Alec.S

Steel!

Are you talking about cone mandrels? If so, I would be wondering about the way you would create a cone mandrel from an oxygen bottle. What they are very very good for, however, are gas forges! Use the bottom as a small dishing swage as well!

Was very enjoyable working with you! It turned out AWESOME :D NICE :) Alec !

The one that's free.................. ;)

Why not make the nail header fit your pritchel? ;) Nice job, Jake! I like it a lot! Alec

Well dang! How did I miss that off of my list? ;)

AHAHAHHAHAHA :') LOL WOOOPS! *Toilet paper roll holder ;) I had just been on a trans-atlantic flight and must have been a little tired ;)

Sitting in the airport, I felt like giving nohone a reply he wanted! Bottle openers Steak turners Other BBQ and fire tending tools Sharp pointy things Hooks Key fobs Rings (if you can hold the forming mandril somehow in your anvil) Hand tools (you might need a vice however...(filing, grinding etc) Tongs Candle holders Candelabras Picture frames Hammers Belt Buckles Puzzle games Toys The things you hang on christmas trees as decorations Toilet holders Towel Holders Sculptures Axes Necklaces General types of forged jewellery and body adornment You can also practice efficient forging techniques! etc etc etc etc this list is endless! Hope that was of a little help, Nohone :)

Some people listen to music when they are on a bus or train... I on the other hand, look eagerly out of the window for scrap steel on the side of the road..... Just your normal 15 year old kid! wait.... hang on.... that's not normal ;) ;)

Chinobi! I LIKE YOUR IDEA!!! Makes a lot of sense! Not sure if I should stick or twist with my bet...... I will stick to my first instincts.... MIG ;) Ahaaa Alec

My guess.... is... the bottom four pieces were not forgewelded together at any stage... He did the top, did the twisting and what not with the bottom lot tacked together, Ground off the tack, opened the four pieces up enough from the bottom, for the bean to fit in, put it in, closed it, mig welded it and ground it. Just a guess! Nice work! Very cool!!!! :) Alec

It is my recalling that 'Champion' originally made farrier tongs in that style with the flair and it caught on! (might just be my fuzzy imagination however ;) ) Ask a farrier what they can be used for! I could imagine they would be good for flicking shoes around the anvil... Alec

AHHAAA I FORGOT! thank you for setting me straight, guys! reminds me of the story (i don't remember it very well) Of when a ship was broken down. They called up an engineer... He inspected the engine and asked for a hammer...They provided the hammer and he hit a pipe once and the engine was fixed. When they got the invoice, they were shocked to see it was £100. The engineer explained: £5 for swinging the hammer. £95 for knowing where to hit it! Nice short little story!! I agree totally! 100% THE MOST IMPORTANT PART IS THE EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE! Unfortunately, many young people especially do not understand that in today's world as readily as they used to, when people understood the value of work! Thanks guys!

I do not have money to spend on tools...So I make them myself! Obviously, for a lot of people that is not the easiest thing to do! But, my point is, that when you make the tool yourself, you are in control of the quality,style,shape,weight,handle etc When buying a hammer...think what goes into the making of it when you are shocked by the price... For example, if you buy a hammer from Dave Custer, Brian Brazeal, Aaron Cergol, Nathan Robertson, Brent Bailey, myself or any other blacksmiths forging hammers/tools, you are paying for... Time at the anvil Striker (sometimes) Coal Steel billet Wear on tools Abrasives Wood Oil etc ..... My point is to say that there is a reason that some tools are expensive. But i will guarantee you, that a properly forged hammer will outlast any machined,cast etc hammer...Not only for the way forging improves the structure of the steel... but also because if you have a nice hammer you take more care of it ;) :P ;) ;) A little rant with little meaning... Just adding something to peoples minds for the next time they see an expensive hand forged tool and think - *‡fi›‡°·fl·‚°‡fi‹ $$$$$$$ :)

Dave, I'll be 'fickin to get ma'self daan to the speech lessons where i can 'git ma'self ta tawlk Souderrn...'Ya dig? ;) AHAHAHHA ;) I will put on my best Mississippian accent for you, David! You will be impressed ;) Thank you very much for the wonderful comments, David! You are an awesome guy you were a great help to all us YOUNG SMITHS last year! Looking forward to seeing you again in july!!! Thanks again everyone for the wonderful comments!!! Alec

Thank you for the kind words, Daniel! It is always a pleasure to work with you buddy! You improve every time!! Looking forward to Young Smiths 2013! Keep forging! Alec

I will be there! Looking forward to meeting you all!! Alec Steele

Check out this video! Sorry for it being so shaky! I had a lot less videography experience at the time! I use a 5lb rounding hammer for everything...I rarely ever have to pick up a different hammer because i find this hammer so versatile! :)

DUDE!!!!! AWSOME!!!!!!!! AWSOME!! AWSOMEEE! :D Love it!! Super! Awsome! Cool! Sweet! *Insert 50 more adjectives that are synonymous with awesome* :D Looking forward to seeing the finished product! I bet those rounding hammer sledges are going to be real nice to use :D

Aprons just seem so darn confusing to put on! :P Nice apron! Will last your lifetime! :)

We use fullers when forging the cheeks! Top and bottom.

Raymond is correct about the fullering! For bigger cheeks so there is a bigger HOUSE FOR THE HANDLE! Surface area contact :)

Hey Chris! In my striking anvil (2x5x12) i did not put in a pritchel hole. My reasoning was that the striking anvil, for me, is used in conjunction with a regular anvil. So I will always have access to a pritchel hole. Also was the fact, that my striking anvil is used with a striker and I have never seen an operation where a pritchel was used! If it is not a hassle to drill the pritchels, put them in! If it is too much effort, don't bother...You shouldn't ever regret it really in my opinion! Looking forward to seeing pictures of the final anvils! I am upset that once these are made they will all take my striking anvil's place as the world's number one striking anvil xxxx! Hope you are well!! Alec

Great job, Aaron!!!

It is a testament to Brent Bailey's build quality! :P The most damage that sledge has had is when I split it's handle half the way up while demoing at ABANA 2012 :P It is a beautiful sledge and wonderful to use! Alec