Double Y

Oops I stated that wrong it is a 375 not a 325. Spent the day making forged pig tail steak turners and forks. I tried to recreat a Hofi twist and failed....but you are supposed to learn from your mistakes right? If I would actually learn from all of mine, I should be a very smart man some day! Thanks for the comments.

Thanks for the idea barcrawler. I like that one. I use a 325 Miller SpectraCut plasma torch. I cut all my designs by hand, no CNC machine.

Being right handed, I wear a glove on my left hand for holding iron/tongs when forging. My wife works with a gentleman who lost his left arm to a PTO shaft when a small boy. He is a steady supply of left handed gloves for me.

Mines about 100 feet from the house and I am about 250 yards from the nearest neighbors (my in-laws). No problems on smoke as I use propane, but the tumbler I placed outside the shop can be heard at least a 1/4 mile away. One neighbor came over to investigate the noise, but was happy to stay with a cold adult beverage from the in-shop frig!

I have been working on a fence commision. There are three pieces to the fence. It is 12 foot long and 6 foot tall. The left section is a bit more than 6 foot long with 2x2 .120 square tube as posts. The right section is 3 foot long again with 2x2 .120 square tube as posts. The gate is framed by 2x1/4 strap. I have the hinges hung for the gate to swing off the left side. Here are a couple picts of the cut panels. This is all free hand cut from 10 guage plate. I am going to test fit the fence this week, if the home owner contacted the call before you dig boys. Then haul the whole works down to be powder coated. What I am soliciting is anyones thoughts about a good latch system that could be lockable and won't ding the powder coat too bad. A tall order I know. Thanks in advance and best regards, John Double Y Design Metal Works

Nice work Matt. I have been interested in making spurs for a while and have been rat holing rasps! I like your concept. Do you weld the two halves? I would think a bead inside where the two halfs come together and under the shank would be a good option. Do you just flap disk the sharp rasp cups down? Have you tried to blue a set ever? How about just posts for attaching the spur straps? I have seen lots of spurs like that. I look the look of the roper spurs with the slight neck to the shank. Nice work! John

Thanks for the pictures Matt. These look great. Have you made any with curved or goose neck shanks? Do you fab your own swing buttons for the spur straps? I would be interested in more pictures if you have any. Thanks, John

I built and delivered this to my Uncle at Magpie Iron Mongers on Magpie Creek near Helena, Montana this past weekend. It was quite a hit. The anvil and magpie are cut from 10 guage plate. John

I call my outfit - Double Y Design Metal Works I do more fabrication but have gotten more blacksmith work in the last few years. The Double Y comes from my registered cattle and horse brand here in Montana. Not enough cattle carry my brand to be much extra income, but the herd is growing. The brand is a lazy Y hanging a walking Y. Double Y Design John