chyancarrek

Thomas is spot on. Somebody runs in a different market than I do for used melt gear. 300.00 - 400.00 would be more like it. And that 400 dollar mark is only because it looks somewhat good to go. I've got a set up that's twice the capacity that would go for around 400.00. Casting is a vertical market - if you open a CruciblesRus store, no one is gonna beat down your door . . .

Those are great Frank. The last one is a little on the rude side tho. You could have shown a little courtesy with a " Donkeyshane" at the end there (;

All our best thought to Noah and his family!

Frank, now that's the kind of rookie joke that's worth hearing! We just went through a little etiquette issue at a steam up I worked at over the weekend. It's a four forge setup with fairly tight quarters. We had a larger than usual number of folk show up to "work". Part of that group was a fella and his two sons. The father has been there a few times and was ok to work around. His boys however, were another story. Everything from yellow-heat pirouettes into the person behind them to full-on vise-top slam hammering a piece right next to an anvil where another smith was head down over his work. After a few very pointed tune-ups (to them and their dad) about being on the edge of getting ejected from the shop, they calmed down and started working in a safe fashion. Even then though, it was clear from their attitude that they were "tolerating" our advice. The other side of that coin was a new kid who was just starting out and I wish I had had one tenth the amount of his situational awareness when I was that age. He was a delight to work with and around. The upside is that smithing has so many new participants, folks like the "know-it-all" bro's can be left by the wayside without harm to the craft and the youngster who really wants to learn can be brought into the fold. Etiquette with hot iron is no different than etiquette in the kitchen or woodshop. Look around you, do what makes sense, and if you can't make sense, ask. We'll be more than willing to help you keep us safe.

Abeck, If it's bothering you to the point you're worried, go to the doctor. Going to a forum to get medical suggestions only puts you in a place to hear things that only relate to the person who posted it. Go get your own professional diagnosis. I've had chronic tennis/blacksmith/ditchdiggers/factory worker/ (insert your activity here) elbow in both arms for over 20 years and it gets debilitating if I don't manage it properly. I've been around the block with this issue and have lots of stories to tell but what my doctor and physical therapist advised was meant for me, not anyone else. A good example is how some of the posters above are advocating the use of the restrictor straps. Both my doctor and physical therapist forbid me to use them. I was told to NEVER wear one while I was working as a way of circumventing the pain. They lead to incomplete healing and an ongoing aggravation of the condition because they provide relief during inappropriate levels of activity. OTOH, what they're saying above about technique is spot on and will do more to turn a mild case around than any mechanical device. If smithing is your hobby, it makes no sense to cripple yourself for it. If it's how you're making your living, take care of your body and get professional advice or you're not going to be making that living for long. Either way I hope you get it turned around and back to enjoying pounding iron!

Thanks for posting this Larry. It clears up a lot. I'll be honest, I never liked Grant. Of all the times that I tried to engage him at a conference or was in the process of buying something from him or he'd step into a conversation circle and kind of take over, I never could work up a liking for him. Either through my failed attempts to find a comfort zone with our conversations or his "blow ya off" style, we never clicked. I never took it personally but I just couldn't find common ground. Reading your description of what it took to build your relationship with him puts a lot into perspective and gives me a new level of understanding of who Grant was . I've always admired him as a smith and even more as someone who made a significant and influential place for himself among other blacksmiths (not an easy thing to do). His passing is a real loss to the smithing community and to you I say, I'm sorry for the loss of your friend. Grant, if you're looking down - when I pass and if we end up in the same place, (I ain't gonna guess which one it may be) I'll give you a larger measure of my patience than I showed you down here, who knows, maybe I'll not mind sharing eternity with ya!

I go vertical with everything. I've got 12' to the ceiling so lengths up to that aren't a problem. I don't sort by type but by length and each area is separated by a frame work attached to the wall. I used to store horizontal but it was just too clumsy trying to pull a piece out and keeping different lengths sorted out. Post some pics of what you finally come up with Pug.

Outstanding work. Keep the pics coming!

Thomas . . . I'm looking for some mountain cabin property on the coast in Kansas. It'd be great if it had a bridge. Can ya help a fella out?

Follow your gut Bro . . . Bits will find a new master . . . big shop, little shop . . . doesn't matter . . . put your boy in your heart and your mind to your life . . . take sorrow and let it wash in it's own time . . . never hesitate to reach out. When comes time . . . Be at peace.

WorkTunes Headset (hearing protection/radio combo) tuned to the FM freq that my ipod's FM transmitter operates on. Eclectic mix of tunes, but mostly Classical and Swing.

Best to you and your folks Thomas - Take the time you need but return soonest!

So . . . that would be the "slackin'" tub?

Welcome to IFI - you've come to the right place! Check in with the NWBA - excellent organization and a tremendous source of mentoring and networking!

Godspeed Tom. Condolences to your family and the anvil rings for you here.

Hang in there Alan . . . look it straight in the eye with head up and it'll work itself out. I've got a number of duplicates of this and that. When time comes, give a shout with what you're trying to replace and I'll pitch in.

Nicely Done LL! It looks like an industrial version of Elizabeth Brim's work. Love the riveted details.

GodSpeed & Good on Ya, Alan, I'll ring the anvil for you today.

GodSpeed Gilly . . . the anvil rings here for you.

MB . . . didn't your daddy ever teach you to never bring a truck to a tractor fight? Glad you're Ok.

Nicely done Spears. I really like the way you've got them set up for consistent repeats. I started making something similar about 10 years ago as a way to get rid of all those bits and pieces that you just know you're going to do "something" with. One heat in the air hammer to flatten them out, then a couple of whacks at yellow heat to imprint them. Wire brush and wax, then into a bowl for 5 bucks apiece. They're crude and primitive but kids love 'em! I call them "TouchStones" and when I was doing markets and shows, I'd have kids come by every week to see if I had any new patterns so they could add to their collections! They're also the #1 pick when we make up the little gift bags for our kid's birthday parties with their friends. The "lollipops" in the pics are my originals ( I used carbide bits in a Foredom to carve the design). I've got about 20 designs and they've held up really well over the years. I haven't had to remake any of them and I've got at least several hundred impressions on each one. Thanks for posting this and keep the pics coming . . . I'm thinking setting up something along the same lines would be a good way to go for a more refined version of what I'm doing now.

Thanks for posting the link. That was fun . . . I haven't watched the WWS in a long time . . . Roy is just as goofy as always. At least he didn't hurt himself this time :lol: I've attended a number of Peter's demo/seminars and he's always a class act. Great mix of outstanding knowledge and humor. First time I met him, I took him for a cruise in my '50 Chevy PU . . . he was excited because he'd found one here on the west coast and was having it shipped back home and when he saw mine we didn't chat about smithing much, it was all "Stovebolt talk!"

Doesn't matter what they think of you being a blacksmith . . . . It matters what you think of you being a blacksmith. Good on ya for standing your ground. As the old saying goes - "Better hated for right reasons, than loved for the wrong". Just remember tho, when you're big and powerful, you have a responsibility to make sure violence is the last tool you pull outta the box. Now, get back to the forge.

Godspeed Ken . . . the anvil rings here for you. Condolences on the loss of your friend BI.

I think Bob needs to become IFI's (IronFishInternational) official mascot! Nicely done PL! BTW, what's hiding under the car cover in the background?