Whirly

Gibbo, Armand, bosox, thanks fellas. Gibbo, mate you're meant to be MAKING the pressies :D Armand, I don't think Valentines is as a big a deal over here, as it is over there however, there's always something -birthdays, weddings, etc- that need some metal belted into shape. bosox, cheers mate, (don't know where you are) but even if you are in Aus, I reckon you'd be flat-out finding your way to my place. If you did though, there'd be a cold beer waiting.....

Good work Gibbo! That's an excellent result for a first try

Thankyou all for the replies and kind words, much appreciated. Have been a bit tardy getting back to you, but am travelling at the moment and can only log on occasionally. It was good fun and much learning, putting that stuff together and yes, all the kids (adults) loved the gifts.

Yeah, looks good. Brass rod?

Like many on here, I too got busy making gifts for Christmas. Visiting would be my four girls and their partners, plus my off-sider and his wife who live next door. For the eldest and Hubby, I made a couple of Brolgas for their yard. Made from Reo-bar, flat-bar, sheet metal and a couple of tow-balls for the next in line and husband, I built a wood heater/BBQ to go on their new block of land where they'll be building a house. Made from 16" split rims, a truck 'spider' rim (for the legs), some 3" pipe, some plate and a few other bits. (Still need to finish bracing the legs, probably with some twisted sqaure bar) the two youngest and the 'girl next door' (neigbour) got candle holders. Made from 1" pipe, thin plate and some round or reo-bar The two boy friends each got a neck-knife. Made from coil spring and the 'boy next door' (off-sider/neigbour) who is pretty into his Viking ansestry, got a shield and axe - timber, rawhide, leather, copper rivets, horse-shoe nails, paint, some 1" square bar and a bit of spring steel for the cutting edge. so that kept me pretty busy leading up to the holidays Hmmmm, now what next to make <_< ?

Whoa, that's a 'Serious Damage' knife, that one is...

Piccies Sam, piccies. Can't steal your ideas if we don't know what we're stealing looks like :D

Very nice Gibbo. I'm sure your Grandma will love it. Well done!

Brilliant Mate, just Brilliant. Where are they going to be set up? You mentioned somewhere earlier that the whole structure is to be tilted so they are rising, that still the plan?

That's a very neat looking hammer Matt. Nice work, I'm sure your Dad will be pleased.....

That's a very good looking gift Mac. Nice work, 'm sure it will be appreciated....

Good start mate. Spikes are good to play around with when you're begining and they make good gifts. I take it these are decorative? Otherwise, if you are making these for use, I'd suggest a lot less grooving depth on the handles as they'll probably snap at a groove. Another thing I have found useful is when using the head of the spike as a hammer and the other end for the blade, upset (thicken) the spike end first. That'll give you more material to spread for the blade. Like the leather on the handles too....keep at it

That's a really nice, clean looking job you've done Tubbe. The scrolls are very well made and the whole thing has a 'Wow' factor. looks great, well done....

Oh wow, it's happening, you're bring her to life. Mate, what you do with metal borders on the magical......

G'day Jymm, I'd be interested in the article about your forges as well

"I have been avoiding the rider's( Taylor) head as I think this will be my biggest challenge" . Yeah Mate, while watching the progress, I figured this would be a biggy to get right. Not to worry, as I know you're up to it and will keep at it until it is right. Such amazing work.......

Thanks for posting that Dave. There are numerous threads on this subject, but you've posted a very clear, concise and easily understood version. Thanks Mate.....

Keith, you've done a fantastic job on those and I reckon the boys will treasure these for years, probably forever. I made my daughter a sword out of a tire iron years ago when she wanted to go as a 'Pirate Queen' to a dress-up for school. The blade, tang and pommel where one piece with the cross guard welded on and the grip copper-wire wrapped. The scabbard was made from sheet metal with a steel ring to put a sash through. When she left home in her late teens, I saw she'd packed the sword. Now in her twenty's, the sword hangs on her bedroom wall..... (Samcro, when I said your spotter needed more cam-cream on his face, he didn't need to go to that extreme. Mate, that's priceless :lol: )

Yes, that is pretty cool. Christmas not far awayMate, you'd better get busy 'cause when family and freinds see this, they're gonna want 'em in their stocking....

I just re-read what I wrote and it didn't come out quite right. When I mentioned family, I wasn't resenting time with them as opposed to forge time. Family is always first, it's just that a visit to see the kids involves about 8oo Km (500 Miles), 8-9 hours driving and however many days we spend there. Iron Woody, designing and driving isn't really dangerous, it's only when it gets to the marker-pen-on-windscreen stage that it gets a bit hairy.... :D

G'day Robert. I guess if 'smithing is a hobby, it just has to fit in with the rest of life. For the professionals it's their work and livleyhood, so a different story. Speaking for myself, I do get frustrated when I can't keep a project rolling because life, work/family/whatever gets in the way. Just means I do a lot of thinking of the steps/designs/changes/etc of a piece or project when the brain is not otherwise engaged with the work/family/whatever...do a lot of thinking and designing when I'm driving

Nice mate, and I guess for a 'lefty' you'd just cant the leaf the other way. A well-earned beer......

JJ, just use it in the kitchen. If it's something that only gets brought out once in a while then rub a bit of cooking oil over it and give it a wash in hot soapy water before use. If it get's regular use, don't bother as cooking oils and natural fats in the food you stir/serve will preserve the metal. I have a spoon I made from coil spring that hangs from a ladder in our kitchen and hardly ever gets used anymore. It doesn't rust and we live in the semi-tropics

Wolfe, great work on the rails Mate. Simple but pleasing design...and it really sets that place off. Well done.

You've done a great job there Mate, well done...