JimsShip

Stephen- Do you have any pics of the throwing spikes?

Do you need to make them heavier at the tip so that they point that way when thrown?

I was thinking oc utiing down 2 sides of the spike to make arms that can be folded into the front, then spreading out the bottom of the spike shaft for a gown (Feet would be the head of the spike) then shaping the remaining middle part of the top half of the shaft into a head/halo sort of look. (It may look a bit like a bottle opener, which may in fact be a nice selling point!)
Then making seperate wings to attach.
I was hoping to find something that would include everything in one original piece, but that may not be possible.

I'm thinking of making something for a Cancer awareness fundraiser, and after exhaustive searching both here and on Google, i've found very little in the way of inspiration.

Has anyone ever made something like this? I'd love to see pics.

I was thinking of a simple form with maybe copper wings riveted on it, maybe using a RR Spike?

I'm open to suggestions...

 

Dogsoldat, I thought the first pic was a mini desktop hammer, and I think I want to make one for when i'm bored and pondering my next project!

The horseshoe doorknocker is awesome, I may need to make one.

That looks awesome, how did you stamp the handle?

Looks nice.

You may want to cut a mousehole in the rear of the forge to allow long stock to pass through. (If you cut it right, you can attache the cut off piece with a rivet so it would swing away when needed)

Oh, Ok.
I was going to say I had a bounce house blower, but that's a bit far for shipping! :)

Where is Cornwall?

I was recently looking into making one for myself, and I found this very helpful tutorial:

http://www.piehtoolco.com/Product_Info/nailheading.htm

Vaughn, I've never heard of that, that's neat, I'll need to try that... ;)

I've never seen one of those before, Now I want one.

Casper, PM me if you're thinking of selling it,  I'd love to have it just to stump my friends
(Pun not intended, but i'll take credit for it anyway!)

Happy New year to all of you from Upstate NY!
 

Frank- Those Lily's are awesome, are they made from RR spikes? Do you use a power hammer?

I'd love to see how you did that. Is the stamen a seperate piece?

Awesome thread.

Happy Holidays all!

Hey Stomp, welcome to both the forum, and your new addiction.
You should add your location to your profile, you may be suprised at how many other smiths are nearby.

As far as making a living doing this, as a newbie myself I personally don't see it ever happening,  I make things mostly for myself, or as gifts, and the few things I do sell, the money goes right back into the shop, either for coal or a new swage or hardy, or some other tool I really want to play with.

There are those who have indeed turned a profit. If you scan the gallery you'll find beautiful railings, gates, and intricate artworks created by men (and women) far more talented than me, but I wouldn't count on it being a career until you learn, practice and refine your abilities.

(Just my 2 cents.)

Would the handrail limit the step width less than 31 1/2"?

I would think if this is for a home owner, and they install it, you wouldn't be liable.

The only liability I see is if the welds for the mounts break and grandma takes a header, but maybe having them sign a waiver at the time of purchase would absolve you, but i'm not a lawyer.

Personally a job like that's out of my league and comfort zone.  (At least for someone else's house!)

Just starting out, I would focus more on how to make things and not so much on who to sell them too. (That comes easily later!)

Hooks, plant hangers, bottle openers, simple hot dog/marshmallow forks ect. all use basic forging and twisting skills and are always popular.
Believe it or not, nails sell well too, especially around Christmas ( stockings look nicer mounted on a forged nail, and if you Google "the Christmas nail ornamant",  you'll find a little item that always sells)

Since you shoe horses, maybe a few hoof picks for customers...

Very nice work! Everything from iron to pies!

That was just the first one I googled. (I had never seen one like it myself, i was thinking it was a thumb latch like on a gate)

They do make them, i'm sure you'll be able to find a cheaper version of it!

Rustyanchor, i'd like to see some pics, maybe for some inspiration of my own.

You mean something like this one?
 

Yeah, It's a good idea in theory, but I think i'll stick to something like this:

This is a nice way to practice those forge welds! (It's pretty but probably hard to store!)

I bought a bottle cutting kit to make a similar candle holder I saw on here once, and most are made to cut the tops off bottles for glasses and not the bottoms, but with a little practice, it does work. (You can find the kits on amazon)

You really need an even score all the way around for the hot/cold water tick to work. (and when it does it's awesome, but when it doesn't there's great sadness!)

someone here posted they used a red hot heated ring to heat the bottle, and then dump it in the quench tub to pop the bottom off, but this method has never worked for me.

I can't get the first or last pic to come up on my work computer, but that looks like one I had. It's a great ltiile forge, if you're looking to sell it I may know someone who'd be interested!

I posted this same question when I first joined IFI, but my sink was a shallow double kitchen sink (I was hoping to use the second half for a quench tub) but I eventually went the 55 gal/ brake drum route before lucking out and finding a forge.
Sometimes simpler is better.

Yes, yes I have. :unsure: