Daswulf

They also bobble different. The drunken guy gives an up and down but moves his head around as if unsure. The hunter guy gives an up and down kinda sideways while giving you side eyes. They are definately strange. Man, the elephant stories sort of make me think of the poor creature that they hung after a newbie abusive handler mistreated her. So sad really. Sorry, as you mentioned NobodySpecial. It was Mary the elephant.

He's cool Scott, who ever he reminds anyone of. What is the blue glass part of the eyes? It looks great. Almost has a antiquity art style like some lost culture. Not quite Mayan or Olmec but sort of. And with an almost Devo hat. I dunno, I like it haha. It is your own style and it is good. No problem with shifting focus but I think you have a good art style with these and you might get inspired. Never say last or never. Still can't wait to see what you make next. Whatever it is. I like the frosty with a chainsaw idea lol.

The railing pieces are more likely steel than wrought iron unless you can test it or they can prove it is wrought iron, you are better off finding a metal supplier and buying the size steel you want to work. If this is just steel it would be more work to forge to what you want since it is twisted. Unless you can be sure it is wrought iron (and you actually want some) I would pass and save your money for some new stock.

Looks nice. One option other than Georges is to torch heat the warped area and hammer it back straight/flat. Doesn't help alot if the concrete isn't level. Another option is to get those felt stick on pads found at most hardware stores and add one to each bottom corner (or just to the offending corner. Sometimes with the weight they will absorb some of the unevenness.

Nice work Rojo. Yes that is still repousse work and working the top side is chasing. It's how you are working the metal, not what backer you use.

Scott, I like the idea of this thread. I honestly have a Lot of curious items and artifacts. I love seeing what others post as well. In my opinion no harm in creating the thread. Yeah, things can go off course but I think we can get it back again.

Just one topic of historical erosion from Ranal Carlson.

The bobbleheads. Sorry for not cleaning the soot off of them but they hang out and do their thing.

Ya know its bad when "med express" wants to start making appointments rather than emergency walk ins. Then they just want to shoot you to the ER at the hospital if something is inconvenient.

I like guys like Randal Carlson with kosmagraphia and Ben from UnchartedX they show evidence, have some theories but admit that we just don't know. It is truly interesting and fun to think about. Sometimes even with the wild ideas of aliens or ancient more technologically advanced peoples, it is at least fun to think about. I don't really get hung up on anything unless someone making money on their theory says that this or that is the only way it was done. I haven't read Grahm Hancocks books but hearing a lot of what he has to say is interesting, and again, have heard him say honestly that we just don't know.

Just a point about paint stripper, it works better when the surface is scratched up by around 80-150grit. It needs to reach the surface to get under the paint to be affective on quality paint. Also it works better kept wet as in after coating, wrap it in a plastic bag to keep it from evaporating and to keep it tight to the surface for a while. Have had many times where it needs a few attempts to get the job done. Newer paint stripper is less effective than the older stuff because of chemical and VOC laws. Same with paint gun cleaner. Lots of auto body techs are displeased with the changes. Even happened with some buffing compounds years ago. No reason why a sand blast wouldn't work. I would wire wheel after to smooth out the surface. Then coat with your preferred rust preventative. I like a quality matte clearcoat on everything but the face and top and end of the horn. Then oil or wax the rest as needed.

Nice whimsical charactor Larry. Well done. The addition of the brass flute type instrument is great. Adding the holes in it just nailed it so it is easily recognizable as an instrument. I could honestly see it work fine even with one of the head half pieces. With both it does kind of look like a mardi gras type mask. You have a good imagination Larry. Thanks for sharing.

I really like Blubber head it in its simplicity. Deffinately get the whale like shape but it has a real character to it. You're like a Picasso of scrap art.

Started the skull storyboard. At some places in the process it is hard to tell where to stop. Also a better picture could be had but they are hot at the moment. Maybe tomorrow. They range from fullering for the jaw line to initial punching eyes and nose to teeth and deepening the eyes.

Thanks Frosty. A blacksmith knife would make a good storyboard rather than making one there. We are where we are in this time and age and it is what it is with how schools are. The teacher putting this on teaches a career class and got an idea from a student mentioning farriers being around for a long time and that gave her the idea lol. I explained that I know little of actual farrier work and explained how there are different trades and types of blacksmiths. I explained how some in period time would be either more focused or broad in what they do. Then she admitted to knowing very little of it and that she watched fif and was amazed what blacksmiths could do. Another lol. But hey, I would Love to go and explain a little reality and what I do know about the trade. Hopefully if nothing else educate a bit and dispel some falsehoods. Sure, no doubt be asked to make a sword a hundred times and hear all about how they watch fif. If I inspire one kid or even make a lasting good memory it is all worth it. Need to make a story board of the skulls I've more recently been making too. People from shows often ask how they are made. It would be a good visual explanation of how much goes into them. World even probably help with sales seeing the process and progression. As far as attention spans I see all spectrums when out forging. Depends on the person. I have seen both child and adult watch a whole longer demo intently. Most move on and a couple start watching, ask what I'm making then move along but come back asking to see the finished product. It is a wide spectrum. Those really interested and patient I might often reward or they insist on buying the item. Depends. One event I forge at the items go to the museum gift shop. Thanks for the ideas Shainarue. Some I know how and some I would have to research on how to do.

Thanks Frosty. I miss Thomas as well. Good suggestions. My patter isn't great but I can talk about what I'm doing while doing it. I honestly wasn't born with the gift of gab but I can talk about subjects like blacksmithing that interest me. Before hand I will make some items and see which ones I can do in a quicker time as to keep interest. I still need to get the details of how this will work, whether there are classes stopping by the forge tent or if it is an open event for students to freely walk around. I do know if the weather is bad I will just be inside showing some tools and items and explaining the process. Speaking of that I really need to work on some step by step boards "story boards?" They would really help show the process of how things are forged out. I've seen many from other blacksmiths but never made one.

I didn't notice any. I will keep an eye out for any after tacking some pieces on it. Tho when I went to pick up the cut nails they fooled me for a second because they were slightly sticking. I had forgot that a Lot of cut nails I have used are slightly magnetic. Not sure why, it might happen in the process of their manufacture.

Thanks Billy. I appreciate the info. The cutting torch on anvil analogy might be a bit harsh but I do understand. Think of it as at least it's a cheap chinese anvil instead of a beautiful Refflinghaus anvil. I'm thinking I will see how it works with a very thin sheet of metal over it to protect from weld spatter. If nothing else keep it sprayed with anti spatter spray.

Finally got to unbox this thing. Fortunately it made it undamaged. First opinions. It came with a big honking allen wrench. Good thing because as new the lever is stiff. I'm sure it will lap in over time. Looking at the tag, it is blank with no manufacturer or model or anything. Guess I will customize some stamping on there for fun and might as well put todays date and year so I remember how long it lasts or when I got it. Now the big one. How strong is it. Well, not as strong as I hoped but strong enough for my intended purpose and not weak enough to return it. Here is how it seems to me. The more flat area the better it holds. A bicycle sproket flat, can't move it. The plier handles i can pick right up and adjust but it will hold them enough for tack welding without jumping. The 1/8"x1" flat is harder to pick up on edge than flat but probably because it flexes on the flat lifting it. Meanwhile a rusty 2"x3/8" piece of steel will lift the end up but pulls freely on edge. Anyway, this will work fine for my intended purpose if tack welding heat doesn't harm it. I believe these are more intended to hold large already flat pieces for other kinds of machine work. But i am not let down other than I had thought it might be a wee bit stronger. You can tell the separate magnets with a ball bearing but it does hold two together just fine. In a way after putting some cut nails on, I can adjust them a bit with the magnet engauged but in place they hold well. Also, total loss of magnetism in off, so yeah, it will be easy to clean. Was it everything I hoped? Eh, no. Is it what I can use to tack stuff together without jumping? I think so, Yes. Next will be some welding tests.

Thanks for the insight George. Lol, I can picture it. Better than waking up one day dancing till you die from that fungal infection. Ergot? Candle holder might be nice Scott. I have no idea how this will go and might bring caution tape to make a distance barrier just in case. Don't need a lawsuit of someone getting burned. Think I will keep it show and educate rather than letting any try it there. Sad but a reality today. Maybe forge a large spoon and continually call it the reinasauce. Make a sauce spoon.

Oh man... Please let it not be damaged... ! Kids can't get baths and to bed soon enough. It surely is 100#. Came boxed in light plywood with metal straps and corner straps. There is a depression in one half of the top. I hope that is just negative space.

I love when even the tools are a work of art.

I'm sure different chinese makers could have different quality but i noticed the one in the video looked to be one of the chinese versions sold on amazon. The one in the video seemed to hold stronger than you describe yours. I would atleast contact the seller with the issue before attempting a disassembly. Before seeing the video it was really hard for me to pull the trigger to purchase it with so few reviews. For what I am planning to use it for I would be happy for it to atleast hold smaller pieces in place but I Would like it to be strong enough to hold heavy pieces solid. The size I ordered is supposed to weigh in around 100#. Speaking of heavy, I noticed from my doorbell camera that a package came and judging from the delivery guys handling of it it looks heavy so I think it arrived.

It probably took 800 years to reduce, remove and recycle. John, that is interesting on the glass. I am very intrigued on the theories that the ancient precision stone jars found in Egypt might be much older than the time they were attributed to and may have been like heirlooms and made with lost technology. I haven't used a carbon steel pan other than a wok. Might give it a try, making one as well.

That's funny Billy. I have a couple creepy old bobbleheads. I'll have to try to remember to get some pictures tonight.