saintjohnbarleycorn

thanks for the info, it makes sense. I wonder mixing the greenpatch with zirconia?

thanks, you are right. I am just curious really as to finding something workable. The products are made for use on a variety of surfaces. I don't think it was made specifically for wool, but I could be wrong. I think the zirconia is the material that reflects the infared and depositing that into the wool should do the job, maybe even better than the itc 100. But I could be completely off base.

you are lucky twofold, one you have met such an inspiration and two that you recognize it.

I am thinking that a number of layers might work. I also wonder if I put the zirconia flour on the blanket and then wet it. It might drift into the pores that way?

I was reading dodge''s post and was wondering if you found a substitute for the itc100. I have been gathering materials and should have a variety of clays (kaolin type) and zirconia flour, 10 micron also some silica "flint" 400 screen on monday. I have a small square of wool to work with. I am thinking of making a thin as I can slip and try to let it soak in to the blanket, not sure if that is possible or not. I don't want to balnket to compress at all. But on the other hand I am going to be using two layers of blanket, so if the top one is somewhat more compressed, than the first one, maybe it won't make that much difference? If you guys have any ideas on this I would appreciate any help. If it works you could make a gallon of it for maybe $50? When I get is on I will do the oa torch test and see what happens. thanks. kevin

combination of ivy and honeysuckle. thanks for the feedback. kevin

Well its not very symmetrical but it was interesting finding out how much more planning I would need to to to make it come out right. But I am more of a primitive style anyway. Its about 43" by 40"

I'll be right over!

What generation has not seen mind blowing changes? I remember hearing my grandfathers generation lots of them, talking about the end of the horse and buggy, 40 hour weeks, two world wars. My great uncle traveled across the country in a car, stopped where ever they wanted and camped, no rules, no problem. How much more mind blowing can it be than for a child (me) hiding under a school desk because the Russians were going to drop atomic bombs on us and we were going to drop bombs on them and the whole world would be destroyed, or sending men to the moon? Things are changing all the time and we all are going to regret some of the changes, I already regret many of the paths we humans have taken in the name of progress. I would chance to guess that in 100 years if there are such things as hobby blacksmiths they may very well be using gas or electric forges, and also there still be plenty of coal out there. Yes you may not be able to use in near other houses, lets face it starting a coal fire really stinks, on a foggy day the smell stays around here for hours. I couldn't do it in a suburban area. Somehow we will manage, as we are very ingenious and clever, are we not?

thanks on further investigation I found it is called "china clay" and yes is very different from drilling clay. ITs high in silica I think, china is a high temp clay, I think it is also called porcelain . thanks for the help.

Does anyone know how to get kaolin clay, I googled it and all I get is stuff for your pretty face. Its that what they use for well drilling? thanks.

I would also like a pic, would be easier to see it in my mind, thanks.

the sky is falling! The coal will be there, it isn't going to disappear, if you are over 20 you probably will have passed away by the time coal production is stopped.

If you are paying $14 a length 20'. I would go to the junk yard, scrap cost about .60 a pound at one place I just went. Another place by me does the round 20' for 1.97. The most expensive place for round was 5.66 for 20'. I would go round and make it square as suggested above.

thats the original stuff there, might be something for historians to look at also before you remake it?

I like the ball end on the handle, I was thinking whether it was a good idea. I just recently found how to swing a hammer at least the next level I guess, and wondered if a ball end would be nice, I see that you seem to think so. kevin

thats a lot of tools well worth the two days!

It must have been a job moving steel around with "20 mule team" rigs and wagons. But I guess commerce has been going on for a long time. But I bet they never threw any metal away!

Well it seems that is true for everything, it comes down to work. I have been trying to focus on enjoying what I do what ever it is, even washing dishes. Some days it is easier to do that than others. Some days I am just glad that I got done what I got done and that is over with. Money does seem to play a part in it, but it doesn't have to be the end-all of life. I see it all as a balance, with some things a whole lot more fun and satisfying, and others .. well they just got to be done.

I guess there are higher temp sands, but basically its silica, the same stuff they glaze pottery with so yes it does melt in the forge, you can look up melting point of silica to see exactly what temp it melts.

I remember 30 years ago re bar was not consistant, I used to cut it with big bolt cutters at that time, mostly it would cut easily, but sometimes it would nearly break you ribs when you laid down on it. Back then they said it was the japanese mixing the steel from old cars that they bought from us for junk steel.

thanks for the info. I will look up the scarf joints also.

nice work!

I see some people use mig to "forge weld" if you do that do you still make a scarf? THE reason I am asking is I did some forge welding yesterday and it takes a whole lot of coke to heat to that heat, thanks.

its for making a itc 100 substitute I want to do some experimenting. Thanks John I sent them some emails and I will see what comes back. kevin