Bad Creek Blacksmith

The first tool given to me was a rake made by my mentor and some tongs. I have also been given a post vise, metal and the best friends around.

I've been wanting to join MABA since I sit in there backyard ( 4 miles south of Michigan). I do head up there in Oct. for an open forge that of one of our members has, he's also a member of MABA. I think he is 19 years old now and will be our main demonstrator for our Hammer In this year. He will be demo-ing traditional joinery which he study under Clay Spencer at John C. Campbell Folk School.Should be a good time.

Looks great!!!

Nice job, this may have to be added to the long list of things to do. Thank you Beth for sharing.

Nice score on all that metal, it would be to hard to pass up.

We had a great weekend, I know it was great because after Dallas left I crashed. Dallas and I met on IFI thats why it is important to put where your from in your profile. He lives 1 1/2 hours away and had to stay here but no big deal. Dallas is welcome back any time and the first time at my house your a guest the second time your on your own. Every Saturday my friend comes over and we work in the shop and anyone else that stops in, we have a good time. Havn't taken any pictures yet, it seems that some times we don't get done what is planned for the day. We were making the sliegh bells and they were cut out bigger than the pattern so the jig was the wrong size. Making new jig and we got an order for 100 hooks made out of 1/2" dia. rod that he is providing. So keeping busy and right now I need to get out to the shop. Paul

Excellent job.

Looks good, and I don't know any one that can do a one heat leaf but if you can teach me please.

Prayers from Ohio

Thanks guys! Instead of feeling smarter I feel dumb, I was a carpenter until I injuried my back and had to retire. Even though I shouldn't we always sent saws out to by sharpened.

Thank you Sask Mark that was quick, was pretty mad the week before I got this one, a P.W. was up for auction and the family sold it to an Uncle before hand. Still walked away with a bunch of blacksmithing tools for cheap, people there didn't know what the tools were and nothing was going very high. My kind of auction!!!

Picked this up in a box of tongs at an auction and have no idea what they are, Please enlighten me and make me smarter.

I don't know if I can load any pictures but I'll try. Heres a discription of the anvil, it weights is 125 lbs. and on the side it has a upside down triangle with a C or a G inside that. on the other side it has two letters on it that sit at an angle from one an other, I don't remember the letters but don't think its all that important for now. Thanks for your help.

1/2" should be okay if there is any doubt you can always go thicker. Don't forget to put in a block foundation for your chimney or over time it could colapse. We ended having to rebuild a forge because someone didn't put in a foundation. No it wasn't us, we have a second forge thats has the same problem its just the funding that is an other problem. Good luck on your forge.

With some of that scrap you need to make sure not to hit it to cold, or you will get those fractures. Sometimes its better buying some mild steel, I buy mine from a local welder. One thing is you wouldn't have to buy a whole lot making small things and you can select what size you want. It will be more enjoyable for you and the kids. Good luck and have fun.

JimsShip, When we use railroad spikes we slide them point down in the hardy hole and flatten out the head with a 3 pound sledge. If you look under members projects there is some bookends I made with Fredrick crosses made out of RR spikes and have roses intertwined, same process then I cut them out on the bandsaw.

I have some one coming over this weekend to learn blacksmithing. He lives 1:45 away so it won't be very often we get together but if he can learn the basics, he should be able to practice on his own and try some new things.

You can make your firepot out of 3/8" plate steel and line the bottom with refactory cement. You want your firepot 4"-5" deep, do some research first before you go re-inventing the wheel. There is also a post on here that is show me your forge look at that and you might like something in there. Good luck and hope you get it built it soon.

Nice piece can picture the sun shining through.

Very nicely done.

You could go to the post show me your shop and see if there is any pictures in there of stored metal. The metal I buy, I pick-up at the welding shop.

You are asking the wrong guys send it into Myth Busters and let them blow it up!!!!

Dropped from a tall building and landed on its edge?????

My 14 year old son had it done last year and it took about six months before he could do anything. Don't push it listen to the Doctor even though you may feel better your still healing,and if you re- injuried it you know what that means.

They look good to me, I'm going to be making my first pair of spurs pretty quick since I have to have them done by Christmas. I also got to make a gutiar stand these are all for my son.