picker

Good work! And, they feel even better in your hand because your hand sculpted them.

Looks like a nice vise. However, you'll find that the vise will soon overpower your post, and as the weather and heat dry out the post, you will find the post splitting and splintering. You'll be tugging, pulling and torquing metal in the vise, and all that will transfer into the post.

Thnx Chuck, I'm reading around. Posting some anecdotes and a few pics along the way. I'll pay better attention and try not to use any prohibited words.

When my business was operating full steam, I didn't have to do any shows. Folks came to the Theme Park i worked at in droves. Over 2 million a year. On occasion, I would meet an event promoter or some such person who was promoting their event at another site. They would tell me that, I really needed to go there and set up (I had a mobile op) because I would make lots o money- (yeah $$$) They would tell me a spot would cost only $600 and 25% commission, or some such fee. I would tell them, I made that much in 2 hours at my own shop, and why would I need to go there? I would then propose to them that they could purchase my skills for that amount, and that I would keep all the sales and not have to pay any commission. That ususally ended all the fallderall with time wasting conversations. I did, however have one persistent event promoter who agreed to my terms. I made a bunch o money, and got to meet one of my Hollywood idols Jack Palance at the event.

LOL- Holy Toledo- that reminds me. I once had a guy come in my shop and he needed me to forge the hardware for an old convertable top on a car he was restoring. He needed the metal extensions that raise the convertable top. I think the car was a mid 1950's model. He had the right side hardware, but the left side hardware was warped, twisted and beyond repair. He came in saying I was his last hope, because he had no luck finding a replacement part. I love people who come in and say that. Anyway, I made the hardware by simply matching a pattern of the undamaged piece and flipped it so it would be a mirror of the good one. The guy was pretty grateful. I was too, because I charged him out the yin yang for the work. :D

I would also suggest memorializing your stuff in photos, and videos, then upload them to photobucket or other off site source for reference. Even on to a flash drive that you might secure in a safe deposit box or home safe. Insurance companies are in it to say "no" to your claims unless there is some evidence of it's actual existence and ownership by you. I have all my musical instruments photographed, or on video with me playing them, and saved. Most of my tools are photographed with my touchmarks on them.

Most metal suppliers have what is called 'rem' piles- these are remnants. Most of the stuff is warped, twisted, a bit rusty or has some sharp edges. They usually sell it cheap. Usually by the pound and not the foot. When you have a fire, you're the boss and you can reform the stuff to your needs. I bought probably 75% of my materials from rem piles. Most suppliers are glad to be rid of it.

Rowan, All this practical advice is valid. From what I gather, you will be paying to lease the shop to the Heritage organization which operates the area? Is this a straight up payment per month, or will you be paying a commission on your sales? Are they banking on making money off of you and your skill? You may want to consider the commission option if the area operates under a seasonal basis. You may even want to request they waive your first month or two or three lease payments or commission from sales in order to cover your start up costs and get you up and running. good luck

I think Daniel is correct. It seems to be a more modern version. One of our demostrators in our Early Arkansaw reenactors Assoc. uses a tool such as this for his rope making demos. He uses a tool that is similar, but is an earlier more period correct, crude version. here he is making rope, but I don't see his little tool in the pic http://www.arkansaw.us/images/CSMSmikerope.jpg

What kind of ring does it have to it? Have you put a hammer to it yet?

">http:// This was my 8" face that was formerly used in an Oklahoma railroad shop.

Hey, I'm Chris- formerly the Blacksmith at the Rawhide Blacksmith and Branding shop in Scottsdale, Arizona. Some of you may know me and I would probably know some of you from the old days. I'm not great with remembering names, but faces I recall. So, I'm glad I found this tidy site to shoot the breeze with you all. I still Smith on occasion and do demos for historical societies, Museum open houses, and special redezvous events. I'll respond and add things when I can. Will post some pics of my past work when I get the chance. Watch the language please. We run a family site, that means G rated, Also we do not allow un paid commercial adverts, so it was removed. welcome to the site.