Uncle Levi

Anyone want to start a blacksmith group or just get together near Minot N.D ?

Does anyone know where I can find instructions for making minature horseshoes ? I saw this done in Navoo IL, but I can't remember how the smith did it. It was several years ago. Thanks.

Are there any N.D. smiths who have a source for forge coal ? Right now I order from Centaur Forge, but the UPS shipping makes it pretty spendy.

Hi Gang,
Does anyone know of a source for post drill bits besides ebay ? I have 3 really good post drills, one dated 1807 and I don't want to put "modern" chucks in them. Thanks.

Anyone ever build a scrolling jig ? Levi

Anyone near Bismarck, N.D. who is interested in an intermediate/advanced blacksmith class on 30 Sept. at Washburn? If so, e-mail me and I'll give you details. Levi

That would be great Keykeeper. I'm not sure you would have to go to the trouble of taking it off or measuring it, but If I could just get a good picture of one especially one on the drill so I can see how it mounts and fits to the cam,etc.I'm sure I could make one pretty easily. This post drill is like brand new otherwise. Anything you could send will help a bunch. Thanks. Levi

Does anyone know where I might be able to get an advance arm for a Champion post drill or has anyone ever made one? It's the arm that lowers the drill bit as you turn the chuck wheel.

As a retired military guy, I especially appreciate what these men and women are doing . I sleep very well at night because of the sacrifices they make. I'm VERY proud of our people in uniform. May God bless them all with the very best He has to offer. No one EVER deserved it more!!! Levi

I just received in the mail "The Backyard Blacksmith" by Lorelei Sims. I highly recommend this book to ANYONE interested in blacksmithing. Incidently, I ordered mine on line from Alibris----a really good source for books, in or out of print and at good prices. Levi

Welcome Terry. I grew up just south of Springfield, but I came to North Dakota in 1968 and stayed. Bunch of great guys here. You'll feel welcome right away. Levi

JUST AS SOON as I get pictures,guys, I'll post them. Should be this week.

I don't know really what to tell you about peiod accuracy. I'll take some pictures in the next couple days and try to explain them . I think what I have here can be modified for your own needs.

Welcome, Rick. I'm also retired AF and I grew up just south of Springfield, Ill. Levi

Hi Paige,
Interesting that you're in Illinois. I grew up just south of Springfield and still have brothers and sisters there. But I'm a "NODAK" now. Welcome to the forum. I'm new here,too. Levi

I don't want to sound pompous or smug or anything,guys. I'm just sharing information if you all want it. Anyway if any of you would be interested in pictures of the mobile blacksmith set-up I have please let me know. I didn't build it (blush) but I bought it from a friend of mine who took it around to rendezvous,etc. doing demos for several years and he talked me into buying it (it took him about 2 minutes) to do the demos around the state . He wanted to "retire" from that part of it. But I have made some changes to it--improvements I think and it works pretty well. Anyway if anyone is interested in pictures, let me know. Levi

Some GREAT ideas here!!! Thanks everybody!!! Levi

I haven't done this yet, although I've posted a couple questions. I live in VERY north central North Dakota and I'm relatively new to blacksmithing. I have a complete blacksmith set-up for my shop at home and I'm in the process of building a smithy addition to that shop exclusively to 'smith in. I also have a complete mobile set-up and I want to travel around the state next summer doing demos at the various re-enactments etc. I'm going to a one day refresher class next month and I have a 'smith close by who I can get hold of for help with problems. I'm learning a lot from all of you already and I hope to have a great time here.

Thanks Irnsrgn. Those are some ideas I can use!

I need to build a holdfast(something to hold my piece against my anvil while I cut or fuller or punch it) and I'm wondering what the rest of you use or have made. Thanks fotr the inputs.

I'd rather be a "maybe" if I cannot be an "are";
For a "maybe" is a "can be" with a chance of reaching par.
I'd rather be a "has been" than a "might have been" by far;
For a "might have been" has never been,
But a "has been" was an "are".

What I do with these is weld a car ciol spring to them(spring standing up) and set them next to my forge for tong holders. Also work that way for holding short pieces of stock. Works for me. Levi

I'm in the process of building a smithy addition to my shop and am considering a gravel floor. Is that going to be alright? Levi

I live in north central North Dakota. I've done SOME blacksmithing and I know the basics, but I want to get a lot better. I'm going to a one day class here in NO. Dak. on Sept 16th(it's a beginner class, but a good refresher). I have a permanant smithy set up in my shop as well as a complete mobile blacksmith set-up. The people who manage the state parks here (Fort A. Lincoln, Knife River Indian Village, etc,etc.) are wanting me to demonstrate blacksmithing at the parks next summer on a rotating basis on the weekends since I'm the only one in the area with a mobile set-up. I'm going to get a LOT of hammer time this winter, but I thought a few days attending a school would give me a good boost. This is probably more than you want to know, but I just wanted you to know the motivation behind this madness. Thanks for the reply and any other info I'll really be grateful for. Levi

Hi Guys, Does anyone know where I can find, on the web, a list of blacksmithing schools offering beginning/intremediate blacksmithing instruction in the west/northwest section of the U.S.? Thanks for any info you can provide. Levi