tzonoqua

if you could just forward me the plans and I'll get back to you with a quote... :)

Frosty, do you find that there are any stresses in the metal on the drum when doing heavy hammering/twisting etc? That's the only reservation I have about that set up.
Anyway, there's salmon and brown trout in the river, if you can afford the huge fees to fish there! All exclusive privately owned...

Today I caught this lovely girl on her way to the feed bins! She is lucky, the hunting season has opened, but her and her friend will escape the cull as they have little fawns that frequent the field behind the wall, where a couple of Highland ponies reside, and the pet sheep of the head groom!

Put a stem and leaf on the flower too!

and thanks John, I am so glad I went with one of Dennis' gas forges, metal artist one. It's perfect for what I do. Can't wait to get that coal forge going too!

Great Adrian! I love the stump to get him up to eye level!! Can't wait to get my little girl down to my workshop, and her whole Nursery class will be coming along, once it's made safe (ie I better get those gas bottles chained up!!)

Ten Hammers, that looks like a good set up. For the moment I've got my swage blocks on the raised stone hearth which is perfect height! Will have to rethink that when I get a coal forge going, but I like the idea of using the weight of the swage block to counter the weight of the vice. I've also been thinking about using an oil drum filled with water, an idea that I found somewhere on this site- I don't have water plumbed into the workshop, so have to fetch it from another room in the barn, at the moment I've just got a bucket so that would solve two problems. If anyone else has a vice mounted on a drum filled with water I'd be interested in seeing some pics.
Anyway, I had a really productive day today, and here's some pics of the surrounding area, the river is the River Lyon, which I drive along to get to work, the other pic, not very good is of the front of the barn, I had to stretch over a stone wall to take the pic! My workshop is at the back of the barn, which isn't quite so pretty!

Hi All, more pics to come soon!

GNJC, send me a PM, we could talk about a lot I think, I have a keen interest in Blacksmithing in far flung places too!! It is a shame that we in the Highlands are penalized for living in such a place with very high surcharges on deliveries, sometimes if companies will deliver at all!

Everyone, thanks for the comments!

I understand about the "flow" of metal through a shop, but I can't say I'd ever achieve it!! Although, the reason my old mechanical saw is by the door so that I can swing it round across the door and chop the lengths as I bring the steel in. Not sure flow patterns really work for how I work, I'm "intuitive"... or something like that! Basically, I'm an artist before anything, and I don't neccessarily take the most direct route from A to B, as much as I try to make plans!

Today was the first day I actually did any forging.. and some cutting with the oxy/propane. I am already rethinking how I've bolted my post vice to the metal table, will put a machinist vice there- even a little bit of hammering on the vice on a metal table sent really unpleasant vibrations through me! I'm of the opinion that working with metal doesn't have to be noisy and dirty!! (well maybe a little bit!) I think I'll end up anchoring it into the ground as in Myloh's suggestion.
I think after actual using my workshop I'll get there, re-arranging those "heavy" pieces!!!! Or perhaps it may be one of those continual evolutionary processes!

Made beginnings on a commission today, trial in mild steel, final in stainless...

Thanks for the comments everyone! I've already moved stuff around, unfortunately as you can see it's not the biggest.. about 30m2 so I need to be very organized. And yes, Beth, I can't wait to do some real fun work!!! However, I am learning a lot just getting it all organized. In September I've got an old Blacker Power hammer coming, have no idea where that is going to go!! It's slightly frustrating cause the kids are off school for their summer break, so it's difficult to get down there full time, but it's so nice to have my own space!
Frosty, point well taken about having a workbench in front of the window... This whole process reminds me of those puzzle games you have as a kid, with little squares you move around til you finally arrange the complete picture!!
Anyway, the farm manager has taken a little interest in having a go at the anvil, so I'm sure he'll make room for a wee pile of coal!
And Dennis, it is a spectacular spot, a special place in the Highlands, tons of red deer running around, the other day there was one in the barn nosing around at the feed bins!

Ummm, Chrisfrick, I'm no guy, but more of a Blacksmith Babe!

Fe- I'll check that out, it's more of a minor annoyance at this point, but I will want to sort it eventually.

Myloh, I was thinking maybe something on wheels as in the Hofi blueprint, but getting a chunk of 20mm plate is the difficulty! I also wanted to avoid having to drill or mount anything into the concrete. But we shall see what I eventually end up doing!

Very interesting Pascalou! I love to incorporate copper in my work because it contrasts so beautifully with steel. This adds to copper's many facets of uses!

Thanks, the rustic looking stone walls with lime mortar are lovely to look at, but the mortar is old and a bit crumbly, therefore, I'm finding it's always dusty... not quite sure what I can do about that...

I'm in Scotland now. The old power hacksaw is good, very noisy motor on it, but it works, need to build some stock stands for use with it. Would still like to have a nice new power chopsaw, as it would take up less space, but it'll do for now!

stage 2- Most everything moved in- built my worktable, mounted one of my post vices to it for the time being, have another post vice to mount- still deciding on an appropriate stand for it, think i'd like to have it semi mobile as i'm short on space. Still need to get my big 4.5cwt anvil moved in. I put my tool racks on casters, Thanks Adrian Wood for that suggestion!!

Hello All,
I'm in the process of setting up a new workshop. I rented a workshop fully kitted before this so it's been a long process of procuring tools etc. Then it took ages for the estate where I live to decide where they wanted to let me make noise! Funny enough, I've ended up on the farm in what I am guessing what was the original Smiddy, there is a raised hearth platform with a fireplace flue in the wall, so when I get more organized I'l be building a coal forge.

It's getting there, I'm not too far off actually getting to do some fun work... I've got commissions waiting to do. It's been difficult as I live in what is termed a "remote area" and it's hard to get suppliers to deliver, I cannot actually get steel delivered to my door, I have to drive over the mountain with a trailer to collect it, but that is the price I pay for choosing to live and work somewhere so beautiful.

Stage 1- Empty room they used for storage, knocked out the shelves, and knocked out the window.

Anyway, some photos for those who like to peep on other's workspaces!!!

"worn on the top" hee hee, understatement!!

If you refer back to the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths' website, under the awards section there are short explanations of the awards. The link below should take you there.

Directory

It is funny isn't it ? I thank the medical profession that I can be immune to horrific diseases like tetanus, polio, etc, whereas I have been to areas in the world who have not been so lucky to have access to these vaccines. Ask them about how their immune system coped on its own. Yes, of course for us it's all down to personal choice, just the same as I always wear my safety goggles...

the company I use has a really good website explaining the processes involved in galvanizing and powdercoating- with links to pdf's which describe the details. might be useful as a reference.

Process - Powdercoat - - Highland - Galvanizers and Powdercoaters

How ornate is your design? Does it actually need to be powdercoated? Although powdercoating companies will tell you that the coating reaches all recesses, it may not, and often does not. I would talk directly with your powdercoater and get their advice, it's handy to get to know them if you are going to be a repeat customer. Sometimes these firms are really only used to doing industrial work where the finish is not so important, and sometimes need reminding that ornamental work requires that little extra attention to detail. (This advice applies to galvanizing also)

Before powder coating the process should involve an acid dip to degrease and clean the surface and usually the advice is to clean off any loose bits on the surface. You should remove any loose scale, even if it might look 'neat'. A handrail is going to be used all the time and the scale may eventually come off leaving untreated metal underneath.

Experiment with different finishes on test pieces, that way you have a guarantee about how it will turn out, you can agree the finish with your client and you will both be happy that your work will be protected.

This is a good reminder for me, I had one as a requirement when I started my degree in Silversmithing and Metalwork, that was in 1999, so I guess I'm due! (has it really been 10 years!!!???) Better call the doctor on Monday!

I used to do a lot of jewellery with semi precious stones, the settings don't have to be very complicated. A simple way is by using wire and constructing a "cage" for the piece of rock. You could go to your local library and find books on jewellery. but I would also advise to get on a jewellery course as you would benefit by being able to bring in the rocks and seeing what type of setting would be most suitable. Good luck

Sounds like an amazing experience, thanks for sharing.

-Colleen

Your hammer really is an extension of your body!

Tools are 'temporary body parts'

Colleen

Hi Rebecca,
Nice to see you here! I'd love to be able to help you more, but I'd still recommend the Royal College of Art, London, especially since you use a mixture of ferrous/non ferrous in your work. I am sure others with wider knowledge of the far flung corners of the planet will speak up...
- Colleen

Hi Ram, Namaste!
You will find so much very useful information here, and some extremely helpful people too! I understand what you say about Blacksmithing in India, I worked in Western Rajasthan with some Gaduliya Lohar folk, they too thought I was a bit nuts to want to learn from them! I found though, once they got over the fact they thought I was a crazy woman, they were very willing to share their knowledge with me.
Can you make a ground forge where you are? Where are you located in India?
Nice to have you here.
Regards,
Colleen

I can't say about melting cans, but I have done a small amount of aluminum casting, in sand, melted over a ground forge. It was really that simple. We did start with scraps of bar stock though. I think we just used a steel pan to melt the ali in but probably better if you get a crucible made for purpose. Wear safety gear too, but I am sure that goes without saying.

Hi, I've used ground forges in India, and never did anyone kneel, always squatting. Sometimes the older men would have a small cushion to sit on!! Don't ask me how they did it all day long cause it's difficult, but if you are used to being in that position, it's much more adaptive and nimble than being on your knees!!

Ground forges are by their nature very versatile, and so amazing that they are so simple.

Colleen