primtechsmith

Being vague was exactly the point here. Open ended questions with a broad topic usually facilitate more traffic and responses on many different levels and aspects of the subject at hand. We have among us here on this forum many smiths who have a wealth of knowledge. This forum is an interactive book of sorts with many resources, authors, and editors. I am merely attempting to create a thread to expand the knowledge of us all...I am just trying to do my part to further this forum.

Peyton

What are some tips for those trying different methods of joinery like collaring, and riveting?

Peyton

Roger I have to admit I like your style...Turning every event into a moment "forged" in time is great! Keep it up!

Peyton

Glenn this new layout is really great! The hardest thing to do is improve on a great thing. And you sir have done just that!

Awesome job Glenn!!!
Thanks for this site, forum, internet reference, etc...
Peyton

Strine I just want you to know that I appreciate your humor! You make me laugh, and your avatar is amazing!

Well done!
Peyton

What is the best advice you can give someone who is attempting to forge weld? What about the Fire, air flow, flux, etc....

Peyton

I agree. I cruise ebay to get ideas to try out, or make and try to sell. This goes along with having a website to sell items. I am guilty of cruising those also to gain new ideas not only on product, but tools, shop layout, and homegrown tools that may be lurking in the background. I assume that ebay could work well for you if you post the item in a category where "Harry Homeowner" would look for it....

If you try it out keep us posted on your success!

Peyton

Why not just use a golf ball? Drill a hole fill it up with sand, silicone the hole. Paint the thing black. And keep on keeping on.

Peyton

It is getting close to time to begin the demonstrations at fairs, and shows. What are some tips you would give other smiths on how to protect the crowd from the demonstration.

How do you handle those questions that come up everytime. "do you shoe horses", "is that coal", or my favorite..."is that hot?"

For us the horse question was answered when we put a horseshoe with a line through it and the caption "We Don't Do Horses" under iton the demo trailer.....How do you handle these things?

Peyton

I have made hundreds of s hooks out of all types of material, and in all sizes.

In your opinion. What are the basic fundamentals a novice needs to master before moving on to the infamous "sword" :roll: , or any other stereotypical hand forged item. I know in my learning process so far the basics are always present, and repetition is making them second nature...

Also what are some basic items a novice can practice on to master these basic skills?

Peyton

rearranging, and organizing the forge to give it a little more room so we can get working on those-

Those of you who use coal, what is your favorite type to use? Brand and size...

Peyton

In my limited experience, a little more than 2 or so years, my hammer awareness is getting much better. My hammers that I find myself using the most are: 1lb heller double faced (my first hammer), also since Christmas I have a Cliff Carroll 1.5 rounding hammer that is great! These are the two I use the most. What about you guys?

Any tips for hammer technique, and what hammer size and style you use...

Peyton

Funny thing happened yesterday while I was helping my wife clean the house. My job was the living room. I was dusting the room and found a couple of my "whimsical pieces" had some rust just creeping in on them. So I went back after dusting everything else and used the cloth and some furniture polish. It took the rust right off and left the piece looking pretty darn good! I am sure it won't last, but it worked.

This small thing made me start thinking of how to ward off the rust demons. How do you prevent rust?

I want it all to be one piece. Pour the cast around the tang of the blade. I am thinking one peice is easier and more durable than 2 or 3 pieces. Plus sometimes simple design is the most functional. Still in the idea stages...

Peyton

Last nite I spoke with Rich Hale, and a few others on the idea of casting knife handles directly to the blade. I want to try something different than the standard. Anyone ever tried this, or have any thoughts on the matter? I am thinking of using aluminum.....What do you ya'll think?

Peyton

Jr....well put my friend! Sometimes the worst taste is that of our own words....

Peyton

Censorship is a harsh ideal for a public forum.

If Glenn wanted to become the "censor", as the definition calls for, then he would have completely deleted the post from the forum. But, in doing the right thing he has gained the wrong reaction from the author. Glenn gave Dan, like he has given many others, the benefit of the doubt on expressing his/her opinion by deflecting his vernacular to more suitable words. Thank you for that. I can only hope Glenn's astute attention to detail, and passion for this site will potentially fix a possible problem in any of my posts here, now, or in days/years to come.

Was this a case of censorship? No.
Only a case of someone doing the right thing....
Thank you Glenn for this site, your diligence for a higher standard, and all of your hard work!

Proud patron of iforgeiron.com
Peyton Anderson

Peyton Anderson
Farmville Virginia
25 years old
Middle School Civics teacher
Very happily married!!!!!!!!!!!

I grew up in Lynchburg Virginia where both parents are in manufacturing. I remember going to WIlliamsburg as a small kid and being amazed with the blacksmith there. I did not get to spend much time there and always found the trade an amazing, and magical craft. I went to community college, then transferred to Longwood College(now University). I went to school to be a teacher. I met my wife Sarah in college. While in school Sarah got me involved with archaeology and primitive technologies(where the "primtech" comes from). I was a member of a group that would spend a couple weekends a year flint knapping, and making tools that were believed to be used in the lithic era. All stone and wooden tools...

When I met Sarah's parents I found out her father, MIKE-T, is a blacksmith. My interest began to come back in the trade. He offered me a chance to learn some of the basics for myself. I now loosely consider myself an apprentice. There is no real standard to set for master, apprentice, etc anymore. So, like many others, I am purely self proclaimed. I work with Mike a few days a week at Yesteryear Forge. My brother-in-law also comes in there with us from time to time as well.

I am also a member of The Old Dominion Blacksmith Association.

To be honest I'm just happy to be here. I am lucky to have such good people around me at home, at the forge, and on here....

Peyton

Thankfully in Central Virginia it never gets really cold. And it is also fortunate and lucky for me that Usually by the time I get to the forge Mike has a fire in the wood stove. That helps a whole bunch, not only heating the forge up, but lighting the forge with a shovel of wood coals.

I also lay my cutting block on the fire. I lay it on there right after I have it lit and have thrown some fresh coal on. I let it all soak a few minutes throw the thing on the anvil. And by the time I empty the ash dump, grab my hammer. I push the plate off and get to work....

Peyton

I usually hit my chisels, punches, and fullers with either the 2lb. ball pien(cold hammer) that hangs by the vice, or with the 2lb. brass hammer. I seem to feel my smithing hammers are for hot steel only. Also using a brass hammer on punches, chisels, and fullers (when doing more than a tap for a center punch, or veining on leaves) is more life for the tool. Hardened steel from the hammer will mushroom these tools out and cause potential projectiles down the road, or extra work to grind it off.

Besides, I don't want to go to he** for hitting cold iron!!! :shock: :wink:

Peyton

~Shut up and listen more!

Peyton

Two things I have learned from working with yesteryearforge is: 1. when cutting stock with a hardie use a brass hammer. and 2. NEVER hit cold metal with a forging hammer. Have a "cold" hammer hanging near your vice or close to your work area. That way you will spend more time forging and less time re-dressing your hardies and hammers!

Peyton

I just wanted to take a moment and wish everyone here a safe and joyus Christmas/Happy Holidays!

Seems Glenn has given all of us a gift that just keeps on giving......this forum. Thanks again for all your diligent, and dedicated work here!

Merry Christmas!
Peyton