Crackers

Hey Ian, at the Royal Show, I was making small leaves from 8mm. round rod, to hang on key rings. We were trying to sell them for $10 ea. but a lot of people thought our price was a bit too high, so we reduced them to $7 ea. They take me about twenty five minutes to make. I was taught how to make these by Graham Askew, from the Artist Blacksmith's Association of N.S.W. Perhaps you've met him? Cheers, Brian.

Hey Michael, many thanks for posting that excellent little drawing of our spoon jig, well done! If anyone has any more questions or suggestions regarding these spoons, please let us know. Regards, Brian.

G'day Ian, I'm sure Michael won't mind if I answer your question about our little spoons made from a number 7 horseshoe nail. We make them with a small eye, so they can be hung an a key ring or a necklace etc. At this year's Perth Royal Show (last month), we sold them attached to a key ring for $2 ea. They prove to be very popular. The idea was started by our founder (Jo Mazzarol) several years ago. It takes us about three minutes to make one and most people are quite willing to stand and watch one being made. At $2 ea.they're cheap and many people like to buy something that they've just watched being made. Besides, number 7, horseshoe, they've got to be lucky! Regards, Brian.

G'day everyone, if I can figure out how to up load photos again, I'll post some more photos of the Royal Show week. Hmmm, I think I just might just have to call on Michael (Mr. Smith) again for some assistance. We had a busy, but very enjoyable eight days, blacksmithing together and showing the general public that blacksmithing is still actually being done!!! Some people are amazed. Anyway, lets see if I can work this photo thing out again.
Regards, Brian.

G'day Rick, thanks for keeping us informed. Sounds encouraging to me. She remains in our thoughts. All the best, Brian.

G'day Rick,
Sounds like Pam has got a bit of a tough time ahead, but she's still in our thoughts. Thinking of you both over here. Best wishes, Brian.

Congratulations Chris. That's the way, start them young mate. All the very best to you & your family.
Regards, Brian.

Bruce, I'm sure the O'dwyer anvils are made from SG iron. O'dwyer's make mention of that on their website. However, I'm not sure what rockwell hardness figure they are tempered to. If someone knows, perhaps they could post some info about it here? That would be much appreciated.
Regards, Brian.

G'day Ludo, it's nice to meet someone from Taiwan who is interested in blacksmithing. Welcome to the forum.
Regards, Brian.

G'day Gary, welcome from Western Australia.
Regards, Brian.

We at BAWA are very grateful to have the use of this workshop. The Royal Agricultural Society give us the use of the shop totally rent free, on the condition that we have it open every day of the Perth Royal Show, to demonstrate the craft of blacksmithing to the general public. The show runs for eight days, late Sept. early Oct. each year. At all other times during the year, with the exception of a few days, we have access to the shop every day of the week. How good a deal is that!!!? WE really are very lucky. We hope to post some photos here of this year's Royal Show.
Regards, Brian.

The helve hammer can be dangerous if not used correctly. All forging is done standing at either side of the hammer and not in front, as standing in front of the hammer, one risks being hit in the head by the helve! We have a rule in place that states that there must be at least two people in the shop before the hammer can be used. We operate it regularly, including during the Perth Royal Show and haven't had any problems with the department of occupational safety, health & welfare. As for insurance, the building is owned by the Royal Agricultural Society, so they are responsible for the building's insurance. BAWA has it's own insurance in place, to cover members.

G'day Rick, how about telling your aunt Pam that you know people on the other side of the world, (Western Australia) that are holding her in their thoughts! I am also close to my uncle. Regards, Brian.

I'm having another go at uploading some photos of our workshop so that those who are interested can see where we get up to mischief. A couple of photos show our 100 lb. Bradley helve hammer. This was completely restored several years ago and is still used today. The brick forge that Michael (Mr. Smith) is working at, is our main forge. This is a double forge. We have five other forges, to make a total of seven. Our shop measures approx. 12 metres X 6.5 metres. In the old language, thats about 39 ft. X 21 ft. Regards, Brian.

Thank you for sharing that irn. Regards, Brian.

G'day Bill, those spike people look fantastic. They look like they might take a bit more skill to make than my present skill level. Really well done. Have you any idea how long it takes you to make one of those? Most impressive! Thanks for that.
Regards, Brian.

Our group has a number of Australian made O'Dwyer anvils. At 95 kg. I believe that converts to 209 lbs. They are made from SG iron and are not as hard as older anvils but they are a nicely finished anvil and work well for us. I read somewhere on the internet once that they are only hardend to 24 rockwell. I can't confirm this though. Might have something to do with being cast from SG iron??? Does anyone know anymore about this???

Hey fellas, many thanks for the ideas comming through about the dog spikes and Richard, thanks for the photos. Very nice work and excellent ideas. This is a wonderful website. Regards, Brian.

Good on yer Glenn. Thanks for that suggestion. Hadn't thought of that one. Regards, Brian.

G'day Pam, I was just wondering, was your elbow problem caused by blacksmithing? How is it coming along now? Hope all is well. Regards, Brian.

G'day Richard, many thanks for that. I'll keep on plugging away at my computer and see if I can work it out. I'm not real flash on the computer, but I'm trying.
Regards, Brian.

Recently our group was fortunate enough to be given a considerable number of Dog Spikes in two different sizes. I'm seeking ideas, apart from knives, letter openers and tomahawk axe heads, on other things that can be made from Dog Spikes. If anyone can post any photos of unusual things that they've made from Spikes, that would be great and also much appreciated. I'm planning on making some wall hooks out of Spikes. I've got a rough idea in my head about how I might go about making them. Any help as usual will be appreciated. Regards, Brian.

I tried to post some photos of BAWA's workshop a couple of nights ago, but was unsuccessful. Said something about the files were too large. My son tells me that I have to find some way of reducing the size of the photos. So, those of you who may be checking out the BAWA forum to see what's happening, I'm afraid you'll have to be patient while I get some help from Mr. Smith to work out how to do it. I've got some photos of our workshop and a few shots of members work that I'd like to post here. If anyone can offer me some advice, it would be very much appreciated. Regards, Brian (Crackers) Keenan.

G'day everyone, my name is Brian (nick name is Crackers). Just joined and trying to work out how to use the forum. Not all that good with a computer. I live in Perth, Western Australia and am the editor for The Blacksmiths Association Of Western Australia. We're a small group of blacksmithing enthusiasts who meet every Sunday. I hope you'll excuse any mistakes I make while I'm teaching myself how to use this facility.