tzonoqua

Hi All, wondering if someone could point me in the right direction, I am looking for a suitable coating/finish for articles that are used in a fire, such as fire sets, trivets, tripods, etc. I normally finish work with oils/wax, but am looking for something a bit more durable... Could you tell me what you use? Regards, Colleen

I think I will be in the minority here... I have just taken over a smiddy here in Scotland, and I am in the process of clearing up the accumulation of debris left by the last occupant... by the time I am finished you will be able to eat off of the glimmering surfaces of my welding table... (OK, perhaps not eat off them!) I have even been known to dust the gas bottles here... When Martha comes, we will be able to sit back and drink the local scotch whiskey, as it is absolutely spotless and she won't have a thing to complain about, unless she goes into the house that is.....

Hi Richard, This is something I am looking into also-or at least I plan to but it is one of those things I haven't got around to doing yet. I have just taken over a Smithy in Scotland, and I am thinking about doing this in the off season (winter!) I currently have public liability insurance with Eastlake and Beachell, they do specialist Blacksmith and Farrier insurance, I have been meaning to ring them up to see about running workshops/ having students in etc. I will report back when I do this, or perhaps you may inquire with them. Incidently, I went to school in Canada, and the boys got to do ''shop'' and make things out of wood and metal, which I was always very jealous of... Being female, I had to take ''home economics" that is- cooking and sewing... I ended up sewing a pair of shorts which ended up with one leg longer than the other...!! If only they would have let me discover my true calling then! Regards, Colleen

My two books I refer to more often than any others 1. Oppi Untract - Metal Techniques for Craftsmen Big, heavy, and comprehensive (and expensive if you buy it new, but worth it) lots of images and instructions... I also have the Jewellery Concepts book by him which although isn't strictly Blacksmithing, it covers just about every metalworking technique out there. Good Reference. 2. Jack Andrews - New Edge of the Anvil Good basics...

Hi All, Gosh, What a friendly site!! I wonder why I never joined sooner! I am not sure why you can't open my pages, I have it hosted on my freespace at virgin, my ISP, who limit the traffic if it becomes too much so that is the only reason I can think of that it might not work.. (which I guess it is a good thing because since joining a lot of people have clicked on me, which is nice... I have been in relative seclusion for a while!!) Anyway I am going to move it soon, am still looking for a decent host.. any UK people out there with any advice on that matter would be appreciated... Yes, I am just about to live my dream, I am have been given the opportunity of taking over a fully kitted Smithy (when I mean fully kitted, I mean it- it has a plasma cutter, air tools, mechanical chop saw and a power hammer!!) and Art Gallery in a stunningly beautiful part of the world... I will definitely keep you all posted- it will be a journey... I have been browsing in the blueprints section, what a great resource. Regards.

stunning. absolutley beautiful.

Hi, It looks ok to me, I have used anvils in worse condition!! Wouldn't we all like to have state of the art equipment and tools to use!! If you have a look at the thread entitled West African Blacksmith, you will see that it is possible to make amazingly beautiful and functional items with the most rudimentary of equipment. I worked in India and there they used an old battered piece of railway iron. $200 doesn't seem too steep -- it is true that in the UK a london pattern anvil in such condition will sell for anywhere between

Don't worry Bear, I am not so scarey as the moniker suggests... it is more to do with ''copper woman" connotations... although saying that, my husband does warn people that I know how to wield a hammer... Regards.

Hi, That sight looks very familiar to me. I spent some time a few years ago in the Great Thar Desert, Western Rajasthan, India, working with the Gaduliya Lohar, a nomadic tribe of Blacksmiths- it was amazing to see the skill and the amazing things they could make-- almost like something out of nothing... to me it brings back the ''ancients'' if you know what I mean. Would be interested to see more photos of this sort of rudimentary smithing around the world- if you want to see more photos of my time in india, go to my website, www.colleendupon.co.uk and click on research... I shall try to upload more photos as I think some of you might find it interesting.

Thank you Irnsrgn! One thing i have learned, and not from a poncy degree (which is essentially an expensive piece of paper but was also very valuable time well spent), is that experience is the greatest teacher of all. Look forward to picking your collective brains. Regards.

Greetings from the UK. My name is Colleen and I am just returning to the anvil after a three year break (bringing into the world my little girl, which is by far my best creation yet!!) I am just about to take over a Smiddy (that is Scottish for Smithy in case you didn't know) and Gallery in the Highlands of Scotland and live my dream... I am sure I will be here quite often reaping advice and asking lots of questions as I am a bit rusty!! Regards, Colleen