GobblerForge

OK. I'm gonna tell you more than I know. Years ago, when I started blacksmithing for a hobby, I asked the same question. From two sources that I trust completely, this is what I came up with. Coal comes from the ground. There are bits of dirt, rock and other debris that are part of the lump of coal. When a smith is looking for coal, there are three things to be sought after. Low sulfer, low ash and high BTU's. Any coal will work but the more it fits these three things, the better it will work. The sulfer burns first and escapes in the form of thick green smoke. The BTU's are given off as the rest of the organics are oxidized (burnt) and leave the ash. Here is your clinker. The glass like composition is the result of melting the rock and stuff. Think about what is melted to make glass. Sand. Now I'm sure there is more to it, but they felt that the bottom line is, higher ash content - more clinker. Made perfect sense to me. Now let me ask a question. If all this is said, and I feel it's correct, then it stands to reason that charcoal would leave a different looking clinker since it is all wood ash. Does it? I've never used charcoal but I would like to hear from those that do. Thanks. Gobbler.

...dancing. Then maybe we'll head down to Tappan Lake for some catfishing. Moon will be almost full and the bugs are down. Fish aught to be bitting tonight. Darn. My poles back at the shop. I'll swing back there before I head to the club. I hope no one sees me going into the shop. They might....

Yesteryear, good question. For demonstrating, I made a cart forge with a hand cranked blower mounted to the cart and a rivetters forge for the fire pot. For the shop, I build a great bellows from scratch. As others have said, I like the control of the fire. As Thomas likes with a crank blower, I can also get a break by fully pumping up the top chamber. This gives time for preparing tools for the task as the chamber drains to feed the fire. Then there is the romance of the fire and the nastalgia that we take part in. The rhythm of the pumps, the sound of the air coming out of the fire and the flexing of the material on the sides of the bellows can be intoxicating. With all of this, and you can quitly talk above it. My bellows always lived in the space above my hammer rack, in the rafter area. The handle hanging above my left shoulder, above head high, as I stand at the forge. I also made an extension for shorter "helpers". Watching the bellows and "helping" is a thrill for them as well. Lastly, with any hand operated unit, you will never burn something while you aren't at the forge and you will use a little less coal. Good enough? Brad

Mark. Welcome. I checked out the web site and am very impressed. I'm sure I will visit often. Brad

I can't help it. I get confused easily. Did he quit because the host DIDN'T change what he DIDN'T say? Glenn. You have done a good thing here. You appear to be of fine character and I am honored to be in your company. Thank you. Brad

My pleasure Sir.

...a little tipsy and keeps wanting a ride. So old man McGraff and I put her in the middle, grabbed a jug and headed for the delivery. All of a sudden she gets all giggly and starts.....

Make sure you get all the sawdust out before you cut steel. Might get exciting. Brad

Hello. My name is Brad Weber. I live in eastern Ohio with my wife Hilde, and our dogs Lucy and Stripe. We live in a log cabin on a ridge in the woods on a gravel road. I have been a hobbiest smith for about 15 years and only done a few paid jobs. I have done alot of demonstrations for the public and Boy Scouts and was honored to do the begining blacksmith demo at Quad State in 97. I learned by volonteering at Hale Farm and Village for two seasons run by the Western Reserve Historical Society in notrthern Ohio. Learning under Master Smith, Marty Reisig, in a historical atmosphere was a blessing and joy. I enjoy making utilitarian items, candle holders and whatever is needed at the time. I made all the hinges in the house as well as other iron work as well as all the woodwork in the house. This is one of my joys. My dream was to one day have a shop where I could be out there in the morning and hear the wild turkeys gobbling. The turkey being my favorite game to hunt. Hence the name of the shop, Gobbler Forge. I enjoy the mid 1800's and history in general. I also enjoy helping others when my talents will be of assistance. The three levels of life are to learn, to apply and to teach. The circle cotinues with the third. Live life and enjoy the sunrises for they bring new adventures. Brad

Hello Squeez. I'm glad you see that the man didn't put on what you deemed a good demo. Perhapse you will do better on your first try. It can be a chalenge to work in front of a crowd. I was fortunate enough to learn from a superb demonstrator and historian. Listening brought much info to me but he never embarased me in front of others while I learned. A true mark of a Gentleman. Perhapse if you met him again you might offer some subtle help on what he didn't know while complimenting on what he did know. Most blacksmiths I've met were always willing to offer help and advice. One of the great attributes of the character of our craftsman and artisons. One of my favorite quotes is,"Every man is my master, in that I may learn SOMETHING from him". There is a fine line between pride and arogance. Learn your hammer and let your work do the talking. If it is good, folks will let you know. But a kind word is always the best word. Brad.

...old man McGraff tending his moonshine still up on the hill side just above where I set off the charge. Boy he was mad. That still roled all the way down the hill and...

How can you argue with the timeless clasics. The Green Berets Gone With The Wind Bridge over the River Kwi {how do you spell that} My favorite for sheer laughter- The Whole Nine Yards with Mathew Perry and Bruce Willis Brad

If you know how to set points on a car. If you know how ohkum was used to seal plumming pipes with lead. If you built a crystal tuner in shop. The day I got old is when I had to explain what an 8-track was to my kids. I'll take all the OLD you got. Beats the alternative. :wink:

OH NO, I forgot christmas presents. What time is it?????????????? Edit: words edited

Tollhouse recipe right off the bag, can't be beat. Merry Christmas everyone. Brad

Sounds interesting. How do you plan to keep the dirt from mixing with the coal as you work? Brad

MMMmmmm, forge at warp speed...................FIRE PHOTONS MR. SULU>>>>WEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeee.

I tend to play ostrich and ignore things. I never realy consider it. Most organizations and clubs carry waivers or their insurances. Scouts got most of my demos and they were even hands on sometimes. If it's at your home, you have home ins. I'm no expert but I was told that if your shop breaks local codes, thats bad. Fortunately we have adults {or us large children} who are willing to demo or teach or work knowing there are risks involved. By trying to be carefull, things like safety glasses, clothing, distances, fire resistances etc., we have already reduced the odds of most hazards. The freak ones, well, those can find you anywere. I was doing a demo in Burton, Ohio a few years ago when a storm came through. We were indoors with doors that worked so no biggie, just hammer on. Just as the storm passed the local police showed up, the building is on a public park, and asked if we were allright. We said fine, why? He said a tornado just went through the sguare a block away. We looked up to watch the tail finally disapear a mile or so away into the clouds. So just be carefull and think out some things and be proud your passing on the art. You know, the forge hood realy did work well that day..... Brad

6013. It's on the shelf, right next to the muffler bearings and left handed smoke shifters. :wink:

Wrought iron was commercially made in this country until about 1960. Thats when A.M. Byers went out of business. If you are looking for old wrought, don't discard any old metal until you test. It's not as rare as you might think. Brad

Strine. :shock: Did you build that from scratch? Brad

Strine. Those are realy inovative. Not realy my style but I like the concept.Brad

Strine. I was wondering if anyone could see the pics too. I do believe you are correct that the bar was about 1" diamiter. It's been used alot and is dirty and beat up from the tool box but it has searved me well for some years. I thought the origianal post started about wanting to hand forge one so I put the pictures up. I don't think there is anything other than hammer and tongs to make this. I'm sure there is no grinding or drilling. There might have been a little filing of the tip to make it sharp. As I said earlier, The long tail with the little scroll gives a good anchor point for the string and allows for fine tuning to center the point. I think one would be very attractive in damascus.. What do you think? Brad

Why not indeed. I've seen some wonderfull utilitarian items that being hand forged made them cool enough. But ad the demascus and WOW. Let us see some of your thoughts when your done. Hammer on. Brad

Elkdoc Your Idea sounds like the one I made some years ago. It works great and is all hammer and tongs. If your looking for that as a gift. The rat tail is perfect in that it lengthens the bob and is adjustable. The string always wants to hang in the same place so after hammering as close to center as you can, gentle persuation is all that is needed to adjust so the point stays in one spot as it spins. The handle keeps the string neat and stores the bob. Hope this helps. Brad