LDW

I assumed the numbers on the side of that anvil would be 6 3 25. Thanks for everything Roger, I was glad to see you again. I look forward to the trip to Pontiac, and MN. Time to start planning next years conference. Let me know if you have any suggestions.

Well here is the last day of forging with Chris & Daniel. https://picasaweb.google.com/LDWynn/ChrisDanielsLastDay# They got started by making a cupping tool, then moved on to the hammer tongs. Daniel and Brian made a set of hump tools as well. I got picks of all the tools they made, and you will see a feather and an art piece Daniel and Chris made during the class with David Koenig. It has really been a lot of fun working with these two. I think Chris has really built up his confidence around a forge and will result in the two of them excelling in understanding the forging elements Brian has shown them in hopes of them being able to repeat what they saw. It was a lot of fun, Daniel is a nice young man, and any father would be proud of how he handles himself.

Hey Jimbob that anvil is less than 200 pounds.

As all conferences must end here is the last day of the Yearly event. https://picasaweb.google.com/LDWynn/LastDayOfThe2011MFCConference# Dave made a few things this morning and I took some pics of him making a "vessel" and putting the black finish on it. Dave was a good speaker and is a true artist. His eye can see color variations, and textures a lot better than mine. I really enjoyed meeting him, and he is a good natured, appreciative, and patient man. We all had a good time. Tomorrow Daniel, Chris, Bryce, Brian, and I, will all get in a forge at the Ag Museum and see what all we can produce. This will be the last day Daniel and Chris will be here.

Here are some pics of Saturday. We did not have as big of a turn out as we would have liked, but we had a good time, good food, and a good auction. Today is the last day, Daniel and Chris will get some forging in today, and I will get a few more pics. https://picasaweb.google.com/LDWynn/MFCConference2011#

Took some pics of the first day of the Class Dave took us through it was nice working with alluminum for a change. https://picasaweb.google.com/LDWynn/2011ConferenceClassDay1MSForgeCouncil# The second day everyone was able to choose a piece of metal and do as they wanted, Dave was there to help us all along. We had the Wine and Cheese party, it looked like a pretty good turn out. We did an iron ib the hat, and there were a lot of items on the table. https://picasaweb.google.com/LDWynn/Day2OfClassWineAndCheeseParty2011# I am rushing through this cause I have got to get going. I will have more pics tonight.

Here are days 3 & 4 https://picasaweb.google.com/LDWynn/ChrisDanielDays3And4# Chris & Daniel both made 3 1/2 pound hammers out of 2" round, Brian and Daniel made some drifts, Daniel was really getting that new hammer up in the air. Then Chris and Brian were making a punch. We start our class with Dave Koenig tomorrow through Friday then is time for our Conference.

Good guess Clinton but in a couple of the pictures you can see that the tongs are against the fullers when dividing up the hammer. Because of the fold on the end this acts as a stop to place you as far as you can be against the fullers without hitting the hole. Look at this link to picture number 43 on Chris & Daniel day 1. https://picasaweb.google.com/LDWynn/ChrisDanielDay1#5609721880135692098 Below are the pics for day 2 they started with the 2 sided taper, after that Brian did a leaf, ( I think I got all the steps to that) then went through the tong steps, Daniel had brought his hammer he made at the LAMA Class, I got pics of Brian tempering it and putting a new handle in it. I got all the steps of him making a steel wedge, I guess this is a very simple item but for some reason I think its cool. Heres the pics for day 2 https://picasaweb.google.com/LDWynn/ChrisDanielDay2#

Chris & Daniel were at the LAMA conference when Brian and I were there and Daniel took a hammer class. He is a young energetic and soft spoken young man that has a lot of talent. His dad Chris, ended up doing some striking at the conference in LA and did a great job. While he was heating a piece of metal this morning Daniel leaned over and told me that was the first time Chris had ever heated a piece of metal in a forge. Chris worked with Brian this morning and got off to a good start. They made a hot cut hardy while Daniel and I made one. I got a few pics but was working with Daniel most of the day. Bryce jumped in and took some pics of Brian and I making a repoussé hammer. Then there are a few pics of Daniel and Brian working on a 1 1/2" top fuller. Finally I took a few pics of Bryce making a drift from 1 1/8" 1045. I did not get pics of it but Chris made a repoussé hammer and so did Daniel. The hammers will be used in the class we are all signed up for this week with David Koenig. I should have pics of the hammers tomorrow. https://picasaweb.google.com/LDWynn/ChrisDanielDay1#

Bryce is here from Canada and will be staying with Brian and Karen for a while. He seems to be a level headed gentleman, and has learned a lot in his travels. He got his chance to make a hammer yesterday and did a good job striking. Again, I was working on the coal trailer, but stopped to take pictures often. See if you can tell the advantage of Brians newest set of hammer tongs in a couple of these pics. https://picasaweb.google.com/LDWynn/BryceSHammer#

Jason lives in a town near here and I think he saw Brian on Iforgeiron. He contacted Karen and ended up taking a one day class. I was working on a trailer but took some pics as I could. Brian said they stayed up till after 1:00 AM, (thats what I call a one day class) Jason had gotten there at 6:30 AM that same morning. Brian always says he will forge as long as you want to, its your class. There are some nice pics of them cutting a piece of stock that ended up being a large fuller for the hardy hole. I had to leave so did not get to see the finished hardy. Here are the pics https://picasaweb.google.com/LDWynn/JasonsTripToBrians#

Here are th pics from the last day with Ben & Cathy. They wanted to do a forge welded bundle, so to speed things up decided to do a bundle for a grappling hook. Brian and I had made some V-blocks to go in the treadle hammer and they worked nicely to keep the collar square. While they were woeking on the tapers and getting the tools set up Brian grinded the rest of the new tools. They made a nice haul, heres the pics https://picasaweb.google.com/LDWynn/BenCathySLastDay#

Ben & Cathy started their first day off with making a hammer, Brian and Ben made a hot cut hardy and a top tool hot cut as well. Today got started with making a trivet, there are some pretty good pics of this process, from making the three different sized collars to assembling all the pieces. They both made a trivet. Then the tool making got started. I did not get to take many pics of the tools for participating in making some. Brian and I made a "cupping tool" (for forming the face of the rounding hammer),Cathy and I made an edge tool while Brian and Ben made a 3" fuller. Brian and Ben also made a 1 1/2" fuller and after supper they made a 3" top tool, while Cathy and I made a 1 1/2" top tool. They both really enjoy forging and are willing to work 12 hours a day doing it. We have one more day and I am looking forward to it as much as they are, they are some great people, and enjoy soaking it in. Enough with the chit chat, heres the pics. https://picasaweb.google.com/LDWynn/BenCathyDay1# https://picasaweb.google.com/LDWynn/BenCathyDay2#

Just give me a shout and I will let you know where we are. Come on down to the Ag Museum anyway, we would not turn you away from a monthly meeting for that, you got a grace period. Besides it is held in a public place, you will catch up sooner or later if you get interested, this stuff gets in your blood.

Hey Countryboy, if you get a chance come on down to the Ag Museum this weekend. Got a good demonstration working up. Bring some of that cable you got and we'll weld some up, then harden it and check it with a tester.

Sounds like that could be a good place for the Iforgeiron conference as well. Thanks Gerald, looks like ta'll had a great time.

Thanks for the pictures Travis.That looked like a great sight to hold an event. Its hard to get Brian to pose for anything, you did good.

Hey Ian, Hopefully, you get close to MS. Let us know, we will plan a meeting around the time you can be in this area, and will help out with your trip all we can. Send me an email when you can and we will discuss a little further. ldwynn@gmail.com Lyle

Hey Old & Rusty, according to what I just read this sharpener will work down to 3/32". We had one of these where I used to work because we used bunches of #30 double ended drill bits for drilling holes for 1/8" Rivets. Here is a link. http://www.drilldoctor.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=71&flypage=flypage.pbv.tabs.tpl&product_id=2670&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=145 It was nice meeting you at Artmania. Alec got his racks made and has all his tools in order.

Alec and Brian both made a flatter today. Heres the pics of the flatters https://picasaweb.google.com/LDWynn/LastDayWithAlec# It funny how someone from another country can point something out that is different here. Alecs mom was amazed we have drive through ATM's, this is something they do not have in England. I will miss you Alec, you to Ce'cile we all had a great time. Alec, keep us informed on your progress. Show us a pic of the racks you make to hold those new tools.

Ironstein, you are correct that was aluminum round stock. Ted T, thanks for the wonderful post you made. One of the first conversations I had with Alec was when he walked in the shop and was just looking around. I asked him if he had seen the pictures and he said he had seen all of them more than once. He had made rings based on pictures, His mother arrived wearing a copper ring with a leaf on it and a beautiful little penny scroll on the end. He had learned all of the processes for doing it by looking at the pictures. It really made me glad I had been posting the pics. I get the same feeling from reading your post. Alec is a prime example that size has very little to do with what can be accomplished if you have the will. Here are a few pics of the tools Alec has made along with the items he has made or has been given to take home with him, keep in mind that even though Alec has been here for 11 days, the tools made in these photos were made in only six of the days he has been here. https://picasaweb.google.com/LDWynn/AlecsTools# Chris I am looking forward to you and Daniel coming to Brians as well, and I am happy to let you know that I won the item Daniel put in the raffle, can you believe it? I started this thread by saying this is one you will not want to miss. From the first day I met Alec it was easy to tell he had a level head on his shoulders and the energy to get a lot accomplished with this visit. He will not leave till tomorrow afternoon so he still has a chance to think about what he has not done tonight and make it happen tomorrow. Thanks everyone for supporting what Alec is doing, I am having a blast.

Artmania was a blast. We got to have fun and forge with a bunch of smiths. Everyone was great, Old and Rusty came by so it was good to put a face with a name. A raffle was held for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and when we were packing up they said $5009.00 were raised for the cause. It was a refreshing change of pace, at one time Brian and I had Alec going back and forth striking for both of us. https://picasaweb.google.com/LDWynn/Artmania2011# I would like to send out a big thanks to the LAMA group for making this such a successful event. The weather ended up being beautiful, it was a great weekend.

I ended up staying busy most of the day and had to go to a meeting, but when I got back I got a picture of all the tools so far. Brian and Alec then decided to make a set hammer. This set hammer came out beautiful. It will look even better when finished. I left at 10:00 last night, cause we will be getting ready to head to Artmania in Washington LA on Friday. I will take the camera but am not sure when I will get to post more pics. If any of you are willing, Alec will be working away with us in Washington Louisiana. https://picasaweb.google.com/LDWynn/AlecDay5# He is even more unbelievable when you see him in person.

Took a few pics, I was busy so did not get as many. Alec made a pair of hammer tongs today, he did some long tapers with tool steel to make them. He then decided to make a drift. For any of you not familiar with that, this drift is made from 1 1/8" round 1045. He did a long taper using Brians 5 lb. rounding hammer. I think he weighs around 80 pounds and I weigh 280 so I have know idea what it calculates out to be but for someone that much smaller than me to be swinging a 5 lb hammer enough times to make a drift is unreal. He loves it, wants to make those big blows. https://picasaweb.google.com/LDWynn/AlecDay4# I left a little early, Brian will probably strike for him tonight to finish the drift and I would not be surprised if I take pictures in the morning of another drift he has started.