Bad Creek Blacksmith

I like it, agree on losing surfer and I think on the light line drawn if you add a piece in there to attach the bottom over to the left bar where your s-scroll is attached. The way it is now seems it just thrown in there to fill in some space and doesn't flow. good work.

Happy B-day Grant................Guys don't tell Grant that he pre-dates dirt then he will really believe he is GOD!!!!!!

Glad you all had a great time. I always enjoy demostrating and its fun when my son works with me. People get a kick out of watching him since he is small for his age.

Great demo Dave really like the hat will have to try that soon, next week will be demostrating at the county fair.

CJ, Since you aren't to far from the Buckeye State we do have recycle yards that let you go in and buy scrap. There's one outside of Delta just have to sign a wavier. The scrap yard is about 30 - 40 miles west of Toledo on St Rt 2 / 20A. Hope this helps if you need more info PM me. Paul.

Those aren't garages, thats a showroom.

Nice looking forge you got there.

CJ, was in your neck of the woods today. Next weekend we have our open forge in Toledo if you have the time your more than welcomed. PM me if interested and I'll get more info to you. Welcome to the site. Paul

Some days are like that!!!!

ironstein, I didn't think your comment was rude. I was getting sick of hearing about the union when that wasn't my intention. Its no different with other post when someone gets off track and starts blabbing about some thing different. Its maddening at times especially if your a new smith and your not getting the questioned answered. Paul Some thing else I found out. You can call 313-982-6090 and tell them how you feel about not having a blacksmith there. They do have one blacksmith but he doesn't demonstrate.

That's exactly what this post is about,GETTING BLACKSMITHS back into Greenfield Village to demonstrate our craft. I only mentioned the union because they had their hands in it some wheres. I know when I go to a place like Greenfield Village I want to see someone in these places that I can talk to and ask questions to. It cost a chunk of change to go to these type of places and I would like to feel I got my money's worth.

Great job! I'm making one got all the pieces cut out just have to put it together. When I saw that on the net thought it pretty slick.

Boy I guess I got alot of people riled. My post is not about the union or what blacksmiths get payed at the village its about BLACKSMITHING. As far as pay goes if they don't like it don't work there. Do you lower your bid because the custemor doesn't like it, the way I look at it if you do your charging to much to begain with. I have been a union member as a cabinetmaker and non-union as a carpenter, I had better benifits as non-union carpenter. I know some of you don't want to write because all the facts may not be there and I probable jump the gun so tomorrow I will call the village and get the info from the horses mouth. Thanks for all the responses.

I have had two back surgeries, The first one helped to a certain extant still wasn't at 100%. Second surgery they fused two vertebra together and I lost some range of motion and walk with a cane. Still in pain, really limits what I can do. I am able to still pound the iron but not as long and its hard to bend over if I drop something, magnet with long handle helps. Wish I didn't have the second operation. Good luck the back is the hardest part of the body for Doctors to figure out.

This topic has been addressed before but is very important to the history of blacksmithing here in the states and around the world. Greenfield Village has lost their blacksmiths because the UAW wanted to unionize them, the village disagreed and let them go. We as blacksmith need to band together again and flood the UAW office with letters to get blacksmiths back in that shop. I was on the UAW website today and got a little ammo for these letters. On June17, 2010 in Detroit the UAW held a demonstration for good jobs and investments in America. The article also said "The activists will demand that Wall Street pay for the damaging recession it caused by paying its fair share to create the 11 million jobs America needs." If the UAW is concern about 11 million jobs why did they mess with 2-3 jobs? Write to: Pres. Bob King UAW Solidarity House 8000 East Jefferson Ave. Detroit, Mi. 48214 This is only going to work if we flood his office with letters, its not only about 3 individuals jobs its also about the history of our Nation and the trade of blacksmithing. Thank you for your time, Paul

WOW, I'm blown away nice work. About the only way to get something done is to stay away from the computer. Great job!

Like the result of the texture, excellent find.

I heard this from some guys that work in the Ludwig Mill in Grand Rapids, Ohio. Us blacksmiths should band together and write or speak to the UAW to get them to lift their union status on the shop. If you are interested PM me and I'll try to get an address for you. We have plenty of auto workers around here with the Jeep plant in Toledo.

They don't compete with them but Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford museum is owned by Ford. Some how the UAW got their hands into it and decided the blacksmiths would be union workers and would get UAW wages. Greenfield Village said I don't think so and let the blacksmiths go. The only way they would ever get blacksmiths back if the UAW decided to reverse their decision. This information I heard from some blacksmiths from Ohio that has worked there at one time or another. I'm only repeating what I have been told if I am wrong feel free to correct me.

The sad thing is there will not be a blacksmith working there again, unless the auto workers union folds. FAT chance there.

Keith, Keep your head down,keep safe, and come back home. Will be praying for you and your family.

Welcome, where are you from?

Looks good! Just a couple of suggestions, the post where the bolt goes through drill a couple more holes this allows you to adjust for thicker material. The thicker material is mainly pipe for hand bells or making apples, etc. etc.. Instead of hitting the top bar and mushrooming it out weld a chunk of metal to it for hammer blows.

Google how to make a broom and their is a site motherearthnews.com that takes it step-by-step on making a broom. I thought it was pretty easy to follow the instructions. Haven't tried tyeing one yet but some day.

Nice rings!! How do you set the stones into the rings?