Hunterbow Smithy

Thanks to Rich and all that replied. I have bribed the machinist at my work to make me a custom set of wheels! It doesn't get much better than that. Thanks again, Chad

When I was about 8 or 9 my grandparents took me to lower Fort Gary near Winnipeg. They had a working blacksmith shop there and I remember standing mesmerized, watching the blacksmith make a nail which he gave to me. I still have that stupid nail. Several years later, a friend's dad made a small gas fired forge and invited me to try my hand at making a knife. Well, I beat on the piece of spring steel he gave me till I was too tired to swing the hammer and generally made a mess of the knife. And I have been hooked ever since.

Hi Everyone, My name is Chad and I operate under the name Hunterbow Smithy, the name that the neighbours have given my garage. My shop is rather modest with hardly enough room to swing a hammer and my equipment limited, but I get by with what I've got. Primarily, I am interested in bladesmithing, probably because I am not in touch with the artistic soul trapped inside yet. However, I do practice and appreciate most every form of metal working. Anyhow, judging by some of the posts I have seen so far, this is a very talented and active group, of which I am very glad to be a member. Also, if there happen to be any smiths in the Calgary area who would care to get together and beat some metal, then by all means please give me a shout. Happy smithing, Chad Rosche

Hi All, I am building a 2" x 72" belt grinder and cannot seem to find any 2" x 2" wheels anywhere! I have checked all the usual places; McMaster Carr, Grainger, ect; without any luck. Does anybody know of a source I could use? Thanks in advance, Chad

Bushi, A word of caution: be sure that you are using good quality coal (or better yet coke). When I first got started, I bought some crappy high sulphur content coal from a so-called reputable vendor and had a terrible time with it. Best of luck, Chad

ApprenticeMan, Nice job on the treadle hammer! I just bought Clay Spencer's treadle hammer plans and I have been comparing them to other designs on the Internet. Your design does not seem to incorporate a dampening system to minimize shock to the operator's leg. Does this seem to be a problem? Did you look at other options before you chose this particular design? Thomas, you said: "the simplest well designed trip hammer would blow those efforts out of the water!" and that you own a trip hammer. What do you think about the little rusty trip hammers designed by the Appalachian Blacksmiths? Regards, Chad