eric sprado

Rich: I know what you're trying to say,BUT, sometimes trying to find old info on this wonderful site is a nightmare!!!! Very often I get the equivalent of "you can't get there from here" response. Maybe try to be a bit more patient with someone who has tried to find something but can't ......

Speculum to aid elephants in the process of birthing.

I guess I'm a bit confused about a blacksmith tool being made pretty but not to be used?

I get pieces of pottery kiln shelving. Works well and resists flux. Yes lining is a consumable,but getting a little more mileage out of anything these days is desirable.

I don't usually respond to knife posts. Not because I don't love knives,but because there is so much TALENT out there. BUT- your knife is SO incredibly GRACEFUL! I love it!!!!! Thanks for sharing it with us!!

Those long handled vise grips from Harbor Freight have become a standard present for fellow smiths when I need to buy one. They are great!! Not very strong but work as nothing else for fishing lost stuff out of your forge. I can't find ANYBODY else who makes them!

Fun speeded up video but WHY is he getting NOTHING done. The hammer beats to results ratio is pretty low when I watch what Brian Brazeal gets done with three blows...

Thanks!!! I needed a good old cartoon to lighten my day!! Eric S.

Funny: I saw Ted Tuckers book on your shelf too!! It was my first book many years ago and I still thumb through it to get ideas for projects. Eric S.

Why don't you wait until you get to the blacksmithing class.Surely folks there will be tied in to local sources of used tools jor maybe even have some for sale.

Spears: Thanks for the post. I have never been a jig person and have lately REALLY wanted to figure out how to make jigs!! I need to make some for the drawer handles that I make for friends and craft fairs and other items that require repeated moves.. I guess I just need to jump in a do it. Wish I were near someone who could show me a few! Eric S.

What is a "hump" tool? thanks, Eric

Put it on edge,make a couple of nice radius spots,go to work.NICE piece of steel!! I hate to dispel myths, but,as far as work goes,rebound means nothing. Laws of physics say you don't get anything for nothing!!If your hammer rebounds,you've paid for it! It has enough holes in it so that you should be able to stick in some bolts to deaden the ring.

Alec: I don't seem to be seeing sufficient ear protection on your videos??? At your age you'd better be wearing some or you will be very hard of hearing VERY soon. This is NOT a joke. Please protect yourself....

Great size for basic tongs. Look on YouTube for Brian Brazeal's tutorial on tong making. Two of them: One in Clay and one in steel...

Marksnagel: When I was welding for the Coast Guard on Kodiak in the late 1970,s there was a treasure trove of blacksmithing tools there at the South end of the island. Sailing ships from San Francisco used to come up to get Salt Salmon in barrels to take back South. I was there in a little TaylorCraft so couldn't bring back any of it. Complete shop!!!
Perato: Even though there is a blacksmith association there(which did not exist when I was there) don't think they've gotten all the "good stuff". Alaska is a big state and there are old shutdown canneries all over the place. They all had shops. Start asking questions and snooping!!! Good Luck.

It Works!!

Jim Bollinger is a successful blacksmith in Hamilton Montana. He's an old friend of mine from the 1970's.Tell him Eric said Hi.There is a fellow near Butte who makes great hammers.I bought one from him at NWBA Conference last year.I bought a nice Little Giant 25 from a fellow in Butte last year...Ask around . There is a great statewide blacksmith assoc. there. Here is the email address of the smith in Butte from whom I bought the hammer: Wildwestironwork@aol.com . Good luck, Eric

My dignity is properly compacted! That's GREAT Rick!!!!!

I use Castolite. There are many brands of castable refractory. Check in local yellow pages.

Ach! I thought I was going to see eight Swedes being held under a power hammer!

When folks ask me the stupid question"can you shoe me?" I say:"I'm man enough to drive the nails if you're man enough to stand still"... Yes-there ARE stupid questions.

Ian: Just outside of Portland on August 18,19,20,21 will be the first WESTERN STATES Blacksmithing conference in 25 years at Mt. Hood!!!Mt Hood is the site of lots of BEAUTIFUL blacksmithing from the 1930's. Smiths from two countries(or more) and many states. Log on to NWBA,Northwest Blacksmith Association and all the information is there. Hope to see you and meet you. There are lots of nice smiths in Portland. I 'spect most will be heading for Mt. Hood that day. Good Luck. Eric Sprado. Deadwood Oregon. Ph. 541 964 3224.
Ken Mermelstein(sp?) would be a great guy to see in Portland. Tell him Hi!!!

Lots of old saw filers in this Western Oregon logging country. Saw "filers" also set teeth as Frank ,is talking about,with a hammer. I watched an old fellow set a saw about 10 years ago with a hammer and it was amazing. He could sharpen an ax with a hammer and not ding the anvil face!!!!

You might contact Steve McGrew of Incandescent Iron Works in Spokane. He is bringing some of his anvils for sale to the Western States Conference Aug. 18,19,20. His also have the blunt point,but are nice double ender anvils. You can find him on the Northwest Blacksmith Assoc.(NWBA) site.