chyancarrek

Very nice Adrian,

That 85 has got some really sweet lines to it. Great approach!

The meth-head neighbors' across the stree. I'm very envious of a couple of the pix and descriptions here...

Hey Mcraigl,
If you're ever North of the Columbia - stop on in and I'll share the view and some fire.

I had the tweeker problem a year ago - great big bonfires as they burned the insulation off of their stolen wire. Luckily the cops came in and cleaned them out - very quiet since then!

Reb,
Man that water wheel must sound great, nice background sound for the forge! Looks beautiful.

Hey Draper,

Heal quick buddy - unfortunately it's probably one of many to come

My worst one was about 6 years ago at a demo - I was doing a spiral around the cone mandrel using 3 sixteenth's by 2 inch strap - holding the narrow end with tongs and pushing the last bit with my hammer - hammer slips and my forearm pressed right into the strap. Put a big ol' 2 inch by 6 inch burn right in the flesh.

I immediately went over to the slack tub and sank my arm into it for about 15 minutes and as Thomas said - immersing it and keeping it there will reduce the severity of the burn dramatically. It also really helps keep the scarring to a minimum. I can't even tell where the burn was.

I still forget and grab the hot end of something at times, so the slack tub really has become my friend as I'm firmly convinced that in my younger years I burned out a fair number of the brain cells that regulate repeating stupid behaviour.

After cruising through the galleries I noticed what looked to be some very nice views and pleasant neighborhoods in the background of many of the pics.

It got me to wondering, what do you see outside of your shop door?

I live on top of a ridge and the view makes it hard to get work done!

Hey Bill,

Congrats on your upcoming quarter century in the trade!

Started a tad over 11 years ago (I was 40), been doing it as a business for 8 years and full time for the last 5 years.

It does seem to just fly by!

Adrian,

I just Googled Teessdale Way - if I got it right, it looks amazing! What a wonderful area to have as your surroundings!

Welcome Mustang!


Sounds like you're off to a great start - you're diving right in and doing it!

You'll find the folks and the info here to be a great help so don't be shy about asking any questions you may have.

What part of Scotland do you live in? There may be some locals who you can tap for more help too.

Welcome Amanda!

You've come to the right place.

Check into any local blacksmithing associations - ( any IL folks here that can help her with leads?) they're a great source of networking.

Does a community college near you offer metal arts classes? They're often not as expensive if the have an adult education program.

Are there any fairs or festivals that feature blacksmiths? The folks working those may have some local names that you could hook up with.

Mostly it sounds like you have the passion and desire! Those are the most important tools you have and they'll take you as far as you want to go.

Keep us up to date on how it's going!

Once again, beautiful work Adrian!

What is this the entrance to?

Welcome Chris!

Glad to have you on board!

Thomas is right, don't hesitate to ask any questions you have.

The folks here will help you out!

Hey Cooper,

Check out the NWBA's website - we've got a conference coming up in Stevenson Wa. at the end of September - It's a great opportunity to make connections.

Cooper,

It sounds like you might be describing a fellow named Gary. He' a good guy.

I'm about 22 mi SE of MT St Helens up in SW Washington.
I've been working the steam-up for about 8 years now and it's one of my favorite demos to do!

Good luck on finding the info you're looking for. It's a bit of a drive but you might think of hooking up with the Ft Vancouver site. They have a great apprenticeship program using 1840's techniques and an outstanding shop. It's a superb opportunity to learn mid 19th century blacksmithing.

Cooper,

Welcome to IFI!

Where in Oregon are you located?

The annual Powerland steam-up is going on in Brooks (about 8 mi North of Salem) this weekend and it's full o' folk who may be able to put you on to some resources.

If you do make it by, stop by the blacksmith's shop and say howdy! I'll be working all weekend!

Neil

Nice looking stakes.

You won't have any problem with Washington camping weather!
You know, rain - then wind - then rain - then more wind - then rain and wind.
A good ol' fashion PacNW Summer!

Hey Monster,

Sounds like you really have made the rounds, the names you mentioned all represent some serious smithing knowledge so it's too bad that "one guy" hasn't raised his hand yet!

I hear you on wanting to see this thing through. A friend of mine recently bought an "Old' Ironsides" 60's era planer from the furniture shop I used to work at (it's also the planer I used in my HS shop class!). The worm drive for the stock feed was completely munched and he had to go to about 4 different shops to get the specialty work done (including a hot-rod shop that did the bearing work) in the end he had to have a new worm gear machined out of bronze, special mounts made for the bearings and a number of odd-ball operations done. He stuck it out though and ended up with a machine that runs smooth as silk and even after he put the money in it, it's still worth a fair piece more than his total investment.

Good luck to you, I hope you'll be able to find a solution to all this!

Hey Monster,

Are you a member of the NWBA or contacted anyone from there? Some of the members have Nazel's and they might be able to point you towards a good resource for getting what you need.

Good luck!

Nice collaboration! Have you done any combined pieces using both media?

people in his small town used to run down to the train station to get a glimpse of the steamer they though was making an appearance

Now that's funny!
Did he finally get a visit from the local constable asking that he quit putting the town in a tizzy?

Nicely done John!

The Kinney family looks to be a very busy bunch!

What a great collection!
It reminds me of the next demo I'm doing at Antique Powerland in Brooks Or.

It's their annual steam-up and working amongst all those old steam breathers is just the best.

At 8am and noon every steam whistle in the place goes off - love that sound!

They are old and have no value.

Dang, now I know where I rate . . . my insurance company will probably just take me out back of the barn and shoot me if I ever go down . . .

Welcome Little Port!

Nice to have you join the "addicted to iron" support group!

Where are you located? There may be members of IFI near you who could give you a heads-up on any good deals.

So, he "mowed down" his mower? (sorry, couldn't resist)

My pups have passed away but when they were around they'd only come out to the shop to tune me up about when it was time to quit.

You could set a clock by them - 5pm - out to the shop, stand in the door, the female would bark three times then stand and stare at me until I turned off the forge . . . now that's one well trained human!

Good on you Archie!

Nicely done - a word of warning though . . . it can get addictive. Pretty soon you'll be getting all antsy to do the next one . . then the next . . then the next . . .

Glad you had a great time!!

Ok Randy, wobbly headed Geshia girl caper? You gotta tell us about that . . .