civilwarblacksmith

I do not have a floor mandrel but do have one for the hardy that use to make rings up to four inches on. Since the cone is pointier than my point on the horn, it works for opening up the holes in projects. As far as swedge blocks, I have 2, 3 counting the one at Union Mills- but that one is not mine. One is standard size for bowls, spoons, shovel blanks, with different half rounds and triangle shapes on the side. Use it for the ladels I make for the re-enactors. The other is a small swedge block that is roughly 3 x 3 x1. Looking the image of a standard size swedge with half rounds and triangle forms plus spoon and ladle dishes. This I use for making ladels using horseshoe nails and different small items. Good for demo and not as heavy. You can carry it in you pocket.

1. What is the thickness of your fire pot? If it is 3/8" or more, don't line it. Also the size of the pot is fine. 2. If you forge table is cast, and most castings are at least 1/4" to 1/2" anyway, there really is no reason to line it with anything. Unless you are forging 8-12 a day, everyday as a business even then it would be iffy. 3. As far as fuel consumption, you did not say what type of air system you are using. The type you are using and how you use it can be the issue with the amount of fuel you are burning.

In sandy or loose soil, you can add a flat triangular shape welded to the back of the stake and make what some call a sand hog stake. Name given from it's use on beaches to hold down cabanas and tents.

I do know that one of the board members here at the Union Mills homestead where my shop is, was a wheelwright for Colonial Williamsburg for 6 years. Unfortunately I have had any interest around this area for wheelwrighting. I think it would be a neat trade to learn. What exactly is wainwrighting, this is something that I have not heard of?

These are also from Mcmaster-Carr. 8060K39 Neoprene O-Ring Round Belt Black, 1/4" Diameter, 26" Outer Circle In stock at $7.46 Each

Unfortunately unless you are around Amish country, there isn't a whole lot of call for a wheelwright. Maybe with Wild west re-enactors? With the civil war re-enactors we don't see a whole lot of need for wheel wrights as there are places to buy the wheels when needed.

I would like to make a suggestion on making tent stakes. I am concered about the possibility of them cracking and bending under use. I have made alot tent stakes for re-enactors, whose presentations are also camping every weekend. The stakes I make are 12" x 3/8" square stock. These are given a 4 side taper point. The other end is then bent to a hook 1" back. The reason for the size and shape is the depth you can drive them into the ground for the tent. It will keep the tent planted. Also the square shape will not turn in the ground as round stock will. If you are making stakes for a dining fly I would suggest making them 24"- 30" x 1/2" to allow for a spring action in normal winds. If storm winds arrive, the stakes can be driven alot deeper so that the fly isn't blown away. This style lasts the re-enactors a long time unless they lose them like they usualy do.

Here is the local guild that is in your state, you might want to contact them. Not sure where you are in Kansas so I gave surrounding states also. GREAT PLAINS BLACKSMITH ASSOCIATION P.O. Box 17613, Wichita, KS 67217 Pres: Patrick Briggs 12375 SW 200th Douglass, KS 67039 (316) 747-2659 jaelynbriggs@sbcglobal.net Ed: Rob Fertner 4309 Memory Lane Wichita, KS 67212 (316) 942-3755 rfertner@cox.net Great Plains Blacksmith Association BLACKSMITH ASSOCIATION of MISSOURI Pres: Kirk Sullens 2300 N. East Ave. Springfield, MO 65803 (417) 863-8628 kirk@kirksullens.com Ed: Robert Ehrenberger 6192 Hwy 168 Shelbyville, MO 63469-2527 (573) 633-2010 bameditor@centurytel.net Blacksmiths Association of Missouri PRAIRIE BLACKSMITHS ASSOCIATION Pres: Donald Stanley 4020 W. 13th Street Grand Island, NE 68803-2912 (308) 382-5500 dstanley@cccusa.net Ed: Francis Belohlavy 3015 Orchard Lincoln, NE 68503 (402) 477-4337 fvb@unl.edu Prairie Blacksmiths Association ROCKY MOUNTAIN SMITHS Pres: Craig May 1498 Mount Evans Blvd. Pine, CO 80470-5012 (303) 838-2619 drgnfrgltd@aol.com Ed: Kalah May PO Box 1736 Bailey, CO 80421 (303) 838-2619 kalahforgefacts@aol.com Rocky Mountain Smiths, Colorado Blacksmiths SALTFORK CRAFTSMEN ARTIST BLACKSMITHS ASSOCIATION Pres: Jim Carothers 9501 Frontier Perry,OK 73077 (405) 336-9213 colonel@fullnet.net Ed: Diana Davis Rt. 1, Box 1105 Fletcher, OK 73541 (580) 549-6824 lazyassforge@tds.net Saltfork Craftsmen Artist Blacksmiths Association

Sissy.........

I am trying to find someplace to get liability insurance for doing demos at events. I tried industrial coverage through Hartford, which has a program for Abana members. Unfortunately this is business insurance and if you have someone who is helping you and they are not your employee, they will not cover you even if the are a smith. Which means the demonstrators for our blacksmith days would not have been covered because one of our guild members worked the forge for them and they were not employed by the demonstrator. Needless to say since I had other smiths helping me but not employed by me, I couldn't get coverage through them. Anybody have ideas on insurances and where to get them? Looked through the archive threads and posting but could not find what I needed.

My card. Didn't seem to scan the colors very bright though.

That's Great Archie. Glad to hear you had a GREAT day. I'll be at the Pensylvania Dutch Days in Hanover, PA. this weekend at the Historical Society. Hoping for as good of day as yours.