Doug C

Great news. Expect to see you posting on the Blacksmiths Anonymous thread soon.

An S-Hook. It is holding an antique lantern in my den.

Hey Matt,I am fairly new to all this as well but I would not put metal into the fire if you do not know what is is. Could be toxic or just plain hard to work. Others here can help you figure out how to tell what you have got. I have made so many drive hooks and s-hooks and fire pokers that I have run out of people to give them to. But all that repetition helps. I am more confident each time I forge. I would recommend finding a local smithing group and spend time with experienced smiths. Watch what they do. Try it out see if it works for you. 'Right' is a relative term. Also plan out your work. Think about the order you are going to do things. Try to visualize if the next thing you do will make it hard to do the step that follows. If it does re-arrange the order. Imagine trying to taper the ends of an S-Hook after you made the bends!!!

Good feeling isn't it. Congrats.

here is some info from the University of Vermont Nails: Clues to a Building's History, hereandthere.org; Historic Nails and Appalachian Blacksmith Assoc; Square Nails. None seem to mention when the move from wrought iron to steel happened.

Pretty interesting. Do you have pictures from other angles?

The sign brace speaks volumes about the quality of your work. I can think of no better advertising than that. Nice sign too. My son's school just bought a plasma cutter. I think I might be having him make a sign.

Well done. Three gifts done, how many to go?

Hammerkid, I bought Mark's book and it is well written with lots of pictures that really clarify what he writes. It was worth every penny.

Plant hangers, Candle stick and snuffer, business card holder

Looking good. Gets better each time you do it.

All boiled down you should do what works for you, have an open mind about what other folks do or don't do. Above all else keep learning whatever your chosen route. Just when I think I have learned the right way to do something some one else comes along and shows me otherwise. I think the great variety of tools and techniques is part of what keeps us interested.

Great work. You made it the way you and your wife wanted, the use is noble. I hope the garden and all in it helps your family in the grieving process and in the memory of your wife's son. I am sure your efforts on the cross helped both you and your wife.

Pipe to make a side draft chimney out of Steel to make a new forge a nice new (to me) champion blower Lots of time to practice Heat in the shed Electricity in the shed Any one of the above would be sweet. Four tuitions this year means none of the above will happen. Oh well there is always next year!!!

I have heard of folks using a lot less than that as an anvil. You could use just one or two and save the others for a different purpose.

Seven strikers striking

four bolt tongs.......