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.

Rusty check out FABA Florida Artist Blacksmithing Assoc. good group of people who are interested in all types of metal work good source of local contacts. They meet once a month.

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.