Nick

I had a zinc problem in my shop last summer, I put a crucible in the forge that somehow had zinc in it, and I didn't know it. When I saw the bluebell flames and smoke, I took it out of the fire, opened both sets of barn doors in my shop, and went outside. I didn't feel well the rest of the day, and I think the zinc is the reason. At least I noticed it when I did!

I wear my Merrel hiking boots in the forge, the same shoes I wear almost everywhere else. They provide the support needed for long periods of standing which I haven't found in other styles of footwear.

I'll be there with my friend Dan. We're going down Thursday, be there Friday and Saturday.

My favorite hat is a green Boy Scout fedora. It's heavier duty and wider brimmed than the ones you see in most stores. I've also got a BSA campaign hat, with the way prices are going it's probably over $100 new now. My favorite is a black Stacy Adams wide snap brim fedora with a white band. It's the sort of thing Humphrey Bogart would have worn. I'd like to get a vintage top hat, but it's hard to find ones that aren't worn around the crown and brim. And when I do find them, they're really expensive.

A friend gave me these tongs today, and I believe they're pipe tongs (as in smoking pipe), but I'm not sure. Apparently they were found in a barn. Most pipe tongs I've seen have a spring, but I've seen some without. And if they're not pipe tongs, what are they?

Thomas, do you have author and/or ISBN for the Mastermyre find book? I've heard quite a bit about it, but if there's a book on it I'd like to get ahold of it. I got The Knight and the Blast Furnace on ILL once, I need to either find a copy for myself or convince my local library to get a copy.

"Techniques of Medieval Armour Reproduction" by Brian R. Price. Covers armour construction from the 14th century. He includes some modern techniques, but also goes into historical methods as well. "Cathedral, Forge, and Waterwheel" is a nice book, but I'd approach it with caution. I read it and discussed it with my old college advisor, who's a medieval historian. I had found several mistakes in regards to the arms and armour of the middle ages, and we both agreed that while it's a fairly good introduction, the material is a bit suspect. Cheers, Nick

Very nice setup. I think my first suggestion would be to clean things up a bit. There are a lot of trip hazards, and a spill in there could be really messy, especially for visitors. Also, have you thought of a brick facing for the forge? You've seen the shop at Ishpeming, I'm posting pictures of it in the gallery for the other members to see. The group's been a bit inactive recently, but we're hoping to get things going again there. Cheers Nick

When baking on the plain linseed oil, is that brushing the oil on and holding it over the coals of the forge to dry it, or do you mean literally putting the piece in the oven?