught there. They also all have the same kind of finish. It's slick and waxy looking and is patchy red and black. I really really like it, but when I asked, they just said it was "goop". so how might it have been done? partial russet-finish? some fancy combo of oils? I really want to know because I really like it. Thanks eversomuch! be merry, Archie

woohoo! It's great to see you're doing well with the smithin'. Keep pounding!

Hello. Yesterday I finally took one minute (literally) and made myself what in glassblowing is called a yoke. It's one of this y shaped things which allows you to support long pieces of work in the forge, without it falling out. It is amazingly useful. I can finally make multiple 3 foot toasting forks, or shepherd's hooks at a time, it's soooo useful, and makes forging more pleasurable, not having to balance things in the forge. What are some simple tools which you have made, which madea huge difference in your forging? be merry, Archie

First forge I ever used had a trough like that, it was a slack tub. merry forging!

Not a yard sculpture, a chunk of ferrous stuff sitting on their garden wall. It has also crossed my mind that it might be cast iron, I will hopefully talk with them about this, but I will test it before getting it.

I just popped a letter in their letterbox this morning, hopefully they'll call me, though I didn't see any cars either time I was there, and wonder if they are away. I wish people listed blocks of old steel on craigslist .28 lb/cu/in? Wow! heavy stuff! I'm terrible at judging weight, thank you frosty for correcting me. It made me certain that I want to pick it up, and that I want to see if I can pay a flat rate, not by the pound, Also, on two sides it bevels out into a section 5 inches square, which will make a dandy workspot.

True, if I tacked on the railroad, all the wieght advantage would be lost in vibration, though. I could hardface it, if necessary, but the less I have to do the better.

Hello. I work in landscaping, and at a job today there a was a big rusty chunk of probably mild steel sitting on the garden. It weighs I'm guessing 80 pounds, is a foot and a half on each side and 3 and a half inches thick. If I flip it thin side up, it would probably make a nice anvil. Is weight overall, or mass under the worked piece what matters? Would it be more efficient than a 50 pound Fisher for just moving the metal around? I'll probably ask them about it anyhow. Merry Being, Archie

Hello. I have been making lots of different hooks and candle holders and signs and steak turners and all manner of things in my forge over the weeks. I'll hopefully be able to sell some of it at the Farmer's Market (I've got a stall for two days) but I expect I'll have stuff left over. So what do you guys do with the stuff you make? Do you give it away to people? do you use it around your house? do you sell it? Thanks, Merry being, Archie

I'd say work for a bit with what you have. We haven't seen much of your work. Get good at smithing before going to town on the tools. I spent 3 years building forges and barely did any forging (letalone finished a piece) in those 3 years. You already have a forge, it looks like, or will in a few days, which seems very good. Use it. Once you have got decent at smithing, you will know what is big enough. It's good that you are so enthusiastic, though!

Thanks a bunch you guys! I just finished up two right handed ones and a squatty long-tines toasting fork, all work well.

Hello! I had a great day at the forge! I made 2 large organic-form trivets, 5 large s-hooks out of 5/16ths round bar, and 2 fancy twisty forks. Question: How does one make the pointy part of a steak turner? I've seen them from afar, but I'm confused by them. Thanks eversomuch, Archie

Hello. I have two low pressure propane bottles about 400 grams each, not big, but enough to make me nervous around the house. I bought them, but they are not high pressure enough for my torch, only for a little camp stove. How shall I dispose of them? I dunno if I still have the receipt, otherwise I'd just return them. Luckily they were only 3 dollars each, so I'm not out much. Thanks, Archie

good on you for just walking away and not chewing it up. Sometimes it just doesn't work, other times it will. You have to be willing to have a bad forge day in order to have a good day. At least that's what I tell myself.

Good setup. I'm just thinking, the area looks a bit cluttered with the big log on the ground, the chair and the crate. Maybe I'm just a clutz, but I'd forge with just anvil and forge lest ye fall and hurt yourself. I agree with the others, loose the claw hammers. I used one once on an anvil with good rebound, and whacked myself. Needless to say, I went straight out and got a ballpein. They're cheap secondhand. lookin' good, Archie

I am very impressed and inspired, great work!

Hello. I am wondering whether the price of fuels (and indeed life in general) has lead any of you to change your forging habits, either in the time you spend forging, what kinds of things you make (more sellable things or quicker things etc.), have any of you switched to a cheaper fuel? For me, I've started re-using as much steel as I can, and saving unusable scrap for the scrap yard because steel is getting way more expensive. Earlier this year I also worked out a forge which run efficiently on waste veggie oil, and old motor oil (both free from local restaurants and garages) which has allowed me to still spend a lot of time forging, but I am making things to sell. Have any of you been effected/affected by the current economic situation? Thanks, be Merry, Archie

Today two of those squiggly raidroad clamps, a big wire brush, a small hacksaw, and a ten pound chunk of steel which would make a good cutting block all followed me home for free. Yay! I also spent the day forging s-hooks and nail-hooks and drying hooks and coat hooks for the summer craft fair, good fun all in all! be merry, Archie

leatherman wallet, car keys soapstone

I'll just link a few threads on bestselling items I found: Blacksmith Forum - Search Results http://www.iforgeiron.com/forum/f7/blacksmithing-demonstration-ideas-first-timer-328/ There, answering to my own thread a bit. Can people shed any light on howyou keep the audience back from your workstation? Also, what to do if the weather is bad? Thanks again! Archie P.S. We just booked the stall for thursdays in the afternoon through the summer. We're sharing it with some crochet-ers, and a girl whom I'm helping make glass-bottle-and-iron lamps. Very exciting!

I've used it, and it works very well, you have to coke it like you do coal, and make sure to get all the smoke burned, it smells a bit funny. There's a lot of smoke, so you'll get a big flame up top. A hood is, if not necessary, then advised. edit: You don't need as much air as coal, the coke is very light, but you definitely need a deep fire and be careful that the coking corn doesn't stick too much to your metal. It works good, can get steel to welding heats it you get the air right. Merry Being, Archie

My first anvil was a sledgehammer head sunk face up into a bucket of concrete. I still use it for drawing out forks and such. Looks really nice and simple. I hope it serves you well. good luck, Archie