Jacob Nothstine

Picked up a Hot cut hardy this past weekend, read that you should use a copper or brass mallet. I don't have a copper or brass mallet, but I do have a lead hammer would this be a good hammer for hot cuts or is it to soft? Thanks, Jacob

I will start dipping the tongs to keep them cool. I just received a pair of Ken's Custom Iron quick tongs blanks that I'm going to try to make into box tongs. Thanks Jacob

A friend let me use his box style Tommy Tongs to forge with. I was going to order a pair on line and came across a post that said it was bad to quench Tommy Tongs? Is this true for Tommy tongs or any tongs? I didn't let them get orange or yellow but did heat them up good. I didn't want to leave them around hot because of my kids so I put them in the water bucket when I was done. Thanks, Jacob

Finished my nail header and made a few nails. My 7 year old son Adam made his first J hook. He was so proud of what he made, he offered to make one for his mom and sister. Might have to build another forge for him.

Last weekend I was able to forge for 2 hrs I was 1 hammer blow away from finishing my nail header. Had to stop and go pick up the kids from school. Have not fire up the forge since. Been driving me crazy all week.

Looks great, like the door in the front and large handle to pull it open.

Heat and no Forge or forge and no heat. Solved my problem today. I took the gas hose off my readdy heater to test my gas forge burner, worked great until garage hit 20 degrees. So I order a second hose and got second LP tank. Today I found all the connections I need to connect the forge burner to LP tank. Hope to give it a try this weekend. Going to get up to 25 degrees in low Michigan Saturday. Jim heat rises so it might warm up a little more your way this weekend. :)

I have a web page and facebook page for my photography classes and services. I would set up a Facebook page first. It's easy to do, and you can reach a lot of people. Make it separate from your personal facebook account, so it look's more like a business then a hobby. A lot of local library have free classes to help people start facebook pages. Then when your ready for a web page you can transfer a lot of your design ideas to the web page so it mirrors your facebook page. This will save you a lot of time and money if you end up paying someone to make a webpage. Ebay and Etsy are great to be on.

I teach photography classes outdoors. I run most of my classes with local City's or colleges and have them cover the insurance for the classes. Might be something to look into it's also a good way to get more students. A lot of places will run classes and give you most of the money, they just want different classes to offer people. LLC is a good way to go.

Some asked about sending files out to be cleaned. I just got back 30 files from Boggs tools, it was amazing how sharp and clean the files are, better then new. I would highly recommend them. Most of the files I sent were pick up for .50 - 1.00 at garage sales. http://www.boggstool.com/page7.html

You might want to look into the MC60 treadmill motor controller it's supposed to be a nice controller and can handle 2 hp. they run about $40.00 on ebay. I add a Treadmill motor to my drill press and it's great for drilling metal I can run real low speeds with a lot of torque. Have another motor I'm going to use for a 2" belt grinder. Nice build .

Hole in the tube. I had to adjust the tube when I first started, the flame was puffing (going on and off) I will give it a try. Thanks, Jacob

Gave my forge burner a test this weekend. Here is a photo of the flame does it look right? Burner information Ron Reil's design 3/4 size #57 jet hole Running at 5 PSI Zoeller stainless burner flare Going to use it in a brick pile forge. Thanks, Jacob

Save your money and go to Quadstate conference next year. The most Anvil I have ever seen in one place. I live in Farmington Hills MI. any anvil I fine in this area are way over priced and beat bad. You can also check local scrap yards. http://www.sofablacksmiths.org/conference%202014/2014index.htm

I'm new to blacksmithing and this event was amazing. I learned more in 2 hrs then I have the last 4 months reading on the Internet. Everyone was so nice and helpful. The beginner class was great, good group of instructors took there time and made it easy to learn. Answered all our question and we had about 2 hrs worth of non stop question for our instructor. The tail gate was over the top for us, we walked about 6 miles Friday. The stuff that was available we just don't fine around our area. I picked up what I need to finish my gas forge and my friend picked up a coal forge, railroad anvil, coal, tongs and everything else he need. I'm amazed my minivan made it home, we bottomed out real hard a few time from all the weight in the back. Hope to be up and running with a forge this weekend. Thanks you to everyone that put the event on. Jacob

I just received the steel burner flares I ordered from him Monday.

Pick up 2 at a Auction last Saturday for $50.00 each. Here in Michigan they cost between $75.00 - $140.00 not easy to fine.