highlander

Copper stem with brass petals. Valentines Day gift for my mother.

Hello, fellow Delawarean!

i use a mousehole just like that except mine is a bit swaybacked. nice scores.

I looked at that anvil when it was posted for $450. Good to see they came to their senses. glad to see you are back online again, i sent you a PM

vise and a drawknife

Very cool mike!

fuel consumption and efficiency varies a fair bit with different forges. i say buy a bag of it and go to town! see what happens and report back to us.

.... are you serious?

Let me google that for you

20lb propane tank. 8inch openings on both sides. venturi burner. picture was taken on my cell phone whilst firing the mizzou refractory. more pictures tomorrow when i have a real camera with me.

its an old old old mousehole. made 1740-1780. I have one very similar minus the chips.

do you have any coating on that ceramic blanket in the forge? if not buy itc100 and apply it ASAP. ceramic insulation(kaowool, inswool) is a respiratory hazard when hot, plus the flames will ruin it in no time flat.

That's why I don't do computer work like I used to.

Vaseline works as pulling lube as well. you DON'T want to use something that will eat at the jacket on the wire or the conduit/tubing. don't use motor oil!!! if you will be pulling a lot of wire(lots of lamps or a long windy run in a lamp) go to the store and buy wire-aide, clear glide or some other wire pulling lube specifically designed for the purpose.

hehe ive used a vacuum many many many times to fish through conduit that i cant shove a fish tape in. use a small diameter string like a fishing line and tie a light foam ball or cotton ball or whatever is the proper size for the pipe. go to the other side and turn on the vacuum! if you need heavier duty string, use the fishing line to pull your heavier string into the pipe.

the only issue is that its a harbor freight and its probably made of mild steel. It wouldn't hold its edge as well as if you were to use an old chisel or something

i appreciate all the feedback including yours, mark. the rose was a first, and i decided to go with a thicker closed petal. if you have ever had a rose bush, you know that the flowers don't all look the same all of the time. sometimes they are closed. sometimes they are open. sometimes they are partially open. i am still learning this blacksmithing thing and i will be learning every day until i can't swing the hammer anymore. first rose and first try. next one will be better. i promise.

ive tried forge welding with an o/a rosebud and all its good for is wasting gas and oxygen. you dont get enough heat on the whole piece and by the time you put the torch down safely and pick up a hammer its already cooled.

spray i down with wd40 every now and then to prevent rust if the air is humid where your shop is (im near a river)

Made my first rose today. I think it turned out alright.