divermike

Frosty you have way more patience than I do, I watched about 1o minutes of it last night and switched over to an old Terminator movie. Now that is fabrication!!!

I pulled a whichakoozie rod and a finnegnal pin off a wreck in Belize, I made a drywall stretcher out of them!

Thanks guys, to answer some of the comments, Goose, yes it is just sitting there. Frosty next one will be a 3 legged rolled top, so thanks for the idea. Frank, to have a compliment from you just made my already good day wayyy better! Dave, I will try to get the tools together and take a photo!

Jim, you and the boys are certainly welcome Friday, should I get some rooms ready or what? Feel free to give me a call, the number is in the members list, maybe we can go out to dinner and beers! And yes, I am a bit nervous, but excited mostly!! Can't wait!

About 2.5 years ago I took a class with Alan Kress at the "Arc and Flame" school in Rochester NY. We started buidling the project only to find one of his jigs was wonky. When I got it home, it would not assemble correctly. I got frustrated with it and set it aside. Finally I revisited it and got it assembled. He was a really good teacher, the problem of fixing it was exaserbated by my blown out shoulder, and I just let it sit. So now here it is. I may change the glass and go with a bigger round. The one you see is 18 inches, I think a 24 inch round would look better.

The event starts at noon, but you are welcome to come a bit early. If you are a MABA member, the directions are in this months magazine.

And the fact that every blacksmith quenches everyhting he works on, not this boy!!

Unthinkingly I quenched a new made hold down, when I went to use it, I smacked it to get pressure on the work and it exploded into 5 pieces. All went in many directions, God was with me that day, but I never use water unless I intend to now.

The myth was that the metal was mined, and only found in Atlantis, great way to keep a secret eh? Just proves civilisations progress and technology goes much further into antiquity than modern historians are willing to admit.

At the end of every forging day, I pile green coal on top of my dying fire, this creates coke for the next time, Then when I'm ready to forge, I clean out the firepot, and toss some wood chips, shreds of card board and coke in, grab my hand held propane torch, I light the fire and toss more coke while letting a bit of air go into the tuyere.

I did not get to chime in on the original idea the thread was created for. I do tap, and if it bothers you, go away, it's fine with me. I'm a hobbyist, and as such, have not built up the muscles a professional would. And I grip the handle too hard, so I have trained myself, with rhythm, to relase the grip after 3-4 blows, this may not be as efficient as a pro would be, but again, I do it for the pure joy of it, not for profit. And it really makes a difference to my hand and forearm, so to all non tappers, may the Lord bless your efforts, and hopefully for those who apparently are intolerant of tapping, may he show you some grace, may you absorb some of it, and then when tapping starts to get under your skin, may that grace manifest itself.

Anvil man, my thinking exactly, I was out forging parts today, and guess what? I was looking at them and completely dissatisfied, so back to the drawing board, but I have time to make a few different kinds and decide what will work for the demo. I am having a blast, and one good side effect, my shop is better organised than ever!!

Peace to all and goodwill towards men, it is a thought we can sure dwell on with all the strife and discord. We have lost many smiths this year, may their families find peace in this season, health and happiness to all of you, happy hammering. Merry Christmas.

Thanks Jim, let us hope it is worth your time, and happy birthday in case I forget.

Shane, Just remember to introduce yourself to me, there should be quite the little crowd, I would love to meet you!

Frosty, that is kinda how I was thinking of going, thanks. Steve, cmon up! If you show up early I'll find something for you to do. Everybody brings grub for a share all.

As many of you know, I relocated to Kalamazoo about 1.5 years ago, and in the process built a new shop etc.. Well I have now been requested to host a meet at my place. I have hosted other meets in NY, but in this group, when you host, you demonstrate. So the shop cleanup and rearrangement has begun. The group consistantly has 35-50 people at their functions, and of course you want it comfortable for all. So on top of panicking about the demo, I am worked up about making space for food tables et. al. I am comfortable in front of crowds, but many of the smiths in this group make my best efforts look feeble, these are some seriously talented people. Thank God I have enough time to do all the cleaning, as well as some practice forging. I have decided on a simple colonial candle holder demo, with some other anecdotes tossed in. I could use some witticisms from you guys, and of course, any of you who would like to come, it would be great to see you!

I will be on my knees for her my friend, full recovery and little discomfort!

Donated it to the MABA Christmas meet gift swap yesterday, it was well recieved, makes me want to start another one!

Frosty, it gets cold here in Michigan too ya know!! whoohoo!

yeah, bummer Jim..oh well, see ya tomorrow at the Christmas dinner pal!

I have had this in my head for awhile, and while I still have a lot to learn, and I learn by doing, so I gave it a shot. I have taken 1 stained glass beginners class, and this was my first solo effort. I plan to take the next level class in february.

I recieved my Cergol Hammer, it's a 4 lb rounder, Brazael style, forge finish, Aaron did a fine job on it. I have to leave it under the tree till the 25th sadly! But my boys bought it for me for Christmas. I was sitting in the hot tub when I thought about posting a pic of it, thus the bathrobe!

Thank you all very much! She came through surgery like a champ, they have moved her to therapy already, she is up and around, eating and joking, she loved to hear you all were praying for her, and loved the hugs and kisses, you all are the best!!

I am very grateful for my friends on IFORGE, DK you are one of em!!