MooseRidge

How thick is it? Drill and tap for brass bolts....

My first forge was made of wood with Redi-Mix Concrete for the pot, 2 pieces of black pipe with an elbow and an end cap (drilled holes in cap for air) and a hair-dryer.... had to replace the concrete about every 6 days, but only took a day to cure.... Work with what you can get, think of, find, or buy.... get started thinking of things to make and things to learn/practice... The equipment does make the smith.... ;)

One thing I do is make coke with my last heat of the day. Heap it on then, when the smoke clears out, break the pile down and clean out the pot. Leaves me with a goodly amount of coke to start the fire with the next time.... As my forge is a bottom-blast, I use paper to start usually. If wet or very "fresh" coal, I'll get a paper/cardboard/wood fire going first, then add the coal, leaving small gaps between the pieces until they start to catch, then add more and some fines.....

Before the advent of the cheap digital camera, I ran a small side business documenting peoples "stuff", just as Glenn described. I used a small dry erase board for the larger item and their information (Make/Model, date bought, cost, serial number, etc...). The owner kept the pictures and I had the negatives (bank vault). Several times following a fire, I made new copies and the people were able to get much, much more from their insurance company. These are records that need to be stored off-site, can be in an electronic format, but hard copies have a longer life. Several times in recent years new technology has driven away various forms of storage media and having a copy that no system can read does you no good either. These also need to be updated occasionally to remain current with your inventory and needs... just my 2 cents worth....

if you got 'em...

If this is your first attempt, I would try it on some mild stock first. I always warm up and forge-weld a couple of other items before I attempt a critical piece. As far as that goes, the two pieces that will be welded together need to be clean (no scale, clinker, or rust) and forged to shape prior to brining up to welding heat. Depending on the metal used, the metal is fluxed and then brought up to a pale yellow/white heat. a few small sparks are okay but if it's the 4th of July, cut off the burned end and start over. If using Borax, there may be some green flames just before it reaches the proper temp. I take the metal out of the fire, give a quick downward flick to remove the excess molten flux, place the two item together, and give the middle of the join a medium strike (not trying to crush them together, as the metal will move quickly at this temp). I then work my hammerout from the middle towards the ends to feather them together. This sometimes takes 2 or 3 heats, depending on the size and composition of the metal...as I said, practice a few time with mild steel (some of my old toongs were built from scraps forge-welded together as practice), then tackle the eye.... Certainly check the blueprint section, any reference books you have, and any local smiths for additional help...

oakum.....

Alligator shoes

Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, blacksmiths are grouped into the following category... E547 Blacksmith Industries affected - 763,764,7692,7699 E547 MECHANICS AND REPAIRERS, N.E.C. Exclude Helpers (H865). Include workers in occupations not specifically listed in MOG E, who install, repair and adjust mechanical and electrical appliances, machines, instruments and equipment. Include occupations such as Electric Crane Mechanic, Generator Mechanic, Battery Repairer, Golf Cart Repairer, Cooper, Gunsmith, Automatic Pinsetter Repairperson, Billiard Table Repairperson, Ship Rigger, etc. (NOTE: Occupation E547 includes Census occupations 533 and 549). Group E Definition - MOG E--Precision Production, Craft, And Repair Occupations This group includes occupations involved in the fabricating, processing, inspecting or repairing of material, products or structural units. Incumbents must have a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of processes involved in their work, usually acquired through apprenticeship or intensive training. Workers must exercise considerable independent judgment and must usually display a high degree of manual dexterity. Maybe searching under this heading will give you what you are looking for... Good luck!

Death (and taxes)

Just one thing to remember about Wikipedia.... the information is posted by the users who may, or may not, have the correct information included... usually safe to use for general information.... BUT, for something like this, I'd check with some official government sites including state and local officials..... If someone was to travel across a state-line to buy a switch-blade, that could be construed as interstate commerce even if you did not advertise or ship it..... depends on who's reading the laws that day..... (Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me....);)

Had an outdoor only setup... got wet... Built a 6x8 shed... too small... Moved and built a 10x12 shop... okay... but still too small... Now have 20x24 shop... with 6x8 glass room in corner.... Designed it to take everything I thought I might need for a 1 man operation.... but..... putting in those items is definitely shrinking the space.... still, should keep me satisfied for many years... (I HOPE!)

depending on how many tanks, you can cut some V's in two 2x6s and wedge them in the bed of the truck, then strap the tanks to the boards..... smaller/shorter tanks may require a third 2x6 in the middle.... the V's keep the tanks from rolling.... make sure that the tank is resting in the V... NOT the release stem!

Still making armor and/or weapons (considering the suit is a weapon), however, now they've added flying! LOL!

Nice job!.... BTW.... where did you get the flintlock? (All percussion down here, driving me crazy... okay, crazier....)

Can't get up to the forge to check what size, but I have used steel weights (for a weightbench)... come in a variety of sizes and can be picked up CHEAP in many areas.... weld a couple of tabs on the top and a bar for the vise, heat and bend, then weld closed....

JB Weld is good to about 800 degrees so, depending on the location of the break, it should work.... Are there any machine shops in the area? Might find one that would zap it together for you..... just a thought?

Ondura is asphalt based and needs LOTS of support... I have Ondura for a firewood drying rack and it needs the extra support boards.... also its heavier and not any cheaper (at least where I am...)

Here's some basic information.... Independance through Mobility - Chapter 6

Southern Tool Steel, Chattanooga, TN,

Now Thomas.... I didn't say that outsiders should define what we do, just that we appeared to be having problems definging ourselves.... LOL! I agree that hot work is an integral part of blacksmithing, but I tend to include a lost on cold work and ornamentation after I have achieved the final shape.... Regardless of what people think of me (most of which is probably unprintable) I call myself a blacksmith....;)

The amusing (and ironic) thing is that this thread was started due to the "public" view of "balcksmithing". We, members of this community, cannot define what a blacksmith is amongst ourselves. We work in metal, we make various useful and/or artistic items, each with its own use and value. The metal is worked hot and/or cold. Each "smith" has his or her specialities. All items are one of a kind, not mass-produced, even following the same pattern and/or using a jig. Each of us is an individual, expressing ourselves through our work/craft/art. How each of us conveys this to the "public", or how the "public" views our profession/craft, is immaterial compared the view of that same "public" AFTER we have answered their questions, demonstrated our knowledge and skill, and given them something they did not have previously, our view and feelings. I will now step off the soapbox as I can see a rail approaching quickly...;)

hot air..... Wrapping back around to 'smithing... :D

Folks, My wife and I will be on the road again for our bi-annual trip to her Grandma's in Berlin, MD. We leave Wednesday, May 7, after work and will get there Thursday May 8th. Sunday is spoken for as it is Mother's day, but is there anything going on Friday or Saturday (May 9/10) in the area? Any help would be appreciated! Thanks! Chuck

Left, right, left....