Rick Barter

Hey there neighbor! You're only about 2 1/2 hours away from me! Maybe I should swing by your shop one of these days. :)

Hi from Columbia Kentucky! I did an art show in LaGrange Ky a few months back.

I do large drawings on thick sketch paper. I usually start with a scaled down drawing, then upscale, then layout onto a table for drawing. If a client wants it, I'll make a couple of sample pieces.

Stainless steel rulers, squares, compass, decent pencils and erasers, that pretty much sums it up for me!

Nice! Thanks, everyone. I have done hand drawings so far too. I am not that good at drawing scrolls and such. Anne, I am very interested in your method for doing the full-scale drawings. I would find that most helpful too.

I am curious to know what you all use for designing/drawing to give clients ideas, to show that you understand what your client wants, to experiment with different designs and whether or not they will look right. I am primarily asking with regard to ornamental/architectural iron (grilles, gates, screens, etc.), but would love to hear from anyone. I am trying to figure out what I can use.

Thanks,

rvb

Has there been any movement on this topic???

It seems there hasn't been a response to this since 2011. Did anything happen with this? I am for resurrecting the KBA too. I am planning on joining the Indiana Blacksmith Association because I know how active they are. I have even been to a couple of events years ago. I am interested in taking my blacksmithing past the hobby stage and would love an active Kentucky group.

I will try to be more active and responsive via IForgeIron. I have been away for a few years. ( Sorry, Glenn :) )

If anyone wants to contact me, drop me an email at Rick.Barter@gmail.com.

Thanks,

rvb

Kinda nice to see those numbers. I come out in the middle. I make blacksmith touchmarks. Anything that will fit on a 3/4" square is $150.00. Mine are blacksmith specific in that they come with a handle. Couple samples:

This is awesome to see everyone doing this! I asked the darn question and have made 3 of them in clay, but none in steel yet!

But, I just bought a 100 lb. propane tank and the forge needs to be fired up! I'll be sure to do it soon and post some pictures.

Thank you all very much! I tried it in clay when I got home from work. I've been racking my brain over this and had many unsuccessful attempts with the clay. I thought the cuts were made in one plane only and that the ends were twisted!

Thanks again. I've been away from the forums for awhile. Glad to be back!!!

You're right. My problem is that I don't understand his statement: "two perpendicular overlapping saw cuts" I guess I need a picture. I'll puzzle over it a little while.

Can anyone help me figure out how this is made?

Sorry about the link. I tried to upload it but got an error.

I recently got a necklace with a cross like this so I could look at it and determine how to do it. But, I'm perplexed! Supposedly it's made from a single piece of square stock. Any hints or pointers sure would be great.

Thanks,

rvb

I'm in the Lousville area and am looking for a good supplier of tool steel. I've found "drill rod" at Fastenal, but I'm looking for octagonal S-7 or similar. Anyone know of a good place to go in Louisville or the surrounding areas? I'm in Oldham County.

Man, I thought I was going crazy. I had to check with the guy again. This economy is going to kill me!!!

Hahahaha. Someone referred to my wife as Mrs. Barter one time and I thought the same thing: What does my mother have to do with this? :D

And I almost forgot! My signature. That's a good one and what this forum is all about, in my opinion. I saw it on a big sign over a garage here in town and thought about it quite a bit. Very profound.

My grandfather (Joseph L. Labrie) had many sayings, but a few I remember because, as Mr. Frost said, he told me 'till I was so sick of hearing it I never forgot':

If I ever got hurt doing something because I wasn't paying attention: "That's experience going in!"


If I was crying or protesting because it hurt when he was trying to remove a splinter with his pocket knife: "It hurt going in. It's going to hurt coming out."


When we all working together as a family: "Many hands make light work!"

I'm in Kentucky and buy direct from Cumberland Elkhorn Coal. It's great coal and the guy I've always dealt with is great.

Here's the info:

Cumberland Elkhorn Coal & Coke
950 Swan Street
Louisville, KY 40204
502-589-5300

Call before you head over there. They are not always at the yard so you have to make sure they'll be there. They have a scale to weigh you on the way in and the way out. You can get it in 50lb bags (more expensive) or bring you're own container(s) (the best and cheapest option). I usually bring a 20-gallon garbage can, but I have a trailer now. Your "container" can be anything you can put coal in. The has seen people come in and put coal in many 20 5-gallon buckets.

I'll call them tomorrow to get prices and find out if they deliver. I'll respond with the rest of the information then. Heck, next time I go (which will be soon because I'm almost out) I'll take a camera with me and snap some pictures. Maybe you could include those in the list too.

Where will this information be posted? I'd love to see an updated supplier list.

Thanks for doing this. It will be valuable.


I called and it's $500 per ton ($0.25 per pound basically). You bring your own container. They do NOT deliver.

It is with great sadness and regret that I inform you all of the passing of my Aunt, Pamela J. Labrie.

I know she appreciated all the prayers from everyone and spent the last year fighting cancer, living, loving, and enjoying her family and friends, especially her grandson, Connor. Thank you for your thoughts and wishes.

This beautiful, warm, courageous wife, mother, aunt is a monumental inspiration to my life. I only hope I can live it with as much vigor and purity as she did. She will never know how sorely she is missed.

Her obituary may be found here: {m.name} - Obituaries

Goodbye, Auntie Pam. I love you.

Goatman,

Any pictures? I definitely find them to be worth more than 1,000 words. :D

Hi, Uri. Thanks for the information. I will be going through a metal wall. I think this will be fine. I may create some soft of insulation sleeve anyway, though. That way I can keep out the elements with some silicone caulk or something.

I have a question for Uri. How hot does the square tubing get? I notice there's not much clearance between the tubing and the wall. I'm just curious because I'll be putting a chimney in very soon and would like to use this design.

Well, you inspired me to find them! Here's a link: Pinup Stickers
But, I didn't see a brunette... YET.

Uri,

Is the chimney supported by the straps or by the square tunnel or both?

Here's my hood. Sorry if the pic offends anyone but I figure if it's acceptable in my high school, it's probably acceptable here. She's go a plasma cutter!! How awesome is that?!?!?

What you think?

I got my forge with a firepot and 110v blower from Centaur Forge when they had a clearance sale. I got the whole thing for like $200. It's served me well so far. I hooked a dimmer switch up to the blower and have a lot of control over the air blast.

Currently, I'm still forging outside. So, as another member said, your mileage may vary. But, I don't do much. I just turn the air off and walk away. The fire dies out and because you leave it all together it goes out slowly creating more coke in the process. I don't clean it out until I'm ready to start another fire in it.

If you use coal there isn't much danger with stray sparks. Coal isn't like wood. It doesn't really send sparks showering out of the firepot. You have more danger of starting a fire when forge welding as the molten slag and flux squirt out.

My $0.02.