Matt in NY

That is substantial!

Sounds like you have the right attitude. That's good medicine.

I was mainly interested in some history or info re the number 8 forge. Thanks

Any web sites that give info on Champion Forges? Mine is a No. 8. I haven't seen any pictures like it. I either see square pots or three legs, mine is round and has four legs.

I plan on starting very slowly, but will make an effort to get some time in every day, except Sunday. I have thought about nail making as a warm up for now and perhaps graduating to chain making in the future. Today went pretty well. My face didn't get nearly as black!

I finally fired up my forge. I had several reasons for the delay: if I started when I got my anvil in September I'd neglect the rest of my work, I didn't have a place set up to work and I like to prepare mentally by reading up on any given subject before beginning. There are other reasons, but these are the main ones. Yesterday, I started a fire even though my shop is not ready. I have big doors on the east side of the shop so I set up there thinking that the prevailing winds would take care of most of the exhaust. Yesterday the wind was from the east! Finally got a decent fire going, probably too big for what I needed, but I liked it! I decided to straighten some nail nippers for tongs, before beginnging my chosen course of lessons, since I didn't have any. Then it started. I knew it would. I got the nippers hot and then didn't know what to do. After months of reading and re-reading and skipping parts because, "I know that stuff." I finally got to it and found, as I expected , that all my reading got me to that point where I know nothing. And I am thrilled. My plan is that my book learning will fall into place as I go. Actually doing it will put that stuff that is in my brain, to where it will do some good: into my arm. So I am at square one. A very good place to be. It is just getting light here so I think I'll go light a fire!

James, Glad to see you back. Sounds like you have a good attitude regarding your circumstances: that can make all the difference. Matt

That's a good start. You may be able to find another about the same for less or one a bit better for not much more.

Lots of guys that do floors still use square nails.

172 pounds

It's very important to check all your neighbors, especially the old timers. They can sometimes wait too long and then the cold can have an effect on thinking and they can't ask or become too confused.

I'm working on next years wood. I heat exclusively with wood though. I have been caught short too many times at this part of the year and I'm trying to stay ahead. I run behind most places, but I'm learning that if we have enough wood and enough hay things will be OK. Won't need as much hay next year as I sent the last beefer to the butcher, don't plan on any more either. My wife is taking over much of the garden, but I enjoy seeing those catalogs come in.

This seems to be the wrong forum. Could this be moved to non-metalworking?

Welcome to the club. 50 is a very good age to be.

I pray that all who lost their jobs find a way to make ends meet. The last time I lost a job was in '93, haven't had one since. I couldn't stand having my fate in someone else's hands. Now it is just me and God. Keep the faith.

You mentioned covering with ashes, good idea. Try covering them from the bottom up! Don't empty the ashes, just let them build up. You will still have a good air supply from the draft in the door. It may burn differently, but will still burn. Don't empty it until the ashes are up to the door. You should find some good pieces that way.

As a long time member of this time honored tradtion I'd like to find out what others are planning for the spring while sitting in warm chairs close to the fire? I have the various seed and nursery catalogs piled up by my chair. I'm starting to get some beekeeping books out to reaquaint myself with my Vernal chores. These are really cutting into my Blacksmith bookreading time, but that seems to maintain itself as a top priority. What I find interesting is that Blacksmithing is not really a seasonal endevour like my other jobs. I decided to not push myself to get my shop together. I'm easing into that; I want to set myself up for success along those lines. So what do you have going around in your head that may or may not become reality?

Nice! How is the rest of the face on the Fisher?

Nothing like a full bookcase to make me happy! I found that ebay can have many very old books at a very low price. Try various searches. If a product isn't listed correctly or is spelled wrong, not as many people find it and the price stays low.

Good on you!

Sounds good and thanks to all. I hope to have this forge for some time. It was my greatgrandfathers

The New Edge of the Anvil, Andrews and the The Art of Blacksmithing, Bealer are 2 books that I find to be very imformative. I plan to use The Blacksmiths Craft as an exercise book. The Blacksmith Primer seemed to repeat many things from previous works: the author states that it is imformation from other sources as well as experience. The Sims book lacks depth IMO. Still worth owning and reading. My take on reading is not that you can never know too much, but rather points out what I don't know. The more I read the more I find how little I know. From repetative reading of everything I can get my hands on and reading this forum everyday and often checking in here several times a day I hope to gain a sense of confidence. I am using this book learning and forum as a source to bolster me up when making mistakes that are a part of the learning process. Instead of saying to myself, "I can't do this, it isn't turning out right." I can say, "the next one will probably be better." I can go back to the books and to this forum and hopefully find out where the sticking point was, then try it again. I'm in this for the long haul. Not everyone is like me, but if I just jump in and start whacking metal around I may just push it aside "for another day." If I invest a lot of thought and effort in reading and setting up what I have at my disposal I will be building a strong foundation. I can't tell you how many times I have attempted various projects and partway in cried, "If only I had the right tools this wouldn't be so hard!" I have been working to this point for close to forty years. I don't have any idea where it will take me, but I owe it to myself to give myself a decent shot.

The crack is all the way through; cracked in half, but is still very stable. It has 4 holes that are designed to hold a heat shield. (I know right where we left that sheild too. Covered a hole that was dug to put in a telephone pole 35 years ago. Never got the pole up and my folks moved. I convinced them that I had a use for the forge though so they brought it to the new place; my Grandfather's place a mile away.) I'm thinking of making a ring around the top and bolting it in place using those holes to bolt it on. I know I'm not up to that yet. Then I figured I could bolt a couple straps in toward the grate. Maybe have somebody fill in the rest by braizing.

Try to keep your spirits up, that may be her best medicine. Don't forget to take care of yourself too. Continued prayers and well wishes.

Cracked right through the firepot on both sides of the grate. The gap is probably an 1/8 inch. What to do?