Finnr

Monday my Mom took a nasty fall while going out to pick up her mail. Spent most of Monday at ER with her. Lots of X rays and CAT scan. No broken bones but she may need surgery on her Left hand . She skinned it badly on the back and it's pretty close to the tendons. I'm sure that she would appreciate your prayers.

Thanks
Finnr

Nothing wrong with that stuff! Keep on hammering.
Finnr

You got it Collin!
Finnr

You amaze me sir!!! Wonderful work.
Finnr

I have a buddy who is a huge fan of the Estwing cross peen for forge work. He loves it. I have never liked a steel handle myself.
Finnr

an old furnace blower from any HVAC company.
Finnr

Very Nice!
Finnr

That's a very squidly looking squid! I like it a lot!
Finnr

Looking great Bully !! Of course you have a great teacher too!! BUT! no matter how good the teacher it's the desire to learn that takes you places!
Finnr

That looks real well done to me!! Keep at it!
Finnr

Try a local HVAC place they often have blowers from junked furnaces that will serve you very well cheaply or free.
Finnr

No. the sand melts before welding heat is reached. That's why it's there to melt and exclude oxygen.
Finnr

I learned to do all my basic smithing in this forge. My first billets came out of it.
Finnr

As an additive along with the soap.
Finnr

Borax is mined not made. It is a natural occurring chemical. It is also very cheap. I use it as flux and also use it in my laundry. Here it is sold as 20 Mule Team Borax in the laundry isles of groceries. You can also get it from about supplier of chemicals.
Finnr

Well kind of depends on what fertilizer you are looking at dung sure won't do it. And most of the others I am familiar with would be real unhealthy.
Finnr

Smear it full of plain river clay if you think you need something.
This forge was used for five years with no coating of any kind. It is made from the center of a farm wagon wheel.

Finnr

Here you go Jeff. A video on making steel bamboo. YouTube - Making Steel Bamboo
Finnr

For slathering on linseed oil I use paper towels and then chuck them in the forge. I've heard of too many wood shops that were not there the next morning due to spontaneous
Combustion.
Finnr

Very good Frosty! You took the words outa my mouth!
Finnr

Howdy Neighbor from Wisconsin. Glad to have you on board.
Finnr

Just shows I don't watch TV. Whozzat?
Finnr

FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Books!
Internet Archive Search: blacksmithing
Finnr

New cast rivet forges came with "Clay before using" cast into the pan. A fairly thin layer is all you need. Fuel is going to make more difference than adding stuff to the forge lining.
Finnr

Go here, download a bunch of books and read. Internet Archive Search: forge work
Finnr