SLAG

Have you tried a small wire brush mounted on a portable drill? A brass wire brush is preferable. It is slow but slow is probably what you want Such a set-up is not very aggressive so it's easily controlled. Wear a face shield, please. SLAG.

There is no need to obsess or aggravate ourselves over the details and fine points of electrolysis rust removal of old tools. The newsletter of the Florida Artist Blacksmith Association's (F.A.B.A.), publication "Clinker Breaker" August 2.000 issue pages 10-13, has an in depth description of the process, the set-up, and also the chemistry of it. Look it up and start de-rusting Enjoy, SLAG.

For capsaisin on the fingers, rub some cucumber on your hands (thoroughly), or cucumber juice. then rinse with water and then wash the digits with detergent. Cucumber slices are at hand on every south east Asian kitchen table for when a hotspot lands in the wrong spot in the throat. It puts the fire out fast. Regards, SLAG.

It looks a lot like a tailor's ham that is used in darning socks. Mr. John B. you are most likely correct. (which is not surprising). Cheers. SLAG.

Mr. Turley Dogs & hoof trimmings. It's roughage merely nutritious roughage. Few micro organisms can digest the keratin in it. Regards & many thanks for a whole lot of very valuable information you have posted. SLAG..

Thomas, Thank you for your informative post. I & Margaret really appreciate your response. SLAG.

Yes minyan is one of the variant spellings. They are transliterated from the Hebrew script and the English spelling is approximate. You can choose a spelling and run with it. SLAG.

I, and my family, ask for other's prayers & remembrances for the dead, maimed. and wounded of Orlando. I wish condolence for all the people of Orlando, Florida, and the U.S.A. in light of this mindless madness. Rest assured, they have ours Thanks to all. SLAG.

Great news Ian! Keep taking good care of yourself. You are, now, officially "cleared for takeoff." SLAG.

FSLAG looked up minion in the dictionary to refresh his brain. A minion is defined as a person who is willing to do what ever same is ordered to do. .Especially a servile or obsequious follower. A darling or favorite. e.g. "The King's minion". It also describes a size of seven point type, for printers. A minion is also a Hebrew or Yiddish word for a group of at least ten adult Jewish males which is the minimum number required for a formal Jewish religious service. (this requirement is akin to the Christian requirement for, "wherever two or more are gathered together" for a Christian service.. A variant spelling is minian. Just a little definition and theological tidbit for our I. f. I. community. SLAG.

Mr. Austin, What alloy are they? 1020? 1040? I might be interested in them for the right price. I am in St. Louis, Mo. P.M. me. please with a reasonable offer. SLAG.

I think the spandex blacksmith illusion was first done by Monty Python and his merry minions, if my memory serves me well. Who can ever forget the "I'm a lumberjack and I'm O. K." song. It is rumored on good authority that it was almost adopted as Canada's new national anthem! (the old one had one too many "we stand on guard for thee") plaintive refrains. Just my two cents on the subject. SLAG.

And its a fairly small serpent.Aus The eastern brown snake is generally shy. But its venom is ferocious. Very toxic. The poison gums up nerve transmission, and its other toxins mess with the blood system. (i.e. neurotoxic, and haemotoxic). in other words we get double trouble for the price of one bite. It is one of the most poisonous snakes in Australia. It's a good thing that the snake is usually shy and mostly non-aggressive. Also. it is not a very large serpent. But there are many other Australian customers that are hot tempered and are at least as poisonous as the eastern brown snake. The inland taipan (or fear snake) has a very nasty temper, and it is very aggressive. It strikes multiple times in one go. The toxin is very powerful. It's one of the most potent of any snake on earth. Luckily it is found in central Aus. The eastern taipan is a different snake. Cheers chaps & ladies, SLAG.

Charles, Are you really predicting a feeding frenzy? Zounds, this sounds perilous!! Regards, SLAG. P.S. thanks John, we'll look into it.

Jnewman, I really appreciate your heads up. Marg, would very much enjoy the aquarium. I have many happy memories of Hamilton Ont. I did medical research at M.U.M.C. before I went to law school at Dal. Best regards, SLAG.

Charles, Thank you ever so much for the heads up. Does Mrs.Powers take Visa? SLAG.

I am considering attending the Quad state roundup. What is there to do for my wife? She is not a smith and has other interests. I would be very grateful for some information. Thanks, SLAG.

SLAG here again. Try these videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yLSkW5BwbM And https//www.youtube.com/watch/V=rRaKH7rE2E You're on your own but it should work. Regards to all, SLAG.

Re sharpening Files, Files can be re sharpened by an acid bath treatment. There should be a thread on I F I or on, Gasp!!!, Anvilfire. I would have posted some but I must continue cooking a curry for the boss or she may be tempted to kill me. (it is against the law but she may have forgotten). Acid is dangerous and should be used with care. Regards to all. SLAG.

JHCC, That site is incredible. Thanks hugely for the link. It will come in, very handy. Regards, SLAG.

Steve Thank you for this reference. Archaeology is one of my paramount interests. SLAG.

Wachah gonna do? Buy a good quality net and donate it to the kids or parks department. That's wachah do. Just a humble suggestion. SLAG.

Nice buy. How big are the jaws? What is the overall length of the vise. Thanks, SLAG.

The tool in the third photograph from the top is not a shoemaker's last. The front section is cut across and not radiused as a standard last is. The distance between the "heel" and the front portion is too great for a normal foot. The tool looks more like an anvil or anvil tool of some sort. SLAG.