AZGUY

That doesn't look too hard to make. I just checked out Brent Baileys web site. Great looking tools. I have seen some of his youtube videos too but the name didn't register until I saw his picture.

OK I will search for that. Good idea on the handles too. It took a long time to get the cut off sledge handle sanded down to fit and look even remotely right. I will see if I can find some small axe or hatchet handles to get drift measurements. We only had 2 slits and 2 drifts for both the hammers and axes and I got the point of how it was done anyway. I think the class is new and may still be evolving. Maybe I can give some feedback for different axe and hammer drifts. 

The axe is forge welded. The instructor handled that part. I will be giving it a go on my own this weekend though. I will also be making my own drifts and such I am looking for dimensions now so if you have any advice I would love to hear it. The axe cut and the hammer hammered lol the endurance test will take some time. The eyes are a little off center so I will be working on that also. Lots of practice ahead but it was fun making them. Is a cheek plate like a flatter or is it a different tool?

Just took a course at the Mesa Art Center for hammer and axe building. These are my first shot at it. It was a great course and I can't wait to practice what I learned and clean up my technique a little.  We started with basic billets and the handles were shaved down from sledge hammer handles. comments and tips welcome

Good job!

11 hours ago, Adun Clebr said:

Thanks for 'splaining all that Mr. McPherson - Hopefully...you picked up on the fact that I have NEVER seen any metal tripods (in any of my reading, museum visiting, et cetera) from an "antique" timeframe. I have several dozen pictures of wooden tripods, however.  And I was not being a smart butt by not specifically saying the ones I'd seen they were all wooden (replicas) construction- I just did not know if metal ones were out there. My family never had any money, so that explains why we never found any around the place. We can't spell Italian loafers & cuff links is what the Sherriff puts on you.

Anyways; The tripod set I hope to make will be made to be here way long after I am gone (plus, the pot is probably 30 lb. or more). So I'm making a future antique set, I 'spose , sort of like what AZguy made with his material, incorporating what TPowers says about weathering, and the TPowers/CRStevens O/U leg/pole connection advice.

I really appreciate everybody's time & ideas- that's what makes this fun. I don't mean to step into your thread either, AZguy.

Brad

It's fine with me. I'm just bummed to hear Renaissance fairs aren't historically accurate lol. 

The legs were about 3' long each. I am not sure where everything sits in the cooking position as I did not measure it. I did not think to date it. It never even occurred to me someone would try to pass it as an antique. Looks like I have some research to do to find out a little more about these before I make my next one. I just kind of did what looked right from pictures I saw. 

Yeah it's 5/8 thick. That was one thing I learned. Go smaller lol I wouldn't add those set to my backpacking gear but it's fine for them. They have a camper. 

Made my first camping tripod for my brother in law's family. I learned a lot making this and have some ideas on how to improve next time. 

Awesome, thank you.

Is the wedge what keeps it tight against the mount?

I don't need any particular type of spring steel or anything?

Picked this up the other day, Craigslist find for $80. The cheapest I have seen in a while. Does anyone make a replacement spring for these? I know most people make their own but I don't think I know enough yet to put the tool at risk of a bad part. Disassembly and clean up begins soon. Anything I should watch out for? 

Sorry, charging family was supposed to be a joke but I appreciate the candid response. Other than maybe paying for the materials I wouldn't charge them. I enjoy doing stuff for family and it would give me the opportunity to try new things and learn. If other people asked about it I would have them tell them they paid for it though. That way I am not doing favors for strangers.  I am just starting out in my metal working hobby and I enjoy new opportunities to try different stuff and experiment. Besides the wife can't get mad at me for spending time in the garage if I am making things for her parents.     Are there any standards out there for figuring out gauge of metal for gates and fences based on length or height? I flew by the seat of my pants on this one but I was curious if there were industry standards.

here is our big dog. Australian cattle dog/ shepherd mix I think.

she loved it. Her mother loved it, her sister loved it and both sister in laws did too. i may have some orders coming in lol. can you charge family? It seems plenty sturdy except when the nieces and nephews decided they wanted to hang on it. lol other than that it doesnt bend or bow or sag. if i do another i will tie them in better. this one is already painted so i would have to strip the whole thing down again and redo all the copper wire, im not sure i have it in me right now. The dogs cant get their heads stuck all the rings are either too big or too small. they generally dont go near the gate anyway. it doesnt even have a latch because i didnt want to ruin the banister but they wont even attempt to open it. they know what gates mean and that seems to be enough. our biggest dog can jump high enough to rest his front legs on our 6' rear wall but if you surround him with a 1' tall puppy fence he wont step out of it for anything. If there is no gate though they run up and down the stairs like crazy.

Made a dog gate for my wife since she kept tripping over the babay gate she had had there for years. Hope this is the right sub forum for this. Used a ring roller for the circles.

Awesome!. I like the latch.

OK. I get why it is called upsetting now. It must have been named for what it does to the blacksmith lol. Between that and drawing out the huge chunk of metal we didn't get to the twists last night. So that and the finishing work on the fire poker will be done next week.

Which area of phoenix are you looking? I'm not afraid of a little hard work if need be.

Had a little snafu yesterday, class got cancelled due to rain and it being an outdoor class so I will have to update next week. stay tuned

So far I am having a blast. I can't wait for Thursdays class. We will be doing rods and pokers (twists and upsets). Im not sure what an upset is but I'm excited to learn.

It would be a bit of a drive but the instructor made it sound like you can rent time at their studio on certain days. I go for my second class on Thursday and I will ask. Eventually I will be getting enough stuff together to be able to do it all at home. Anthem is close to 2 hours away from apache junction though.

I out them up in the critique my work area. For some reason it wouldn't let me attach them here.

Well the first week is done. 4 hours last night. The instructor seems to know what he is doing and I had a blast. I can see why this is so addicting to so many people. The first night was S hooks and bottle openers. Let me know what you think good or bad. I know they need the scale removed but we ran out of time.

I am an Arizona native living in Anthem. I have been interested in Blacksmithing since I was a kid and have lurked on here for a little while. Lest month my wife got me a class at Mesa Arts Center for the beginning blacksmithing course with  Samuel Troxell. So next Thursday I will be starting the journey. Has anyone else taken this course?