SteveW

Hi Shocks!

Sorry I’ve only just seen this. I’m over Lanson way, near Warbstow I’m in the process of setting up a workshop at the moment and sorting my life out, so hello, and maybe we’ll meet up at the IFI day at Westpoint.

Steve.

I have just has the first quote back, this one from Eastlake & Beachell…..

I’m hoping to feel better soon….

I have reached the point that I will very soon be needing some workshop and public liability insurance. To cover not only the workshop during normal use, but when it is being visited by customers and also to cover me when attending shows and craft fairs etc.

Who do you use, and who should I avoid please?

Try your local steel stock holders, there are some in Plymouth, or Andrews in Cornwall, if you are going to the Royal Cornwall Show, go to the metalwork feature tent down towards the Countryside area and next to the Young Farmers tent, one of their reps should be there, and would be able to tell you if they can supply or not, otherwise Austen Knapmans, Woodberry Chilcott, or Macallisters should be able to supply.

Note these small sizes are usually supplied in shorter lengths than larger sizes 3 or 4 metres rather than 6 to 7, you may also have to take bright bar as opposed to cold rolled particularly in the 5mm range

i know that in my steel supplier ( ests (( eastern steel )) ) in norwich you can get 6mm square round.....but you are no where near there !

alec

I’m trying to get hold of some 5/6mm mild steel square bar to make hooks etc from, the people who I’ve been dealing with locally can only get sizes down to 10mm in full lengths. Does anyone know where I can get full lengths of these smaller diameter bars?

Thanks to Steve for the pics, turned out well. Big but it does show the detail

I just wanted to say thank you to John for all the effort he put in to organise this weekends IFI Forge-in. It’s a shame that we had to cut the weekend short due to a lack of support on the Sunday, but the few of us that managed to make today were treated to a fine display of bladesmithing by Dave Budd, who managed to pack a lot of information into the time we all had together.

Dave demoed a smallish stick tang knife from start to finish, including two different methods of drawing the temper. All in all it was a very enjoyable and informative day.

I have included a few bad photos of a very good day and would urge anyone thinking of trying to make the September date, to try very hard indeed, you won’t be disappointed

I just realised I forgot to thank Dave for his time and effort in the above post, so thanks very nuch Dave it was facinating stuff. :)

Dodgy car willing, I'll be there...

This weekend we had a firwelding masterclass for those who wanted hands on experience and guidance, most were 'smiths who had basic knowledge and had tried for themselves, so just wanted to see and hear how it was done, with an opportunity to try for themselves.

Unfortunately I have no pictures to show but this is how it went.

Saturdays programme and demos,
Faggot weld,
Making scarfs,
Lap weld, drop tongs style
Bolt end scroll (Large round bar welded to a thin fishtail scroll end),
T weld (for trivet or candleholder or companion set or .... bases)
Branch welds (2 flat bars welded together, then these two welded to a second bar)
Then another branch weld, two outer bars welded to an inner bar,
What I would call a Short Folded bar end (for buds or berries eg mistletoe, on flowers etc)

Then on Sunday practice for those wishing to do it under guidance, and a further multi element (Bundle weld?) For a finial consisting of a central Twisted spearhead, with a curly wurly element at either side, flanked on the outer side with two scrolls.

This detailed finial was one that came in for restoration and a picture of the original can be seen on this site http://muddywellies.net/devon-county/the-blacksmith-his-work-tools-and-training towards the end of the article titled Restoration, I would like to point out that the article names me, but I am only one of many and it is the people involved and Guild members, that make these courses a success, not just me.

A succesful weekend, and don't forget the iForge weekend at Westpoint on May 29th and 30th when anything is up to ask about or you can give us a demo, bring your excess tools or books or blacksmith related items to sell Refreshments and luch available for only a tenner.

So did I many years ago Sam it was the highlight of otherwise boring chemistry lessons

My step son wasn’t so lucky though, he and a friend stole a flask of mercury from the school lab and played with it around the school during the lunch break. Once the teachers found out the school was evacuated and all soft furnishings carpets chairs etc had to be removed and replaced by a firm of hazardous materials specialists. They were lucky not to get expelled. Times change eh… ;)

Be very careful with it chaps it is very very toxic, not just the material, but the fumes too.


Steve : in Granny sucking eggs mode.....

http://traditionalcraftsblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/closure-of-new-entrants-training-scheme.html

This is a bit of news that may have slipped below the radar here in the UK. It will be a real shame if nothing can be done to get the funding reinstated.

Won on ebay for the grand old price of £1.00.

Hi again
Thanks brasilikilt I knew I’d seen something like that before,

Thanks for the safety tips chaps. The tank is an old one and hasn’t been used for years; however I’ve left it sitting in a field for a month with all the caps open, so it’s half full of rain now anyway. I’ll be cutting it with a grinder, but even so I’ll be taking great care.

I have managed to get hold of an old farm Diesel tank that I plan to make into a hearth. It’s 4 foot square and is apart from some easily removable internal bracing, just a big steel box. The plan is to cut out the middle of three adjoining sides and have the top as the smoke hood and the bottom as the hearth with the remaining side to hold it all together. I also plan to fabricate a wet tuyere so it will be a traditional side blast style forge. Before I get all Medieval on it with an angle grinder, if anyone has any thoughts on a better more efficient way to cut it I’d rather know now before it’s too late. I could also do with some advice on how to make a simple wet tuyere and air flow regulator. Sizes and materials would help enormously, actual plans would be even better.

Thanks in advance

That’s very inspirational work; I’m very impressed with the Dragons particularly the adjustable spanner one. It ticks many boxes, technically impressive and quirky at the same time

http://farriersupplies.co.uk/category.php?id_category=74

http://www.scobiesdirect.com/ItemInfo.asp?ItemDesc=Jumbo+Wooden+Block+Brush&ItemNo=CM20001

All + VAT and packing.

I just had a go with some plasticine and it all makes sense now.


Now, where do I get a pair of these all seeing smithing eyes, and how much will they cost me ?

Looks good John, I particularly like the eighth one, it’s quite unusual. I’ve seen it used before, but don’t have a clue how to do one.

Steve

I just wanted to give you all a quick reminder that this weeks Mastercrafts episode is the Blacksmith one broadcast on Friday at 9pm BBC 2.
It will be available on BBC I player shortly after.

I have watched both of the first two programs, Green woodworking and Thatching and have enjoyed them both. I would have liked to see a little more emphasis on the craft and maybe a little less on the novices, but that is only a minor niggle as both programs were at least as far as I’m concerned very informative and beautifully shot and produced. I have my fingers crossed that the next one will be as good as the first two.

I also have a foot in the Green woodworking camp and many of the people who run courses have said that there has been a noticeable rise in enquiries and bookings for courses as a direct result of the program.

Steve.

They look very very nice Beth, well done! You need to get a website up and running soon so we can all see your work.

I’d completely forgotten the Rose and flower course was on at the weekend, I wanted to go to that, but with another house move in the next few weeks I’m stuffed till April at the earliest. If you decide to do another one later in the year John I’d be very interested, it looks like you did the students proud again.

Don’t sit on the fence Sam, say what you mean.

I fear you will be right though, but if it sends some of those “urban halfwits” to a local Smith with pockets full of brass for the latest bit of must have ironwork it won’t be such a bad thing. Anything that tells the public and the powers that be, that traditional crafts are very much alive and kicking can only be a help to anyone working in a much underappreciated and misunderstood industry …maybe. :blink:

Hi John
Humm, sounds like I’ll just keep looking or maybe take a chance on the bouncy castle blower as a stop gap till something better comes along.

Re Mastercrafts, I have my fingers crossed they don’t spoil what could be an interesting and informative peek at our craft heritage, but, it is television, and we all know how easy it would be for some bright spark from the production company to have an idea that sends the whole thing backside upwards.

Hi Steve, emphasis on a quick bit, and I don't think Argos would be stocking their products, or catering for their clients either.

What was the outcome of the fan you were considering purchasing?