divermike

Picked up this block and stand from my buddy Aaron Cergol, came from a small shop in northern England that closed in the 70's.

Hello folks,

It's been some time since I last visited, I have this cone I just procurred, I have never seen one quite like it, the layered effect really is interesting, maybe all the others were ground down and not so visible, not sure, would love your thoughts.

You might be ...if you're afraid when you die that your wife will sell your anvils for what you told her you paid for them!

35 minutes ago, divermike said:

Thanks fellas, here's one I just got around to cleaning up, it followed me home 2 months ago!

Trenton 122 lb.

Thanks fellas, here's one I just got around to cleaning up, it followed me home 2 months ago!

My recent birthday present, 342 lb. double horn, no discernible makers mark, happy happy! Thanks to Aaron Cergol and Steve at Blacksmith Barn, for arranging my picking it up.

Well it appears to me that this is not the anvil he was thinking of, so we might have to go out again and find another one, but this one finally got pulled from the bottom of the creek, yes 3+ years later!! Lots of work to do on this old boy!!

Had the chance to go to a local flywheelers swap meet last saturday, picked up these two beauties, prolly will sell em as I have one already. Both need springs, offers by PM if you are interested, or my pm

I was offerred the opportunity to go visit a friend yesterday, I knew he was a sharp dude, but now, after visiting his many shops, and seeing his knowledge base, I basically think this guy operates on a whole different level of thought than most, if not all of the rest of us. I had had several conversations with him, and we had spoken of his teaching me a bit on some treadle hammer techniques. Now I realize that every move he makes would likely be an education for me.And the tooling! Sheesh ! I will spend my next couple shop sessions trying to make a couple tools he showed me. Understanding all this guy has to teach, I now just have to find time with our schedules to absorb a bit. Hats off to Jim C.

Satchel, I would love to have you visit sometime. And yes, I am planning another one, maybe in the fall, but if you are coming this way, let me know a couple weeks ahead of time, and I will be glad to show you a thing or two.

Check out the New York State Designer Blacksmiths, I am a member, and visit when I can. They will further your efforts far faster than you can do on your own. You won't regret it. A finer bunch of folks would be hard to find.

Gergaly, if ever you cross the big water, and make it to Michigan, make sure you let me know ahead of time, and we can spend an afternoon or more enjoying each others company and perhaps do some forging.

I really spent some time on this one, and the portable Mag drill is really the tool I want. Had a couple chances at one and passed, now kicking myself for it.

No problem bud, I just got it from somewhere else.

DK, I kept it simple, I made a decorative element which can be used as a drawer pull, or wax collector or whatever, I also made a "colonial sash candle holder", and an organic element using negative space. Also I used a few quotes from this site, blacksmith gems!! It was a real good time. The fact that they asked me to do it again in the future was the topper on the event!

The hammer-in went well! We had 44 people show up to my shop, and even some dignitaries from I Forge Iron! Thanks to Glenn for sending the T-shirts, and to Steve Sells for bringing them up and adding items to the raffle. We got a few of us to sit still long enough for a photo.
From right to left, me, Black Frog, Aaron Cergol, Jim Coke, Steve Sells and SJS (Shane), my brain is mush after hosting and demonstrating, all went smoothly thanks to many helpful hands. I was careful to remember to wear my Iforge T-shirt I got from Glenn.

Kevin Johnsen had attended also, but had already left by the time the Photo was taken.

I would be willing to assist any vet that thought it would help. I have many friends in blacksmithing that are old vets, must be something to it!

Robbie,

if you want to come to the event, message me and I can give you directions, or Jim or steve can!

It would be preferable that the iron in the hat submission be something forged if possible. For newbs we understand that you feel you might not want to contribute right at the outset, but by getting the raffle tickets, sometimes you bring some very cool stuff home.

Yes the drift drops right down through the hardy hole.

A couple of the MABA members have coal for sale, might wanna check their website.

Bring a dish to pass, and a few bucks to get iron in the hat tickets. A chair and a set of safety glasses. We eat first, then do the demo afterwards, then the raffle.

Here is the drift set and support plate I used for the project  Lots of filing and handwork, I see now how much the really good projects require, boy have I got a long way to go!!

Looks like we are gonna have a packed house! Dick tell Tom I gotta guy!! Steve, you are in charge of t-shirt sales!! Should be a grub fest as well!

Steve, if you have any notion to come, just pm me, I will gladly give you the secret handshake, and the codex opening code.


Frank, thanks for the tidbits, I have been a public speaker for several years now, that part is easy. It is the forging in front of far more accomplished smiths that is the only real concern. So I will keep the project simple and enjoy the give and take, I do have a cool little decorative element I will be adding to the mix.