smiffy

I dont know if i'm in the right place here,(i'm fairly new to computers so please forgive any mistakes) I have a question reguarding materials, in one of the articles i read in the forem. The beutifull work on flowers includes the mention of mosaic steel.Can anyone explain to me what this is as i have never seen or heard of it before.

your work is so good that i'm getting depressed. Please excuse my ignorance but what is mosaic steel? I've never seen or even heard of it.

How do you post a pic ?New

Seems speeddy & i are in the same boat.I dont know how to either ! (make it simple, i aint used to this computer thing.)

I have seen requests for good blacksmithing books.not sure where, I get lost on this site.i hope this is the right place to put this. however these are my favorites .1/ the blacksmiths craft,a primer of tools & methods by charles mc raven, (storey publishing) exellent book for novices. & those in the early stages .I have had this book for some years & often refer to it, the author writes with humor, knowledge & a sense of history. 2/ the art of blacksmithing by alex bealer (castle) everything from lighting the forge to armory, If i could only have one, it would be the first. I hope this helps somone.

thanks mate

Thought it was about time i introduced myself.I have been blacksmithing for some years now in an amateur capacity.I have been picking up all the gear when ever i come across it at rallies etc. I made myself a forge from half a garden roller that i got from the local tip, its large enough to do some useful stuff but not too big so i cant use it for mobile work.Got a london pattern anvil one & a half hundredweight ,good condition, found it a few years ago when scrap values were down. Smith shops here are (sadly) still closing down.but it does mean that old tools can be picked up for a few pounds (dollars).I started to go to go to steam rallies with my forge, running a blower from my lister D stationary engine,making toasting forks & pokers. It seems to get a lot of interest from the public & other club members (tractor & engine club) always want a go. I joined the forem on the 21st july & have found much of interest. I am not quite used to this computer thing so if i do anything daft please forgive me.

just got a post vise from ebay... seller said that it was purchased in the 1880's . the vise seems to be in good shape but has alot of surface rust
any reason why i should not cleanup and paint this vise?

Rub it over with steel wool to remove the rust ,then rub it over with boiled linseed oil it dries & keeps the rust at bay. I do this with my anvil too when i am not using it for a while. keeps it looking good and saves the old look. Smiffy, England.

great anil mate i lke the ones with two horns,mine is a london pattern of one & a half hundreadweight. when i am not using it for a while i rub it over with boiled linseed oil,It keeps the rust off & dries out.keeps it looking good.