Thomas Dean

YAHOO!!! Like ThomasPowers said, spend time with them. I have no greater legacy that I will leave behind other than my kids. ENJOY!

Call me "skeerd" or overly protective but I can't see the cost savings here. There are PLENTY of other things to make a gas forge from. The cost of the acid + time to 'acid clean' + despose of acid correctly...Then the water tank may have an enamel liner that you will have to deal with...
Just my $.02 worth....

It's my real name and has servered me well for 53+ yrs. didn't see the need to change it.

Since you don't plan to use the drill by all means DONATE it to someplace like Tenhammers suggested. He will put it to good use. As for the swedges needing both halves that depends on each time they are to be used. If you can find a good swedge, block get it, as it will have the other "half" and if you need to put a handle on the mating swedge you can do that with 1/4" or 5/16" rod stock and not ruin the swedge.

Age? Where are you? All above advice should be heard. ESPECIALLY what Dutchmancreek said, you didn't learn to run before you crawled and you didn't come into this world eating meat. EVERYTHING you can learn about blacksmithing will only make the later, much later, time learning blade work easier. I don't mean to discourage you in any way, just trying to safe you some frustration. Good luck! If you are in East Texas, (Longview/Tyler area) private message me and I will be glad to help you any way I can.

Ditto! Welder19. Hope I never get that crazy!!

jeep4x4greg, WHAT A DEAL!!! Happy for you and your new toys...I mean TOOLS! Wire brushing for most of these tools and a light oiling should do. I would hesitate painting the vise, in time you will be clamping HOT material in it and the aroma of burning paint is now where near "Channel #5", if you follow my drift. (But if you feel like you must paint, at least don't paint the jaws.) Also the drill is a great tool when cleaned up, you may consider hanging onto it for a while to make sure you don't need it. (BTW, it is the rule rather than the exception that once you get rid of something 2 days later you will wish you had it back!) If you decide later that you don't need or want the swedges I am interested, you can contact me hear by private message and I will quickly respond. Once again...ATTA BOY!!!

Tom Clark sales a SWEET anvil, 275#er for $1500.00. Made of S-7 steel and made in MO. I have used this anvil and it is SOO SWEET!. Check it out at Ozark School Of Blacksmithing

NOTE: I receive NO compentation for this, Just that I know he sales a good product. He has updated his site and now has a secure online store and has a deal about buy 2 pr.tongs get 1pr. free. These tongs a made of 5160. I own 10 pr. myself and love them. sorry for the commercial. :)

sfduck, like mentioned above, try the scrap yards. I bought a piece of 1"x3"x12", nice CLEAN copper. best I remember I paid $2.50/lb==$32.00worth! They had several pieces of it plus some 6"rd and 8"rd, both about 10-12inches long....I passed on them! Check your area, there may be a company doing industrial electrical work that will sale you some of their scrap. Will really go a long way if you tell them what you are doing.

Dang, you so smart...???why didn't I think of that?!

Jose, my trip is 1600 miles ,there and back. We have our oldest son and GRANDson there and our youngest son and daughter in law. Our grandson's 1st birthday is Aug.5. All live in Alb. Our oldest son owns his own business (he does trim work and installs cabinets) and the youngest works for him! We would have NEVER believed that would have happened! Larry Kern and I are getting together sometime during the week so we can get with Mr. Leon about the leg vise thrust bearing details. I NEED to see how it is done EXACTLY so I can draw it up for my machinist buddy. Wish I could make the meeting with ya'll in Mountainair....

Excellent information! Thanks for the site link! We will be in Alb., NM in a week, I am taking the LG rebuild class at Robb's school in Tijeras next Fri., Sat., and Sunday.

Gerald Franklin gave me a piece of D-2 a few week ago and I have been pondering on WHAT to make with it. (Thanks Gerald!) I would like to know what would be the best use of the material and how to treat it after the item is made. I'm thinking of some type of punch, chiesil, or such as I'm not a bladesmith. (That's to come in the future!) Thanks for the help.

Don't steal it....just relocate it! ;)

beautiful work!

...and HOPEFULLY the "gent" will return your hammer!

Tone.... anvils have a different one of these.

Also for better nail release, make sure the nail is near forgeing (orange) heat. You can turn the nail head to the anvil and let the anvil cool the nail enough to release it from the header when you set the head at this temp. Wows the croud when you do this too. Like others mentioned, nails sale for $1.00+ when I sale them....most are given away. If they ask for the nail, I charge. If they step up and I'm not making something at the time I will make the nail and hand it to them. Instant friend! Also, leaf key fobs sale good. I have gotten as much as $8.00 for one, once. (the guy deserved it! ) Normally I sale them for $3-5.

Great idea Thomas. AND I understand your "art" perfectly.

A Blacksmiths Craft, The Legacy of Francis Whitaker, Volume 1
ISBN 0-9707664-7-5
George Dixon
145 pages

Total awesome book by George Dixon. Has "Whitaker-isms" all Through the book, great pictures, and easy to read directions on doing EVERYTHING in a smithy. This is Vol. I and not sure when # II come out but will definitely purchase it when it does. Vol.II will have projects to put to use what you learned in #1. Can't wait!

I rate this book a 10.

JWBIRONWORKS, in total agreement! I have 6-8 blacksmith books and this is the best for newbies and oldies too! I am using it when teaching one day 'beginner' classes and recommend it to the students for refreshing and project ideas.

I rate this book a 10

I sweep when I HAVE to, but generally keep it sorta/kinda clean. The best thing I have used for cleaning my shop was to host a small hammer-in last month! Really work good, I recommend it at LEAST once a year!

Hey Kevin! Glad you finally made it on board. How about going to the "Introduce Yourself" section and give these folks a bio on you and your shop! Have you found/bought an air hammer yet? We are going to be in Albq. Firday and returning home Sunday 6/24. I have also signed up for the LG rebuild class in Aug. so will be out there again then.

THANK YOU Mr. Hofi! That is one nice piece of work. Great imagination not to mention the skill level involved. Thanks for sharing.

A lot of Hay Budden's were not marked on the waist but will have the #4 stamped under either the horn or the tail. Excellent looking anvil btw. Hope you get it, good price too!

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