wolfshieldrx

I seem to remember reading somewhere that traditional English smiths would leave a couple of inches of the edge of the anvil just behind the table/horn unground. They would leave this area sharp and use it to hot-cut instead of using hand-held hot-cut or hardy tool. Has anyone else ever heard of this or seen examples? Or did I just dream it?

Very sorry for your double loss. You will be in my prayers.

I'm bart. :-)

I really like that! Bart

It was with a heavy heart that this one "followed me home". It belonged to my great-grandad but Dad had it as long as I can remember (I'm 54). So far as I know, neither my father nor grandfather used it although great-grandad was a smith. When I started smithing, Dad told me to take it but I had another anvil I was using and just never got around to it. Sadly, Dad passed away November 13th. Mom insisted I take it home. I finally got around to taking a good look at it this morning. Using the markings on the anvil and a little 'net research I have determined it to be a Mouse Hole from the 1820-1835 period. I feel really blessed to have this piece of family history. Thanks for looking... Bart

18 pieces of 1 inch rebar 8 feet long. Other than its original use, any ideas what to make from it? Small hammers, anvil tools? Or???

Yep, the one I forged for my wife and mounted on the interior kitchen wall is 43 inches on center. Go figure... bart

Hacksaw: Hand vise: Sinking hammer for making candle cups: Jig to hold antler while slotting for blade: Woodworker's hold-down: Dual calipers:

Actually the hinge area of both legs are set down half the thickness of the legs. This keeps both legs in the same plane when riveted together. I have used basically the same joint to make nut crackers. I want to try Peter Ross style dividers.

Thanks. I really like forging things from steel with a "history". One of the cool things about blacksmithing, I think. bart

Those look great!

Been wanting to take that class myself. Glad to hear you enjoyed it. Your dividers look great! Here's a pair I made. They are not even in the same class as yours or Peter's but I find them to be quite useful. They are special to me because they are forged from two large square cut nails that a friend gave me. They came from the now defunct Wheeling LaBelle nail factory in Wheeling, West Virginia.

Here's a couple I forged for my Dad for Christmas last year. Not works of art, but quite servicable. I forged them from 1/4 x 1.5 inch flat stock if memory serves. May have been 1/4 x 1.25. bart

White oak will indeed make a servicable handle. I have one hammer that I handled with a piece of white oak from the firewood pile that is still going strong after 25 years.

Bee-yu-ti-ful! (And too cheap)

Here's a side view: Thanks for looking...bart

Forged fron 1/2 x 1/4 glat bar. Thanks for looking...bart

Been wanting to try one of those as my forge-welding skills improve. Thanks for the input! bart

Thanks guys. I apply the wax on these at a high black heat. I would say burnt on instead of melted on. Plus I brush really well with a wire brush durung and after application. I made a couple larger trivets for my wife a year ago and have had no problems with hot pots. Like the idea of forge welding the legs; may have to try that. Thanks for looking...bart

Forge-welded ring is 4 inches in diameter. All parts made fron 1/4 x 1/2 inch stock. Finish is beeswax rubbed on while hot. Thanks for lookin...bart

I'm getting that same feeling. I have some of the books you mention plus have recently been doing extensive web research. So far I can find no mention of "courting" candles contemporary with colonial America. One modern writer suggested that the so-called courting candle form may have been used to support tallow candles to keep them from drooping. Frankly that makes much more sense to me than the courting candle explanation. Is it possible that some father might haved used such a candle holder yo limit a suitor's time with his daughter? Yes! But until I can see some contemporary documentation, I don't think it was a common practice. Thanks for the comments...bart

Thank you, sir. I have been browsing a couple of early american ironwork books I have but either it isn't there or I've overlooked it. My best wishes for your wife...I pray all goes well. bart

We all know the story of the courting candle, a spiral, adjustable height candle holder: when the candle has burned to the top of the holder, it's time for the suitor to leave. I have perpetuated this story myself. Does anyone know of any actual historical documentation for thi practice? I have been researching this. There are a bunch of modern references to this practice but I can find none that are authenticated.

Psst! Over here...do NOT let my wife see this!! Seriously...great work. No, really...my wife cannot be allowed to see this...bart

Yeah, I've made strikers from the 16d and 20d nails. Quenched those in water. Never could get the really big 50d or so to harden. Bart