ksb

Cat track pin. (used) K

The last em add. I had for Jeff Mohr is: mockingbirdforge@peoplepc.com KSB

If you can find the blower out of a old clothes dryer you can rig up a pulley system for it. KSB

Divermike - what a coincidence - I just finished one a couple of days ago. Used 1/4 x 3/4 flat. From a Bill Epps demo on anvilefire. About the same except the hook on his is sharpened to a point so it can be hung over/into something ( chair back, etc ) or into top top of a beam. He said the candle would hang out at an angle ( didn't say why ). Was somewhat of a challenge at my skill level ( or lack of skill level ) but I enjoyed it. Got to do another. KSB

One way to sorta tell - examp - several layers - heat up and watch colors fade. Looking at from the 'side' - layers visible - if a good weld colors will fade evenly across/down bar ( if that makes sense ) - bad weld will be brighter on one side of bad weld than the other or show up as a dark area. ksb

Also FABA member ( NW region). Probably best $25/year I ever spent. Great people and I have learned soooo much at meets. Site add is : Florida Artist Blacksmith Association Ken

True story ( really ). Two friends and I went up to JCC School a few years back for a class with D. Fogg. Got there just before dark and were standing outside reg building. Now .. I may be a little 'ragged' but my buddys are 'normal' looking, the tallest of us at about 5-7, 5-8. A lady drives up, parks and starts to go inside. Then she stops, turns around, takes a long look at us and says - "yall must be blacksmiths", then went on inside. ksb

Here's my gifts for the grand kids this year. Top one is for my granddaughter -1050 & ebony, next is for her brother - 5160 & linen micarta, next two are for other two grand sons - both 1095 and canvas micarta. ( sized pics down a bit ) KSB

I'll go along with what Truman said about used welders. I've got an old Forney ( 220v, 230amp ) we bought - prob in the mid 60's. It has been used and quite misused for many years. Has never failed me in any way - well I did replace the ground clamp once. KSB

Was at a meet a couple of weeks ago. An 'old timer' that buys and sells told me used anvils are going for $3 a lb. ( wouldn't sell me 10 lb. of one though ) KSB

I got a Clay Spencer t- hammer made in a workshop - skate wheels - works great. Ken

I use a full apron when grinding (and sometime when forging/welding) - keeps grit and other crud out of my pants and shirt pockets. And keeps clothes a little cleaner too. KSB

Been outa town - got back Sun. Hammer was in mailbox. Just wana say...... thanks Mr. Hofi. And thanks Mr. Conner for handling everything Ken

McRaven's book - The Blacksmith's Craft has pics and dimensions/materials for a cant hook. KSB

I was in the battery business for 29 years ( wholesale, repair, rebuilding, etc ). The first two or three years I didn't wear gloves ( and my hands showed it). So the rest of the time I wore every kind I thought would help - from dish washing to heavy lined rubber gloves and everything between. Sooo .. Im used to and comfortable working with gloves . I wear them almost all of the time in the shop. Another reason I seem to have developed a case of dermatitis. As I write this I have a crack on my left thumb that is sore and a large one on my right that really hurts. So gloves help protect my hands a little bit. I would really like to be able to work without them, but.... yeah - I wear gloves KSB