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OK...finished it today. Turned a handle from a piece of wild cherry I had. Copper band. Forged wing-nuts with tiny carriage bolts. I have a perfectly good "modern" hacksaw, but have wanted to make a proper "blacksmith" mode for some time now. Comments welcome...bart

I just want turn my own handle instead of using the manufactured one. Did not really need another hacksaw but I've been in a tool-making mode lately. Thanks for looking...bart

Bench shears...already had the anvil Bought in a pharmacy of all places. One side of the store was turned into antique/junque shop. I thought that was pretty cool since I'm a pharmacist in my other life. The shears just needed a little honing. Bart

10 inch blade. 1.5 inch depth of cut. Still need to turn a proper handle (thats a file handle) and make some blade holders. Wanted somrthing small for my traveling box. Tried it out shortening some rivets and it works sweet! Comments, questions and critiques welcome. Bart

A hammer head. Sorry, couldn't resist! I uas a linseed oil/beeswax/terpentine mixture. Plus sweat, coad dust ets with time.

Mason jar candle holders. Do a search on this site. bart

Im in southern West Virginia if that helps. Thanks. Bart

I have an opportunity to buy an Ajax brand anvil. It looks to be in very good shape. No big chips or dings. It is small. Id guess 50-75 pounds. Guy wants $165.00 for it. Whattaya think?

Hey man, don't I know you? bart

bart

Thanks, David. Recently bought your book. It's a keeper. Seriously doubt I will ever be building any of the wagons, but really enjoyed it none the less. Some of the smaller projects are on my list of things to make. Thanks for all the hard work you obviously put into it. bart

Sorry... :-(

Had to look it up... Dog: 3 a : any of various usually simple mechanical devices for holding, gripping, or fastening that consist of a spike, bar, or hook Merriam Webster online dictionary. bart

Mr. Turley... I have only been smithing about three years. However, I have been doing some type of woodworking as long as I can remember II found it really interesting that the woodworkers holdfast is the blacksmith's dog. Woodworkers call the wooden pegs inserted into the benchtop to help hold a workpiece on place a "dog". Thanks for the info. bart

Forged this holdfast from 5/8 inch mils steel round to use in the 3/4 inch holes in my workbench. bart

bart

Mostly practical stuff from American colonial period...forks, spoons, ladles, trivets, fire-strikers, etc. I've made a few knives, and while I enjoy the forging, I don't particularly enjoy the finishing aspect. What really trips my trigger though, is making tools...tools for the smithy, woodworking tools, etc. I've also made several decorative items for my wife...candle holders, plate holders, plant hooks, etc. I enjoy those because my wife likes them. I have a buddy that says "Happy wife, happy life!" I have to agree with him. bart

THANKS!! bart

Cant find it on the web and no takers here, so I guess it will be basic Model-T black, maybe with some red trim. Or maybe Blue and Gold (go Mountaineers!!!)...hmmm?! thanks anyway...bart

If I remember right, the book The Village Blacksmith by Aldren A. Watson covers bellows making. Not at home now, but will check my copy this pm. As I remember, it goes into some detail. bart

After looking for a couple of years, I finally found a Buffalo #50 post drill in good condition. I want to repaint it in as near the original colors as possible. Anybody know what that was? As many of you know, the #50 is (I think) the smallest post-drill Buffalo made. I already have a larger drill mounted to a post in my shop. My idea is to rig a mount for the #50 that can be c-clamped to a bench and moved as necessary. Of course this would only be used for lighter work than the post-mounted drill. Anybody ever try something like this? Ideas? Guess that was 2 questions...thanks a bunch in advance. I'll post pictures of my progress(?) as the project proceeds. bart

I recently hauled 2200 pounds of coal in my short bed full size gmc pickup.

The way my dad taught me to make a handle was to SPLIT the billet along the grain. This makes the handle much stronger because there is little or no cross-grain to shear. The problem with most handles I see today is they are lathe turned with little or no regard for grain direction. Around here, hickory is the traditional choice. Even a skinny split and shaved handle takes a lot to break it. bart

Both. It tells the story of a young journeyman smith traveling with colonial militia during the American Revolution. It is wrtten in the formof a journal. Whenever the writer tells of making something he describes the process. Additionally there are excellent line drawings. He makes forks, nails, a padlock among other things. Bart