notownkid

My son did French & Indian war re-enactments for a while and that was that era 1750-1760.  He was a French trooper as our family were Abernaki Indians and French ancestors.  Will have to see what he had for a knife, he researched it big time even made his own 1756 French Musket. Interesting stuff to make.   

Nice job

Headed home to Vermont for 4 days in the morning leaving -10 in Conn. to go to -25 don't think I'll get much done in the shop this weekend, do some figuring on the new set up with my son and have a belated Christmas with him and my brother.  Got some gun work in the warm basement that I've put off for foul weather, looks like about as foul as I need.  Also need to get my 6 1/2' snowblower on the JD 4x4 Tractor as more snow due tonight and Sun there.  Love that thing one pass and it's gone, will handle easy 3' deep at a time.  No snow banks to push later.  Should have done it in Nov.

66 degrees in Jan, isn't that illegal or something, Tom?   Zach love your guillotine.

Will ring my anvil for Toby Hickman as well.  RIP Toby, good man, great blacksmith!

Floor for new shop, getting shop set up.  Then I'd love to make smoke and noise

A Very Happy New Year to one and all from Frozen Vermont to everyone around the world in the IFI Family.

Dale 

He was the Demostrator and teacher at the Spring Meet of the New England Blacksmiths this past May for three days a really nice gentleman, instructor and human.  He will be dearly missed by many. 

My first blacksmith experience(IN THE 1950'S) was cranking the blower for a old fellow who restored Carriages and Sleights he re- ironed them there.  Including replacing steps, whip socket holders, dashes, many, many little things that were other wise unobtainable.  He was real good at it and I've wished I'd paid more attention to it, as I get much older and have my own carriages and sleigh. 

Now that I think further on this subject,

Glenn,  Thanks for running IFI so the rest of us can be in contact with other like interested folks.  It certainly is no easy task.

              Thank You!

               Dale Johnson

A number of years ago I read an article on something like this.  It said to Id, two people(could be more) that helped you along down the road you have or are traveling.  Think about what these people did for you and send them a note thanking them. 

I did just that and it was reported back to me that these people were overjoyed to receive the note.  One has since passed and the other now 96 always mentions it when we meet. 

It doesn't have to be a one time thing as we receive help over and over through the years. 

Amazon.com has the book listed at $109.00, a couple "Good" used for $82.  That's as of this AM

Certification by some organization isn't the end answer, all one has to do is look at Doctors, Teachers, Lawyers, Police, on and on.  Some are very good, many are so so and a growing number are just plain BAD, but they all met the Standards, they all say they are the best.  Next to impossible to get rid of the so so and BAD ones, and Steve I bet you would say the same for some Electricians. 

Are all Master Smiths equal in their work, I don't know but I'll bet they are not!

See if there is a Tool & Die Shop, or Machine Shop round you, they heat treat their die tools or take them to a heat treater in the area. 

But I stayed in a Holiday Inn Express last Night!

You want 12 opinions ask 8 blacksmiths the same question, as stated elsewhere on IFI,

Take your car or truck to an  independent repair shop most of the mechanics there have No Certifications but their employer will charge you $100 + an hour for their flat rate in this part of the country.  Dealers are barely better.  ASE testing they advertise is at best a joke, book testing no practical at all.     

50 yrs. ago to become a Firefighter one had to learn to "Put the Wet Stuff on the Red Stuff"  At the end of 30 yrs. that was still one of the most important thing to know.

Congress to my knowledge hasn't had the time to pass certification requirements on Blacksmiths so maybe "you is when you say you is"  and "know enough to hit the hot red thing with big hammer"

Chain binder maybe but nothing very heavy as the chain appears to be rather light to bind much weight.  Doesn't seem to have a "snap over" to lock it down tight like a chain binder today.    

Tie rods from Ford 4X4 steering work great as well, esp. some are 4-4 1/2' long.

I'd say it is a tightener/stretcher of some sort, rather interesting.

post split

Or Troy Vermont! 

Welcome Vascar, a lot of nice people on  IFI and A LOT OF GOOD INFORMATION FROM VERY KNOWLEGEABLE SMITHS.

Try contacting the History Society of Guelph, Ont. Direct or the Town/City Offices for the History expert in the area.  I do historic research and Google does very little for me in initial research sometimes helps after you get some information going from a local source.  All the worlds information isn't on Google regardless what they would like you believe.   

Looking good, now hang your stocking with care inside and St Nick might finish it for you!

Never let a day go by you don't learn something new, even if it is something you learned a month ago and had forgotten already.!

very nice, Kind of hate to see it dirty from use!  Also interested in the "ground clearance"

greetings from Central Vermont, glad to see you on the site.  A lot of info here for the looking.  I just had a new retirement blacksmith shop 16'x20' built as I got told to move my stuff out of the garage before I burned it down.  Didn't spend time debating it just said "Yes Honey" & called my contractor.  Waiting till summer to get a concrete floor in it if the cash becomes available. 

As Steve said lots of nice people from lots of places here and they like to share info. 

Good Luck

Looks like a Wok to me

Rule of Thumb, you're offering a service on your property, someone gets hurt, You are going to be Sued.  That is regardless of what people sign.  The old Lawyer saying "You Knew or  Should Have Known X might happen".  Best Lawyer Wins, You lose regardless by having fees and a bad press event. 

What I wish I had is more education on steel, types, classifications, knowledge that comes from someone who knows.  Like most people in the northern rural areas of the US we have limited access to suppliers.