SLAG

George, Hair, (like wool), is primarily made up of keratin. Dust also smells when burnt as it is primarily comprised of dead sloughed off skin cells, which are mostly keratin. Cellulose, as you point out, is a polymer made up of sugars. (saccharides, and disacharides), And it burns much faster. Regards, SLAG.

JHCC, You are correct. But the majority component are closely and randomly meshed fibrils is keratin. They are really jumbled up , when seen under a microscope. And that random meshing makes leather resistant to knives and arrows. A side note worth mentioning Kevlar bullet proof protect against relatively blunt bullets but do little against sharp points (e.g. arrow heads) and sharp knives. Some benighted folks have tested a bullet proof vest with a knife and a few of them have been seriously wounded and a few killed. (Darwin award anyone?). SLAG

John, a.k.a. JHCC. Keratin (and also, collagen), are major constituents of leather. But I am straying way off topic to delve further into the subject. Seriously submitted, and Regards, SLAG.

Folks, Wool, a natural fiber, chars before it will ever burn. It doesn't hardly burn form a spark or ember. If it does char you will will smell it quickly. That is because the fiber is made from the natural polymer keratin a proteinaceous polymer. Proteins have subunits. They are amino acids. Three of the amino acids have sulfur in their molecules (methionine, cysteine, and cystine), They are the main culprits for the stench. But the smell serves as a quick warning long before serious damage occurs. The preceding is over long but that is, just me. Sorry. SLAG.

Mr. H. BOX, Welcome to the site, You will quickly run out of responses, should you badger the members with, "... lots of stupid questions". May I suggest that you put in a little time and industry reading some of the stickies, that may be found at the head of each topic. For one reason you will glean a lot of basic information. And the second benefit is to learn some of the specific terms that smiths use. Such information will allow you to ask more specific questions, for more useful answers. Such questions will show us that you are serious, and we will be happy to make suggestions, and information. They will of themselves not be stupid questions, but serious questions. The membership are not paid, it is voluntary, but the people are very generous with their time and answers. Try us. Again welcome to the site, stick around, there is a lot of good will and good information here. Regards, SLAG.

Mr. IDFC, I have read in our collection of cat books, that cats will catch rodents and other prey, and present them to us, because they think that our hunting skills are not up to snuff. And they just want to help. They love us and are willing to share. SLAG.

The zoos feed their snakes rat-cicles. In other words frozen rats. Live rats are a potential mortal threat to all snakes. If the snakes are not hungry they do not bother with the rats. Hunting is instinctual to snakes. The urge to hunt and kill is only triggered by hunger. Unmolested rats will bite and kill the snakes. The snakes do not seem to understand that rats are a mortal threat, they just laze around and get chomped. (to death). SLAG. I first got that information talking to the keepers at the Granby Zoo an hour out of Montreal. They have one of the biggest serpent collections in the World.

Corrigendum : Scientists did the" looking into" ,,, It's bedtime for this Bonzo. SLAG.

Mr. Horse, Permit me to be the bearer of some bad news. About thirty five years ago looked into the question of cryopreservation of intact dead frozen human corpses. They discovered that a small minority of catabolic, (breakdown), biochemical reactions were accelerated when temperatures are very cold. In other words the gentleman from Nederland, Colorado would not be revivable when thawed out some time in the future. Due to those chemical reactions, he would not be completely intact. (in other words be deteriorated, damaged goods, well beyond the "best before" due date.) Bad news for him and for me. I always fancied a cold slumber and a resurrection some time in the future. in order to see the future, and have a carousing good time! Sigh! SLAG.

In cold climates double doors are usually used to retain the heat. The outer door and frame could be made of wood. That would protect the aluminum door from the wet, and weather. SLAG.

Mr. Georg nm, Has stated, (o.k. written), "you would have to give him about $1105.00 but it is used so maybe a flat $1k would be fair. " SLAG, (that's me), says it's a bargain at twice the price.* Regards, SLAG. * If you have the means.

SLAG here, Jennifer of (JLPservicesinc) wrote, " ... But again, where do I store all the wood needed for such an endeavor? ". Could you suspend it from the ceiling of the building? I suspend most of my wood from the rafters of our* large shed. I hope that tidbit is helpful. I am a bit too far away to take classes from you. Sigh. SLAG. *(Marg, the Marvelous, uses it also).

John, All of them are on the list of our prayers and intentions. SLAG.

IFI folks and lurkers., The SLAG has come across a hack that is a brilliancy. Have a can of food but no opener, and you are hungry!! And maybe you are experiencing armageddon? Fear not. "KGB survivalist" has disclosed, a vey clever method to open a can of food and feed yourself and your cat. (dog?) Try, https://www.tips-and-tricks.co/lifehacks/open-a-can-without-a-can-opener/2/ Enjoy, SLAG.

T. P., For seven dollars a pound, we can buy a new anvil. SLAG.

JHCC, Gotschaa! Thanks. Frosty, Yah I should have seen it coming. SLAG.

JHCC, Translation please? SLAG.

Mr. Frank Turley 's death, marks the end of an era. Most of that group are long gone. But much appreciated. And I and many other smiths are grateful for. Mr. Turley: rest in peace and be with God. All our thoughts and prayers SLAG.

John, That building is a prime candidate for implosion. SLAG.

Fellow Denizens, Up north, the sun can be a serious problem. The Inuit know all about sun blindness. (and also how to cope with it), (sun blindness glasses). Northern folks also cover up to protect themselves from sunburn. The snow becomes a gigantic sun tan reflector. With all those considerations I would trade Saint Louis, Missouri for Fairbanks, Alaska, or White Horse NWT any day. SLAG.

Folks, Many countries in Europe have adopted "right to repair" legislation for consumer goods. This after there was an outcry by many citizens. An example of the abuse is an example form the Netherlands. Manufacturers of house lights started selling lamps that had the bulbs permanently attached to the device. In other words, when the bulb burned out the whole lamp had to trashed. SLAG.

Mr. D. W., Nice job. SLAG.

Frosty, Is certainly correct. For example, plain, heavy ball peen hammers are fairly popular in Great Britain. (e.g. the FAO, UNESCO, series on black smithing, author uses a ball peen hammer throughout). SLAG.

Herr Frosty, I always wondered about your avatar moose. Was it an indoor or outdoor pet of yours? What was its name? Just a little curious. SLAG.

C.G.L., Glad that you are back. Congrats on your new home. SLAG.