Dave Parker

Thanks Vaughn, I am very happy with it. Eventually I will add metal wheels, tong and hammer racks. Considering a chimney and a permanent home as I have a unattached carport ready to close in.

Here is my large portable forge. It was a craigslist purchase so I do not know the history but except for needing to replace the wheels it is in great shape.

I have never had a name for my smithy mainly because it was always just a shed in my backyard. I recently moved from Florida back home to Alabama and started building a new smithy and my friends and family kept asking what I will call it so I held a contest. The winner was "Burnt Finger Forge." The name does stop the age old question of "have you ever burned yourself?'. Now I need a logo and a sign (project idea).

Great story in that it shows how even bad things can have silver linings. I just moved from Florida to Alabama and I am building a new smithy right on a large creek. The picture of your flooded shop almost caused me to change locations but in the end blacksmithing is about overcoming and making do. I sincerely hope that your journey towards recovery is swift and brings additional blessings.

Nice score, it took a long time to get my vise's and anvils. Last Ronin check your messages.

Rusty (Dan), I only know you from this forum but that is enough to tell that you are respected in our on line community and I will gladly add my own prayers for you and your family.

Jerry, I am sorry for your loss, normally I also live in Florida but these prayers come from Djibouti Africa. We don't always know Gods plan but we have to trust that he has one. Your warning for us to check our own smoke detectors shows your heart. To think of others at a time like this. Your son was a lucky man and I'm sure that his life blessed many. May God ease your pain.

Very nice Trez, your work is always first rate. Give my best to the FABA gang. I,ll see you guys in Feb.

Nice work, I am glad for your success. I saw four anvils for sell today, The seller wanted $200 for an unmarked 35 pounder and almost $600 for a 200 pound anvil that had snapped and was bolted together. He had a fair deal on a post vise but I passed because he was such a pain to deal with. He was so pleasant that I will not even tell anyone where his store is. I will be out of the country until next year, I am sure all four will be there when I return, I’ll try again then. Enjoy your success.

I fought this battle myself. After they decided to turn my neighborhood into an HOA my smithing got noticed. Even though I was grandfathered in for the tools. I had to have anything new fit the HOA’s rules. The biggest shed I could build was limited to 10ft by 16ft. With a window mid-way on each side and a set of large double doors on the front, it is workable. Add a large fan and get enough cross ventilation and small jobs are easy. I keep a small one burner in the shed and I keep a small coal forge by the door and just move it under the trees when I need it. Once you have things on wheels, tools in racks and a place for scrap on the outside even a small area feels bigger. The most important issue is getting started, after that it is a shell game.

Congrats, great story and lesson for us all, if we do not pass down the tools then why pass down the knowledge? BTW, I hope once you are up and running you have him over (that was a cleverly hidden hint)

Congrats on the win and your new membership. This site is additional proof of your point that smith's are great resources and take the extra step to help newbies. Now mount that vise, post the pictures.

Prayers sent for all concerned, thanks for the update Cliff

Prayers from Florida OTW for him and his family.

Prayers sent Dixie, said one for you as well. I know it is tough when Mom is under the weather.

My prayers for the family and friends and I will ring the hammer three times in Florida, Rest in Peace Brother Smith.

Very nice Trez. You are a smart man.

His refusal to sell them as individuals and to take pictures speaks volumes, even if I were in the market, I would pass.

Alan, It was not much but I hope it helps. Curly George, thanks for the link. Dave

Alan, After reading all the offers for tools and other help, I had an idea. Set up a paypal account so those that can and want to help can send a few bucks your way. A few dollars at a time adds up and you should be able to buy most of what you need locally. It would also save on shipping and for those of us far away from you it might mean the difference between wanting to help and being able to help.

Alan, Hold fast, brother smith. Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name. When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them. With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation. Prayers sent from Florida. When I was a teen, we lived on a twenty-acre spread in Alabama and our house burned to the foundation. We had nothing except our clothes. My father lost everything. Today the place has grown to forty plus acres and a newer house. Once it dawned on us that we were all fine, we had faith and each other. We saw opportunity and my sincere hope is that you will too. Dave

Rest in Peace brother smith, may God grant your friends and family comfort and fond memories of your time together.

More Prayers sent from Florida. Dave

I agree with bajajoaquin, buy it and use it until you can upgrade. It looks like you could later mod it into a portable post vise stand.

I was out hitting flea markets this morning and crossed paths with a 204-pound Hay-Budden farriers' anvil. It was at a tool dealers booth. I passed at $2500. The owner looked mad when I told him I already had one that I paid $300 for. Like all deals, looking longer can save you some real money. I,ll tell the gang at the next FABA meeting about it but I think a working smith would pass over it. I hope that he crosses paths with a rich collector. The last time I visited the same dealer, he sold me what he called a “Fisher anvil” for $50, it was actually a 70-pound Kohlswa. Even with dealers, prices go all over the place.