larrynjr

Those are pretty cool, I'll have to try that out. Christmas coming right up and presents are needed. Thanks!

Excellent cross Frosty

Anyone interested in these babies!?! German Torture Pliers, 17th C - Images

But if I get a treadle hammer or even a power hammer, I'll just have to send it up to Frosty to keep me safe and normal............... Actually I'm considering bypassing the treadle for now and order the plans for the tire hammer. My taste of using the power hammer has got me interested in.....................POWER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'll tell her!

It was one of the first books I bought when I started into smithing. I highly recommend it!

What I need now are butchers and side sets, flatter and monkey tools. It was hard enough with having Jerry's tools available but with none of those in my possession it will slow things down considerably. I think I'll try to make at least the butcher and the monkey tools from stock on hand but the side sets and flat sets I don't think I have stock for. A cheese fuller would be good too! Guess I need to get to some conferences and hope someone has some of these available!

Not to hijack the thread but yes his health is suffering. Between the motorcycle accident last year and the cancer it is really taking a toll on him. Apparently whenever he does any physical activity (like swinging a hammer) he ends up bleeding internally. He hopes that taking a year or so off will get him healed up enough to return to smithing at least in a limited amount. He is closing his retail shop and selling off all remaining stock but is not selling any of the tools.

Thanks Rob, it a good start and I think the finished product will be good to but I guess we'll see when I actually get it finished.

So I spent this past weekend at Jerry Culberson's last ever blacksmithing class, learning how to make a traditional gate using mortis and tenon. IT IS A LOT OF WORK!!! It took me all weekend just to forge out 4 tenon's and slit and drift 4 mortis's for the frame. I used 5/8" x 1 1/8" stock. Much of the time was spent tweaking and fixing my mistakes but it was a weekend well spent. Now all I have to do is create the inner pieces. I'm planning on a dog motif, with a couple of flat bar vertical pieces with some dog prints stamped into them and after I learn how and make the tools to do it, dog heads of the tops of the frame . Nothing like a challenge!

Use them as a base for 3rd man holding stands.

I got several bus brake drums from where I work. I didn't realize till later that they are cast iron.

I also got to use a powerhammer for the first time this weekend. I was taking a course from Jerry Culberson at Old Cedar Forge (the last he will ever offer) and used a 55 lb. Striker brand power hammer to chamfer and pre-forge the steel for the gate frame I made. Very fun, kind of intimadating but really moves that steel fast! It takes a bit to get the hang of how much pedal to give it. Do you have a before picture of that hammer Chris? It looks great, how does it feel to use?

Definately to the high side. I paid $.86 per lb. for new bar stock this past weekend to make the frame for my gate. about a month ago I paid about $.65 a lb. for scrap from one of the local steel yards, it was only $.15 a lb. 6 month's ago.

One way would be to start with longer stock than you need and then cut off the formed piece when it's at the correct length, punch the rivet hole, rivet the 2 pieces and off you go.

Another consideration is this, unless you plan on selling entry level dinged up products, you are looking at a number of years getting your skills up to a level that will support you and or your family as a full time smith. If you have to work other jobs to finance gaining those skills, it will take that much longer. Unless you have family that can support you while you go through intensive training / skill building. My guess is you are looking at 2-5 years minimum to get to a skill level that you might be able to support yourself. I think 5-10 years before you have the skill and experience to teach. That is provided you can teach. Just because someone is an excellent smith does not mean they know how to teach their skill to others. I don't mean to stop you or anyone in their quest but just trying to show what "I think" some of the stepping stones / timelines might be.

good looking stuff Terry, keep it up!

I think I may have missed the deal, I emailed the seller so we could meet this week and have not heard back from him. I was looking on Craigslist again and could not find the ad. I think he may have sold it.......... Oh well, always be other chances. :)

Otto, Welcome to IFI. The very best site for Forging.

Thanks Norm, I'll do just that.

Oh Man, Frosty, you're the BEST! I'll be sending all of that stuff to you via overnight express, in fact I'm gonna charter a special flight to get it right to your door. I wish everyone was so ready to help.......... just keep holding your breath, it'll be there REEEEEEEEEEAL SOON.......................