Mr Smith

True But since it was rotating about the base, I didn't want you to have built it, and then found the rivet heads either run into the base, or provide too much friction. I think your phrase "low mound" hits the nail (rivet?) on the head :)

G'day! Check this page out... I think this might help Coke forge and sword!

Maybe I'll knock up a blueprint on the use and application of Vegemite.....

One cent coins were phased out nearly twenty years ago here, but I thought the rest of you might like this... Edit: As the photos posted was clearly copyrighted, Mr. Smith, can you take your own photo and post it. Glenn

I always thought that line was "Agent Orange sunset." Apologies if'n I'm wrong.

G'day Ian! If you've got that much left, I guess you found some Aerogard, eh?? :-) Yeah.. as Ian said... Id fit all the tenons, then lay the whole thing flat in the fire... heat up the tenon ends of the arches, then pein away! Like I say... add your $0.02 worth... it all helps!

Here you go! This is how *I* would approach the making of one of these. All comments / additions, suggestions - I know there'll be plenty - please add your $0.02 worth, guys. Apologies for the image quality - I knocked this up in about 15 min :-)

It looks like we're getting there! I'm gonna try and draw up a plan of how *I* would approach making one of these, and post it later on (Tuesday AM). The square hole in the anvil is the "hardy hole", therefore any tool that fits into this hole is a "hardy tool". Not sure on the linguistic origins of the name, though :)

The semi circular pieces have a tenon formed on the end of them. There are holes punched in the base, then countersunk. The tenon passes through, then the end is riveted. This means it is rivited as per usual, but sits flush with the base. Next question! :)

G'day! Not sure what it is you're asking here, and how much you know about these, but I *have* seen a set of plans for one of these before, In a 'smithing newsletter. Maybe someone else can remember exactly where... Basically, it comes in two parts, the upper part and the stand. Bread is put in between the uprights, then the upper freely rotates around the stand, allowing bread to be toasted on both sides, in front of a fire. As to a practical standpoint, I would say the decorative parts of the upper are joined via tenons, and the upper riveted to the stand. That's how *I* would do it, anyway. If you'd like more info, let me know! Best of luck, anyway! Here's a link! Cordless Toasters

Onya Dinny! Welcome aboard!

....I'm switching to Pepsi :)

Is that "Basic Blacksmithing"? I've had a look for UN specific publications, can't seem to find any where the links work :(

I remeber using a wire brush attachment on an angle grinder to clean up something or other. At the time. I was wearing my oldest, baggiest t-shirt, which I designated my "smithin' shirt". Big mistake. The end of the shirt caught on the bristles, and the angle grinder suddenly gave me a "nipple cripple". Thankfully I still have both, but I use a lot more vinegar for cleaning nowadays....

Mate, good to hear you're okay. All the best and get well soon!

Cheers! I found a cheap copy online! It's winging its way to me as I speak Any others???

G'day all! Does anyone have any info on making farm tools? I'm thinking specifically shovels, rakes, hoes, and pretty much any sort of tool you'd use for growing crops. Any books, blueprints, websites, it's all good! Thanks in advance!

I've just recently learned to forge weld, and the way I learned was by making chain. A lot of chain. With chain, you dont need to worry about getting two bits of metal in the right spot - they're already there. All that you need to worry about is the heat and flux. Hope this helps!

Day 3 (Monday) Monday was the day Malcolm Paine decided to drop in. He started out by making a beck (a kind of hoe and fork tool), then moved onto a pair of tongs. From memory, one half of a pair of tongs took him about 5 min. He does some fantastic work! He brought along an Anglo-Saxon style helmet he had made. Here's a few shots of our spoon-making enterprise. These spoons are made from a number 7 horseshoe nail, and sell for $2. They walk out the door (not literally).

Day 2 (Sunday) Chain, chain and more chain.... Last Sunday, one of the visitors to the shop showed me how to make chain. It's a great way to learn forge welding, because the two ends being welded can't move - all you need to worry about is the heat and flux. So, I spent most of Sunday making chain. Don't I look impressed??

The artwork in it was nice, though

Day 1 (Saturday) We had a good crowd, for our first day, which was suprising, considering it was AFL Grand Final day, and the West Coast Eagles were playing. All things considered, it was a good day. Highlights : Keith made a giant dinner triangle - it was fun to give it a belt with the hammer on the way past. Today's projects: chain (2 x 3 links) a branding iron in the shape of an '@', and a giant hook. I'll post photos later.

Prologue (Friday evening) Well, Show time is upon us again. For those of us at BAWA, its an opportunity to gat together, spend a week and a bit smithing, and catch up with our members who live outside the metro area. For a bit of background on the Show, check out : www.perthroyalshow.com.au Anyway, Brett needed his anvil and tools taken into the workshop, so we spent the evening loading it up. For the record, it's a 200kg Armitage Mousehole. How do two blokes shift a 200kg anvil, with only a hand trolley? Very carefully!

I can recommend the Upper Midwest Blacksmiths' DVDs. Quality is a little off, and there's not much editing, but at 6 hours and $5 apiece, you can't really go wrong. They do an online ordering thing - the bloke sending out the orders is a real nice guy. I have my eye on the knifemaking DVDs by Tim Lively, and the Wareham Forge DVDs - has anyone seen these? Are they okay?

I would suggest a tripod... There was one posted on here probably six months or so back, that could be assembled as a traditional three-legged contraption, or broken down into its components, then assembled as two uprights with a horizontal bar. Apologies to the original poster - it was a neat idea, and it's still in my "things to make pile", but I can't remember who you are Throw in a trammel, some pot hooks and a meat fork or two, and who could ask for more?? I think a google search for colonial cookware could turn up some more ideas.... :)