jwilson645

We meet the 2nd Sunday of each month (except Mother's Day). 9am til ? at the Bell Barn, Tannehill State Park. 2014 calendar of projects Jan. 12- Punches, chisels & drifts- Staff Feb 9- Slitting, drifting & punch- Staff Mar 9- Split cross- James Whatley Apr 3- Trammels- Mike Linn May 4- Railroad spike wizard- Mike Linn June 8- Knife- Glynn Holmes/Dale Huckabee July 13- Quarter Mokume- Glynn Holmes Aug 10- Conference Project- Cat tail sculpture- Staff Oct 12- Square corners- Mike Linn Nov 9- Holiday Party- Mark Haddix Dec 14- Flint & steel kit- James Whatley

That's exactly what I needed to know. Thanks guys!

It is around 50lbs and appears to be in good shape. Problem is I can't find anything about it. I've tried google images and only saw one similar but there was no info on it either. I'm guessing by the size it's a farrier's anvil? Anyone ever seen one like this and know anything about it?

I just found this and watched the whole thing during my lunch break. I found it to be very interesting so I'm passing it along. Enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozCdCdGOliE&sns=em

I had to scroll all the way until 2am to find it on my DirecTV guide so keep looking. It was also going to be replayed this weekend.

The smith that was doing the demo brought the blade pieces and said it was 5160.

No where near finished but I worked on this Sunday at our local forge. It's made from 1.25" mild steel with a piece of 5160 (lawnmower blade) for the bit. This was just my second time forging. It was also my first time forge welding and it was successful on the first try. Something I'm proud of. Just need to finish my home forge so I can finish this project up. You can see the piece of 5160 in the end here. Here is where I am right now. This is the sample that the instructor brought.

Picked up a couple of things at the flea market last weekend. Found a fireplace poker and shovel for $3.00 each (I was going to make a set anyway), some type of scissor tong for a fireplace also (I think) and wooden baseball bat. The tongs I have already started modifying to use until I make a proper set. These are kind of thin. The bat is going to become a tucking mallet for shaping sheet metal on my big oak stump.

I am very new too. One tip that I was told of by a destinguished IFI member is to reshape those wooden handles. Grab the hammer and find your sweet spot (where you choke up on it) then chop it off right behind your hand. Most handles are round so take a rasp or a sander and make it more oval, almost rectangle. Then adjust your grip as the poster above suggested. You'll be amazed at how much better that hammer feels in your hand.