civilwarblacksmith

What did you use for the stopper?

The only thing I had to do to this is the tab hooks on it. The rest is original to the singletree.

The singletree can make a neat project for a pot rack, utensil rack, or coat rack.

I run a shop that is in a grist mill and tannery that dates to 1797. I demo most saturdays there. I also do many Civil War re-enactments, steam shows, festivals and various living histories from French/ Indian- civil war, At each of these events I put out a candle lantern that I turned into a donations jar. For those who do not wish to buy anything can drop a dollar or whatever into the lantern. Most of the events i do, cost me to do them and this helps to defer the costs for the event and gas to get there.

I recently had the same quandry with needing insurance. Abana used to have an insurance program through Hartford. It was not easy to get. They now have a better plan, that will cover your shop as well as liability for you to do demos. Do not become an llc or corp.. A sole proprietorship is the best way to go. I have a mil. in liability and it runs about $116 every quarter.

I recently made a horseshoe heart and put a horse head on each side of it. Door knockers, horse hoof picks, knives with carbon steel in it. Wine racks, coat hooks, book ends. Ideas are endless.

Incredible video. Thanks for sharing

Brought home one of the blowers like Blacksmith depot sells from the school at the Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland. From what I can tell it is the 164cfm size. Hooked it up and fired up the forge and it seems to be the ticket.

Grant, whats the price range and how can I get a catalog or do you have a web site. Thanks for all the input. Figure I'll get a stronger blower and maybe hook this one to the chimney for draft support.

I have finally set up the coke forge in the shop at the house. The forge is a side blown forge with a water tank and jacket around the airpipe. Blower is also on an air gate. This is the blower that I'm trying to use. Blower, 60 CFM, 3030 Shaded Pole Blower, Air Flow @ 0.000 Inch Static Pressure 60 CFM, Speed 3030 , Voltage Rating 115 Volts, Current Rating 0.42 Amp, Frequency 60/50 Hertz, Thermal Protection Auto, Wheel Diameter 3 Inches, Wheel Width 1 7/8 Inches, Inlet Diameter 2 3/8 Inches, Air Flow @ 0.100 Inch Static Pressure 57 CFM This is a 1/125 hp blower. don't quite understand the cfm part. I would like to get this up to welding ability. Ideas for a better size blower?

Going around to CW re-enactments, there is alot to barter for. I made an ash shovel for a lady in the 24th north carolina to do dutch oven cooking. For that I got a standing order of pie, and she makes really good pie in a dutch oven. Made trivets for inside of a dutch oven for bread making, net--standing order of bread. Made a spit for campfire cooking, net-- standing order of meat. need to find someone for beer and vegetables yet and dinners complete.

Here is a list of our current classes: BS 101 - Saturday & Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., November 6-7, 2010. Instructor-Ray Neubauer, Assistant Instructor Reb Staup. Cost $175.00. 5 openings left. BS 202 - Saturday & Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., November 13-14, 2010. Instructor-Bill Clemens, Assistant Instructor-Reb Staup. Cost $175.00. 7 openings left. Forge Welding - Saturday & Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., December 18-19, 2010. Instructor-Bill Clemens, Assistant Instructor-Ray Neubauer. Cost $175.00. 7 openings left. BS 101 - Wednesday Nights, 6 to 9:30 p.m. running March 2nd, 2011 through March 30th, 2011. Instructor-Albin Drzewianowski. Cost: $175.00. Basic Knifemaking - Saturday & Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., March 5-6, 2011. Instructor-Walter VanAlstine, Sr. Cost $175.00. Super BS 101 - Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., April 25th - 28th, 2011. Instructor- Albin Drzewianowski. Cost $300.00.

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Nice work. The door knocker looks like something my Mother-in-law would have on her door.

Thought I would throw this out early so anyone interested could make plans. The Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland (BGCM) will be holding their 22nd annual Blacksmith Days Hammer-in on May 14 - 16, 2010 at the Carroll County Farm Museum in Westminster, Maryland. Here is a link for the flyer. http://www.bgcmonline.org/docs/bsd10.html This years demonstrators will be Mark Aspery and Glenn Horr. We will also have other demonstrations going on through out the day: Other Demonstrations Horseshoe Forging ………… MD Farriers Brass Casting ………… Walter VanAlstine Iron Kiss Hammers………… John Larson Knifemaking ………….… Guild members & local blacksmiths Carving ………………….…Ferenc Gregor We will also have an Iron Smelt Friday Afternoon with an Informal Social and Pot Luck Dinner Friday, May 14, 6 PM til ??? Silent Auction Saturday/Sunday Attendee’s may consign blacksmithing/metal working tools and equipment Consignments subject to 20% auction commission and Maryland sales tax (6%) will be charged. Include list/description of items to be consigned with registration Admission to the event is $30.00 in advance $40.00 at The Gate. This Includes Breakfast & Lunch Sat & Sun and Sat Dinner is $8.00 Extra with advance registrations only. Forging Contests - Consider Submitting Your Entries to the Auction Functional Nutcracker Judges Mark Aspery and Glenn Horr 1. Must be able to crack open a nut. 2. Must be a mechanical device with at least two moving parts. 3. Parts to be connected by a spring, hinge, screw thread, etc. Axe / Tomahawk Judges To be determined 1. Your interpretation of an axe head. 2. Must be made completely by the contestant. 3. Handle may be purchased, but must be attached by contestant. On-Site Forging Contest Judge – Ted McNett Come prepared to test you forging Skills! Rules will be announced the day of the contest. Raffle Items Knife - Blade Forged by Rob “Deker” Dekelbaum, handle by “Butch” Harner Couldn't get it to post picture so here is the chess set link. Blacksmith Chess Set Forged by BGCM members * * Eye Protection is Required to Watch Demonstrations - Please Remember to Bring Yours * * Hope to see you there.

Hello to all, BGCM members and all those that are interested in blacksmithing. We have made the step and BGCM is now a part of the facebook community to bring you more info on the goings on of BGCM in the promoting and educating of the art and craft of blacksmithing. Come on and join us. Reb www.civilwarblacksmith.com

You will be truly missed Mike. You brought a new appreciation to the beauty and historical value of making flint strikers.

Are you using any type of insulating material when going through the wall or a double walled insulated pass through for the wall? You should have at least 1 - 2 inches of gap between the pipe and anything it goes through.

after the normal heat treating the knife edge sharpened and held up well. It's not that much of a difference from mixing mild steel with other high carbon steels. Just make sure that there is more high carbon than mild.

I'm fixin' to put a chimney up in my shop. 10" pipe will be sufficient for it and allow enough draft. Just remember that if you are going to go through the side, stay away from 90 degree angles. A straight shot is best. But if you have to, go with 45 degree angles. Using a chimney pipe pass through on the rood as well as flashing and tarring should take care of any leaking.

I left it on mine and mixed it with industrial hacksaw blades. Turned out real fine. Sold quick too.

Saturday, October 24th, from 9 am to 4 pm at Harris Metalsmith Studios, BGCM is sponsoring the 2nd Principio Iron Furnace Hammer In. The feature demonstrator is Tim Beachely. Tim is bringing his Fly Press and will demonstrate its use and techniques creating natural forms. Tim does amazing work and loves to share his knowledge and tips of blacksmithing. SCHEDULE 9:00 - 12:00 a.m. Demonstration- Tim Beachley, Fly press techniques 12:00 - 1:00 lunch (Bring your own) 12:30 Iron in the hat drawing 1:00 - 4:00 Demonstration- Tim Beachley, Fly press techniques The Principio Iron Furnace remains are worth seeing. It is a very nice location. To attend you MUST bring something, preferably handmade by you, for the Iron in the Hat Raffle, like last year. You may also bring other items for donation to the raffle. This is the only registration fee involved with this event. You also need to bring SAFETY GLASSES, a chair to sit on, a lunch and drink (No alcohol is allowed at this event). BGCM will provide water and porta potties. The demonstrations will occur inside Matt's shop. Harris Metalsmith Studios 1760 Principio Furnace Rd. Perryville, MD 21903 Harris Metalsmith Studio Driving Directions from Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 S Center St # 1, Westminster, MD to 1760 Principio Furnace Rd, Perryville, MD

Very nice. Gives me some new ideas for handle material.

You will be able to use a charcoal forge the same as using coal. Do not use the brequette charcoal as that is sawdust and tars and oils. Use only the hardwood charcoal. Some of it may need to be broken up a bit. you will use more of the charcoal than you will coal and so will be more expensive to run unless you make your own. You will also be able to attain welding temperatures with the chatcoal as well. You will get a good amount of fireflies (sparks) from the charcoal. So make sure you are in a safe place to use it.

The bloomery that we used for this smelt was our second run with it.