Rick Barter

correct. having trouble with artist-blacksmith.org

Ahhhh I see. No worries, mate. Not to beat a dead horse, but does your 'nup' mean that you have no problems viewing the aforementioned site or that you don't know what's wrong either? :)

nup? do you mean 'nope' as in no problems? do you mean 'not up'? I'm confused.

Anyone know what's up with this site? I've been trying to get on for 3 days to renew my subcription, but to no avail. It's still registered to George Dixon, but I just can't to it. Anyone else having problems? rvb

i started this thread awile back. check it out for info: http://www.blacksmithforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=181&highlight=mower+blad

Thanks to all for sharing this information. I have set up my DVR to record all episodes of Forge and Anvil!!! And now I can't stop watching the channel! rvb

If I get up there, I look forward to meeting you, Steve. I got to meet and talk with Billy at Possum's Hammer-In and it was a great time. rvb

Well, luckily I have dish network. Can't get cable out here. Thanks for the heads up. rvb

What's RFDTV??? I would love to see this show.

I'm going to try and head up there, but I'm flying back from California on a red-eye and won't be in till 10am. It's a 2.5 hour drive for me, but I'm going to try and make it. I'll probably be wearing Carhartt pants. Again, easy to spot, right? I usually wear a red Boston Red Sox cap with an american flag pin in the shape of an anvil on the right side of the brim.

well, too far to drive to anyway. actually, i would love to go up there to take some classes, but the whole work thing has got me strapped into weekends only. rvb

Bah! My company is sending me to training from the 20th - the 23rd and I won't be back in town until the 24th. I'll check out the link to the Quad State. Glenn, I'd probably not want to travel more than 2 or 3 hours away. rvb

how do you find out about these shows and events? i'm in la grange, ky. i'm new here and don't know where to find the goings on. i'm always looking for stuff because i've got a bunch of junk for tools...except for two hammers that are new and great.

They have to be chained up or otherwise secured so they don't fall over. It's good practice to keep them upright. But, I have a Jeep and just lean them between the passenger seat and the dashboard. They're almost upright and secure enough not to move around. rvb

I ride a motorcycle and I told my wife that if I get splattered on the street, know that it was probably some jerk on a cell phone. I agree with some of the comments here. Cell phone use by people who can't even walk and chew gum at the same time is an epidemic. Incidentally, my wife drives a BMW. Not all people with BMWs are jerks you know. Of course, I prefer my Jeep. rvb

JR, I never thought of that. I have one of those triangular deals, but it always has the flat spot up. I can't keep it in any other position. I notice that my fire is small, but sometimes I want a bigger one. Thanks for the info. I'll see what I can rig up to get it to stay in one place. BTW, I didn't get to talk to you much at Possum's Hammer-In (I was only there for a few hours on Saturday), but it was nice to meet you. rvb

BlacksmithTech, You might check out this site: http://www.stagesmith.com/gallery/shop_projects/anvils/index.html And drop Ernie a note via email. His address is on the site under contacts or something. He's a great guy and always willing to help. He's made a few anvils and done some anvil repair. From what I remember he used hardfacing rods and then did a lot of grinding. The results are good, though. Hope this helps, rvb

I had to leave the hammer-in before I got to see this demonstrated, but I can second what Glenn said. Billy knows his stuff and was a pleasure to meet and talk with. His damascus stuff is absolutely gorgeous. rvb

jj2k, i just saw you're post and have this to offer: http://www.geocities.com/zoellerforge/feathers.html if nothing else, you could ask him how he did it. hth, rvb

Dang, Archie. That gives me yet another reason to go to Home Depot! Thanks! rvb

Great analogy, Irnsrgn! Thanks for the info. As for my scroll technique, I suck. But, I'm practicing and found something last night that shed light on what I was doing. It was a development drawing of the beginning of a scroll from George Dixon's Book about Francis Whitaker. I have definitely not been patient enough and have been trying to do too much at once like you said. I'll slow down, do a little at a time and see how it goes. When I get it so I'm no longer ashamed of it, I'll post some pics. It may be awhile. haha rvb

Hi Daryl. I just read this one. No one has replied? I remember something about West Point having a huge, forged chain across the river to prevent ships from coming around the bend and suprising the fort. I can't remember all the details, though.

thanks everyone. I don't have a power hammer so I guess I'm getting plenty of heat. Leah, I will try your suggestion. I have to cut a slot in the back of my little forge so the bar can pass through. This has been a limiting factor. rvb

well, today was gas welding practice, but i'm planning on taking another shot at my scroll tomorrow or saturday. that being said, how do i take a nice long heat on a bar? i'm using coal and i'm not getting much of a long heat. any advice? rvb

Good to know, Dan. Are you saying that you don't weld the collar, just wrap it tight and let the metal hold it tight upon shrinking? rvb