Ratel10mm

Yeah, what HWooldridge said. It's much better to sink the stump into the ground if you can. It provides better mass & also keeps the stump from moving around. RAF Benson or Brize Norton? Can't be Abingdon, that's long since been given to the Logistics Corp. (I lived in Oxon for many years. )

The latest I have for Braidwood is it's expected to rain on Sat, cloudy Fri & Sun. So not too awful. On my way in 36 hours Wish me no speed cameras! LOL

I can bring 2 3x4 tarps if you want?

Sounds like a good day mate. I'm planning to drop in next month - it's been TOO LONG!

Oh well, just have to cross our fingers, eh?

Cheers Ian :)

Mike, you can hitch a lift if you want. :)

Happy birthday guys. Dale, what job? And no, it's not rego'd yet! :o

Glen, I hear that some OH&S descisions was made in the UK that borax is dangerous, so now the supermarkets all sell borax substitute. I think from discussions on BritishBlades that you can still get it, but wholesale from chemist suppliers. No so easy for most smiths.

BUMP!!!!! Really, really looking forward to it this year - if I can get the Landie roadworthy in time!

Thanks Mick. I knew the other members would love your work as much as I do. I saw the flower & the clock, maybe the box too, on BB. You never cease to amaze me with the way you use your pattern welded steel, never mind that you can make those patterns in the first place. I reckon you & Owen are 2 of my biggest inspirations in the blacksmithing side of things. Is the box the same one that was in the fire & iron gallery a few years back? And was the clock there too? All the best Matt

MICK!!!! Nice to see you here mate. Go on, show 'em some of your stuff! Regards Matt

Congratulations! Hope all's going well.

If my plans to drive down come off, I could pick you up on my way past Sydney. Be warned though - Diesel Series 3 Landys are SLOW and LOUD!

Dale, the TAFE at Ipswich runs a blacksmith course. That one & the one where Moony lectures are the only 2 I know of at present. Ipswich, however, is no use to our new member being in Qld.

Ok, makes sense to me. I remembered the main forging area was covered, but the kitchen wasn't. Good to hear it will be. :)

If you don't own a Saracen, you need a Land Rover for that trip! Lucky I happen to have one. Mind you, a lift in the old APC would be fun. Phil, I hear what you're saying but I do see Dale & Moony's point. Other than the lack of BIG hammers, and the likelihood of the corroboree site being colder as it's lower down it is better set up for large groups. Dale, what's the cover like at the corroboree site now? The one BIG issue is if it tips down, Moony's smithy is a good place to escape the weather.

Agreed. Return it with a gift. Make it clear you didn't know it wasn't the barber's to lend (politely & tactfully if you can). Have a conversation, get to know the owner a little. You never know your luck!

B{$$$^€|!!!!! For some reason I had it in mind it was last weekend!! In the good news, I picked up a S3 LWB, 2.25L diesel, LR tank today. Plus an excellent lead on a Myford lathe! Glad it was a good day mate. The weather was fabulous. :)

Hi & welcome. A smithy would be great, but not entirely necessary. Some of us (me included) work out of our garage - dragging everything out each time you want to forge get tiresome mind you. Double-Edge2 has a smithy in his back garden with a few tarps slung overhead for shade / rain. One of the other members here has 3 Walls made from old oil drums, no roof. Basically, you ideally want a nice gloomy spot for the forge so you can see the colours well, but it's not essential. Just get some metal hot & get hammering. :)

Hey Ian, good to see you continuing the journey. Might you be coming to Qld before leaving Oz, or do Moony & Phil have you working overtime mate?

G'day & welcome to the new members. Nice to have you. :)

Hi Owen Here's a plan - come out in October for 'Get Hammered' at Moony's. It's a lot like half way between one of your BB gatherings & Jack-Jack's. And since Phil will be there - and his forge isn't all that far away (in Aussie terms) you can do the research in person! Ian (Longstrider) & his missus came last year & had a great time. Lovely looking hammer mate. Was the one you sold your main shop hammer that you taught me on? All the best Matt

Welcome to IFI. Given your specific interest, I'd definitely recommend you also join British Blades ( www.britishblades.com ). As for classes - again given your interest the best in the area would probably be Owen Bush ( www.owenbush.co.uk ). He's on the other side of London from you. Not too bad on the M25 - at the right time of day! (yes, I'm a Brit) 40mins SW of London? That covers a LARGE area - anywhere from say Streatham to maybe as far as Brighton depending on traffic. :P

It's just the idiot collectors with no clue about anything. Which is why railroad track, totally knackered anvils, or anythiong you can put the word 'Blacksmith' with in the ad. go for so much money on Australian fleabay!