David Einhorn

I have talked to people about this issue and one teacher expressed the observation that young folks too often have not learned the patience to research and learn about subjects. I was told that often students expect *all* the information about a project to be in one place and be easily understood and followed. Towards that end, for each project in a book, I was told, the author would need to start at the absolute beginning of the skills needed and then proceed with a step-by-step set of instructions to complete the project..... If such a youth was to flip open to the center of the book and not find a *complete* set of instructions, they would likely complain that the information to complete the project was not provided, because such individuals would not look elsewhere in the book for the introductory information. So yes I believe that we are likely to see more inquires about information from people that don't want to research, and only want a simple to follow complete set of instructions from introduction to tools through step-by-step instructions for each project... for each and every project. And we can expect anger when they are not provided absolutely complete instructions from beginning to end on a complicated project such as making a sword. Its a New World, and at least around here, apparently a dumbed-down world.

There is a thread on lead certification on IFI. http://www2.epa.gov/lead/details-certification-requirements-firms

Drilled some holes for the top bar(s) on an Air-Over-Hydraulic Press that I am building. Drilling straight holes with a Grizzly drill press is a challenge, since the table sags under weight. I dragged a table over to the drill-press to help support the frame.

9992a190c561b71091805aec9fe35625

To start blacksmithing all you need is a heat source, a hammer, a block of steel, and pliers or tongs. The heat source could be just about anything including a charcoal grill or camp fire. A starting hammer can be just about any hammer. Your anvil could be any block of steel, an old hitch off of a truck, or even a stake anvil. Pliers or tongs, and even a crosspean hammer can likely be found at a yard sale or flea market. Starting with learning to make tools and decorative items is a good way to start, and will in the short and long run result in improved craftsmanship in whatever you end up making. It is always advisable to join a local blacksmithing group, and take some introductory course(s) covering safety and beginning skills. Taking to opportunity to use equipment both in class and at local smiths will provide you with a better idea of what equipment works best for your work style.

(v. t.) To furnish or arm with iron; as, to iron a wagon. It would likely refer to making iron parts for the wagons, carriages and buggies

For woodworking, I believe that you are looking for a router-use "Straight Bit" http://www.finewoodworking.com/tool-guide/article/sorting-out-straight-router-bits.aspx

The answer depends on the reason that the jaws do not line up. Is the pivot bolt or the pivot hole bent, worn, or otherwise off-center? First make sure that the pivot point is working properly, replace bolt if warn, straighten pivot hole if worn or damaged. Then look to see if the main parts are bent and straighten accordingly. Then if the jaws still do not line up, repair that area according to the type of damage, bend, or wear.

It might help folks to know the size and type of equipment.

People have already provided good advice. I would also add to that: ... to try out the forges and equipment that other people have so that you can get a better idea of what equipment meets your needs and style of working.

1) Last night I was reading the book “Damascus. Tecniche di forgiatura-Forging techniques” by Flavio Galizzi, Luca Pizzi Emilio Albericci and commented to my wife that I did not understand how people have complained that the book did not explain how to make Damascus (pattern welded blades) when obviously it does explain how to make Damascus. Apparently extracting information from text is a skill, and the ability to read text from page one is becoming a lost art. It was explained to me that young folks today expect to be able to flip though a book or other textual material and find one spot in the book or text that has a complete set of steps from step one to finished all in that one spot. This was demonstrated years ago during my one attempt at substitute teaching. A class assignment was to answer questions provided by the teacher. Some students complained that they could not find the answers in the book , even though the answers were in large Bold Text within the chapter. One student commented that the answers were in the chapter, that perhaps the other students could try actually reading the chapter rather than just looking for the answers in Bold Text. 2) There will always be folks that are beginners and expect to make a nice if not perfect sword or other project on their first try at smithing. We have become a society of instant gratification. Sometimes in whatever a person might be doing, whether smithing or something else, the only thing one can do is simply let the person try something so that they can find out for themselves that a task is more difficult then they thought and that they require some assistance. Until then it is wise to wait for what teachers call a “teachable moment”, which means that the person is open and willing to accept information from someone else. Experience has taught me that if the person is not experiencing a “teachable moment” all they will do is shut down and be even more resistant to learning. 3) Some folks have a lifestyle of bad manners and may unfortunately believe that verbally insulting everyone around them is “Normal”, and may even be the “cultural norm” of their family and social group. Just my opinion, experience may vary.

Ivan, If *any* person has enough stress in their life they will experience mood issues. Anything you can do to reduce stress can help. Approaching each situation and determining how to solve the challenges for each situation in such a way as to also reduce stress, may be something to try. It sounds like you have already identified the strategy of finding learning opportunities to increase your skills, as an excellent way of reducing your stress by resulting in being able to complete work more accurately and more quickly. As folks have already said, joining a group is likely the most affordable way to expose yourself to new knowledge. Some blacksmithing groups offer opportunities for scholarships to blacksmithing courses. So joining a group can be a win-win situation.

I'm sure that the professional welders on this forum can provide a better answer...... but if I remember correctly from the welding course that I took many years ago, isn't the main purpose of the coating on welding rods to provide an oxygen-free area around the area being electrically welded? And don't the fumes generated by the coating on the rods need to be vented away due to its heath hazards? I am not an expert on welding rod coatings, but I would personally just stick with 20 Mule Team Borax.

Like jmccustomknives said, sell them something. This works very well, especially if they have a lady friend with them. Flatter them and point out that someone with their excellent eye for quality ...... and/or that they will want to buy a something for their girlfriend. .... I learned this trick talking to, and observing, the carnies as a youth in Atlantic City, N.J.'s midway. A few years ago, a youth thought he would show off for a young lady by bothering a fellow smith. I stepped up to the counter.....well to make a long story short, he left with empty pockets, and the young lady left with a new ring. :D

American Civil War – From 1863 Ordnance Manual Contents of Limber – Chest of Forge A, U.S. Army ------------------------------------------------------------------- Hand hammer 3.50 pounds Riveting hammer 1.05 pounds Nailing hammer 1.80 pounds Sledge hammer 10.50 pounds Shoeing hammer 0.82 pounds

There was a discussion about ornaments and the Captive Marble ornament was brought up: '?do=embed' frameborder='0' data-embedContent>>

There is more than one place it can be posted. I recommend using the PM (private messaging feature of this forum) to send me a description of what you want done, and your contact information, and I can post that information in the BGCM's Yahoo message group.

Think of a piece of clay. You can make a groove in the clay either by cutting a piece out. Or you can press a groove into the clay with the side of your finger. If you press the side of your finger into the clay it will not only make a groove, but it will also widen and spread the width of the piece of clay. As for any occupation, some people do better financially than others regardless of the artistic medium that they work in.

The bellows under construction is being constructed from furniture grade plywood with oak top finish layers.

Is this the book that you are referring to? http://www.yorkarchaeology.co.uk/resources/AY17-16-Leather%20and%20leatherworking.pdf

The bellows being repaired has been finished. Now the bellows that is under construction is ready for its cover.

Jason, I received an answer from Curt, and have sent it to you as a Private Message. Please check your PMs.

Jason, sorry I don't know. A few moments ago I sent a message to the newsletter editor at BGOP with your question. Another option is to go to their meetings and talk to folks. Sometimes a person can find someone near them that will invite him/her into their shop. Or in some museum shops that are manned exclusively by volunteers, you might find forge time by volunteering.

When we were living in the city I built a grape arbor and cut through the concrete to be able to plant the grape vines. 1. One teenager asked if all the yards had dirt under the concrete. 2. Another adult neighbor refused to believe that the grape vines would grow high enough and long enough to cover the wood frame of the arbor. ----- When people don't believe that the forge fire is real, and some don't, one can sprinkle a little water on the anvil and then touch the water with a nice hot piece of steel.

I am a Member of BGOP but have not been down there lately. I am also a member of the Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland [bGCM]. According to the web site, they have meetings 7:30pm on the first and third Fridays of each month, but don't expect a room full of forges such as is available in the School Shop of the Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland. Their website for more information is: http://www.bgop.org/ and their email address is: infobgop@gmail.com