Ralph

Not sure of legal issues, BUT if you talk with the neighbors and perhaps bring a small forged item as a gift they will NOT be calling the authoroties on you. ALso you might wish to consider a gas forge as it has less smell. Also consider sound-silencing on your anvil. Firmly attached to the stand helps knock down the ring. Some folks say a length of chain around the waist helps. Good luck

The way I found works best is to heat the iron to a DULL red and then add glass. BTW I use clear glass marbles.heat til glass slumps. Then remove form direct heat, set aside (on a coal forge this means place on top if coke/coal pile neat the heat but not on it, no air and let cool till you can touch it.If using a gas forge place it on top. ) all this will allow the glass and iron to cool and keep the iron from contracting too fast which will spall the glass. Just my 2 cents worth

foil idea has been appropreated... A few years bacjk I was at a hammer in and since I had talked to a few of the gents about glass iron combos I was asked to demo. It was really cool as the group I was normally with all said it could not be done with out lots of special equipment etc. I pointed out that as a kid while in Europe I remember seeing a LOT of iron work with slumped glass. from many years before the 'special ovens etc) SO I tried and found you can do it. despite the neg attitudes. But the se new guys took my basic idea and went nuts, never once naysaying. One fellow mas a longhorn head and we inserted red glass slivers and slumped them in. it was given to the hosts of the event. Looked nice if I sed so myself.

Thomas, re dragon eyes. after punching eye, place a tiny piece of green or red glass in and slump in place...... 8)

It looks as if Dawn and I will be in Huston in about 2 weeks. I will be going to some cancer treatment place there. They are supposed to be the bee's knees Not sure how long we will be there. anyone who may want to visit a bit let me know.

Elkdoc, I am glad to hear of your sucsess. Dawn has been researching a few places ( Cancer treatment specialists. One in Austin and one in Seattle. If we can we may be doing that.

Hollis, Thanks a ton! Ralph

Sir I think that the job was and is WELL done. Dawn has already said that I WILL be doing something simular for her, in the future. Now about teh braid I assume this was a die? PWR hammer? Or hand work?

Folks I must say that it does me a WORLD of GOOD to get all teh words and prayers from all of yall. One of my sources of strength. Looks possible that I will have one more.surgery. as well as chemo and rad treatments. Also Dawn is investigating a few other places that are using procedures and treatments with sucsess that are about 5 years ahead of current conventional wisdom. One in Seattle and one in Austin. As I know more I will share.. God Bless Ralph and Dawn 8)

Ed it WOULD take a VERY COmplex collar. and since collars are a weakness of mine. It would be beyond my skills. 8)

Going to have to learn to Mig.... you work is nice and clean looking a bonus in my mind

Nice work. Seems like if you could fingure how to fasten the trifoil to the candle bracket with collars it would be pretty spiffy. Or small rivets. NOt that it is not spiffy now.. To be honest I just doomed myself by showing the pics to Dawn. Once I get back into smithing form I see that this type of thing will be in my future. BTW is it possible to see a pic of the die used to make the rope braid on the sides? Thanks. 8)

a few plastic pails with sand or concrete in them? Should help raise it and make it easier to use

Jerry, I am not a member of any group other than the FOrt Vancouver Blacksmiths guild. I am near Portland Oregon. My opinion is based on many hours of using this forge. Yeah I could have used brick to help deepen the fire area. JUst more to have to cart to off sites.

Jim, I am not a member of any group other than the FOrt Vancouver Blacksmiths guild. I am near Portland Oregon. My opinion is based on many hours of using this forge. Yeah I could have used brick to help deepen the fire area. JUst more to have to cart to off sites.

Peronally I am not overly fond of my lever operated forge. Noes not move much air nor does a flat bottom forge make a deep enough fire to efficeintly heat iron. Just my opinion 8)

thanks for the tutorial Dr H! Looks as if that process would be much easier with a pwr hammer...... or a press. :lol:

She is on MY prayer list. Cancer is such a bad thing. dealing with it my ownself so I know. The prayers are going out right now. Please tell her that she is being prayed for hear in the PNWet( Oregon specifically)

BTW if you are going to visit Frank, email/call or contact him prior to so he can check his calendar to make sure he is there. Also to see if he has a class running at that time. Family and I stopped by Franks after attending daughters college graduation 2 years back. We had a nice tour of shop and had a good chat for a while. Frank is good folks :D

I think the CHAIN was rather large, as in each link was about a foot in length. But my memory is way tired. Instead of making an exact replica, perhaps a scaled one would be better?

I think any project that can be added to is worth while. I also particularly like making chain. One thing needed is reasonably specific specs. As to length width square round is the link twisted slightly, size of stock. Do you want a touch mark on each piece from a maker? Also what type of metal to be used. I DO think it is a good idea. But then again I made a hair over 3 meters of chain for a display project. The Mastermyr Project. And I had a hoot doing so, Also it is sorta nice to know that some of my work is being displayed at events all over. The project ( a tool box and assorted tools) was at the last ABANA conference, and I think has been to several events in teh east and midwest. So decide on what specs you want, also where to send for assembly etc. You will be suprised at how many folks will participate. :shock:

Folks I am home! Most of the clot is gone, the rest is going in time. I look to be on blood thinners for the rest of my life, but with care that is not a big issue. I appreciate all the prayers and thought for us in our time of need. Ralph

Bram, when I built my first gasser 12 years back, I read Ron's page. Thought about it got confused, and so emailed him. He and I emailed for quite a while. But the end result was for a me a good first attempt. Just as a warning Ron is much less likely to talk with folks today. But if you really read his stuff and all and you still have questions it will not hurt to ask him. He believes that you need to have a certain 'native' inteligence to do this so often times cuts people off. Since then I have been to Ron's ond place once or twice. And look forward to visitiing his new place. Also feel more than free to ask us here.

If you ask the local propane place they have to correct one. The one you have might go as high as 10 lbs not high enough. Do any of yall know the pressure ranges? I was thinking 0-60 but I am just guessing here.

standard regulator? as in for a BBQ? If so that is your probelm. Will not allow enought pressure. Go to the propane place and ask for a high press regulator. Around here they call them red hat ( no clue as to why). 8)