rlarkin

Not realy smithing but still metal, and I do use my anvil and shaping block if that counts. I make these from either Freon tanks, or NOS tanks for smog machine calibration. I like the NOS tanks better because the Freon tanks have an oil residue in them. The ears and nose are 2" banding I collect at work. Eye lashes are pieces of concrete wire. tails are Pencil rod. Legs are scraps of emt I collect from some of my customers, and the eyes are 7/8" nuts with the head of a 3/8" carriage bolt in the center. The only thing I buy is the paint.

Buddy of mine gave me one similar to those. 1/2" x 5/8" x 9". He has a barn on his property that was suposedly built from lumber reclaimed from an old wooden sailing ship. He found it in one of the timbers. I just use it for a conversation piece.

I have read about this variety. They are exclusive to the south of METALONIA. They are not eaten. Instead, they are dried, and loaded into large shotgun shells and used to hunt the elusive Giant Metalonia Armored Tree Squirl. As I understand it, the guns have quite a KICK!

They have been able to tell me they doubt that forging caused it. Could have bumped it wrong, slept on it wrong, don't really know. All I know is for 6 weeks it hurt like HE double toothpicks! The pain is all but gone, the tingling is still there, but going away.

January 14th, I woke up with my right hand in a pins and needles numbness that stayed all day. The next morning, I awoke to the same thing, AND severe pain in my entire right arm. I maned it out over the weekend hoping I just pinched something, but Monday morning I was in such pain I could not even brush my teeth. Ever tried to brush lefty when you are a righty. Don't work. Called the doc. Head and neck xrays. Nothing. Told me to rest it off. Three days later I said enough. Gotta try something else. This time a MRI. Nothing. Ever had a MRI. It is like being a battery in a flashlight. They last 20 minutes. 5 minutes into mine, my right arm started to spasm so bad I almost pushed the panic button, but realized if I did, I would have to start over. When the machine stopped and spit me out, I jumped off the table and screamed. Next was a neurologist. Did the Carpel test, the Ulnar test, and the Radial test. They connect the ground clamp from a Lincoln 140+ to your hand, crank it up, and hit different parts of your arm with the stinger to see how you react. At least thats what it feels like. So. RADIAL NEUROPATHY. The Radial nerve that travels down your arm, wraps around the elbow, and ends up in the index finger is not happy. Physical therapy. I was spectical at first, but after only 2 sessions of the therapist digging her fingers in to my arm and causing intense pain, I am finally starting to get back to normal. They havn't released me to go back to the hammer yet, but she said 1 more week, and I should be good to go. Every time I walk by my forge, I start to shake. I can't wait.

What type of regulator are you using. This is totaly opposite of any regulator I have ever used.

I picked up a 3 piece set of propane tips on ebay for $16. A #1, #3, and a #4. All new still in the Victor sleeves.

The secret to working with wood is to use a low heat. Choke down the blower as much as possible, and keep a spray bottle handy. You also have to remember that the normal colors no longer apply. A red heat in metal is too late in wood.

White vinegar. Put the item in a plastic container with just enough vinegar to cover, then put a lid on it. Let it set over night. Releases 98.3 percent of the scale. (I calculated it!) Then just rinse and dry, hit lightly with a wire wheel. Nice and shinny.

White vinegar. Let it set over night and the scale just flakes off.

Actually, this is the first time I have tried one of these. Cut a 5x5 piece out of some scrapp from a old fireplace insert. All done on a coal forge. Started by using a cross peen to put the texture all around the edge, then used the heel of my anvil and the cross peen, so as not to mess up the testure, and curved all 4 edges down in a slight radius. Took a heat and used a ball peen on a wood block, and drove down the middle to form the bowl shape. Touched up the bowl area with the flat face to get rid of the peen marks, and did some touch up on the rest. It's only about 3/4" deep. The candle is 2 1/2" across. The up-turned corners were a last second change before I called it done. Pickeled it overnight, then wire wheeled and heated and brushed with a brass brush. The finish is just linseed.

Got all my chores done yesterday and decided to light the fire. This started out as a 5 x 5 x 1/8" piece that I cut from an old fire place insert. Pickled it over night and put a finish on it. And as is tradition in my hobby, my wife has already claimed it as hers. Seems as she gets the first of everything!

Thats tell tale signs of ZINC. BAD STUFF THERE. Does it look to be galvanized?

Standard hose is Grade R, for Acetylene only. Grade T is for all fuels. It is said that Propane will cause grade R to deteriorate. My last grade R hose lasted 30 years using propane only. I now have a grade T. You must however different tips, and deffinately use flash back arrestors.

Finished up the last order of the season yesterday. Customer ordered for her husband as a Xmas gift. Picked em up yesterday afternoon. Now I can start on inventory.

Not familiar with that heater, but I have a Keroheat CV2230. Always burn yellow orange. No blue. Keeps my 14 x 20 tool room nice and toasty on low.

Canon EOS Rebel XS. 2nd battery, 8gig card.

Video! I gotta see da video!