Steve McCarthy

Wrap the die material in a piece of brown paper bag then clamp the holder around it and weld.

I'm sure I have no idea what he is talking about... :ph34r:

It just gets better every year. Stan, Clara and Susan are great hosts. It was fun to see old friends and meet some new ones. As Lyle said, him and David made me a hammer. What an awesome birthday present! I promised them I wouldn't teach it any bad habits. Since it was forged on Friday the 13th, David named it "Jason" . Hope to see everyone again next year.

My sign isn't finished yet, but posting of another rooster design prompted me to show mine.

It didn't get hot and melt like a candle. The rail was ground away and peeled over. That is a pile of shavings on the ground, not slag. Just my theory. Could be wrong.

Stan do you know how many will be there this year? I know I've had a great time every year. Reminder Attendees are encouraged to bring something to donate to the Iron In The Hat raffle.

Google Ozark Knife Makers. Tom McGinnis is a great guy. He has several classes each year. I took a pipe hawk class there 3 years ago taught by Bill Keeler.

Try this http://www.mcmaster.com/#threaded-sundry-bumpers/=nva23t In case the link gets deleted, go to McMaster Carr and search rubber bumpers.

Then why is there a whole thread dedicated to material suppliers in the knife making section? Are those links not free advertising also?

Did you turn the bowl or buy it from somewhere? Look much better than the two I've made from gun barrels.

If you were by the Coast somewhere, I would suggest it was a mooring cleat. Not much need for those in N.M. :unsure:

It's not like they shoot an anvil once, destroy it, and search craigslist for the next one, depriving someone from upgrading their piece of RR track. I've heard many different stories on the origins of anvil shooting. I think it was all started by a very distant uncle of mine that had a jug of shine in one hand, a pipe in the corner of his mouth, and said "Hey ya'll, watch this!!".

Got this email tonight. Thought it might be of interest. Little Giant is changing ownership, effective immediately. In order to perpetuate the line of replacement parts, repair services and information, Little Giant will now be in the extremely capable hands of our machinist, Roger Rice. He will be assisted by our friend David Sloan, who has a great understanding of the mechanical operation of Little Giants. We will be assisting Roger and Dave during the initial transition, and Sid will continue teaching the annual Little Giant rebuilding class. The same telephone number and email address will move to the new location at Midwest Machine, 6414 King Road, Nebraska City, Nebraska 68410. It has been a great 22 years, and we are profoundly grateful to have been a part of the blacksmithing community. We have often said we have the best customers in the world, and we do mean it. It has been an honor to not only help keep these venerable machines in operation, but to have made so many good friends in the process. With sincere appreciation, Sid Suedmeier and Keri Hincker Phone number and email address on the little giant web site

Wow. I guess they were closer to the field than it looked. I wouldn't pay that much for seats either. Each ball field has it's own rules. At Busch Stadium, you are allowed to bring in food items and non-alcoholic beverages in soft containers. We usually take a big deli sandwich and chips and bottled water. That's much better than an $8 hamburger, and $5 soda. Somewhere on the web site there should be a list of what they allow to be brought in. Plan to get to your seat an hour before game time. The players will be doing in-field practice and stretching out.This is also a good time to go down to the field box seats for a close up view and autographs.

Those are brazing tongs. The mass holds heat.

OK. I viewed the ballpark seating map. I would try to get seats in section 338, 336, or 335. Don't know much about Chicago, but those seats at Bush Stadium would be about $27 each.

The infield is diamond shaped. Bottom point home plate, right point 1st base, top point 2nd base, left point 3rd base. Between 3rd base and home plate is the 3rd base line.

On some of the ball club web sites they show a diagram of the park. Clicking on one of the seats will bring up a picture of what the field looks like from that seat. Personally, I like to set along the 3rd base line.

I know the answer to that one! I've only saw pictures, but it lives about 30 miles from me.

I had forgotten that BT told me the cross head was upside down. I haven't had the hammer very long and those pictures were are the previous owners shop. It hadn't been run in several years since he passed on. I have kept it well lubricated and it's not as clean now as in those pics. I'll be sure to turn that cross head tomorrow before I forget again. Thanks for the reminder.

I'm sure most if not all, Little Giant owners know that with a polite email and your hammers serial number, Sid can provide you with the sale date and original purchaser of your hammer. I was just wondering what interesting stories your hammers had to tell. My old style 25 #3370 was sold new on 3/17/1924 to the Quick Meal Stove Co. in St. Louis, Mo. With a short Google search I found out that the Quick Meal Stove Co. started in 1870. It eventually became the American Stove Co. and in 1951 the company became Magic Chef. I'm not sure when my hammer left Quick Meal Stove, or how many times it has changed hands in the last 89 years. I know that I am at least the 3rd owner after Quick Meal Stove, and it still has an asset number tag attached to the frame. So, how much of your hammers history do you know?

It hadn't seen much heat at the time. Pictures were taken about 5 years ago. The side draft is now getting thin within 10" of the fire pot, but the chimney looks the same. There has been no color change that I can see. Galvanized would be cause for concern in the fire but there is an updraft on the chimney, and like I said no color change. Anyhow, everyone must do what they consider to be safe themselves. I personally have had no problems with this set up.

Through the wall is 1/8" sheet metal. Chimney is galvanized tin from the lumber yard. I rolled a collar on the anvil and welded it to the box. I wrapped the tin around the collar/flange and pop riveted it together. It's not pretty or perfectly round, but has been just fine for about 5 years now. This was much cheaper than buying 12" pipe.

Nice shop. Very cool pictures