seldom (dick renker)

Rashelle, Sounds like something I would have done. Loved it.

Scoot, Thanks for the kind words. It was the first one we have had but not the last. Conversations already working around for next year. JPL, Was listed in up coming events on IFI. Also had it list on this site as well but didn't last long. Apparently cant double list. Oh well. We will give plenty of notice for the next one Seldom (Dick Renker)

Well its time for a report on the hammer-in even if its a bit late, two weeks. We had a good turnout. A lot of the local folks that had been attending classes but also someone from PA and someone from central MASS. It was gratifying to see people taking notes. Brian did an excellent job in presenting the info on an easy to understand basis. We all ended up with a better understanding of how metal works on a molecular scale and that made it easier to figure out how to deal with tool steel and harder stuff. The second day was heat treatment day and it was fun watching folks understand how heat travels. Discussions are already underway for next years hammer-in. Hope to see some of you folks there. We missed you this year. Seldom

Beware of the Pandol clips used in welded rail and higher speed apps. Some of the newer ones are now galvanized. This was submitted a year or so ago but nice to bring it up again. especially since you use a lot of rr stuff. Just a reminder to all. Thanks.

Charles, couldn't agree with you more. Well said. George, that was interesting, as was noted in a side note in Indiana, nobdy saying anything about snowmobile tracks and skis doing damage as well.

On the weekend of April 28/29 there will be a hammer-in at the Freetown Historical Society Blacksmith Shop. The demonstrator is Bran Martens, lead instructor at the arc and Flame in Rochester , NY. Brian will be demonstrating making wood working tools and heat treating them. There will also be a green coal area for folks to try it as well. This will be run by Dick Renker, former instructor at Arc and Flame. We are also working on having blacksmith stew for Sat. nite. For those interested in camping there is room for several campers/tents. All the buildings have electric outlets and there is running water. Early arrival and set up on Friday is fine. Assonet is part of Freetown and is located just north of Fall River, Mass. Any questions contact me at [email protected] Hope to see you there. Dick

nice job, das

I used stall mats from TSC and hard insoles in my shoes. makes a world of difference. haven't had mat catchon fire yet but it does stink pretty good. helps to find that lost piece as Charles said. when I was teaching on a concrete floor with no matting I could hardly walk after 3 or 4 hours.

Don't count on the big tire being real wrought. I have picked up several that are not. Give it a good check. Still pretty good steel though.

looks a lot like my peter wright. maybe 100 lbs.

nice job. years ago I was a part time rural mailman. kids had knocked down one customers mailbox a bunch of times so he made a new one out of well casing, 6 and 8 inch. its still standing tho a few kids got sore arms from using the bat and a few dents in vehicles when bats didn't work.

Cavpilot2k, there a few near the south shore. I am in attleboro for the time being, getting ready to buy a place out there. right now half of my shop is in new York the other half is in mass. jplservice is in rutland mass. she does some really nice work and is putting out some instructional videos. arftist is in the taunton area for now. I haven't met either one of the mentioned folks yet but they are on my list. I have gotten involved with the historical society in freetown, mass and we are working on having a hammer-in this coming spring. end of april or into may. I know where Pembroke is tho I haven't been there in 20 years or so. dick

those look really neat. cant wait to get a place to put my shop back together so I can do something.

Its a toy that you don't use every day but when you need it its irreplaceable. Enjoy, I love mine.

arftist, right now I am at home in ny till the13 th and start back to work on the 14th. we can sure meet up. most of my work right now is in east taunton. I work for mass coastal railroad and my days start at 0500 and on the job site 0700. while like you I cant leave job site but we can sure hook up after work. I'm usually done between 3 and 5. just a lot of depends upon. my phone is PM me dick