Finnr

Dunno? Whatcha wanna make?
Finnr

A steel supplier is the only way to go for new stock. For resources( Junk ) I visit my local scrap haulers on a regular basis.
Finnr

Hit it like it owes you money, What I say to my timid students
Finnr

Armour Archive has tutorials on chain maile.
Finnr

Ya mean sayings other than "$&(*@)_@)+)@!*U_@!+@*$&@&%@!_(#*! that was hot?
Finnr

You can get 20 Mule Team Borax in the laundry isle of most groceries. I use it and it works just fine. With charcoal make sure you have a real deep fire so that excess oxygen is burned off before it reaches your stock. Tap lightly. Don't whang on the metal or you will drive off the molten metal along with your scale and flux. The metal available at Farm Fleet can be a bit fussy for getting a decent weld. If you have a metal dealer or welding shop near by I would say that either would be a better and cheaper place to get stock.
Finnr

Minimum rate for me is 20 bucks an hour plus materials.
Finnr

The worst burns I had by far were working as a pro cook. Nothing at all to match as a smith.
Finnr

Darn!! That looks like about all my T shirts. Went to the apron for grinding.
Finnr

I have a bunch of bolt style tongs that I favor over all the others I have. Flat jaws make me nervous!.
Finnr

Don't like gloves. They encourage sloppy habits. Or so some of the oldtimers I've met say. On the other hand( the one with the tongs) I do use a glove now and then when punching or drifting.
Finnr

That would make a great armour forming stake!!!!!
Finnr

It would be a big help to know exactly what skills you have at this point as well. I do most of my ax heads by the slit and drift method as my little forge is a bit hard to get a decent weld in.
Finnr

Great!!! You did very well!
Finnr

Nope! Lump charcoal is what you want. It's all charcoal not fillers.
Finnr

Dad told me way back when I was a kid playing with grinding out knives from old files, " If it stinks and makes your eyes burn , then it probably isn't a good idea." Took him to heart.
Finnr

I've gotten my 115 pound PW too hot for comfort a few time drifting hammer eyes. Bit of a shock when you lay a knuckle on it!!!!
Finnr

Great job!!! It's good to hear that he's making better grades.
Finnr

On the list here Sam
Finnr/ Art

Either cash up front or cash on delivery.
Finnr

The seed was planted when I was about five years old in the mid fifties in a small town in Southern Wisconsin. My Dad took me along when he went to see a fellow who happened to be the local blacksmith and agricultural repair man. I was hooked then. MANY years passed and I got to know a few smiths through the SCA. So about a year or so ago I became very serious and now spend most of my time swatting metal when I am not turning wooden bowls.
Finnr /Art

That's a real good job there!! By the way? How's the arm ? You of course know that one project just isn't enough. It's a disease, LOL
Finnr

On the other hand I have made all my own tongs. It all comes down to what works well for you. I like making tools and using tools that I have made.
Finnr

Woodsmith and I did a demo in a small local town not long ago. I was very pleased when an older lady came up and told me her Grandfather once had his shop just across the creek from where we were set up. Not only can a person learn about smithing, you can also pick up great bits of local history.
Finnr