Daswulf

Mr. Magic mushroom man is cool. I'm at a loss as to what the red things for the moustache are. He looks to be on a wild ride. No drugs for me other than tobacco and some beers. Sometimes lack of sleep lol.

Still on the list Paul. Keep your own positive energy and thoughts up as well.

Nice work! I love it. For charcoal you night want to make the pot shallower as to not burn as much fuel un neccesarily. You could do that a bunch of ways but simply build up the floor of the fire pot. If anything I think I would have sang in the table part a bit to hold extra fuel easier from falling off the edges. Minor thing that could be remedied for such a beautiful forge.

Thanks Billy and Bluerooster about the bearing snowman. The bearings work well for the look. I have one more started and depending on bearings, I plan to make more in different poses or such. I have some projects started that are still waiting as of years to be brought back out. So taking a break on something is no big deal. No worries, we get back to them when the time is right. Whether it be a day or 7years. Lol

Nice work Billy. We all have those days. Sometimes more often than we should.

Also fish lips can happen from just heating it where the outside is showing hot but the inside is not up to temp or not as hot. The yang to the yin it getting the whole thing so hot that it burns up. The balance comes from experience and getting things just right. As you adjust your forge and continue working you will get to the "Ah Hah" moments where it works out right.

Could always do a spark test to get an idea. They would make good improvised anvils.

It would be Charleroi in Pennsylvania, United States. I'd gladly stop by were it the closer Charleroi. Frosty, I get it when the price is right. I know what you mean, some second hand places want .50c each. I could actually make the price work if they sell, but much prefer free or dirt cheap. I have enough at the moment that I'm not desperate enough to pay much. I do use butter knives for dragonfly wings and have used utensils in other pieces. I have posted some here. Somewhere.

Scott, Frosty Thanks. We always need a bit of luck Scott. It is about over. It was local in my hometown Charleroi that isnt as busy as it used to be. The bicycle rim snowman sold to a lady that owns a local pizza shop. Psycho jack snowman sold but I still have the new one, Happy Jack. The little fork reindeer were a hit and sold. I will have to make a bunch more since they were easy and I have a lot of old silverware to work with.

Thanks!

Last night I finished up a few things for an event I am selling at today.

Reminds me of a Marty Feldman. I think he could use some Body. If you can, a springy neck and body. Magnum Opus Feldman also needs a cowboy hat and a 6shooter. Yeah, Marty Feldman in a western. Don't throw away your tools, just set them some place you know they will be and turn around to do something else. Then go back to them and they will be gone long enough that you will beg them back. Works for me.

That looks good Davor.

Well best way to decide is what is available or abundant to you cheap, what Can you use in your area and what kind of work do you plan to do. Plus no one says you can just have one forge or kind of forge. There are also some trade offs between solid fuel forges and gas forges. Simplest and easiest to build and adjust is a JABOD "just a box of dirt" side blast solid fuel forge.

Ugh, that if fo hard to read lol. Normal S at the top in Smithing then f looking s's in the writings.

Thanks Irondragon. Hope so. Frosty, you are fine. I have had situations make me miss out on so many projects/ things in my life that I mighta been rich but stuff happens. Glenn loved you for who you are and would totally understand your situation. Your love and thoughts are what count most. I will send a snowman and snowflake in your honor if that is ok with you.

You mention building a starter "forge", be sure to look a the "JABOD" thread for simple solid fuel forge ideas. Or I use a bottom blast forge using a brake rotor that is a simple plan as well mentioned somewhere on here. If looking for a gas forge there is extensive talk on here about building them. After looking around the topics, if you have questions please feel free to ask.

Shipping this out this week. Wanted to do more but I hope this is good enough. I know Glenn would understand. It is a tough point in my life.

Cool finds Scott! The reamers, deburring or burr bits are hardened steel and using one on hot metal might draw temper on it, softening it and making it useless for the intended use of chamfering the edge of a hole in metal.

I had a friend with a fake leg that would kid around at the bar with strangers and stick a knife in his fake leg. He was a truly kind and fun guy. He passed many years ago.

You are only moving metal the size of the hammer face so a sledgehammer is generally larger than that. In practice it works. With a look through the improvised anvil thread one can learn a lot. I have to agree that most modern car parts do not make for a good anvil but there is some good usable steel depending on intended use.

Did not know Bear but very sad news of another fellow blacksmith passing. Prayers for friends and family.

Easiest thing to find and get to use as an improvised anvil in my opinion is the biggest sledgehammer head you can find. You don't even have to remove the handle if it has one. If not in fleamarket or yard sale season, look into second hand stores for inexpensive ones. You could get one with or without a handle. Then when you mount it on end and start forging you can take your time and look for a good deal on something bigger, better.

Yeah, wasn't saying there were none around just all kinda farther like pittsburgh and around that distance as far as my search showed. I am located closer to 3 rivers that connect but it seems all the listed dive shops are 30-45 minutes away. Could always make some calls first. Not making excuses, just that I can't get out like a free man like I used to without anger or retribution. Some day...

Not many of those around or close.