Matt_K

43 minutes ago, TheAngryScrapsmith said:

There is a place in Austin called Centaur Forge. I wonder if you have had any experience with them? I'm in the unfortunate position of basically being 2 hours (ish) north or south of my only 2 smithing supply stores...

If Centaur Forge will allow Will Call, you'd do well getting coal/coke there. There's also Texas Farrier Supply, and Well-Shod, somewhat within driving distance. I'd expect them to stock coal as well. A few bags would make the drive worthwhile, and keep you supplied for a while.

Just a random thought, but... Remember overhead projectors? I'd think that one might be able to pick one up somewhat cheaply these days. You could transfer a sketch to acetate, project it at the desired size onto a wall, and determine 'thief accessibility' that way.

A Jim Blurton in that condition would be worth a bit of coin to the local farriers if you aren't going to use it. Just a thought.

Or you can get a big bucket of nice new, unbent, unrusted spikes for around $1.50 per. Right here.

You've reminded me of one of my grandfathers favorite stories. (born in 1900)

He watched a lady pull a bucket from a well, and give her horse a drink. Then she apparently poured a bit of the spittle/foam off the top, and took a drink herself.

Grandad said: "Lady, you'd drink that water after the horse has been in it?"

She replied: "I'd rather drink after my horse, than some of the people I know."

I have to say, 100+ years later, I agree with her. 

Even Thor has the occasional Hammer Issue.

Creativity, is hard. Looking at a piece, and saying 'I see how that was done!' not so hard. 

Hit a round with a flat, and a flat with a round. If the hammer's chipping, or marking up, get a different (cheaper) hammer.

Great stuff! I'm forwarding this to a friend who's looking to put up a building soon. 

​I'd be interested if I have a bit of notice. I'll try to drag one of the other smiths from Coloma along with me.

​You Sir, are obviously a true aficionado. Please make your payment through Paypal, and we will ship said item to you forthwith. Please include another $543 for shipping.

​Centaur Forge has a location in Austin. If you're wanting coal, you might call and see about a will-call pick-up.

Which reminds me of a joke:

How are farriers like cats?

They don't come when you call,

and they don't come out in the rain.

Rock climbing gloves. I've used Metolius gloves for years. They seem to have become hard to find in the last year however, and I may have to go on a major search for a new brand.

Hey, I'll play.

1) Shape handle to comfort level with old farriers rasp.

2) Run handle through hot forge to burn off high points. (Propane in my case)

3) Sand smooth with Harbor Freight medium sanding sponge.

4) Oil and finish with 0000 steel wool impregnated with boiled linseed oil.

5) Happiness ensues.

So a stonesmith works with metal. You do learn something new every day!  :D

I just read back over some old posts with the 'beeswax' tag. Seems I'm not the only one who finds it sticky and an attraction for dust. The answer may be to break it down with some turpentine and linseed as suggested there.
 

That is what we use at the shop I volunteer at. I'm pretty happy with it, although with the turpentine in it, it's not enjoyable to breathe. :blink:

I prefer to put it on at a black heat that's cold enough that it only smokes gently. Much like seasoning a pan. Then I'll keep checking it until it's allllllmost cool enough to handle, and I wipe it down. Other guys in the shop put it on hot enough that it burns, and makes for a really black finish, but I can't say I'm a big fan of the look, and those are the guys who say their work rusts quickly.

I'll note that with my method, I've had stuff hanging on the side of the barn for three years now, with only the faintest trace of rust beginning.

Edit: I should have mentioned that what we use has the consistency of paste wax, which makes it a lot easier to use than straight beeswax. IMHO.

I believe I got my last lump from New Directions Aromatics. Along with some mint oil.

1) Weld a couple rings, below waist height, on both sides of your item.

2) Slide two pipes with bicycle grips into said rings.

3) Lift and roll.

4) Profit! :D

Was drilling a piece of tin while it was setting on My lap. Drill augered on in , with about 1 revolution. You WILL NOT get to see the scar.

Good thing you didn't find your femoral artery. 

It wasn't blacksmithing related when a friend of mine used to say it, but it seems apropos:

Hit it again! It's still moving!

The physical tools, from a chipped stone to the International space station are nothing but refined dirt without a human mind and hands to work them. It's the human mind that does the work, everything else just is.

 

Frosty The Lucky.

This is really well put. I'm going to use it, with credit where credit is due, of course. 

Swocker is a secret term blacksmiths have held dearly for centuries, mundane humans might call them wood mallets, clubs, B ball bats, etc. But here amongst the revered family of blacksmiths they are SWOCKERS.

This one, I'm just plain stealing outright. 

On CraigsFist last week was a power hammer. Expertly rebuilt, because said rebuilder had rebuilt 10 others. Funny thing though, 'expert' couldn't say how hard it hit. :lol:  It was a mere $4000.

Edit: Oops! Wait! Found it. It's a 35LB Champion.

Owner states he is not certain of the force of this hammer, its more than 25lb but less than 50lb
most likely about 35lb

And it's $5500.

That is a thing of beauty. I'm forwarding the thread to a couple other smiths.  :D

When you make scrolls and have done all the ones that are clockwise. Now you struggle with the ones that are to be used on the other side of the gate or fence that are counter-clockwise. Struggle as in fight with the metal and the symmetry to make it look right. Then your son comes along and says *want to see magic happen?*  He grabs hold of one of the clockwise scrolls and flips it over and says *see magic* as he smiles and quickly walks away. 

That gets even funnier when one reads your second sigline. :D

leaving the chuck key in the drill press. I never try it, but about once a month something distracts me and I do it. it goes flying, makes a heck of a racket and then I'm on my hands and knees searching for the keyfor half an hour!

-J

Bicycle innertube. Sliced lengthwise, one end around the chuck, the other end around a part of the press. Bonus points if you make it so that the rubber crosses over the off/on switch.

I'm sure I have some 'don't do that' moments to add, but I'm going to have to scrounge the memory banks a bit. Be back later. :P