Ian

Hi Francis, I'm still at the Farm right now, and hope to be for the foreseeable future. I'd be more than happy for your folks to come by. I make a mean cup of tea :D

Hi Flower, best bet is to put up a post in the Australian sections of the Blacksmithing groups here on Iforge. There's the BAWA for a kick off and the ABA too. Names that spring to mind are Wayne Saunders in Waughope (timbertown), Dan Davies up in Gympie, Glenn Moon in Braidwood NSW and Alan Ball (but I think Alan is very ill, not sure if he's going to be around much longer sadly) Seriously though, put up a shout on the site here for blokes and you're bound to get a few blokes pop up. If you like Oz as much as I did you won't be back. They put me on the plane home at gunpoint last Month, I went over to help Glenn Moon with a project he had. Great bloke, paid for my flights and everything. Enjoy the 'lucky country' :D

Bojourno, como es ti? Apologies but your English is far better than my Italian. :D It was a 'used' engine oil finish. Heat the metal until the oil will smoke off, but not burn. Several applications and you get a dark brown, to rich blue black finish. Not a good idea indoors unless you have good ventialtion though

Happy Birthday Scott, have you officially reached 'Old F-rt' status yet? (ps, ask the kids. LOL)