SLAG

Glenn, & Mr. C. Oatmeal, Glenn, Effendi, Too much math, entirely way too much math! SLAG, suggests, Get, borrow, or steel a second weigh scale. Place one scale beside the other, with a space between them. Place a board over both scales. Get the anvil onto the board, situated between both the scales. Read both scales add both weights together and VOILA you have the weight of said anvil. You will have to move the anvil up, onto the board to do this, of course. There are many ways to do same. (e.g. use a ramp, a sky hook, or pay a chap to help you). Or, Wait for this, lift the anvil onto a back hoe and drive it to a feed store. They have big scales. The purveyors of the store will get such a hoot from the exercise that they'll probably not charge you anything the weighing Which all goes to show that there is more than one way to do things. When there there is a will there is a way or, you can use a trust. Just trying to help. Very trying. Sincerely, SLAG.

Herr Frosty, A patent protects new concepts that are reduced to practice. in other words a new (novel), way of doing something. For example a new concept hydraulic bottle opener. or some other brilliancy. Industrial designs protects novel designs. A good example of this is one of Charles & Ray Eames fancy chairs, (many of which were crafted out of 'plywood' like materials that were stem bent to their final distinctive form. (wiki this couple to read about them and see some of his chair designs that were everywhere to be seen in the 50's, 60's, and 70's (and beyond). People/companies can file and receive a registered 'industrial design patent' Copying a registered industrial design, is not recommended. (it's infringement and actionable). But most designs are not protected, by them and can thus can be copied. But there is one caveat, (warning). Copying to counterfeit a product is 'passing off', of someone else's work. That fraudulent activity is grounds for a civil court action in "passing off". There is such a thing as copyright protection of a design. But they are not common. An example of that is the celebrated coke bottle design with the "wasp waist". But that is an area that is beyond this post and not particularly relevant to us smiths. I am very jealous of you. You are enjoying a real 'robust winter. And I am enduring a sloppy season with "Wintry Mix" *down here. Lucky fellow. SLAG. * that is a local adorable euphemism for a mix of snow, rain, sometimes sleet, ice , etc. used down here.

A SLAG suggestion, Wear boots and even snake chaps? SLAG.

T.P., My considered response to your kindly post, is a phrase learned by watching the quiz show "Win Ben Stein's money". Namely, "Yes Indeedy!". SLAG.

Mr. Powers, Please speak kindly of Eurypterids. Some of my Ex.'s relatives have Eurypterids, in their family lineage. (history). Sincerely, SLAG.

Mr. Nodebt, Wiki dragon flies and check the pictures. There is at least one photograph of two mating flies that are in flight. SLAG. Mr. Frosty, talked about Cambrian era flies. I think that he meant, the Carboniferous era. SLAG.

Mr. George N.M., Writes, "... take time to stop and eat the roses". Folks in Great Britain, were encouraged to eat rose hips during world war 2, in order to get a great dose of vitamin c. They had way more vitamin c than oranges. Fruits and vegetables were hard to come by in wartime England. Herr Frosty, Carboniferous dragonflies were very much larger than today, but so were the bugs they fed on. There were no mammals, nor birds in those days. Please do not intentionally kill dragon flies they eat all manner of mosquitoes and other noxious insects. Also, please do not disturb the pterodactyls. SLAG.

MRB, Iif you are contemplating using paint. Look into a product called "Hammertone". It may work well for you. SLAG

Mr. H.M.J., How about "willow tree smith(s) " SLAG.

T.P., A little extra trivia factoid Charles Addams also collected vintage automobiles. Regards, SLAG.

Folks, Charles Addams was a genius, and a one off. The cartoon is priceless. Thanks T.P., Jealdi, and Frazer. Hopefully Gomez bought "the little dears" a forge for Christmas. To all at I.F.I. Merry Christmas when it gets here. Salutations, SLAG.

Glenn, and Mr. C.C., Yes, seasoning with peanut oil is not a good idea. And in the same vein using olive oil will put a lot of folks off with its distinctive odor and taste. Which is also not suitable for cook some quisines like oriental cooking, (Japanese, Korean, South east Asian, Chinese*,) and, many occidental dishes etc. etc. I generally use canola oil for seasoning (it was once known as rapeseed oil and got changed) Just sayyin, SLAG. * one style of Chinese cooking is an exception, that of the once Portuguese colony of Macau.

Mr. Andy, Canada is an enormous country. It is 5,525 miles across (8891). It has a population of about 38,000,000. The regions of the country are different and distinctive. Many areas of the country have different views, aspirations etc. For example the culture of Quebec province and northern New Brunswick is French speaking and the culture is French with continental "American" influences. Be aware that Canadians resemble Americans but their are many subtle differences. A thorough answer to your many questions would result in a response of many books Immigration, to Canada, is not as easy as Americans and British folks realize. As with Australia, it has a point system. (check it out). Talents, education, second languages, experience etc. etc. are taken into account and scored. I suggest that you look up articles about the country, and ask questions and get materials from the Canadian immigration offices situated in Great Britain. (e.g. Canada House, in London etc.) You will have to research for answers for your many questions. For example postal rates can be researched). The information is out there and easily accessible. We can discuss the attributes of living in various parts of Canada, and other opinuated suggestions but through personal e-mail. (I have lived in many areas in eastern Canada, and have worked extensively in most areas of the country). I hope that these notes will be of some limited help. Cheers, SLAG.

Mr. G. N.M., You are a gem. Your suggestion is a capital one. With your suggestion; any bottle opener smiths can get going in the 'de luxe' fashion craft. And help feed/finance their addiction. Thanks and regards, SLAG.

Mr. HJPJ, Years back I and a 'striker friend' had a creative thought concerning snazzying up bottle openers. We bought some fur scraps from a furrier, (he might have been a milliner, (i. e. hat maker), my memory fails me, as to which. He was delighted that he could sell them as they usually ended up in his trash. We attached suitable scraps to the handled end of the bottle openers. Which transformed those bottle openers into deluxe, tools with a semi-deluxe enhanced price. (charge more for them! Citizens). They are also good conversation openers! They sold quickly. Especially those openers with fur enrobed wooden handled 'specials'. Folks, give it a try. that is if you can locate a furrier. (furs are currently out of style). Merry Christmas, upcoming. (it's sooner than most realize), Cheers, SLAG.

Folks, I found this article on the solar flare (really a coronal discharge), coming our way, It has good information including northern lights displays. Sun launches explosion of electromagnetic energy towards Earth: Geomagnetic Storm Watch issued (msn.com) Regards, SLAG.

The same problem occurs with many magicians that specialize in card magic (i.e."Carditions"). Many of those fellows practice five hours a day. This can result in fingers that time has worn away all their fingerprints. I recall a note published in a magic magazine (Genie) where a magician that donated his time to performing for military families. He had a heck of a time getting past the military security personnel at the entrance of the base. SLAG.

The use of the term "Five" could cause a serious problem, as JHCC has mentioned. In it's place, some folks use the French word, for five namely, 'cinque' pronounced, 'sank'. or the more cumbersome Nato alphabet's, 'foxtrot'. Just sayyin, SLAG

Mr. A. O., Great site! Thanks, SLAG.

Welshj, Said, "... Veterans of all branches, of all countries tend to do that same thing." Agree. SLAG

Let me add another observation. Letters are not a very good choice for a business or product name. They are not very distinctive and their ambit of protection is very thin. For example ABC Co. versus a competitor's ABB Co., SLAG.

M. G., Beautiful work. A very handy tool. Useful, and well done. SLAG.

Folks, A family name makes for a very weak trade mark. And there's a good chance that some other folks, (entity), will have the same surname. And in the worst case a registered trade mark. Mr. Sells, is right slack tub may be mistaken for a bar or restaurant. The majority of folks are not black smiths so they most probably not recognize 'slack tub' for what it really is. I can just envision the business name, "Joe's slack tub bar and grill". My suggestion is that you try another name, or better yet coin a new name. That would offer you thee greatest protection. SLAG.

"Thor Iron Forge"?

Roberto, Your saurian is not, only, a work of art, but a labor of genius! You ask for suggestions. Have you considered a dab in each eye to suggest pupils? Also, a wood pediment would graduate your masterpiece to the level of high art. Regards, Good Guy, SLAG.