Holzkohle

I have been using electrolysis since 2006 to clean more than 1000 pieces of cast iron cookware. It only removes rust (and paint except aluminum) with no harm to the cookware. I use approx. 2 handfuls of carbonate of soda to 5 gallons of water in a plastic barrel lined with stainless steel sheet. From what I have read there is no risk of hydrogen embrittlement in this method. The stainless does have to be replaced periodically but is much longer lasting than using steel for the sacrificial. A manual battery charger is necessary. Jerry

For coal- Sidney Lee Welding Supply,2247 U S Hwy 41, Hampton, GA. 30228 Jerry

We had 21 members and 6 visitors. I believe that we will gain 3 new members from the visitors. Jerry

Well, if it is cast iron, I don't think that you would be looking for a blacksmith, but a foundry. I would probably start in the vicinity of the antique dealer.

A cashier/assistant preferably knowledgeable about your work and product. Whenever I try to demo and sell, just about the time the iron is hot, someone wants to buy something. And the cycle goes on and on.

Try Sidney Lewis Welding Supply,2247 US HWY 41, Hampton, Ga 30228. 770 946 4287. Last Oct, 50# bags of blacksmithing coal were $17.50 with bulk buys progressively lower depending on the quantity purchased.

Vaughn. Just curious, were you in your own vehicle or in a gov't or company vehicle with logo? That may have had something to do with your reception.

SReynolds and Utaholdiron A belated thanks to both of you. Finally got back to the blower yesterday and removed the fan. There was a key in the slot and it is threaded. Any idea why the key is in the slot? Thanks Jerry

PK There is no shoulder. The threads run into the fan body. Cannot see under the fan to determine if the threads run all the way through. It may be unsual, but that's the way it is.

PK The shaft is threaded and the fan is keyed-approx 1/8"-key.

TenHammers Right hand thread-nut and washer previously removed. The problem is how to remove the key. Was wrong about free rotation of the fan on the shaft

I scanned a number of threads on the 400 but could not find how to remove the fan. The fan shaft is threaded, fan is fixed in place with a key, appears not to be enough room to drive the key through and there is some free rotation of the fan on the shaft. Thanks Jerry

My forge is made from the bottom of a pot bellied stove (already cracked) with a brake rotor to reduce the depth to about 4-5 inches with the tuyer and clinker breaker bolted to the rotor. Works just fine. Made with what I had on hand.

A nice Craigslist find picked up today: very nice Peter Wright-207#, Chanpion rivet forge and blower, Chanpion post drill (with feed pawl) and a 4" post vise.

According to Mr Postman's "Mousehole Forge", it was made ca 19ll.

Thomas. Actually on Fri Dec 10, I did find a Champion portable forge with a rectangular fire box, a type of friction drive to the blower, seized, and missing the legs. The only problem was the price:$195. I let that one stay. Where I bought the two anvils, the owner had a 70# Fisher,1891, in excellent condition; found it the day before at a scrap yard or dump. Not for sale. As you have said the anvils are out there, just have to look for them and sometimes have a bit of luck.

Went back to MS to visit younger brother weekend before last and on Sat In Vicksburg found a Champion 400, rough but now operational. On the return home on Monday picked up a Swedish Sodorfors 100#, edges rough but face flat, and an early Peter Wright, 94#, edges rough , face flat. Then on Wed in Columbus,Ga got an Acme (Trenton) 100# in very good condition.

I last bought there about two years ago and it was $15 per bag, May be about $17 now. Best is to call and ask. I bought a 1000# and got a better price. I know of one source in the vicinity of Macon that the price is right but for me the quality is not for me. In bulk, stoker coal , lots of fines and to dirty. Jerry

I would suggest Sidney Lee Welding Supply, 2247 U.S.Hwy 41, Hampton, GA 30227. Ph 770 946 4287. Very good blacksmithing coal, 50# bags Jerry

Timothy. Welcome to IFI> How about being a bit more specific as to your location. There is a good probability that there is a smith or forge group neaby that can help you get started. Jerry

For about 3 1/2 years I participated in a living history group portraying the 1836 time frame. I was the primary open hearth cook and early on we had very few attendees. After a while, I was feeding 10-20 people sometimes more. If you were there when the food was ready, you were invited to join us for lunch. In order to cover costs which at that time were basically coming from my pocket, I started having a donation kettle on the table. Some days there were very small donations and on others the amount would surprise me. In a short time we had a sufficient fund to cover food costs, which was the intent of the kettle. Jerry

I use two handfulls of washing soda to 5 gallons of water which works very well, generally run between 10 & 20 Amps depending on how much cast iron I have in the barrel. I normally use the process for cleaning cast iron cookware. My barrels are lined with stainless sheet which lasts much longer than an iron product. Jerry

Mike: I hope that while you were at Rudesheim, you took the time to visit the Asbach Uralt distilery. They turn out an excelent product. Unfortunately when I was in Germany, I was not interested if iron work. My loss. Jerry

Glenn Thanks for the welcome to the AFC. I am the Sec/Treas of the Phenix City Forge, affiliated with the AFC. We meet on the 4th Sat, 0900hrs Eastern, at the Blacksmith Shop at the Ft Mitchell Landmark Site. The site is on the original location of an 1813 fort which was later involved with the relocation of the Creek Indians to Ok. While we are only 20 months old, we have a fairly active forge averaging 10 members attening each meeting. The site closes at 1700hrs and we are there as long as anyone wants to work on a project. We welcome anyone who has an interest in black smithing and might want to join our forge. For more info, you may contact me through this site or at gmel@infionline.net. Jerry

I just purchased 2940# of coke(from coal) for $794 delivered to Phenix City, AL to a site with a fork lift. That's $16.21/60# bag (equivalent to $13.50 per 50# bag-sellers quote-) 2000# was $587 or 14.68per 50# bag The coke cost was good on orders shipped by June30,2011. I am sure the transportation costs have increased since my order. This was from"L Brand" www.BlacksmithCoke.com. Ed Avolio, 678-360-3521 While I have not used prepared coke before I decided to take a chance on it. After all from what I have read here that is what most of the smith's use in the UK. In addition I am not sure if the AL Forge Council had planned to buy a semi load this year as they usually do. Jerry