SLAG

This practice is yet one more examine that mankind has been spawning idiots since before we left the trees for the savanna. It is said that God loves fools because He made so many of them. Just sayin. SLAG.

Algrove publishers (a subsidiary of Lee Valley tools). republished a book that was concerned with the framing square. A quick search should turn up the title. Then again that reprint may also be out of print, But there should be second hand of that reprint available. I remember that it was a slim text. Also, Lindsay publishers may have reprinted it too. (I do not know how the font changed whilst typing, is it a heretofore natural talent that I never noticed in me ??? ) Life can be strange. SLAG.

Contact the Blacksmiths of Missouri group. They are also on Facebook. SLAG

Most industrial non-precious metals are mined in bulk. This would include iron, copper, zinc, lead, chrome, molybdenum etc. etc. The metal bearing ores are metal oxides, and sulfides. They are found in massive deposits.These metals are mined in bulk. Most often in open pit operations. They are mined by the hundreds of tons of ore every day The operations are huge and require massive machinery to produce a product that is competitively priced. Individual labor operations would not make economic sense. There is one exception. Coal. But most North American coal using smiths get their supplies from mines in the U.S., Canada, (& Mexico?) Imported coal would be cost prohibitive There is one exception. That is countries where prisoner labor is common like North Korea, China (in the past?). Russia, etc .Forced labor (or slave labor) makes no sense in such massive mining operations Forced labor would be feasible where the minerals or gems are diffuse & can be readily seen. Such mining is done by people searching the ground or digging up earth and extracting the visible metals & gems. These operations include placer gold deposits, stream tin river deposits, conflict diamonds, and opals & emeralds. Smiths primarily use mined and refined metals, Such as iron, copper etc. The above-mentioned recycled metals are very common. They have no origin that is traceable So the ethical questions, and concerns are not that great SLAG.

Yes the chemistry is correct. SLAG.

I suggest that anyone interested in these tools try a search at the U.S. patent office site. It is free and easy to use. Also, Google has a patent searching library, for on line searches. They are incredible sites for information and ideas. Many people use them to come up with novel, inventive improvements. I suspect that there are hundreds of patents pertaining to this subject. A patent search is also good fun and educational. SLAG.

Pocahontas coal has a very good reputation for high quality fuel. The B.T.U. are excellent, The level of sulfur is very low. (sulfur is not good for smithing.). The moisture and ash level are excellent. The volatile matter is very good. The coal is great for smithing. You might be able to get a lower price for it but I suspect you will not need great amounts while you are just starting up. Anyways, you will be learning from the seller. So getting under his skin would be silly. In other words you are off to a good start. Carry on, SLAG.

Mr. jeep, A steel punch and a ball pein hammer can neatly smoosh the rivet end, next time. Also the void area around the rivet can be hidden (partially/) by mixing a light colored epoxy resin together with maple sawdust resin. The mixture is then worked into the void and allowed to set. I hope that helps. SLAG.

Glenn is right . the tool should be protected. And working tools require frequent application of your favorite shmeer. I have used Vaseline in between forging sessions. Especially when there will be several days until the next use. The layer can be wiped off just before use. Or for perfectionists, a second wipe using a bit of oil will get rid of the Vaseline. I have used soft wax coatings on my smithing tools when they will only be used a week or two later. A good soft wax source is the red coatings of Dutch style cheeses. They can be found at the supermarket. (For example edam cheese). Incidentally, eat the cheese before you harvest the soft wax. That wax is soft enough to rub on the tool's surface. There is no need to soften the wax before use. Regards to all! SLAG.

a Most higher animals have a preference for the right or left hand or forefoot. Your question is reasonable one. It can be quickly be found on the net. I would do that but I have to get back to work or my spouse will kill me. Regards, SLAG.

SLAG Here, Marg & I have added you to our list of intentions. The N. Alabama idea is a capital one. Also, suggest contacting all your friends and acquaintances and letting them know that you are thinking of changing jobs. Swallow your pride. You opinion of yourself and your family trumps anyone else's opinion. I know a fellow that threw a "I've just been fired party". He invited everyone he knew and any others he & his wife could think of to the affair. He provided all the party favors, good food and liquid cheer. And got a very good job offer in 48 hours. You should not have to tell anyone the reason for your job search. It is no one else's business is & It's a downer for people. I have never got a job offer from the net nor advertisement. Many people & job placement firms are casting for potential clients or are gaugng the market, checking on salaries, potential qualified personnel. They are not looking to hire just yet. I have never gotten a job from the net nor from any advertised jobs. The best jobs are usually never advertised. Best of luck, you can do it, Regards, SLAG.

Mr. Marinakis, Allow me to offer a suggestion If you want the rodents to live. Try this. Attach a cord, to the inside of the tub. Attach it to the edge that is farthest away from where you quench iron. Use a non plastic material. Attach the cord at the top of the tub and have the rope descend into the water. When the miscreant falls in, it can now climb out and hopefully leave. (most likely). The cord should be of a material that the animal can grasp to climb out. This humane maneuver should give a neighborhood cat a chance to catch said rodent and dine in style. Then again you may have a dislike for rodents and want them to drown. The beast could add extra vitamins to your slack tub. It's your choice. Regards, SLAG.

Beautiful work. You'll fit right in at I.F.I. Welcome, SLAG.

If the fire produces flammable green smoke, only when the coal is first lit up, You can try to ignite the smoke with something like a gas fire starter or a propane torch or similar fire source. Keep the cylinder in hand at all times when doing so. Watch your face & hands when doing so ecause the ignited gas may whoosh up. Also do not hold the torch horizontally. it has a tendency to flare up. Bottled flammable gas should be kept well away from the forge fire. (e.g. acetylene bottles). SLAG.

Greetings, The current run on most things related to blacksmithing tools is a pain. But may very well be a blessing in disguise. The current television "black smithing" shows are the probable cause of people wanting to try their hand at a great craft. But most of them will get frustrated and fed up in a little time. ( so many dive in and will try to forge something like a samourai sword, or Scottish claymore, and fail). Soon after, the tools will fall into disuse and collect dust as the owners attention goes elsewhere The forges and anvils are heavy, bulky and a real pain to move. So, about 3-5 years from the end of the "smith reality" shows, the price should substantially fall. And real smiths will be able to afford the tools again. (just like the cabbage patch kids dolls, of ancient memory) Patience is a virtue. Frosty's advice for anvil acquisition is a good one, for now. Look it up. Auf weider sehen, Herr SLAG.

P.T.S.D. also, SLAG.

Charles, One good favor deserves another Try F.A.B.A's monthly Jnl. of April 1987. Page 6.shows a variation on the theme of Mr. Brazeal's universal tongs. They seem to have been designed by Mr. Francis Whitaker There is a third very versatile tong design called a "three point tong" that was disclosed in their Jnl..Check their subject index. It originally appeared in an A.B.A.N.A. publication at the end of 1986. I mention these references for your information and possible use. I am not playing a one up-man-ship game. I'm just trying to be of assistance I would have sent, this, in a personal message, to you, but I do not know how to do this yet. Regards & thanks SLAG.

Charles thanks for Brazeal's pictures. You're a real help. SLAG.

Nicodimas Please allow me to hazard a guess. Such a buyer may be what Mr. P. T. Barnum. was describing, in his celebrated quote. "There's a sucker born every minute, and a man born every five minutes who will take his money". This thread has intrigued me. So I checked out Centaur Forge for anvils. I paid attention to anvils around the 150 lbs. range. (one only manufactured up to 100 lbs). The prices per pound worked out to. Cliff Carrol Co. $5.44 per lb. Emerson Co. $5.90 per lb. Kanca Co. about $6.30 per lb. N.C. Co $4.06 per pound (they make a 100 lb. "Cavalry anvil", (that weight is the highest Centaur sells) Centaur throws in free shipping for anvils 150 pounds and under. (in the contiguous U.S.A.). SSooo! a minimum $6.00 per pound price for a used anvil seems to be outrageous. But then again the seller is hoping that the prospective buyer may be one of Mr. Barnum's "one born every minute " crowd. I should like to offer the seller a huge post vise (6 inch) in pristine condition for $9.50 a pound! (I will even sign the tool for free!). Warm regards to all the site members, & readers. SLAG.

see Good morning, The blade is very nice work. Well done. But It is not a froe. Check Jock Dempsey's site hit "I-forge how to" and view topic 92. Also search " froe" at Lee Valley tools or Woodcraft to get a good picture of the tool. Regards, SLAG.

Gotchya, guvvnah, I shall now enter radio silent mode. Have a great games participants! SLAG.

Mr. Frosty, Thank you for your kind invitation. But I will have to respectfully decline Doctor's orders. My dermatologist's reaction was "Are you crazy!!!". My wife's gynecologist concurred. Neither of them has any sense of humor. But they MUST be obeyed! Has anyone packed half gram sachets of rotenone. One of these will suffice for a large pond or huge tide pool of fish. It should yield dinner and for the next 2 or 3 weeks. (smoke them to preserve the snacks). This method avoids the real labor of searching for bait and priming the hooks, and time expended fishing. Regards fellas, and have fun with the game. SLAG.

Dark, Experienced travelers,(in the Yukon, Northwest territories, Nunavut and the northern top of most provinces), carry a knife with them at all times. Especially in their tent. The blade is at hand if and when a bear enters the front door of the tent. The occupant quickly slashes the back wall, bails out, and runs like the wind to get out of the situation. The maneuver saves the occupant from becoming a bear snack. Hope he has a good time. SLAG.

Das, Sorry to hear the bad news. A pet is a special kind of friend, & sad to lose. Time dulls the pain. But the memories stay with us, Remember the good times and move on. Condolences and regards, SLAG.