Rusty Jones

Thanks for providing the web site and the formulas! Looks like there is plenty of room to play.

@Glenn: The category "it followed me home" was a great idea, It really gets the juices flowing.

Thanks for the information on the hosfeld bender, I just may get the basic package. I can keep you posted on the outcome.

The pictures were . . priceless! ~~ good teaching here, thanks!

Your work has an element of elegance that belies the fact you were "winging it." I saved a picture for inspiration, the piece is a simple statement of what I want to do. Thanks for showing it!

I'm really impressed with what you have made, I consider it truly artistic and will be watching for more instructions, thanks!

@swordsmandp: I just got "back" to Florida about a year ago. I intend to get in touch with the Florida groups. I apprenticed out of the Tampa Millwright local over thirty years ago. I was already a welder when I started and that fact often meant the difference between getting placed or not getting placed.

@piglet_74:"Pony" to me, I'm used to the full size commercial tanks and these seem small. Thanks for the welcome. I'm still not sure what I want to work on, but I found some great information about gas forges on the forum. I really just want to have fun.

@mod07: thanks for the help and here goes . . . Looks like it worked, I'm going to preview to check it out.

@Glenn: Thanks again for reminding me about the forum. I'm happy to be back. I just set the table up today, and talk about fussy--this hunk of iron ain't pretty; but it is heavy and flat. I will get pictures out as soon as I figure out the process here.

@Francis Cole: thanks for the FABA tip, that is just the kind of information I was looking for!

You're right about Millwrights being fussy. But it's mainly for the sake of the trade. Working with metal is integral to Millwright work and has always been a favorite of mine. I consider myself in good company here at the forum and I am always willing to learn something new. I have cut many holes with a torch eyeballing the the bolt that goes into it, and to make the hole handsome I drive a drift pin into it while the iron is still red. Often I could produce a sized hole that at first look appears drilled. I am looking forward to being here!

I just stayed away too long! Trying to decide if I should go back to work after retirement. But the work finds me, and I just bought a great 4x8' table made with 3/8" plate on channel with angle iron legs that I will be putting in a 2-1/2 car garage. I have a buzz box stick welder and access to a 110v wire welder and I own the "pony" size oxy/acetylene cutting and heating torch set. I am a retired Millwright with all the hand-tools a tradesman carries. In short, I am going to start-up a shop. This is a great website and I sort of forgot that by staying away too long. My first action was to check out the video on anvils, which helped a lot. I'm interested in ornamental iron-working but not necessarily in going all the way back to traditional blacksmith methods. I received a birthday greeting from I-forge Iron that reminded of the resources at the site, so birthday greetings are not the corny idea one might think; score one for social media and the administrator Glenn. I hope I got his name right because he knew mine. Like Dale Carnegie said: "Everyone loves the sound of their own name."

As the new guy in town I am impressed to see the prayer list. And that the first person to help me here started it. Glenn, I'll bet you are the steam for this outfit. RJ

I didn't realize there was a specific introduction section so I did a short bio. in the blacksmith section. I have a lot of time with welding, fabricating and just general shop work. But always in the confines of a company shop. Now that I am retired I want to have some fun. I will be starting from scratch as far as metalworking equipment, but I have an extensive collection of hand tools. It amazes me the cross section of processes available here, I will be spending most of my time (initially) checking out the forum. I intend to post my progress as I get an operation up and running.

I am a retired Millwright. Living in Florida now, I retired from an auto parts plant in Wisconsin. Welding and fabrication has been part of my trade and I get great satisfaction from working with metal. I don't know that it has to be a business but I like welding and fabrication and I would like to pursue the artistic aspect. That of course, would include blacksmithing. This forum provides a lot of interesting information and pictures. I have to start from scratch but I will be looking in here often.