Kevin Olson

I have read that a 5 gallon bucket weighs between 34 to 40 pounds. On my longest day forging I do not think I have used half a bucket. So your looking at roughly 15lbs maximum per day. So your 25 lb box should last a least 2 days. Now this is only an estimation based on my experience with my forge. I have never measured how much i use because I am just trying to picture a bucket half full and how many scoops I can get out of it

Merry Christmas! We are at 0°f. At 7:25 am. Burrrr

Your on the list Frosty.

Your going to have to refine your questions a little. Are you wanting to ask full time blacksmiths? Because most people here are hobbiests and have day jobs. I work in a body shop painting cars and pretend I'm a blacksmith on weekends. I like making the cars look beautiful but hate being around the chemicals involved in the process. So you will have to define questions 3 4 and 5. 1....see screen name. From northern minnesota. , now in Minneapolis. 2. Always interested in the metal arts but really got into the addiction when I got my granddads anvil and forge after he passed. Put your general location in your profile page. There might be some of us in your area.

This was my granddads. Champion blower and cast iron pan. My dad does not remember him doin any forging so why he had it is anybody's guess. Dad said it was kept outside for many years but it sure does not look like it. It still has almost all of the original finish on it. Blower works very well and sounds good. Now I have to figure out a lining for it.

that lathe is awesome. How big is it?

digging your own coal. Awesome. Just dont cave it in on yourself. How about sone pics of the mine. Now thats some cool stuff. We love pics

Ok. Here we go again. Ugh. Mods. Please delete this thread

Cant forge....have to put new roof on shop. Cant forge...have to put new siding on the shop. Cant forge...have to put new roll up door in shop. Cant forge...have to rebuild the engine in daughters dodge charger and it takes up all the space in the shop for 6 weeks because the machine shop could not figure out which version 3.5l engine it was. Can't forge...have to vacation...have to go fishing..have to go up north for weddings..... Did not forge all summer!

Daves on my list.

Hey joel. What made you quit drumming? I didn't quit, I just dont play as much as I used to.

Nice. Looks like a museum piece.

Fully protected welder dude with a cool PW vise, cute dog and kayaks. Thumbs up :-)

I see round to flat to round then a square taper with a small scroll. If that aint blacksmithin I dont know what is. Keep practicing. It only gets better !

With the popularity of Forged in Fire I wish the History channel would say at the start of each show the dangers of smithing and then direct them to the History channel website for more info on how to get started smithing safely. Of course they would have to do work to put together this info so would it happen?

Your family is on my list

Milling..I cringe.. Does he know how much was taken off?

The pickup weight is right but almost 10k on the trailer. Seams a bit much. You would definatly feel that when taking off from a stop. Do you have to put your foot into it to get it to go?

Yup. You have to set the leaf down over a bigger radius. I had the same problems with my leaves. Build a hardy tool with an edge with a radius of a pencil. It looks way too round but will work. Like Judson says, practice.

If you can afford the new anvil then buy it. Unless its a cheap cast iron piece of junk. But you just spent all your money on an anvil. You still need a forge and tools etc. Do as Jasent and JHCC have recomended. You can get into this cheaper that way. Ebay is a risky option for getting an anvil. You have to see it in person and test it. I bought a 16lb sledge hammer from ebay for 35usd shipped, and bored a hole in a stump to hold it and it is surprising how well it works. You have to learn basic blacksmithing skills before doing historical weapons etc. Such as drawing out, square tapers, spreading, 90 degree square corners, punching, drifting etc. All this can be done on on a simple piece of mild steel, etc. Look for a blacksmithing group in your area. They will have more knowledge and resources then you can get on your own. And I think there might be a smith or 50 in the UK that can help. Welcome to the addiction!

On a side note. Don't hydraulic shafts have a chrome coating that could be dangerous to burn off?

I see that much air blowing the flame into the chimney means there's an equal amount of air flow into the shop. Where is it coming from?

Whats a mine tag?

Prayers sent

I was hoping you would post again. Im not in puerto rico but I have a question for you. Hows it going down there. The news is saying still alot of people without electricy. And they keep talking about aid and help going there. Have seen any of this? Do you have a place to live? Is the food truck going to be fixed? Sorry for so many questions but the news reporting might not be accurate to whats actually happening there.