jeremy k

It's getting that time of year when I need to FELL a few dead trees for firewood for this winter.

Pam - I've only done this with the tig process - only because I have it available whenever needed - for me having the tig machine makes the torch almost obsolete, besides preheating and such. On a rare occasion one runs out of filler at the wrong time ( with only about a half inch to go) so cutting a small strip to use as a filler works in a pinch. Color match wise with copper this would be the best thing to do although I have cut slivers off a plate of aluminum for rods to finish a job when I've ran out of filler rods at the wrong time. I use the phos-copper any time I need to weld copper though (tig process). When polished the Phos-copper rod gives a very good color match. Otherwise while it patinas by itself the weld will show a little - but under a mirror polish you cannot tell where the weld is. I'll have to try to find a picture of a copper table I made from 4" copper water pipe - the whole table frame was polished to a mirror finish - not sure if I have that on digital though - it's been a long time. - JK

FG - If you have some extra copper matl's - - sometimes I cut narrow strips from them to use as filler, If I do not have any boughten rods - then the color match will be right on. Just another possibility for you to use, course I do a lot of tig welding so this works well for me. - JK

Greg - Looks like you got a good start with a tool supply, with a little work at cleaning some of the stuff up and a few handles you'll be set to start working some hot iron - Good find - JK

RC - There was a thread not to long ago addressing this subject.... : http://www.iforgeiron.com/forum/f7/vise-lubrication-3136/ - JK

Brian - interesting read - - http://swordforum.com/forge/cryogenics.html - this is just a link from a google search to start with - use at your will.

Just finished my TASK of painting a handrailing :)

Ladysmith - If you were to make a gate like you say you'd have to charge a very good RATE

A nice hot plate/trivet can be made with some hand pounded iron and a 12" ceramic TILE

I need to get back in the shop as things are starting to PILE up

Just goes to show - we need to take FIVE and read the posts before we post

Habu - hint - the words are a description of what to do with the ring - JK

the next full moon is 12 hours from NOON

All the lakes around here have a duck like bird in them called A loon

IF your looking to get into blacksmithing go to the blueprints for tips - JK