Thomas Dean

Also, If you are thinking of investing in a class I strongly suggest that you know what you want to do and learn. Brian will tell you this is YOUR class and he will do anything you ask...and go as long as you want. He will teach you to make any and all the tools you want and any and all the elements you want. His favorite thing to ask ...well one of his favorite... is " Now what do you want to do?" so have a plan. You will love it, I know I did.

Whew! Just got home and unhooked the camper and unloaded the inside of truck. Will unload the anvil and tools and stuff from Brian's TOMORROW! Just a word of caution for those planning to take a class from Brian....if it is 8:40p.m. and you just finished supper and Brian asks; "ya wanna forge somemore?" be careful how you answer!!! We turned the lights off at 1:00ish this morning! GREAT time, thank Brian and Karen. And Thank you Lyle for the photo work you did...and I was wrong about those few pics I mentioned this morning. I might not have come away with as many tools and other stuff as some folks have...but I only did 2 days, the KNOWLEDGE I gained is immeasurable. The tools I got to make are very special, getting to make them and learning not only the "how-to's" but more importantly the "why this way" is priceless. I did make a hot cut hardie that will fit any of my anvils, a large hammer-head weight of 3.5#, 1 handled straight hot cut, 1 handled side hot cut, several hand chisels, punches, eye punch, and nose punch. With ideas for others tools and elements. ALSO!!!! ABSOLUTELY the BEST flux in the world!! You will not believe how low a heat you can use to stick a good weld! Contact Brian for more details!

Also in Tucumcari, NM is Jim Keith! He is tops in the field and does siminars all over the U.S. I'm not sure if he does any teaching at Mesalands tho.

I totally agree, to get a shop/studio completely set up with all the tools can be expensive. but I still contend that it's cheaper than buying a new bass boat, new golf clubs, new rifle, new bow or other new toy every few years! :D

SOLD! 21 bids at $420!! I have one that weighs about 37ish lbs, Vulcan, in near perfect condition....I'll let it go for that price!

I have used TFS coal in the past. It is what we had at the Dallas Historical Village (Old City Park) and the stuff was not very good. Made a 'popcorn' like stuff. I also have purchased it for my home forge and got some good stuff, so I guess it is a crap shoot on what you get from them. I haven't used any of the Saltfork coal but have heard that it is good stuff. You just need to stock up on it when you got to the conf. this year! :P

Robb Gunter has some great coal, I've been using it for 4-5yrs now and really like it. It's gound to pea size hand has little clinker/ash. He lives in Tijeras, NM, about 5hrs from Lubbock. (you can contact him at www.g3blacksmithing.com . Jim Keith lives in Tucumcari, NM and may have coal or know where to get it close to you. Then there is the Saltfork Craftsmen ABA in Oklahoma, you have to be a member to buy their coal but it is priced cheap.

Good job Dave. I have a young man that has a gift certificate that his wife bought him CHRISTmas of 2010 to take a class from me! Saw him this past week at church and told him he needs to take the class in May as I will be fresh out of Brian's class. Nice hot cutter too.

Probably because he was so excited that he HAD one and had aquired it from a person that he still admires....Nice score! Some folks gain WAY more than 50lbs in 36yrs, I'd say this weight gain is from muscle due to hard work and not fat!

I had bought a couple pairs of his "Gooseneck" V-tongs back at the '08 BAM conf. LOVE them!! and then got a large pair at the Saltfork picnic auction the next year. After Grant passed I felt I needed to round out the set so bought the others and wouldn't take for them. Yes, I miss his posts as we all do.

Yep

So How far is Michigan from you? Pretty far from here in East TEXAS, but to Frosty it's just a hop, skip, and a jump. Now if you are in Aussie Land then I'd say that's pretty far indeed.....so where are you...and no, I'm not coming to steal it away from you :D Hope your wife gets over it before next week. OH, and good for you! can't wait to see pix

Howdy from East TEXAS!! and welcome to IFI! Don't worry about the age thing....not unless all you want to start out learning is how to make a sword. Dave Custer is a prime example of what you can do if you listen, study and apply yourself to this art. Read and study ALL you can hear for there is a TON of info. Just check the archives or do a search to any questions you have first, IF you can't find it there then ask...most of your ??'s will have already been asked and answered I'm sure. OK guys/gals. This could very easily be another "Dave" in the making! I'm in East TEXAS, just a tad too far from Dresden, TN, to be much hands on help or I would step up. Good luck to you William!

My wife just scored a 3.8 on the eyeball game, her first time....I'm not telling my score

Man, you need to get out to your shop more. but thanks for the pix, you know we do like pix..

PICTURES!! We want PICTURES!! also couldn't resist ;)

Now ain't those cute, little red worms... Show us a pic when you attach them to the canoe

Fantastic! Keith, I am impressed. Paint job on it really looks good and like Phil, I like the yellow blades in the blower and the lettering highlights. I did the same with my old lever forge that I restored about 5yrs ago. Pat' April 6, 1886 and found the pat. on a google search and printed it off. I love it when folks take a little time to bring something like this back to life. Great job!

Tsur Sada is from Israel, I don't remember exactly but I do know that it is in the southern part of the country. A fantastic smith and a great person. I'm not sure just how you can contact him but he would be a great person to learn from. I took a class from him several yrs back and have visited thru emails in the past. I'm not sure if he teaches any classes but if so you would do good by him.

No, silly Stewart, we're talkin bout the other elephant in the room...

or possibly a hurricane proof milk stool....

I think I would use Polyurathane, several coats. And don't wash it in the dishwasher.

Frosty, I got the same thing, needing to subscribe and all that. There is a bar just above the video screen that say if you are having trouble seeing it then try this other viewer or whatever. I clicked and it down loaded no problem and I was able to see it. Worth the time.

I detest Simon, think he is over the top egotistical. But those two kids are fantastic! Thanks, Steve for the link. Took a while for my computer to load it but worth the wait for sure!

Howdy from East TEXAS!! and welcome to IFI! Well, glad you came in outa the shadows. There is a ton of info here and most of the questions you will have are already answered, ya jest gotta do some seaching, which isn't that hard really, and read. Again, glad you're here.