primtechsmith

DAY 3: The day was bitter sweet. We had another day to watch Bill work, but it would be the last day for us...We had about a dozen people come by and spend the day leading Bill through a few projects they had questions on. He made a dragon head and turned it into his leaf for our demonstrator board for 2007. Mike then asked if he could make a mule head for Linda...AKA: "L TANNER" on here. Her nickname has always been "Mule" so he thought it would be cool for her to have something. Linda has been away all week at the ABANA Board Meeting and had to miss the demo to help the blacksmithing cause down in Memphis. So...Bill went a step past our expectations. He made the Mule Head and then Turned the rest into an actual Mule Shoe. After a short break of sitting around telling stories on each other (and a few stories on some unsuspecting smiths out there) Bill jumped into re-fitting one of his hammers with a handle Mike had laying around....Bill just had to pick the one he wanted out of the few thousand stacked up in the near by smoke house(That's true by the way...we call it "fire wood" here in the winter! ). It was cool. He literally burnt the hammer up then wire brushed off the char until it was the shape he wanted. Then with some emory paper he cleaned up the soot on the handle and hammer head and got back to work. Bill explained the process of forging a horse shoe and he also gave us a quick lesson on the horse's hoof as well. It was then time for David to lead the demo for the last part. He not only won the anvil but 2 hours with Bill as well. David got Mr. Epps to make a swan out of some 1/2"x1 1/2" laying around. After finishing that project David asked him to show us how to draw out a small area off the side of flat bar...sorta like the clip on a horse shoe. Well Bill came through with flying colors like always. Everyone started to head back home or to their hotels for the night. I don't think there could have been a better ending to the Blacksmith Guild of Virginia's 2007 demo schedule...and the anvil raffle was the icing on the cake. Especially for Mr. David Hutchison. He is on the way home 500 pounds heavier, but I have a wealth of great memories with an awesome blacksmith...and new friend in Bill Epps. I have learned a lot from him by the internet since I started in 2004...but none of those conversations and blueprints can come anywhere near hanging out with him over the past 3 days. This is what it is all about...Can it get any better than this??? Peyton Will post back here when I have the photos uploaded to the guild site...and few here in the gallery also! It would be wrong for me not to share a little Bill Epps mojo here on iforgeiron!!!!!!!! :)

DAY 2: So let me tell ya'll something....you missed out on a really awesome day. Bill started out making is horse with a tail out of a horseshoe. Then went into making a flower pot holder, leaf, tongs, hoof pick, rams head....all before lunch. . Then we all ate some great food provided by the Tanner family(with lots of help from Sarah!!!) And did Iron in the Hat. We had 3 tables FULL of items plus some heavy stuff laid around also...Then came the anvil raffle. And the winner is...............David Hutchison!!!!!!! Bill then went back to work making his $20 anvil, and working out a really beautiful horse head out of 5/8" square. Let me tell ya'll Bill Epps ain't no joke! I have learned as much or maybe even more by just sitting around talking about stuff. He had with him is project books. If you do not own one yet you need to cruise on over to the IFI store and get all of them. The books are just like Bill. No filler, all projects all the time. Not a page or word wasted!!!! One of the best days I have spent in a really long time...and tomorrow is going to be more demoing by Bill! The door is open to ya'll still like always if anyone wants to show up tomorrow. More tomorrow...pipe projects, a leaf for our demonstrator board, and whatever else we can come up with. Peyton

Ok. I am going to make a few posts to this thing to let you all know whats going on here in Virginia with Bill Epps demonstrating for a couple of days. DAY 1: I left work and went straight to Yesteryear Forge where I sat around the wood stove with Mike talking about random stuff and asking a few of my never ending questions....about 6:30 or so Bill Epps pulls up. Gets out of his car...and the show begins! First thing he said was that Mike's shop is too clean to be a blacksmith shop! Ha!!! He then showed us a few of his "ideals" on power hammers and gassers. Then we talked a little about hammers and technique...followed up with some good stories around the wood stove. After an hour or so I got him all checked into his hotel...and here I sit awaiting a really great day tomorrow filled with projects. Tomorrow: Bill is going to go through his bag of tricks and do some neat projects that anybody can make and sell. He is starting out the day with a pair of tongs. Mike also asked him to make me one of his famous "20 dollar anvils".....I have a weakness for the mini anvils. The wife has now accepted my obsession and allows me to display them all on a shelf! Ha!! I will update again tomorrow evening. There is still time to make it here! Especially you Sam...quit with the excuses and get on the road!!! The 500# Euro awaits the lucky ticket holder. Peyton

Kilt....as in a utili-kilt. Peyton

Well... The Blacksmith Guild of Virginia is moving forward and we are looking to have about 5 side draft forge designs built for our demonstrators to use off site at potential conferences, or area hammer ins. For those familiar with SOFA...their forges are the ones I would like to build. I have also heard them referred to as BAM designed forges... I am wondering if anyone out there has the plans for this commonly used design. I will be using Centaur blowers and maybe firepots as well(Depends on their prices compared to others around). If any of ya'll can share with me a resource where I can get my hands on the plans I would really appreciate it. I need to get an idea on costs before I can move forward....and having plans/materials etc would help greatly in pricing. Thanks for your help. Peyton

Monthly Meeting: November 17-18 Bill Epps & Euroanvil Raffle Location: Yesteryear Forge 15421 Five Forks Rd. Amelia VA 23002 Time: 10am-3pm Lunch: provided Please RSVP president@blacksmithguildofva.com or 434.390.6203 Reminders: Don't forget to bring something for Iron In The Hat!!! A chair, and your camera. Directions: From 360 east or west turn across from Goodman Truck & Tractor onto business 360. Go to the first road on your right and turn right. Continue to the stop sign. Go straight through the intersection and proceed approx. 2 miles. Yesteryear Forge is on the right up on a hill-look for a brick house and a black anvil sign in the front yard. The forge is all the way in the back. There is plenty of parking by the forge. 500 LBS. EUROANVIL RAFFLE: NOVEMBER 17TH This anvil is brand new and has NEVER been used! This is your chance at a brand new $1,400+ anvil! It is the anvil of choice for smiths like Uri Hofi, Elmer Roush, Alwin Wagener, and others. The winner of this anvil will also get a 2 hour intensive one-on-one session with Bill Epps on Sunday the 18th to go over anything of your choice. TICKETS ARE ONLY $1.00!!! YOU MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN!!! Let me know if you are planning on coming. Lunch on Saturday is provided...Sunday is bring your own...email me: president@blacksmithguildofva.com or you can just reply to the thread if you want... This is a great opportnity to see one a fellow IFI member and to get a chance at a great anvil. RSVP please. Peyton

Well...we are less than a week away from a great opportunity for anyone interested to come spend the day seeing Bill demo. And possibly win a 500# anvil!!!!! Blacksmith Supply will NOT be showing up. John had something unexpected pop up and he will be on the road for his other job...but that does not mean you can't buy it from his site: Blacksmith Supply More info on: Blacksmith Guild of Viriginia - Home Hope some of ya'll can make it out there! Mike's shop is worth the trip in itself no matter the demonstrator. But Bill sure is a great reason to come on over!!!!!!! Peyton

Rich. Well done and thank you for posting it. I have read this thing through several times and have replied about 50 times always in the end erasing my potential posts...You stood up and said what I have been thinking for awhile now and appreciate your grit to do so. Ok...my tongue isn't hurting so bad now. Been biting it for a few weeks now. I think I am going to go forge a few items to better reinforce the basics for me and think about all the unfortunate material being forced into swords around here...at least they aren't talking about shoeing a horse! LOL! To all you sword makers and/or farriers I may have just offended...no harm intended. I just hope those interested in blacksmithing become interested in blacksmithing as a trade/craft and not the stereotypes that surround it. Peyton

coin.....wish i had a few.

Thomas- Good point. I have been told since I was a kid to tie everything down as if you were being followed too close by a state trooper carrying a car full of pregnant nuns...it helps to be cautious. And it is a great visual. Peyton

Just in case anyone was wondering there is a nice campground about 5 miles from Yesteryear Forge. Here is a link to their website: Welcome to the Amelia Family Campground Peyton

Awesome Dan.......still sending up some knee mail for a speedy recovery. Peyton

Not only can you get this great set of books by Bill, http://www.iforgeiron.com/store/90.html, but you can come and see his 2 day demo where he is going to cover a lot of this...the set is well worth the money. And the demo is going to be well worth the trip! Peyton

It'll be good to see you again Patrick! Looking forward to the 17th! Peyton

Well I want to invite ALL of IFI to come down to Yesteryear Forge for the Blacksmith Guild of Virginia's final monthly meeting of the year. We are going to have a 2 day demo by Bill Epps, and will be raffling off the 500# Euroanvil on Saturday...along with the anvil you will also get a 2 hour tutorial with Bill on Sunday. Here is more info from Blacksmith Guild of Viriginia - Home Monthly Meeting: November 17-18 Bill Epps & Euroanvil Raffle Location: Yesteryear Forge 15421 Five Forks Rd. Amelia VA 23002 Time: 10am-3pm Lunch: provided Please RSVP president@blacksmithguildofva.com or 434.390.6203 Reminders: Don't forget to bring something for Iron In The Hat!!! A chair, and your camera. Directions: From 360 east or west turn across from Goodman Truck & Tractor onto business 360. Go to the first road on your right and turn right. Continue to the stop sign. Go straight through the intersection and proceed approx. 2 miles. Yesteryear Forge is on the right up on a hill-look for a brick house and a black anvil sign in the front yard. The forge is all the way in the back. There is plenty of parking by the forge. 500 LBS. EUROANVIL RAFFLE: NOVEMBER 17TH This anvil is brand new and has NEVER been used! This is your chance at a brand new $1,400+ anvil! It is the anvil of choice for smiths like Uri Hofi, Elmer Roush, Alwin Wagener, and others. The winner of this anvil will also get a 2 hour intensive one-on-one session with Bill Epps on Sunday the 18th to go over anything of your choice. TICKETS ARE ONLY $1.00!!! YOU MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN!!! Let me know if you are planning on coming. Lunch on Saturday is provided...Sunday is bring your own...email me: president@blacksmithguildofva.com or you can just reply to the thread if you want... This is a great opportnity to see one a fellow IFI member and to get a chance at a great anvil. www.blacksmithsupply.com will also be there with the on site store for anyone interested in buying some tooling!!! Peyton

Patrick! Congrats my friend!!! It was good talking to you at the hammer in and it looks like you are about to have some fun projects coming your way with the farm and forge, and everything else!!! Peyton

I use a JHM Competitor....260#. I love it. Hardi is about 1 1/8" on mine.....I wouldnt trade it for any other one out there. Peyton

Man thats sweet!!! It would look really neat if the cross logo was also cut out of the sheath over the blade...it would be a neat look of showing that beautiful pattern in one place and having it cut out above it in the handle. Hope that makes sense. I just wish I wias the one that made it! Well done! Peyton

No! that's alcohol abuse!!! Peyton