Moose Forge

Not as classy, but a whole xxxx of a lot easier to make ... Think it came from Houston Area Blacksmith Assoc. (HABA)

Found a neat adjustable wrench on eBay. Shouldn't be hard to put together. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Adjustable-Bending-Fork-Wrench-Blacksmith-Scroll-Tool-/380378915910?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item589059a446#ht_11662wt_1219 Looks similar to the above. Think I'll substitute a thumb screw for the "T" screw.

Adjustable wrench could follow a similar vein. Weld 3/4" (or your preference) rod on the end of a piece of angle iron, repeat a second time. Cut a slot into the two pieces of angle iron so that they abut. Put two bolts into the slot (a thumb screw would work well). Loosen to slide the two pieces to adjust the gap in the wrench, tighten before using. Flat bar could work well too. You need two bolts to keep the two parts parallel. Jim Dunning

I just redid mine and I used white lithium grease from the local Home Despot. Jim Dunning

I make mine by drawing out the end and folding it under to catch the far side of the cap. Then I twist the spike to make it more attractive. Best selling bottle opener is still Ulfie's bottle opener (http://www.mooseforge.com/Ulfies_bottle_opener.html). Jim Dunning

Having fixed thousands of broken links in my time, I know that it doesn't take much or long to do it. When do you expect to have the links fixed?

I've always thought Moose were the most majestic of animals thus Moose Forge. Jim www.mooseforge.com

In 2008 you (Administrator) posted the following: Posted 02 January 2008 - 12:07 AM Hofi has provided the following Blueprints on hammer technique and construction. BP1001 Hofi Hammer Technique BP1002 Hofi Hammer Technique BP1003 Hofi Hammer Eye BP1012 Making Hammer Handles Are they still available somewhere on the current site? If not, I'm a qualified webmaster and if you provide me the old blueprints, I can convert them to your new "look & feel" and send back the code for you to put them up. No fuss, no effort on your part. Service to your members. Sounds like an offer you shouldn't resist. Jim Dunning

Recently bought one at a tailgate sale at Calfornia Blacksmith's Spring Conference for $5. Thought I'd try it since it was a little lighter than my other cross peins and my back is giving me problems. Just got Hofi's DVD so maybe between the two I can get a little more life out of my spine. If it helps I can look for a better version, but in the mean time the price was right. Jim

I followed up with an email to the head of ABANA and he couldn't even be bothered replying and telling me to go to xxxx (though they still flood me with unwanted emails). Jim Dunning

That would be a great thing for ABANA to take on. Anyone know someone to contact at ABANA to propose this. ABANA could issue them as e-books without a lot of startup cost. Beyond that they could be sold as printed collections, grouping them however that makes sense to do. If ABANA wants to be the national blacksmithing association it alludes to then this would be a great place to start. Jim Dunning

Here's a good site for blacksmithing e-books. Some the same as above, some additional. http://www.blacksmithingebooks.com/

I'm looking for beginner/intermediate blacksmithing classes in the Lake Tahoe vicinity. I went to ABANA, but they don't list an affiliate organization for Nevada. Is there one or an organization for blacksmiths even if it's not affiliated with ABANA? Thanks for any information, Jim Dunning

I've been taking a blacksmithing class at our local community college and am starting to collect equipment. So far I've assembled an oxy-acetylene setup with spare tanks and a Victor 100 torch from my brother and have built a cart. I also have a bench grinder and angle grinder, compressor, and I'm rebuilding a leg vise. I made a pair of tongs in class that are workable but barely. I recently joined Arizona Artist Blacksmiths.

I made my first pair in class and they weren't great but I learned a lot. I've been watching You Tube and picked up some tips for my next batch. Jim