Dave Parker

I have gotten some good stuff from the local 4x4 and mudding clubs. Make up a few knifes, bracelets made from chain or old wrenches and they will keep you in scrap. They will also trade for roses and things for their wives. Another plus - many are accomplished welders and mechanics, plenty of room to barter with these types of groups. They are the reason I own five Jeeps and have no spare time.

Frosty you are a friend and an inspiration to us all. I will say a prayer and add you to our church’s prayer list. Get well soon

Excellent work, I do not have a wine cellar but if I did, I would want one.

Knee mail sent, God bless our troops and their families.

Very nice. I hope she gets well soon and enjoys it for a long, long time.

Bill, I also spent time in the 25th. I still have two of my own, I am not sure I will ever attempt to make one but if you do, take pictures. That would be something to see and you could hand it down to the next generation of light fighters.

Anvils are like women, get the best built one you can afford. A swayed back, shows her age is better than nothing but do not spend a lot for her. Around here, I see Vulcan anvils all the time, most are worn out and still cost a good bit. I see them because no ones buys them. To be fair if they did not ask so much ($200 for a 75 lbs) they could sell them. I have seen several at local flea markets for months and they do not sell. In the end buy, what you can afford or make do with what you have until a deal comes your way. I made do for a long time and finally found a hay budden with a stand for what the flea market guy wanted for a much smaller worn out vulcan.

This will help: http://www.nepalesekhukuri.com/index.php?67175a84369bff33cf82d33e17916c02

Mitch if you are going to next weeks FABA meeting, I can hook you up. Drop me a line and we can work something out. Dave

Excellent article, my own anvil has rounded sides but I just use a swage when I need a corner to work on. That said, if it ever needs repaired I will definitely refer back to this article.

Good eye Richard, Yes, it leaned a little to the left. I could claim that the sun was setting when I finished mounting it but the real culprit was my mounting bracket. I have to go back and silicon around the base and will shim/straighten it then. I wanted to have it up for today’s service so I left it as is for today and will finish it later this week. Several people pointed out the lean and a few wanted it left that way but mostly the feedback was positive. It was up on time and I learned a valuable lesson-have a spotter on the ground next time. Cheers.

Approximately 3 x 2 ft, made from a 5-ton truck spring. The inspiration was a similar cross project made by Trez Cole at one of our FABA meetings a few months back. The “spike” holds it all together and its new home is a church memorial garden. They will add a spotlight and landscaping later. I hope you like it but I could also use constructive criticism. Dave

About as basic as it gets. Future plans include a shed and finishing a coal forge.

Time spent with your daughter blacksmithing. It sounds like a success story to me. You also got a prototype hammer out of the deal-sweeeet. I have not had the blacksmith bug long at all and I have never had a single project failure. OTOH I have a very impressive scrap pile. Now if I can just talk one of the kids into helping me build it up <VBG> Please do finish the story with pictures of your next collaborative effort.

No need to be nervous, it looks great

Hope it doesn't spread here, I can still get hammers for about 10-25 bucks at flea markets

Kneemail sent, "Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3 I know many others facing tough times (me included) but I always fall back on the memory of a talk I had with a Jewish friend of mine. We discussed all his problems and I told him too remember he was among God’s chosen. His reply was that he could deal with a little less love. Mine was just be glad you didn’t anger him. Have faith, help is coming. Good Luck, Dave

Francis “Trez” Cole also carries the Chinese hand crank blowers send him a PM for prices. He brought a small forge rigged with one to our last FABA meeting, it will do fine for a hobby smith.

Impressive, thanks for sharing

I agree with Frosty share the wealth, please

I am guessing a Gray rat snake; we get a lot of them around here. I have also seen a few large indigo's so the rat snakes may soon find themselves on the menu but I hope not. They do not bother me so live and let live. I keep a tarp over the anvil and occasionally it seems to draw unexpected visitors. The funny ones are the hog noses; they hiss and puff out their heads like a cobra. They are harmless but put on a good show. I’m sure the actual draw is not the anvil but the frogs and lizards. So far none of them have been critical of my work <VBG>

The weather is great today so I pulled the tarp off the old anvil and I see someone beat me to it. The little snake wasn't there last week but when the cold snap ended he decided to visit.

Amazing work you should be proud and btw, nice site

Now that is a minimalist approach. Congrats on a great start. I suspect that your equipment and skill will grow in direct proportion to each other. Looks like you have plenty of room for a large scrap pile so forge away and just hide the mistakes. Better yet, post them on poles and make an arrow pointing towards a neighbor’s house.

I have never done one but have watched a few demonstrations. The problem I saw at them was the smith needed an assistant to explain what was going on. One person could talk and sell merchandize while the other worked. Even if you are planning just to sale and not demo I would suggest you have a few business cards on a table placed between you and the public. Make a show board with your wares, prices and have small note cards explaining the process, time spent even the material used. People are less likely to balk at prices if they can get an idea of the time and effort involved. Pictures can simulate a demo. Pictures in a binder of bigger projects and a few trade items will help bring in interested parties and help start conversations. So bring an anvil a few tongs, post vise etc. The one problem I have seen at both craft shows and demos is smiths are not salesmen by nature. I go to different types of shows and collect a variety of goods, sales are lost because the public will start conversations and the craftsman gets wrapped up in the topic and doesn’t see the customer holding a wallet walking away. Always acknowledge each new arrival and let them know if they need help feel free to interrupt. You can easily excuse yourself from the conversation and return to it later. The customer should come before someone reminiscing about his/her grandfather the smith. Ultimately, your purpose is to sell, stay focused on the goal. I walked away from a table at last years Florida Token Kai show and spent several thousand dollars a few tables down. The dealers that ignored me were discussing politics and not willing to acknowledge me long enough to make a sale. My one purchase would have paid their fees and room for the entire three days, guess they did not need the money. Consider everyone that passes by you a potential sale and work from there. Good luck and I hope this helps. Dave