Thomas Dean

Excellent points KjZitur. One step further, an oxygen valve has an open seat and closed seat. When you open the cyl. open the valve ALL the way as it needs to seat in the "open" position, don't just open part way. BE SAFE!

Howdy Primtechsmith. I checked it out and looks good so far. It said I was the FIRST visitor to the site....that can't be true. Can't wait to see the Gallery when there are some pictures. The Hammer-in sounds fantastic but just a tad bit too far for me. I'm just east of Longview, TX!! Anyways, congrats on a nice looking site, I've put in in my favorites to keep tabs on ya.

#1--Victor, it a toss-up as far as #2&3 go Harris or Smith. All three are excellent torches and will serve you well. Cyl. bottles are expensive if you purchase them. 4yrs ago I bought my ox-acy bottles for $325.00, that for the pair and they are the small bottles. I have since found them at 2 differant garage sales and now have 3 complete sets. (Paid $130 for 1 and $75.00 for the other, bottles included!) GET EDUCATED!! examples: there is a proper way to open an oxygen bottle, it will save your life if you do it right! Also proper storage of bottles. If you build your own cart you need to put a divider between the bottles that extends above the gauges. Good luck and BE SAFE!!!

YAHOO for YOU!! Our Son-in-Law is a CPA. Quite an accomplishment you have made.

I bought a 12# bar last March and paid $2.62lb for it! Scrap is over $3.00lb, closer to 3.50 now and going up! I have a friend in the sheetmetal/roofing business and they were paying around $32.00 for a 3'x10' sheet a year ago, it is $165-175.00 now. This is 16oz. copper, the kind you use for gutters and such. So what am I saying?? Carry a LOT of $$. It is to the point that new construction jobs are hiring security to protect the copper pipes and wiring until it is covered. Theives are stripping it out of houses and other buildings as soon as it is installed!

HUH?!?! What did you just say?

HOWDY from East TEXAS!! Welcome Stephangleissner, Hope you enjoy the site.

HEY Jr. thanks for posting that pic of the tong clip,( saved me form having to!)I was told that a gentleman from N.M. developed this clip, gave one to Francis Whitaker and Mr. Whitaker said that he (Mr. Whitaker) believed it prolonged his smithing carrer by no less than 20yrs. I have several of them along with the type Mr. Hofi & (Tom Clark) makes. Love them both. (The gentleman's name is Joe Whiton)

No, my friend, I haven't forgotten. NEVER will. I have seen this picture before but thanks for sharing it again.

MAN, you must be taking some CRAZY drugs!! I don't see anything moving!!

Yeah, I really do. pretty neat. Thanks for sharing.

Not real sure I will be able to make it as we have a MAJOR shutdown during that week in our plant. I work for Texas Eastman which is part of Eastman Chemicals Co. I work there to pay the bills and blacksmith BECAUSE I LOVE IT!!!!! Not into making REAL knives, YET, but in the furure hope to.

So-Steve, rebar is a very fickle material to work with. You may be able to work one piece then try something else from a different joint and it goes to pot! been there done that. If possible go to a scrap yard and explain to the 'man in charge' just what you would like to do....walk through the yard and find some scrap to work with. Tell them what you do and why you want to purchase the scrap. (they may drop their jaw or ask if you shoe horses! hehe) The cost will be minimal (pennies per lb.) and you can usually find mild steel that you can use. Make sure to take gloves, hard hat, and safety glasses, also let them know you have these items, it gives them a sense of security that you will be safe! Not every scrap dealer will let you in or sale you scrap but don't give up, they are out there. The next time you go you might think about taking something as a gift---hat/coat hook, triangle bell, leaf key-fob, most anything to show appreciation and it will get you in a lot easier!
Also on anvilfire there is a "demo" on how to make a "Cleft note" chime, I will use rebar on this item occasionally and it has a nice ring to it when finished. (music teachers LOVE them and they sale good) Well, I've rambled long enough. Good luck and let us know how things turn out.

HOWDY from EAST TEXAS! and welcome to IFI! Glad you came aboard and look forward to seeing some of your work. You have a BUNCH of awesome smiths within spittin distance of you. Bill and Diana Davis of LazyAssForge in Fletcher, Gerald Franklin just out of Duncan, and Larry Mills as best as I remember there in Norman! Just a few that come to mind. Check out Saltfork Craftsmen ABA, GREAT folks! Saltfork Craftsmen Artist-Blacksmith Association Home Page Blacksmithing in Oklahoma tongs swage blocks anvils coal smithing forge forges metal wrought iron should get you there. Are you going to be in Grapevine on Sept. 30 for the KGA show there? Friend of mine from Dalhart, TX sent me an email about it. Looks interesting to say the least! Anyway, WELCOME and hope to learn from ya.

Doggoneit man PLEASE don't call me "MR", makes me sound older and wiser than I am. hehe. (I was MR. DEAN when I taught martial arts, but that was a while back) Now with MR. IRNSRGN and MR. WOOLRIDGE, that's appropriate. I agree with the 2 of them on the reason for the "ears" now that it was mentioned, makes better since.

Howdy Seamus and welcome to IFI! As to your ?'s, I believe they are designed to protect the screw from miss/glancing hammer blows. BUT I sure could be wro...er mistaking... BTW, where ya from? East Texas boy here.

Howdy from EAST TEXAS!! and welcome to IFI!! Like you stated, this place is generous to share thier knowledge and heck you even have to ask for it sometimes! Glad ya came aboard and we too look forward to many discussions.

Thank you for the picture! MAY GOD BLESS ALL OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN AS WELL AS OUR GOVERNMENT.

PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN

ATTA BOY!!! WOW what a deal. TOTALLY agree with all above; "is an EM-50 urban assault vehicle ", display for forgings, AND "portable smithy"! Way to go! Please post picures when you finish all of these modifications! hehe (can't wait)

Howdy from EAST TEXAS!! and welcome to IFI. You'll be glad that you let the missus win that battle! Good luck with the shop and post pictures when ya can! WE LOVE pictures! don't we guys!! Once again WELCOME!

HOWDY form East TEXAS!! and welcome to IFI. I was born in Seattle and still have a bunch of kin up in that area. AWESOME country. Hope to get the OWMBO up there and visit. She has never been that far north! Once again WELCOME!

Howdy from EAST TEXAS!! and welcome to IFI!! I've been at the welding/fabricating business since '73, but have LOVED learning the blacksmithing end for the past few years. Don't waste a day, use it to learn something. If nothing else how NOT to do something! Once again, WELCOME!

Howdy from EAST TEXAS!! and welcome to IFI! What Blacksmith58 said!! I'd give my eyeteeth to ba able to learn from someone like Mr. Dixon! Glad you came aboard and once again WELCOME!

Howdy from EAST TEXAS!! and welcome to IFI! WOW! what an opportunity you have, to learn a most rewarding art plus to work with and around such history! Would enjoy seeing some of the work you are doing and the shop you are in. Welcome aboard.

Howdy from EAST TEXAS!! and welcome to IFI! Great bunch of folks here and willing to help, all ya gotta do is ask. Welcome aboard.

Howdy from East TEXAS!! and welcome to IFI!! Don't worry about your neighbors, they're just jealous. You might would enjoy looking at this site... Lorelei Sims - Artist Blacksmith / Welcome to the Vortex of Hot Metal The smith is Lorilie Sims and a great artist. She too is in Illinois but can't recall the name of the town just now..."oldtimer's" I guess... Anyway welcome and don't be afraid to ask, you'll get an answer.

Right! What ApprenticeMan said! and welcome to IFI!