robert hanford

I did have a meeting with the musician today, he liked the triangle, but for a symphonic instrument, we do not want to have a single note, more of a mix of overtones. Also, the thing doesn't hang right. So, I'll try cutting one leg a little bit more and hope to get it balanced so that it hangs straight, perhaps that will help the overtones as well. I will harden it, but I guess I better temper it a little bit so that it is not too brittle. Thank you for all the good ideas. I think this is probably not going to be the last one I make, I am a musician and know many percussion players.

Thanks for all your answers! I completed the triangle last night, it is a 7.5 by 7.5 x 6" triangle, made from a jeep spring. It is textured all over, and the tone is complex. I will meet with the musician I made it for today, and decide whether to harden and temper the triangle.

Hello, I need to bend a musicians triangle. The advice that is given in my books is to isolate the heat by using a torch. I have no torch. Any advice is welcome. I would rather not fumble about too much on this one, as is my usual way. Of course I do have ideas, but I am not very experienced. Robert Hanford

The HF tools work for me. I welded them together, and use them every once in a while. When I have time to do much more smithing, probably in the next life, I will make a touchmark. They are cheap and a good first step. Good luck!

Thank you, Glenn! Robert

Hi, I am wondering if anybody else has experience with this type of coal. I bought it from a reputable establishment, on recommendation from someone from this site. I was a little bit taken aback by the appearance of the coal when I got to the place-these were very large lumps, which I have never seen before. The owner explained to me about the Pocahontas seam, which has evidently been lost and found a number of times. I was not provided with any info about the coal, but decided to purchase a fair amount which I tried using today. It seems to work very well! However I am needing to adapt to the large lumps, they seem to break apart fairly easily once they are warmed up by the fire. Any wisdom about this? I at first was afraid I would have to break it up with a hammer.

Hello JR, Please message me. I am a Chicago area intermediate blacksmith hobbyist. I have a little smithy in my backyard that I have managed to get away with, so far. Robert Hanford

Great!

That first sentence should read-I have done so with good results.

I have done so good results, but I'm not sure if it is really safe or not. It might also depends on where the hardie hole is on your anvil and what type of anvil you have etc.

Your instructional video was great. I made a small Dragonhead using your technique of forge welding the head back on itself with the ears protruding behind. I wish there was more material such as this on the Internet-it is very clear.

Wow, David, you are really outdoing me in your desire for a balancing act. I am glad that you still have your passion. I wish you the absolute best in dealing with your ealth problems and have confidence that you will continue to find enjoyment and satisfaction in moving metal. Sincerely, Robert

Also I might add that when you cut the blast and pull the fire apart, sometimes there there is coke which is halfway between coal and and the completely formed fluffy light coke. It can feel heavier, but works for the next fire. Good luck!

Excellent and varied thoughts! Thanks everyone.

I have been thinking about this for some time. I am an amateur . I also have a rich professional life in my chosen vocation, And also an intricate family life. Yet I have a passion for my current hobby. For all the amateurs out there-how do you balance your passion for smithing with all the demands you experience on a daily basis? It seems like I want to have it all- I am lucky enough to have a wife that makes it possible, Yet it does get tricky at times. Just interested in how others manage. If you have the time, please reply.

Καλυ τύχη ! Αν είσαι στο Συκαγγο έλα σπίτι μου. Pardon my spelling. My Greek is pretty rusty. If you have relatives in the states or Chicago please come visit my Smithy shack! Robert

A most excellent show, watched til the wife started to fall asleep, she wants to see the end with me tomorrow! Thank you! A great team effort and bravo to the master craftsmen!

Sorry, still trying to figure out how to work these quotes, and probably shouldn't add anything to the discussion anyway! To quote a previous thread go to that thread and on the lower right of the text box, click quote button. PLEASE remove (delete) the material that does not concern your reply. No use quoting pages and pages of material when you only reply to a sentance. Then type in your reply and save.

Beautiful!

Absolutely beautiful

Here are two common sense rules-when carrying hot metal around lift it upwards so its not sticking out and liable to touch someone. When brushing off scale don't brush it towards a colleague.

If your pain is tennis elbow, please do look at some of the latest treatment- google eccentric exercise and tennis elbow. Eccentric exercise is where you are stressing a muscle, but also lengthening it at the same time. There is a new therapy that is very cheap and is showing great promise. You might also try googling tennis elbow and the New York times blog. This therapy has helped me very much. I am a violinist, table tennis player, and amateur blacksmith, so I have had issues with tennis elbow over the years. This therapy uses a cheap tool called the flex bar, and I was able to find one at a physical therapy place right away. YouTube has some videos for using the flex bar as well. It has helped me very much. Good luck!

What a thrill! Also, it's a skill you can get better at, so it will continue to bring great rewards!

You will be able to lay out your tools on it. Also coffee and beer!!! Seriously, buy it!!!!!