Tom Lumpkins

Here's just a few of the many great posts that came outta this topic, I know there's plenty of stories to share, Maybe some of you knife smiths would like to chime in and share your Stories, I for one would love to hear ED Gaffrey's story, How he got started and what inspired him..You all have a good day..

Boy there's some good stories on here to be read, Thanks to all of you all that have shared, wished I had the time to read them all tonite...Tom

Date: Mon, 2 Jun 2008 11:09:35 -0400 From: "McCully, Dennis G (Energy Policy)" To: "Tom Lumpkins" Tom Ernie Sampson’s Coal Yard – 270-683-5512. He has any quantity year round. – Daviess County – Owensboro, KY. There are a couple of mines closer to you that you might try calling. It is hard to get coal from the mines due to liability reasons. Phoenix Coal Processing – Gary Phillips – 270-821-0993 – Muhlenberg County Armstrong Coal Company – Kenny Allen – 270-821-0987 – Ohio County Renfro Equipment Company – Stuart Renfro – 270-821-1451 or 270-338-5253 – Muhlenberg County Mid South Energy, Inc. – Larry Jones or Jerry Creek – 270-584-0304 – Muhlenberg County Hope this helps, Dennis McCully Western Kentucky Coal Representative Did you know... Kentucky has over 30 billion tons of economically available coal, enough to last over 250 years at current production? Experience the Unbridled Spirit of Kentucky http://www.iforgeiron.com/forum/f7/where-get-good-coal-6062/www.kentuckyunbridled spirit.com I sent this guy a note asking about where to buy coal, And I thought I would share the info with you all. The wife called several of the places and none would sell pickup loads except the feller on the top, The wife couldn't remember what he said for a pickup load of coal. he sells fifty pound bags of coke for ten dollars a bag..I'm new at this, But is that a good price.

****Great posts Guy's you all keep um coming,****

Thanks for your posts, I'm sure there's many of stories to be shared, Lets hear um guy's...

I was sitting here wondering and thought I would ask, What got you into blacksmithing and How long have you been doing it, Are you self taught or did someone teach you. I am eager to learn and I know some of you all have some good stories to share and I would love to hear them, Maybe soon I'll have some stories to share. Thanks inadvance,,,Tom

Thanks Nett, I was kinda thinking on the same line. Have yourself a good day and get out there and enjoy it..Tom

Thanks for the advice, I wished I could get into the Blueprint section, But it won't let me in there. I reckon I'll use wood today I thought of another way to make them work, I got plenty of 3/8s to play with. We'll see what today brings..Tom

Well I reckon I learned me a lesson today. I should have spent the extra money and bought the 1/4 X 3/4 flat bar. That 3/8s rod just ain't big enough to make good sturdy tong's out of... Got to get me some more coal , I ran completly out ..well you all have a good one..Tom

Well I am home and fixen to fire it up in just a few minutes. Going to attempt to make a couple pairs of tongs. I got 3/8s hot rod, to use, I was going to get some 1/4 X 3/4 Flat bar, But they wanted $ 64.00 for 20 ft of it. And I fiqured I could make um alot cheaper outta the 3/8s Rod. I probably should have forked up the sixty four. But I'm still learning. I went up the interstate into the Area where the coal was supposed to be, But didn't find any. I'm going to head to Adams Tn, tomorrow and see if the feller is still working there and if so, I hope the apprenticship offer is still there. He invited me about eight to ten year ok and the offer may not be still standing, Well I missed friday nite chat, I was coming back from Mexia,Tx and was perty darn tired and pulled over and got some much needed sleep. Didn't get much of that last week, Truck broke down in Texarkana and they got me outta the shop at o130 in the morning then drove on into Dallas, then drove down and picked up the load in Mexia for the house. got here this morning and my big ol butt is still dragging...I'll let you all know how the tongs turned out and may stop in the chat room tonite and shoot the bull....Tom

Well today, I think I will mount the anvil , Then widen the whole on my forge so I can get more air. I'm hoping to find me some coal this week, I got a report from another truck driver that there's a bunch on the side of the interstate from a wreak, in Kentucky and If I get up that way, I'm going to take my old Army tuffle bag and load it up..

Welcome to the site F

Welcome to the site,Steve, You will be surprized at all the info thats on here..

I'm looking forward to seeing some actualy picture's of it, and seeing some of it in action...Looks good...Tom

Boys I'll post this last post, then I think I'm going to watch Tv then go hug the pillow, I just got off the phone with Glenn, he shared a bunch of good tips and tricks with me, "Thanks Glenn" I played with the fire and steel all day. and made another knife, its rough,But hopefully my brother in Law will put her to good use, when I get it done. Member Profile - Blacksmith Photo Gallery My passion for the last seven or eight years has been chasing Big Old Bluecatfish. But I have been interested in playing with metal ever since I meant the old timer at the tresher's show. I can see where this can turn into a addiction real quick. LOL I want to thank all of you all, for your help, I guess we all have to learn to walk before we can run, And I am just a crawling. ...Tom

I will take your advice and I appreciate it. I made a knife today, and a friend give me a couple of coil springs and I heated one and straightened it, Then cut off a piece and put the Anvil to use and beat on it a little while,Then My tongs that I made broke, Now I got to go in the Blue print area and try my luck at building a good pair of tongs, I threw these together and they didn't last long, I was having trouble with them bending when I was using them and knew that I was going to have to make another pair. You mentioned a shop invitation, About ten year or so ago, { Can't remember when} I went to a old thresser show in Adams,Tn , There was a guy that was sit up in this old cabin and he was doing blacksmith work, Well I had him make me a gaff for my cat fishing, And we took a liking to each other and he told me they meant there the last Sunday of every month and invited me to join them, I drive big Trucks for a living and don't have a whole lot of time off, so I never took him up on the offer,But come the last Sunday of this month I'm going to try my best to be there, I hope the old feller is still at it. And I hope the invite is still there.I don't know anybody else around here that plays with steel. have a good one..Tom

Thanks Alan, I got some scrap that I have been playing with today, And it seems to be working pretty good. This friend of mine from Louisiana gave me a couple big saw blades and I fiqured since I dont have any good steel that I would put it to use, I took a bunch of picture's and plan to post them on here some where..Thanks again...Tom

thanks for sharing with us, Yep that hammer was a getting it...LOL

Last night during the chat, I asked about using scrape metal and was advised to go out and purchase metal to make my knife with, I am new to this and don't know much about metal, I down loaded some pages off a site someone refered on here and It Say's ** Carbon © is the basic element that gives tool steels there hardness and lets us do the heat treating, It is Essential in low alloy tool steels, Needs to be 0.60 percent (or 60 points) and higher. At the high end of the percentage range, Up to 1.00 percent,Plus ( 100 plus points of Carbon) it adds considerably to the wear resistance, It is the element that makes the important blacksmith tool steel W1 what it is..** boy's I want to buy some steel and I don't know nothing about buying steel, I want to buy enough to make about 10 to fifteen blades. And I need to know what to ask for and if you have a idea of the cost, That would also help, Thanks in advance for your Help..Tom

We had us a good knife chat last night, I hope to be able to make it again next friday, I got some good useful info and plan to put it to use after I get back from taking the hen to breakfast. Plus I'm going to take some picture's to post on here. Thanks go out to Ed, and all the other's that shared your tips and secrets...

thats nice, and I agree I like the heart to...Thanks for sharing with us...Tom

I'm finaly in off the road and plan to attend the chat tonite, I have been looking forward to it all week...

Thanks for the good advice, I plan on being in the chat room tomorrow nite, If I don't mess around and forget it. And when I get a chance, I'll check out those sites you mentioned, Thanks again..Tom

Thanks for the advice, I'll put it to use when I get in, I'm up here in Michigan and hope to be on my way home to night...

I don't know why it ain't working for you, I clicked " Left" on it and it opened right up. Maybe your popup blocker is preventing it from working.?