Check out http://umbaonline.ning.com/events/umba-winter-conference-1 there winter event is this month at South Beloit, IL. Sat there is a demonstrator sun open forge but plenty there to help out a newbee.
thanks for the replies. I cut and sewed together so it is nipple line to knees or a little longer. The most expensive part was the elastic harness I bought at menards. With -40 windchill I had to do something inside today.
I converted a $2.50 thrift store suede leather jacket into an apron. There is leather left over and looking for suggestion on pockets or don't I need any. In the past haven't worn apron.
Welcome check out Ivba. Not sure where you are but mindy Gardner is in farmer city. It is hard to beat her work. Roger Lorrence OS just north of there in bellflower. Steve Parker is near and many other excellent smiths
The railroad guys say they used to score the rail all around with a cold cut then with rail spiked down jacked one end to put pressure with the rail hot they piled ice on the scored area and hopefully it broke. Will not work with small section.
Monte Bygd, wi, does them from angle iron. I have one but not sure how to load a photo. Metalsmith.org should have a how to listed on there magazine the index is online.