BryanL

JHCC, tongs look good. How's your forge welding? You could add some length if you want to. I'm still struggling with drop tong welds myself, but some people can do it. Bryan

Worked on my new coal forge this weekend, using the New England Blacksmiths casting firepot. Didn't quite get the chimney portion welded up, that will come later. Excited to fire it up. Bryan

That is an awesome shifter! I'm inspired to do something for my car now... I'll have to mull is over. Bryan

Will do Daswulf, it used to be bigger but I burnt up the side so it got ground down.

Hello all, Still feeling inspired after attending ABANA so I got out early this morning and forged a spoon. Stay cool. Bryan

I think so yes.

Found this beauty at the scrap yard this weekend. Bryan

I like your article Hans. Seems like a great way to get your name and services out there. Have many contractors given you work as a result? Bryan

Thanks Kevin, excited to put it to work. The family was happy it was going to someone who will use it.

Good points guys. I don't have a respirator right now but I'll take a look into what's available. Probably if I search around the site, it has been discussed before. Good tip about the barrels, that sound like a disaster. Certainly exciting to get a new capability. Bryan

Does this qualify as TPAAT? I did the rounds at a few tag sales for rusty bits as I usually do on the weekend. Third sale and about to call it quits when I ask the owners if they have any old tools laying around. "We have an anvil behind that shed but it wasn't even for sale, want to look?". Ended up taking it home for $1/lb, it weighed in at 133 lb on the bathroom scale. Looks like a hay budden. The edges are a bit rolled over and some wings. She rings like a bell, that could be rough. Bryan

Good to know Glenn, thanks. Do you think I need a respirator or is working out in the open air sufficient?

Got my new (to me) plasma cutter working. As far as I can tell, I basically have a lightsaber now. I think rose petal blanks soon. Dont mind my shaky hand.

58er, that is beautiful. Great work

Scored a plasma cutter at the NEB meet. Pumped to learn to use it.

Thanks for the tip. Those roses are looking good das.

Biggundoctor, thanks for the feedback. I will try to punch the next set and report back how that goes. I need to practice reaching for the punch instead of just drilling. I tend to always rush to the next job but really, I should take the time to practice the basics. Bryan

Wish I had a pickup. I drive a Toyota Yaris hatchback for the cheap mileage but I load it with some many tools and rusty bits my work buddy calls it the "Yar-truck"

All, This coming weekend will be the New England Blacksmiths Spring Meet at Brentwood, New Hampshire. It will be a working meet to get ready for ABANA 2020 in New York. If you want experience with making tongs, punches, drifts or fabricating forges it will be a great opportunity. I'm pumped for a short work week then headed up Friday. Bryan

Hey folks, Went for a double hook this time. Made a set of 5 to trade to a buddy for some engine work. Bryan

Hey Biggundoctor, Yeah, it is a bit thin. Thanks the reference, I will check it out! Bryan

Not exactly forging but I got a stack of leather from a buddy clearing out a house. Maybe I'll learn how to make a sheath.

Just finished a knife from coil spring with zebrawood handle.

Biggundoctor, I coated them with boiled linseed oil. I don't have a ton of experience but that seemed to do the trick. Do you have any experience knowing what finish would stand up best over time? Here's a pic of them after finishing.

Hey folks, Recently finished my first "production" job. Made a set of these handles for a kitchen my dad is building. 22 so far, hopefully it is enough but the client keeps changing the design.