cheftjcook

Not sure if it has been mentioned yet... But since it just happened tonight I figured I'd throw it out there. I was in the garage/shop tonight cutting a heavy piece of angle iron on the chop saw, sparks fly'n everywhere it was beautiful...THEN...that old familiar burning feeling, But it was on my head! Well a sneeky little spark and a few of his friends found a spot were the hair ain't quite a thick as it used to be. Boy does that smart!!! I am sure it was a sight to see me patting my head for cinders and then resting an ice cold can of beer on the sore spots. Well any way I think from now on I will wear some kind of hat or bandana. Not nylon, maybe some nice soft cotton!!! TIM

Marc thats a neat looking treadle hammer, and all from found materials! congrats!!! I gotta get busy scrounging up parts. If I understand correctly you went with a hammer head that was lighter, giving up harder impact or force to speed up the times between hits, more hits per minute so to speak equals more work done. Has it worked out better? And after having built this one and experimenting do you feel there is an optimum hammer weight to go with? Is the bottom /anvil piece solid steel or is it a tube you filled with something and welded a face onto? TIM

Thomas, Thank you for the explanations and info. I think I like the Idea of the inline better than the pivot type. I found this example( see pic) on line I think I will try somthing like that as I scrounge more parts. Thanks again its appreciated. TIM

Irn, Sorry to hear about your wifes cat, It's like loosing a family member. But, that really is a beautiful little kitten! I know you said it was for your wife but I'll bet misty already has a soft spot with you too.(Grin) Tim

Thomas, I am not very familar so I have been reading what is available to catch up. One I was reading about is a "Gade-Marx" treadle hammer from an Abana web site. It seemed very similar to the clay spenser model except simpler. The author expressed the like for less moving parts and less fine adjustments. I really don't mean to sound stupid (but if the shoe fits) Its Better for me, trying to build one for the first time to get as much of a straight forward plan, less intricate the better. I think the plans were about $10. or so. There are plans all over for the clay Spencer treadle hammer. I guess I will have to buy a set to understand better the differnces you talk about. the toggle linkage, chain drive, etc. When you refer to inline is that the position on the hammer above the anvil base. The pics I looked at seemed to work on a pivoting upper arm dropping onto a lower anvil type plate. Not in line above the anvil/plate Again I appologize for lack of knowledge so please bear with me... It seemed I would need a tall beam in the back with the pivot arm, a shorter stout beam to hold the anvil or plate in the front and the pivoting arm would hold the heavy hammer. It also looks as though I would need to find some killer springs for the movement. And abviously a foot thingy to stomp on. Would I cut the large piece of steel I have and make one part the anvil and one part the hammer? Thanks for the patience TIM

'Twas the day before Christmas with things all a bustle. As mama got set for the Christmas Eve tussle. Aunts, uncles and cousins would soon be arriving With stomachs all ready for Christmas Eve dining. While I sat alone with a feeling of dread, As visions of lutefisk danced in my head. The thought of the smell made my eyeball start burning, The thought of the taste set my stomach to churning, For I'm one of those who good Norwegians rebuff, A Scandahoovian boy who can't stand the stuff! Each year, however, I played at the game To spare mama & papa the undying shame. I must bear up bravely, I can't take the risk Of relatives knowing I hate lutefisk. I know they would spurn me, my presents withhold If the unthinkable, unspeakable truth they were told. Then out in the yard, I heard such a clatter; I jumped up to see what was the matter. There in the snow, all in a jumble, Three of my uncles had taken a tumble. My aunts, as usual gave what for, And soon they were up and through the door. Then with talk and more cheer, an hour was passed As mama finished the Christmas repast. From out in the kitchen, an odor came stealing That fairly set my senses to reeling. The smell of lutefisk crept down the hall And wilted a a plant, in a pot on the wall. The others reacted as though they were smitten, While the aroma laid low my poor helpless kitten. Uncles Oscar and Lars said, "Oh, that smells yummy," And Kermit's eyes glittered while he patted his tummy. The scent skipped on the ceiling and bounced of the floor And the bird in the cuckoo fell to the floor. Mama announced dinner by ringing a bell; They pushed to the table with a yump and a yell. I lifted my eyes to heaven and sighed, And a rose on the wallpaper withered and died. With leaded legs I found my chair And sat in silence with an unseeing stare. Most of the food was already in place; There remained only to fill the lutefisk's space. Then mama came proudly with a bowl on a trivet, You would have thought the crown jewels were in it. She placed it carefully down and took her seat, And papa said grace before we would eat. It seemed to me, with my whirling head, The shortest prayer he'd ever said. Then mama lifted the cover on the steaming dish And I was face to face with that quivering fish. "Me first," I heard Uncle Kermit call, While I watched the paint peel of the wall. The plates were passed for papa to fill; I waited, in agony, between fever and chill. He would dip in the spoon and hold it up high; It oozed onto the plate, I thought I would die. Them came my plate and to my fevered brain There seemed enough lutfisk to derail a train. It looked like a mountain of congealing glue; Oddly transparent, yet discolored in hue. With butter and cream sauce I tried to conceal it; I salted and peppered, but the smell would reveal it. I drummed up my courage, I tried to be bold. Mama reminds me to eat before it gets cold. I decided to face it, "uff da," I sighed; "Uff da, indeed," my stomach replied. Then I summoned that resolve for which our breed's known. My hand took the fork as with a mind of its own. And with reckless abandon that lutfisk I ate, Within twenty seconds I'd cleaned up my plate. Uncle Kermit flashed me an ear to ear grin, As butter and cream sauce dripped from his chin. Then, to my great shock, he whispered in my ear, "I'm sure glad this is over for another year!" It was then I learned a great and wonderful truth, That Swedes and Norwegians, from old men to youth, Must each pay their dues to have the great joy Of being known as a good Scandahoovian boy. And so to you all, as you face the great test, Happy Christmas to you, and to you all my best! Unknown Sorry for the long post

Me Miller, What is a rusty hammer Anvil? Tim

Keep the Ideas comming... I am interested in the treadle hammer anvil that Thomas & Me Miller were suggesting. Do you guys have any style that would be better than another. I did a quick search for plans, can you point me to one of the better ones to check out. Thanks for the ideas so far, still keeping an open mind. TIM

Gentlemen, I consider my self well rounded ...no that's what the misses says of me. That aside (grin) I consider myself well versed in many foods & cuisines yet I have never tasted this famed "Vegemite" though I have heard of it. Its seems to have the same Aussie following as Americans for PB&J(peanut butter and Jelly) which by the way is the complete package of the food groups(Grin). So what is this stuff, I am going to have to smuggle some past the food police and give it a go! Any explanation or description would be helpful. Ian. your references to facial contortions after a taste, likens unto Tequila. In that as bad as it may be at first taste and the shudder as it goes down does not stop any of us from swilling the next shooter. Now I am assuming Vegemite to be much better tasting then fermented cactus juice. But I may be wrong. Maybe there will now be vegemite pushers selling on the seedy corners and back alleys of the City were generaly good folks will be forced go to get a fix of "folic acid & Vegemite" TIM

Nick, Man what a nice guy...I truely appreciate the thought!(grin) Tyler, I new it was heavy when I lifted out of my truck, but wow...230lbs Glad I did'nt drop it on my toes!!! TIM

"TODAY...is Yesterday's Tomorrow" Don't waste it!

Hey All, A friend gave me this piece of steel yesterday. It is a Rock Hammer Bit. I don't know what type of steel... Any guesses? I can tell you it is about 150 pounds(guess), it is 36" tall, 5 1/2" diameter. It has a rounded point at the top and a notched area towards the bottom. When struck with a hammer it rings like an Anvil. I was looking for some advice and Ideas as to what to use it for. Don't want to waste a neat gift. I thought about cutting a few 3 or 4 inch pieces on a friends bandsaw to make dishing tools like a I saw in a Bill Epps Tape. Any suggestions welcome! Thanks in advance for the help! TIM

G'Day Mister Smith, Saw some stuff on the Web like this A Blog... "Vegemite Banned in the USA? I just found out that Vegemite is banned in the States. From an American site called 'About Australia' where you can buy and send gifts of Australianism to people" Then a news site... October 21, 2006 12:00am Article from: Font size: + - Send this article: Print Email THE US has banned Vegemite, even to the point of searching Australians for jars of the spread when they enter the country. The bizarre crackdown was prompted because Vegemite has been deemed illegal under US food laws. The great Aussie icon - faithfully carried around the world by travellers from downunder - contains folate, which under a technicality, America allows to be added only to breads and cereals. Australian expatriates in the US said enforcement of the ban had been gradually stepped up and was now ruining lifelong traditions of Vegemite on toast for breakfast. Kraft spokeswoman Joanna Scott said: "The (US) Food and Drug Administration doesn't allow the import of Vegemite simply because the recipe does have the addition of folic acid.'' Well Ms Smith It must true from all the noise. I've never tried it so don't know what the fuss is about. What does it taste like? Have a good one TIM

Mike, You ask for comments... well many adjectives come to mind. Beautiful, neat, well thought out & setup, comfortable, user friendly. But the thoughts and feeling that comes to mind most are of JEALOUSY!!!(grin)You set up a great looking shop, some day I would love to try something in the same style. But till then I can eye yours for inspiration and dream. God bless and best of luck with it, looks like you realy did a great job of it! TIM

mcraigl, That is really neat. My Grandpa though not a Smith lived to be 98 and saw changes I can't fathom. I loved hearing tales of the changes he saw from horse and buggy days to the Moon Shot and the computer age. Enjoy the history, treasure Grandma and be proud of that heritage. I for one enjoyed it, and think it was a perfect post for a blacksmith forum! TIM

Thanks Jens the tutorial was a big help. The finished sheath looks great. I like he deer antler button in adds a real touch!!! Do you use a machine to sew or punch holes and/or use a sewing awl like for canvas? Thanks Again TIM

Woody that is some beautiful work! TIM

Alan,I run a gas forge and a while back I was asking for ways to get it hotter and a few goods folks explained to me about a coating you use on the lining of the forge. It acts in a few different ways as I understand it. One is as a reflective or refractory agent to increase the temp. A second is to bind or seal the funky dangerous fibers in the lining from coming apart and being inhaled as you are working. A third was to protect the fire brick from the welding compound as it will eat away at it. The name is ITC100, I am sure many more knowledgable people here can give you good advice about it. TIM

Jens That is beautiful... Help me, I have never done any leather work what is knydex? Thanks TIM

Linconl, Here is something may be of interest on ebay Item number: 150046410240 ... WROUGHT IRON TOASTER PLANS BLACKSMITH It looked neat thought it might help TIM

Congratulations!!! Grab a hammer you are ready to go... Good Luck Tim

CONGRATULATIONS !!!!!!! That is quite an accomplishment, Happy for you and your family. TIM "The futures looking so bright you gotta wear shades"

Irn, Woody, Rich, Thomas or anybody who is knowledgable with this stuff...As we are on the eye ware subject... I definately could and maybe others could too... use a little advice from those more experienced with eye protection. I have to be honest I know how important it is but many times I wonder what type of safety glasses are correct. I use a face shield at the grinder or with whizzers because that stuff flys everywere. But for the forge I have bought clear/tinted wrap around style('cause they look cool, sheepish grin) Now I have heard of didium sp? or something like that glasses and other such stuff...will they protect better from the different light spectrums what does it do and what do we need to be best protected. I am serious about this now because I have been flashed welding before (that is not fun) and don't want to do damage to eyes. Certainly don't want to be the "blind blacksmith guy" telling my horror story at the next NJBA meeting when I could have asked for advice and been safe. Thanks TIM

That is incredible, words don't begin to describe the feeling you get. If that doesnt choke you up abit....To see that kind of love and dedication between a father and son.

Where: Peter's Valley is in Layton NJ (Northern New Jersey) where there are still open spaces and the country is Beautiful.(Grin) What: If this were the late 60's, it could very respectfully be called an Artist Colony. How they describe themselves: " Peters Valley is a nationally recognized center for fine craft. Founded in 1970, we are located in rural, northwest New Jersey in the scenic Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area." They said it best!!! It is a great place to visit & learn from. They host many different workshops by the Industries names as well as locals, from raw begginer to really seasoned pro stuff they have a class to suite. Blacksmithing is just one of the many, but It is the Best in my opinion(Grin)!!!! The Blacksmith program is run by Dick Sargent ( I think he has posted here and has a few blueprints as well and a great guy!!!), previously I know John Raiz & Megan Crowley were department heads also great people. They have had instructing besides Dick Sargent, Jim Wycoff, Zack Noble, Bill Epps was there in June, Lucian Avery, Randy McDaniels, just to mention a few sorry I can't remember any more. And the list of workshops and special instructors changes with every new year. The facility is neat, it is a couple of big barns set aside for blacksmithing and such. I believe they now have 8 or 10 forge stations, a huge variety of hand tools as well as a tredle hammer and a couple of power hammers, welders, saws (like blacksmith heaven). Most of the shop is Coal forge but they do have a gas setup also. Many proffesional smiths stop in to say hi durring courses and are always willing to answer questions or show a few things to us rookies. Blckbear, Ferrous, I think it is well worth a trip for the "Pig Iron Fest & Smelt" there is lodging very close as well as some stuff on site. The smelting alone was a site to see and learn from. It would also make a great trip to line up one of there 3 or 5 day courses, there are also 2 day weekend courses as well for those with less time. Sorry I rambled, but I do enjoy the place when I have time to attend Here is the web site: Peters Valley Workshops TIM