IanR

Sorry about the spelling Steve, some people spell it with an s and some with a z, you'll find references either way.;)

G'Day Mike I was just browsing the forum when I came across your post, I was asked by someone if I'd like some too. It is spelt bisalloy and from what I can gather it is some sort of hardened steel. I cant tell you much more.

Cheers Ian Ross

Or you could use a couple of monkeys. Seriously though I'm sorry I cant help you with some gearing diagrams, I'll keep an eye out though.

Ian Ross

I live right in town and work from my garage, I haven't had any complaints and I have a firie who lives right across the street. I use coke in my forge and it doesn't seem to create much smoke, but come Winter time it's a different story with our house having 3 open fires, a slow combustion stove and an outside fireplace, its smoke central. I haven't had anyone say anything about the hammering but the other week when I had to really pound on some stainless steel, I thought there would be but everything was sweet.

G'Day Mick I'm not sure if you are still in QLD or where abouts in QLD, but Alan Ball at the Village Smith has some items for sale,The Village Smith, he is winding down due to illness. Good luck with your gear and have a safe trip home.

Ian Ross

I always wear a glove on my holding hand, but not on my hammer hand, it doesn't give me enough control with the hammer. Although the other week I dropped my fire poker and picked up the wrong end with my bare hand. I wear two gloves when welding, got a nasty UV burn on my arm once.

Thanks everyone for your comments and words of encouragement, I will keep you posted as work progresses:)

Ian Ross

G'Day Joe welcome to the site (from another Aussie). You will find members here from all over the world,interesting discussion, photos and more.

Ian Ross

Thought I'd get the ball rolling,this may not be a special project, but it will be to the recipient, started work on a day bed for my eldest daughter. I have made the four legs, from 20mm square bar with differential twists and faceted tops. there will be two sides and a back with the front open, I have yet to think of a design for the sides and back but I hope to use tenon joins on some of the assembly (GULP!!).

Ian Ross

No worries Bully I was just going to ask around and if there was any interest I was going to point them in the direction of the project web site and they could email Paul;). I see Paul's posted some details so I'll mention those.

Whats that eleventh commandment, thou shall not covet thy neighbours smithy. Bully, looks great mate, my setup has to be portable because I work in the same shed that I park my tool laden ute in.:(

Thanks Fe-Wood I was looking at some books the other day on his web site and I think they would be good purchases.

Cheers,

Ian Ross

Thanks for the link Dale, good to see its getting coverage,we just need sponsors for the stainless trunk and branches an welding consumables. I don't have any contacts but I'll ask at the steel suppliers I'm going to in Sydney on Saturday.


Cheers,
Ian Ross

Thanks very much for your comments guys, I will put them to use when I make my next pair. I see you have a new avatar Frosty, I will miss your relaxed pose.:)

Great work Strine and Quang0 and thanks for your words of encouragement, there is certainly some talented people out there , and its great to see the CFA guys getting in it. I'm going to Sydney on Saturday and hope to get some stainless while the wifes at uni. It would be good to try some different leaves and maybe some gumnuts.

Made my first pair of tongs today. I'm happy with the length, feel and mechanics of them, but I didn't upset the area where the rivet is and there is too much flex because the steel is too thin. What is the best way to upset rod 3" or so from the end? I will be making another pair of scroll tongs and hopefully many other types, but I will keep these as a reminder of my first attempt.

G'Day double_edge2 welcome aboard;)

If you head over to the The Tree Project you will see in the gallery a leaf made yesterday by Victorian country fireman Cliff Overton, who is new to blacksmithing. I would like to congratulate Cliff on his fine effort and welcome him to the world of blacksmithing;)

Just came across this thread, great setup you have there element, real picture postcard stuff, we don't get snow like that where we are in Oz. I have my anvil horn facing away from the forge so as to not jab my leg. I too have a brake drum as a fire pot, it is off a truck and is about 4 1/2" deep. It works well, but because there is no clinker breaker it can be a bit of a chore too get clinker out.

Tom, your setup is coming along nicely, can't be too far off completion. your super sucker looks great, I can see where they get their name from, if yours is anything like elements you'll be laughing. I too learnt about wearing long sleeves using a mig to repair an old ornate carriage. There was lots of fiddly bits that had to be held and my left arm above the glove got badly burnt.

Wish I had a buddy with a farm:D

Neat work, looks good. I hope the maker of the quilt didn't mind you putting a coal shovel on it

Here are my finished leaves,boy stainless is hard work, I'm sure my right arm is larger than it used to be and I found my anvil, which normally stays put, was creeping across the floor with my heavy blows . But it sure was a great experience and such a worthy cause. Beth, if you go back a few posts in this thread you will find a link to the Tree Project web site with all the details.

Ian

Welcome Mike, thats a fascinating branch of blacksmithing your into. It's fun making contemporary items but it must be great making working items from the past.

Ian

No problems here, I should have another image tomorrow of 6 completed leaves I will be sending by the post on Monday

Well done, I like that!