Arean Ellis

Wine Cork Screws...

No, sorry for the confusion. I actually found that video on IFI. I was just sharing it is all.

I'm an electrician by trade...and just got laid off this last week. So, I've had plenty of time to forge lately. I've been stopping in at some local stores and have been able to leave some stuff at two stores for consignment. Pretty stoked on that. Also started a Facebook page; which I've been having some decent results from. Let me know what you think! Good or bad! Thanks!

I picked one up recently and made a hammer head as well. I hot cut it with a striker. I'm very happy with the hammer that came from it. The hammer is the second closest... I'm wanting to do a drift with it next. Anyone have any thoughts on how that would work out?

I finally have had a chance to get around to doing the pot holder....Got laid off this week. Bummer for money...good for blacksmithing.

Hey all, Thanks for the replies. I'd like to forge an oak leaf (for now) just to do it, and for practice. I figured it would be a fun challenge. So, for me, water jetting is out. And yes, it is a challenge. Five tries, and I wasn't close enough. I do want to try starting with flat bar next time though.

The different attempts here are with 5/16 rod and 3/8. I was fullering and using a hot cut as a fuller.

I was trying yesterday to forge an oak leaf...without much luck. Any ideas how I could do it?

It may be possible that your clinker is building up. Are you cleaning out your clinker regularly?

I've been busy with work for a few months. I'm way out of practice. Can you guess which bottle opener I started with today?

Looks great! I really like the shape you used for the business end.

Very nice! I like that.

Ooo! I dig the copper rivets! Sometimes simple is a better option. I've been trying to force myself to realize that lately. Thanks for the replies!

I've been sketching and doing google image searches for the last few weeks. It's been proving difficult to find a design for a pot holder that looks good and is also within my skill level. Could anyone point me in the direction of a thread or pictures dealing with something along these lines? Or any ideas would be helpful. I'm looking to do one that is flush mounted to the wall. and will hold five pots. 3' wide. I can do pass through, riveting, scrolls, I have not yet done clips. Forge welding is still hit or miss.

I got to forge for the first time with my Father today. We had a good time. Made a letter opener for him. I hope there are more times after today. Feel free to post what you worked on today...

Sorry for the confusion...I just found it interesting and wanted to banter.

Anyone ever heard of Flash Bainite? http://www.bainitesteel.com/

That's awesome! What a good start at forging. Quite a bit to learn in one session.

Thank you again, for the compliments! Brent is indeed a very nice guy. Very fun to talk to...good stories. His tools and hammers are pretty impressive. I was pretty stoked when, during a forge night, he decided to make me a cross peen hammer head. The three of us made it by hand. I felt fortunate to be able to take part.

Agreed. Good idea! I'm going to plant the hint with my fiance'. ;)

Thanks Frosty! I looked through the site. In the gallery, the first name is a smith that I had the pleasure to swing a hammer with for a few hours. Brent Bailey. There's one other smith in town that has been teaching me a little. Dave Richer. It's pretty awesome how many smiths are open to teach and share knowledge.

Thanks guys! I appreciate the feedback. I updated my location. There aren't a lot of smiths in California. I've been pretty lucky to hook up with a couple of full time smiths that do really quality work though. I can't even begin to explain how much they've helped me along. The first (bottom) few pictures are at a friend's house. My small shop are the rest of the pictures.

Here are some of the projects that I've done since I started forging earlier this year. Sorry for linking through Facebook...I like seeing the high res pictures on this site; but every time I try starting a topic my browser crashes. It's a bummer spending time uploading and then lose it all. Anyway; feel free to critique good or bad. The pictures are chronological with the most recent at the top. http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1848922217763.101864.1081922301&l=e46a0e8423