Arean Ellis

Just got served a 'zoning violation' for blacksmithing. Looks like I'm shut down for a while.

It's sooo low grade that I was finding more bubbles as I ground deeper. It's value as a swage block is very low. I'll grind deeper later to see if I can pass the current bubbles. I'll post some pictures later on.

I was given a piece of pattern welded steel yesterday... just the left overs from another project. What a pain in the butt to work! I put a twist in it and then tried for a bottle opener. I spent more effort trying to avoid splitting the fragile steel than actually forming the bottle opener.

1) Name Arean 2) Location Paradise, CA (Nor Cal) 3) What type blacksmithing do you do, what do you make. A lot of bottle openers and cork screws 4) How and when did you get started in blacksmithing Less than a year ago. A friend invited me over to his house for beer and piton forging. 5) What object or thing did you use as your first anvil, Large chunk of pot iron, probably a weight of some sorts 6) Tell us about your first forge, hole in the ground, camp fire, brake drum, stacked bricks, Steel bucket, lifted off the ground with bricks, many holes drilled in the bottom. Actually worked great. No need for forced air. 7) Who assisted you or encouraged you in the craft Dave Richer and Brent Bailey 8) What event changed your attitude about blacksmithing The first time I walked into Dave's shop and found how willing he was to show me around and share information. He could have changed my whole attitude about the trade right then and there. 9) What tool has changed or made your life easier in the shop Better hammers and an anvil 10) What advice would you give those starting out in blacksmithing Find a mentor 11) What advice would you give those already involved in blacksmithing Find peers 12) What are some of the interesting things that have happened to you in your life as a blacksmith. Please add any thing we may have missed or should have asked.

I do have a doubt that it is a Harbor Freight anvil....So, here are some pictures.... The markings are "USA IAF"

Awesome! Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!

Good point. I'm sure you're right. What is the difference between Iron and steel?

:) I'm pleasantly surprised that no one has said "Don't do it, you'll regret it!" Thanks for the replies! What is a cone swage? A groove that tapers? Good point about using the sides! I'll use those areas first.

I'm very tempted to turn my small 15 lb harbor freight anvil into a swage block. I would put a veining groove and a depression for 'dishing'. I figure, 'where else am I going to find an adequate piece of tool steel that size and weight?' Currently I use a piece of mild steel for veining, but have already noticed some deformation of the groove. I bought the anvil for $10 at a garage sale. Any thoughts or opinions? Is there another low cost alternative?

Searching hasn't brought any good threads...though I'm sure they're out there. Any tips and tricks or a link to a thread on how to do collars? I've found copper makes it easier....but still want to know the 'right' way. Thanks!

Where about's is Friendly Way?

I would if money wasn't an issue...sadly it hurts to even buy coal right now.

Yep. Very good heat conductor.

Yep, Paradise, CA. Around 2,000 ft, 14 miles from Chico, in Nor Cal.

True...I list Chico on the site because most people haven't heard of Paradise.

Thank you all, for the compliments! The finish is bee's wax and boiled linseed oil.

Thank you all for the responses! I had a blast making this sign. I'm very happy with the way it came out. It's the largest piece I've made to date. It is one sided...but this basic design concept was what I wanted to go for. Here is the finished product:

Just saw this in a random search and had to share... I need one!

I haven't. Just did a google search though. Seems difficult to find. I don't have the funds to purchase one right now. Thanks for the tip.

...I'm using 5/8th round for the main 'trunk' and 3/8 round for the scroll. The lettering is 5/16 round.

Here is my best design so far... Any other ideas or changes you could think of making? I'm having a hard time settling on any one idea. Nothing seems to fit the lettering as well as I would like. I'm tempted to go with a vine theme...but am worried the final product won't turn out as well as I would hope. Cheers!

Good idea. The hardest part was keeping the ball centered.

That would work as well. To be more specific, the handle was 1" x 1/8th" flat welded on top of the ball

I haven't seen peacock's work. This was just allowed to air cool. It is a perfect cube, yes. Good catch. That was how this tool was done. (I didn't think about the importance of it. I was there when it was done, but didn't do the work.)

This one was done with a power hammer. The tool used was a broken tow ball welded on to a length of steel for a handle.