Hello: Name is Ray and 64 yrs young. Have done woodworking for years and lots of turning out bowls and such. Took a night course in metal art at a local high school and made a trivet, plant hanger and some tool rests for my lathe. Since then have acquired a 120V Lincoln MIG and Ox/Ac. Must have a fire-bug gene, as have built a small coal forge from a brake disk and been trying to make bendy things. Just purchased a very nice Arm & Hammer 172 lb in good condition -the serial is 27754 - if somebody has AIA - would really like to know its age. I now know the allure? bonding? of a good anvil.
Projects are:
- build anvil stand - reading all i can about the designs here, a tripod looks like the best way to go, we have "Metal Supermarket" nearby, they stock all shapes of steel and will cut to length.
- try to make a set of tongs, have watched many youtubes on various techniques. so far the Brian Brazeal (member here) method looks best - the clay cylinder one is pure genius!!. Where is there a description of the names of the parts of a tong? the handles are reins, where did that arise?
have 2 books, backyard blacksmith by Smith, and Complete Modern Blacksmith by Weygers.
just put in a membership to the Ontario Artist Blacksmith Association and look foreword to the meetings - next is in Feb in Milton.
I want to thank Steve Sells for sorting out my account problems.