Mark Parkinson

Lampworkers and glass blowers use oxy cons insted of tanked gas heres a link to one site tht sells them pyronamix home I have more site if you need more info. the used (reconditioned)ones are a much better deal if you do not need it for medical use a new medical use unit is $5500 the same unit for lampwork is $550 Mark

best use for pennies apart from Don A's suggestion is washers cheaperto drill a hole in a penny than buy a washer :)

For a barrel patch cut two pieces of 14 or 12 gauge about 2" larger than the dent/hole area and curve them to the barrel and two pieces of gasket material or inner tube rubber the same size, drill two holes for 3/16 or 1/4" bolts in the steel . drill matching holes in the barrel punch tight holes in the rubber . install plate-rubber-barrel-rubber-plate and thighten the bolts. you can also use the belt and suspenders route :)and silicone the hole as well. Mark

my gasser build pics here blacksmithing

made for re-enactments build photos on my website at forgecart and my every day "mobile" forge

I can see by your post its too late to warn you ...blacksmithing is addictive...tool collection is just a byproduct of the addiction... if you send them to me quickly I'll send you the name of a good therapist:)

Dan I quoted that from the original message. I too have heard the "message" to an apprentice one was "The worst thing a blacksmith can do is not charge enough for his work" the second was "never strike cold metal" and the third escapes me Mark

" so I volunteered. They do not pay me, but I get full use of the facilities, and they assigned me a few students . In return, the students and I make some stuff for the farm. All in all, a decent arrangement, or so I thought." ----very good arrangement it makes both parties happy and no one is hurt "A fellow blacksmith from another historical farm heard about this and reminded me that the worst thing that a blacksmith can do is to sell his goods too cheap." ----True you should never sell your self cheap, but this applys to everything in life not just blacksmithing. " And I have cheapened other blacksmiths' production, that they may have depended on for their livelihood, by giving away things to the farm." ----untrue. you have given away product yes but they have also given you something..space to work use of their facilities...fair exchange if both parties are happy. "I really do not see it this way. The staff at the farm has always treated me with the greatest degree of warmth and respect. Because of the budget, they are not able to pay market price for the product. During the recession, they had to cut programs and staff, due to lack of donations, and it was truly sad. The other blacksmith said that it was OK with him, because I did not directly compete with his line, but that did not excuse me from the violation of an ancient ethical code." ----Quite frankly this other blacksmith is talking through the wrong end of his anatomy his words and attitude stink and should be taken as they are spoken , as the words of a bitter and jealous hypocrite. keep on working the way you are I wish that I could work out such an arangement, passing on the skills you have learned in a historical setting such as you seem to have is wonderfull and I envy your luck Mark

I wear earmuffs when cutting, grinding and welding not so much for the noise as to keep thosse bouncing sparks and welding berries out :(

2 cords of mixed hardwood and an airtight stove will get me through until march:)

for me made in U.S. is foreign made but I do understand the idea I buy Canadian whenever I can, but quailty wins out over price every time with me. I have found some Asain (mostly Japan) import tools of better quaility than both Canadian and U.S. manufacture and in some cases the bonus was that the import was cheaper....go figure