primtechsmith

Anybody out there know of anyone who is selling old blacksmith equipment advertisements. I would love to get my hands on some of these blown up to poster size...Even old WWI or II blacksmith related posters...

Peyton

NEXT MEETING: March 17th 2007

Location: Yesteryear Forge
15421 Five Forks Rd.
Amelia VA. 23002

Time: 10am-3pm

DEMONSTRATOR: Bob Rowe and Carl Hirner from Colonial Williamsburg will be demonstrating how to forge a wrought iron tomahawk with steel insert! (below is from an email Bob sent)

"Carl and I run a behind the scenes blacksmith shop for Colonial Williamsburg. We are the ones who take care of repairing hardware to welding on pick up trucks. I worked in the Historic area blacksmith shop from 1979-1983 give or take a bit. Started a production blacksmith shop,doing blacksmith items for the historic area stores and gift shops, until 1994 .1994 I was moved to the maintenance blacksmith shop. I do a little work for my self ,but not full time. Carl and I look forward to the demo. It should be fun. With any luck at all we will pull off all our forge welds in making the tomahawk. If it is possible we could set up two forges and try some other items at the same time Two for the price of one."

Directions:

From 360 east or west turn at goodman truck & tractor onto business 360 go to first road on your right and turn right , go to the stop sign and STOP then go straight thru the intersection and proceed approx 2 miles. Brick house on the right up on a hill ( look for a black anvil in the front yard )

Bring a chair and something for IRON IN THE HAT!!!

EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO COME WHETHER YOU ARE A MEMBER WITH US OR NOT!

Please let me know if you are planning on attending.

Peyton Anderson
president@blacksmithguildofva.com
Blacksmith Guild of Viriginia - Home

you can also extend the life of these tools by using a brass hammer. The softer hammer will decrease the mushrooming by a bunch! Mike has a chop fuller that has had many years of work on it and by using a softer hammer the striking area is hardly mushroomed at all.

My 2cents...
Peyton

Today's meeting was a lot of fun. I think everyone had a really great time! John Riddle did a great job with his demo, and LT had some really neat ideas/tools he shared with everyone.

All in all. This was, for me, a perfect meeting. Just a good group of smiths getting together sharing a pot or 2 of coffee and just shooting the breeze, and watching a demo!

I Can't Wait until next month to see you all again! Pictures will be uploaded soon...full selection on the guild site, and some here too!

If you took any pictures let me know! I have close to 60 or so! :-)

Peyton

knee mail is on the way...

Peyton

When searching for the most economical choice for an electric blower what should I look for in rpm, cfm, etc. I use a hand crank but am looking into an electric blower for a portable application...

Any help would be appreciated. I know nothing when it comes to electric blowers...

Peyton

I hope a nimba is in my future. I am starting to save up for one...

Peyton

A waterjet can generate some heat. I ran a few for a couple of years at my last job. When we cut 1/4" stainless the heat would build up in the sheet. The sheets would buck up and try to twist off the table. Also we had fun cutting with the lights off while it was running and watching the glow of the cut path. But this heat is nothing compared to a plasma, and won't get hot enough to affect the piece...In my most humble opinion if there is someone close by with a jet that is the way to go...

I am looking at using AR plate or some nail headers one of these days. From what I have been told that is some real TOUGH stuff!

my 2cents worth...
Peyton

Ernie there are some amazing smiths out there that do not use a "real anvil". Some of the nicest knives I have ever seen came from a guy whose "anvil" is a huge piece of steel in a plastic bucket filled with concrete.

Good Luck to you :-)
Peyton

I agree with Ed. John is a great person to deal with. His stock is good quality at resonable prices. I have several tools from Blacksmith Supply.

Peyton

Welcome!

I am teaching middle school government in Buckingham Virginia. But hope to move to the high school Votech building to do something with metal arts/trade preparation some day. Depends on funding they say...so it may never happen.

This is a great place to hang out. Lots of veteran smiths and artists in the bunch!

Peyton

Thanks chainsaw. I forgot about that! Wonderful suggestion!

Peyton

Thank you Jr. I did not even think to look at the blueprints. Goes to show how much info is on this site!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks again!

Peyton

I have been asked to give a talk(maybe a small demo later that day as well) on Blacksmithing to a group my wife and I were invilved in at Longwood University. "Primitive Technologies". Hence my name PRIMTECHsmith. These guys flint knap, make atlatls, fire making skills, etc. I am looking at talking to them about a brief history of the blacksmithing trade. I have a lot of information on hand that would take days of lecture.

My question to the history buffs out there is what are some of the high points that should be discussed? This is going to hopefully be from "the beginning" and go through the ages...I am looking at about an hour of lecture time...

Peyton

Hi Cookie! Every good "srgn" needs an even better nurse! I have heard a lot about you and hope to meet you both one of these days...

Peyton

I have a friend who wants to cast some 50cal. balls for a muzzle-loader using silver.

There are several variations for anvil stands.
Look here for ideas: http://www.iforgeiron.com/forum/f24/contest-design-anvil-stand-1728/

Also in the gallery there are several shots of different anvil stands. Your idea sounds to be a good one. For me personally in the shop where I am an apprentice the stands are of two styles. Both are open in the back so your foot can go under the anvil to allow you to get closer to the work, and potentially save the strain on your back.

This a view from the back of one of the anvil stands at Yesteryear Forge.

Here is another stand used at Yetseryear Forge. These are used mostly for portable set ups.


I hope this helps. And good luck!!!

Peyton

I prefer lump coal over the small stuff.........But hey. If its free, then it is just right! Congrats on the find!!!!!!!!

Peyton

I really like this a lot! I may have to try a few!

Thanks for sharing it!
Peyton

Ed....sending some up for you from Virginia!

Peyton

Here is one of yesteryearforge's "round anvils" with the fabricated base. I believe it is a mill ball.



Peyton

I talked to John on the phone yesterday. He is also going to do a demo on his male and female cow heads that were in last month's Iron In The Hat!

Please let me know if you are coming!

Don't forget to bring something for Iron In The Hat and a chair! This is going to be an awesome demo!!!!!

Looking forward to seeing you guys there!
Peyton

Here is a question. I have a line on some material that may be good for making a nail header but I know nothing about it past the name...and I would hate to be "head"ing down the wrong path here...

It is AR PLate (AR=Abrasive Resistant). This is the stuff they use to make plow blades, etc. From my understanding this is super tough stuff. I am thinking of forging this into a header but am looking to see if anyone out there can help me with:
Forging Heat?
Tempering?
Any advice would be great! Lord knows I need it! :-)

Thanks.
Peyton

This is where I will post new members:

Welcome Ted Throckmorton!

Jim.
Just so you know: our membership is free. You can join up on the website: Blacksmith Guild of Viriginia - Home and click on "membership". I try and send out emails on updates and reminders on things going on with our guild and all over to try and help our members have every opportunity they can possibly get!

Look forward to meeting you Jim!
Peyton