primtechsmith

This past Saturday I rode into Richmond Va. with my wife to search out the resting place of an author she is reading in one of her college classes. While there I saw some really cool things. Hollywood Cemetary is the home to many famous confederate generals, and presidents, along with many other notable people important to America, and to Virginia. Here are a couple of things I did snap a picture of.

The first picture is a neat gate leading into a family plot. Super old stuff. Early 1800's head stones, and the gate had no welds and was all riveted.

The second picture is of James Monroe's piece of property. From what I could tell it was mostly cast iron with some forged bars mixed in. I guess when you are a president of the United States you can have something like this! :-)

If you guys are ever around the area you should stop in just to peak at the iron work. I feel lucky to live an hour or so from such a history rich city. I am going back for more pictures of the boundry fence and main gates...

Peyton

Just a word that the August newsletter is now available to be downloaded at the odbsa website. Go to current news and click on the link. Takes a few minutes to download, but it is well worth it!!!!
Here is a link: ODBSA NEWS

The next meeting is coming up soon! Hope to see you there! If you plan on attending let me know so I can have some things prepared to give you!

Peyton

There will also be a FREE gift to all members who show up to this meeting. It is so top secret I don't even know what it is. But as my Brother-in-Law says: "If it's free it's for me!" Make sure you let me or Bobby know you are planning on attending so we can have enough free stuff!

;-)
Peyton

I had a bumper sticker once when I was in high school that said "if you outlaw guns, then only outlaws will have them." The principal asked me to remove it from my car...Another thing is how the word "weapon" is used. Lots of people have made the points already about martial arts... One definition of the word is "any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting". So in my book my .357 is not a weapon until I point it at someone, or something with the intention of harm. Same as my ball pein hammer. Makes great spoons, and brings my little leaves to life until I use the ball to smack someone between the eyes for asking me "is that hot?"!!!
:-)

my .02 worth...
Peyton

there is a wicked truth here...but still funny! Goes to show sometimes more government does not mean more freedom.

Well done Jr!!!!!!!

Peyton

OK guys. I just wanted to remind ya'll that if you are planning on coming to Lee's place then to notify either me or Bobby. If you are not sure check the ODBSA website and see if your name is listed for planning to attend. This helps in knowing how many to expect and how to plan the day around that number. Also helps me know how much work I will have to do! :-)

Lee's place is going to be an extremely cool meeting. He is going to show/explain the bloomery process. and other aspects of his shop, along with demoing a few things. A great learning opportunity!!!

Peyton

I went to see my parents this weekend and my dad mentioned getting a new air compressor. So I offered hauling this one off for free. He actually said ok! Ha! So a 5hp compressor for free....Not too shabby.

Notice the ifi.com sticker on the back window of the ol' truck too! :-)

Peyton

yeah me too!

Peyton

Welcome all. I ask that we all remember that this is a family forum and that if you would not say it in church then don't say it here. The ODBSA is a great group of smiths from all over Virginia. We have a few members who are teachers and professional smiths. We have a meeting at a different shop each month for members and their guests. If anyone is interested in joining please contact me or Bobby Floyd from the ODBSA website. Or join us on our new ODBSA-I Forge Iron Forum.

Peyton

Bookends are for the honest few out there that read every book they buy, and don't buy books to fill shelves...LOL

Peyton

I'd drive it. A few years back I was in a truck show and saw a "truck" close to that. It was a 1954 chevy "ute" from Australia, made specifically for export(at least that is what the owner said). This one is older than that, but may have been the first generation. Who knows. I think its awesome. Thanks for the pics Jr!

Peyton

That shovel looks great! It really warms my heart to hear about you and your kids in the forge. I may be grown but sometimes in the forge seeing something new, or just watching makes me feel like a kid sometimes!

Peyton

I have been surfing around through the IFI blueprints and anvilfire's iforge how-to list and am in search of projects dealing with the use of pipe. I have used pipe to make candle cups, and I really like the pipe rose demo over on anvilfire a lot. I am tyring to get some ideas on what to demo at an upcoming meeting. Anyone out there make anything fun with pipe?

Thanks.
Peyton

Nocturnal Iron Works. This name may cover all aspects of your shop. From Fab work to forged work. Logo could be a cresent moon hanging over an anvil with a single star beside it. In a semi circle arch over the logo have it say "Nocturnal Iron Works" Under the anvil have your name as resident blacksmith. That way your name is there and could come off if you ever sell the place...my .02.

Peyton

It does look to be a rivet set tool of some sort. I will guess that by the size and long reins I am going to say a rivet set for boilers(steam) or large rivets on machinery...I have no idea. I am bad at this game.

Peyton

I don't have time to forge anymore. You keep adding new features, and I just can't leave the site!!!!!!!!!!!!


:-)
Peyton

never argue with a woman...she's always right...

Peyton

Being in the south where humidity never sleeps there always seems to be a problem with mosquitoes. They need water to facilitate more of these blood suckers and it seems the slack tub is a perfect place for them. I usually put a drop or two of cutting oil in there. It works okay. But it does not kill them off completely. I am scared to do more than that because I may jeopardize the quenching qualities of the slack tub itself.

How do you keep the swarm out of your slack tub?

Peyton

My parents are both engineers. So for me growing up fabricated steel was hypothetical to me. I only knew them by the drawings they worked on...

Now being older and more able to grasp the "real world" I see the smith in every part of daily life. I am reminded a lot of thinking into some of these old tools, machinery, and buildings to see the smith there in the shadows creating opportunity for all other trades. From the saw that cut the tree, to the chain that pulled it from the forest, to the hammer and nails used to build the home. To the kitchen where meals were prepared using iron implements...This can go on, and on. The smith created the machines to create better machines that are faster and more accurate. It is hard for me to wrap my brain around the influences of the blacksmith from the bronze age up through the industrial revolution, and now. A trade of artistic contrast, rather than pure necessity.

I hope this does not make anyone "lose their temper", but I must "forge a head"!

Peyton

Jeremy no worries! I had a poor description of the torch!

Peyton

That is exactly what I am talking about. I have a very poor description above. I have seen many for sale with soldering irons and hooks on the torch to hole the iron in the heat...Thank you for pin pointing the tool at hand.

Peyton

It is tough living in a town or city limits where homes are plentiful and land is scarce. And usually when in town limits there are restrictions on things like open fires. How is it some of you "neighborhood smiths" get around the restrictions and limitations? And the irritable neighbor?

Peyton

I have seen quite a few of these old blow torches for sale in antique shops, flea markets, and ebay. The thing is that I have seen stuff that says they run on gasoline, kerosine, or alcohol. How can I tell the difference between them? I wouild hate to put the wrong fuel in one and have it ruin the torch, or me, or the shop.

Anybody know any insider tricks on telling which torch burns what fuel?

Peyton

It is funny to see the prices of some of these things. But one thing is for sure. They are worth only what someone will pay for it. Maybe not me or you, but someone is going to walk up on it and say "my grandfather had a pair just like that!" And the dealer will make the sale.

Peyton

Looks like you are well on your way! Nice anvil. You will find this place to be extremely helpful in all facets of the trade from tooling to project ideas.

Welcome to the party!

Peyton