Gor

Caution: Everything in this shop is either heavy, hot, sharp, or grumpy!

I resemble that, Thomas. Semper Fi!

With the sway that is showing, it's likely a wrought body with a tool steel face forge welded on. Best I can do, but I'm sure others will be along shortly to help.

Take those boards lying on the bench and make a shallow box no deeper than the shortest chisel. Instead of a top, use some decorative lattice as a lid. Put a couple of pieces in each hole of the lattice, point up, so you can see which one you're grabbing without having to pull it out. Can also use keyweld fencing or any other grid-type material. Five gallon buckets work, too. Just put some sand in the bottom so that they all stand up.

If you have rebar just lying around, then sure. However, if you have to go to a big box hardware store to get it, you're better off getting some "welding steel" instead of rebar. Both of the biggest hardware chains carry it, and it's not much more expensive than rebar. It's also useful for a much wider range of tools and projects, and generally much easier to forge.

Took some 1/4" square stock, cut into 4" lengths. Heat, twist, form hook about 1/3 of the way from one end. Take file or sander and shine the twist corners. Quick and easy candy cane

Glad I could help. I picked the Big Blu because I could drive and pick it up, honestly. I wanted to avoid shipping and also see where it came from. All that aside, I'm really happy with it. I may someday look into some of the other modern day American made companies, but that would be more out of curiosity than need.

Lance, I bought the stand with the anvil. It's solid, and the 3 leg design keeps it from wobbling. The top plate matches the footprint of the anvil, so there's no odd bits sticking out. The only thing I'd change would be a rack for tools or whatnot, but that's easy enough to do with a welder.

I have a Big Blu, one of the 260 lb ones. Had it for 3-4 years now, and it's been great. Good rebound, plenty of space to work. Face isn't quite as hard as some anvils I've worked on, but I have no complaints at all. What else would you like to know? I'd be happy to answer any questions

I bought mine earlier this year, and I couldn't be happier with it. The face might not be as hard as a Refflinghaus, but it's nowhere near the price of one either. The face is flat and smooth, the horn is conical instead of swelled and comes out to a pretty small point, and it has a small cutting shelf off to the side. Pritchels and hardy hole go all the way through and do not taper at all. What else would you like to know?

The wait is over, finally got to do some work on it. Not used to having so much space to work, or having pritchell and hardy holes. It's almost like having another hand! Very nice rebound and dead solid, too! And, have to share my first project on her, too.

Yessir. They have them available on their site from time to time. I'll post more pics when she's mounted and ready to use.

You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life. Winston Churchill

The tax man cometh, as he does every year. This time around, he was pretty good to me. All I have to do now is get the base leveled and silicone it down. Then there's the 24 hour wait for the silicone to cure... She's a Big Blu, and 260 lbs. Picked her up at the shop in Morganton, NC on Monday. I really enjoyed getting to meet the folks there. Everyone was very friendly and helpful, and I'd do business with them again in a heartbeat. No paid endorsements here, just wanting to spread the word about good people. They are having an open shop day on March 22nd if anyone is interested. Unless something goes pear-shaped, I'll be there.

Derek, if you would like the use of a forge, let me know. I live in Bulls Gap, so you're not far away. I'm far from the most experienced smith, but I'm willing to lend whatever help I can. I'll be forging pattern welded rings for myself and my fiancee.

Not to threadjack here, but I'm curious about that anvil. I've seen similar ones going for pretty reasonable prices, and claims that they are hardened steel. How's that one doing for you? Good rebound? Any soft spots?

Not smithing related, but I have to share this one. Some years ago, I was working as a cook in a Waffle House. I told one of the waitresses that her order was ready, and went back to work on the next order. When I finished that order, I noticed that the first one was still sitting on the counter. I look further down the counter and find the waitress intently staring at something. I tell her again that her order was ready, and likely getting cold. She continues staring intently at something in front of her. I walk down to where she's standing and see two dry tea bags laying there. So I asked what, exactly, she was doing. She looks up and replies, "Trying to figure out which of these is unsweetened tea. I need to make some more."

You know, there is a bit of research floating around that suggests that doing things with your non-dominant hand can help foster brain plasticity, which can help prevent the onset of dementia and improve overall cognitive function. With that said, I'm left-handed most of the time. Except when I shoot, throw a ball, swing a bat or a hammer, or anything that requires a lot of force. Wait, I basically only write and paint left-handed. What does that make me?

Jimn got it first. The answer is coal. Charcoal works, too. The boy said he came up with it on his own, but it sounds like the kind of riddle that's been around for years.

I expressed an opinion and then explained that opinion. I did not tell anyone to put up or shut up. When my post was questioned, I further elaborated. Is that not the way reasonable adults are supposed to have a discussion? I don't know if you're trying to be funny or not, sarcasm doesn't translate well into plain text. That's one of the reasons why I go out of my way to try and explain my meaning. I'll just stay out of this conversation from here on out.

I wasn't trying to be abrupt at all. I was merely trying to propose some scenarios where some form of certification might be useful. That's all. I know that blacksmithing isn't an industrial trade anymore, but it is still taught at certain trade schools. It is also taught by individuals on this site. I'm just saying that I would personally be very leery of anyone that advertised the ability to teach me a skill or craft an item for me at my expense if said person did not have some sort of certification or examples of their work. I've heard so much about Brian Brazeal and Frank Turley, among others, that I would happily pay to take lessons from them. Had I never heard those names, though, I would have to see something that would prove to me that the lessons would be worth the cost. Also, as has already been said, I'm more interested in the idea of a standard curriculum than anything. Several people have written different books with their idea of a curriculum included, but those can vary widely from author to author. I have read some that barely mention forge welding at all, while others go into great detail on it, for example. I know it may seem to be...overly formalized, for lack of a better term, but there are some people that learn better in that type of environment. There's just as much art as there is science in what we do. You can't really teach the art part of it, but you can teach the mechanics and let the student find their own art. I guess I'm rambling now.... Main thing is, I don't want anyone to think I was being insulting. I just happen to be really good at playing Devil's Advocate.

Today, my 14 year old son asked me a riddle, and I thought you guys would find it interesting. What's black when you buy it, red when you use it, and white when you throw it away? Post your answers, and we'll see how clever you are.

Hmm. Would you go see a doctor that doesn't have his medical license? Take your car to a mechanic that doesn't have his certification? Most people wouldn't, unless they have first hand knowledge that the individual in question is at least somewhat skilled. I think that's the point here. I know that we, as blacksmiths, aren't as important to our society as a doctor or mechanic, but it's still nice to know that someone you may be considering doing business with has acquired at least a basic set of skills in their field. Besides, with a basic curriculum that's widely available, it would be much easier for anyone interested to get into our hobby. And that's always a good thing.

Big Blu makes an anvil about that size. I don't know exactly where the anvils are made, but I'm sure you can find out on their website.

This seems like a great idea. I believe there's a fellow that does smithing demos at Cade's Cove on most Sundays, so you could try and catch him. I live pretty close, but I'm still early on in the learning phase. I do have a double-lung bellows that you could use as a template for your new set. The bellows themselves aren't in working condition, but they are intact. The tuyere from it is currently attached to the bottom of my firepot, though. I'd really love to help in any way that I can, but I'm currently in no situation to leave my regular job, so I would have to work around that schedule. Send me a PM if I can help at all.