Al Stephens

My main forge doesn't ever get moved much, but it sits on an old roll around tool box. The drawers hold all kinds of tools, the handle serves as a tong rack, and a piece of light sheet metal in the top drawer allows me to use it as a shelf, with not often use things under it, but still closes to get out of the way. Al

Thank you. JHCC, I think he, and his father will be pleased. Al

A friend ask if I could duplicate a missing wheel of a old clock case for his father. Took some "play time" yesterday, and tried it. I had never tried casting anything, but used to work at a place that did a lot of it. I bought some casting "sand", and made do with stuff laying around shop. Used some old scrap aluminum pipe for material. This was my 3erd attempt. It needs some file work to clean it up. Al

Hi BeaumontsWorks, If you haven't already done so, you should get in contact with one of the blacksmith groups near you. The group at Furnace Town can help you start your journey. Good luck, be safe. Al

Thank You for reviving this post Sasha. I recently obtained a beautiful wall hanging scenery piece done all with flame, by Dan Hedblom in Minnesota. I admire it every time I pass it. This is another thing thing on the "I want to try some day list" Al

The shop that I started learning in didn't have electricity. The lessons I learned there were/are invaluable. I use them everyday. I've told many starting out ,"If you can't do it by hand, you can't do it in a power hammer. Al

Hi Bob, it really depends on the conference, and the group putting it on. I've been to some that included 40" bonfires, and multiple anvil shoots. Excellent demos where I've learned a lot ,and met good, smart, sharing people. I've been to some where I've fallen asleep in the chair( and yes, there are pictures to prove it). 20 miles, GO FOR IT! you can drive back and forth, and sleep in your own bed. Take pictures, listen, take money, normally there is some type of tailgate sale area, and unless you have more self control than I have, you'll find "something" you really, really, need. From the AZ web site it looks like it should be worth the drive. Have fun. Al

The Athens Forge, a member of the Alabama Forge council will meet Sat. Jan.27th at 10AM, in Athens Alabama. Al Stephens will demonstrate forging a set of scrolling pliers, on a stump anvil. Open forge time will follow for AFC member. Visitors are always welcome, for more information , and directions to Athens Forge, visit the web site at athensforge.com, or FB Athens Forge.

Hello All. To add to my post of several days ago, I thought I would put out some "historical" facts about my blacksmith journey. Perhaps they will help someone starting out, with the thought of making smithing a "occupation." I began as a volunteer, hobbyist. I studied, watched, ask questions, listened to answers, and practiced, practiced, practiced. At that point I had worked as a machinist, and mechanic, for about 15 years. I decided I wanted to forge for a living, and wound up accepting a job forging for someone else , which I did for almost 13 years. One of my mentors called one day and offered me his "production" line, so he could go into semiretirement to pursue his art work. The offer he made me was good enough that I felt I would always wonder about it, if I didn't try. For 4 LONG years, I kept my full time job, while building up my business. Then the day came that I had to make a choice, because I couldn't continue to do both. Since then I have worked for my self, and have continued to make my mentors line, my own. I believe I have been successful. I don't have any formal higher education. My work day usually starts not long after I wake up, and some days last past when I should be asleep. I have almost alway used the ideals I was raised on,"If you can't pay for it, you don't need it" to guide me. I've alway kept very careful records, so I know what will sell, and what won't. So when I have the opportunity, I do make up stock. I have been fortunate, to meet many very smart, talented, intelligent, creative people, that have been willing to share their experience with me. I try to pay that help back, by passing it on to others, in as much as my limited ability will allow. I also have had the honor to have my work sold by many wonderful people across the country, without them I would have never made it. As the old song says,"What a long strange trip it's been" Al

Hello, JLP. My shop rate is $45. This is the figure I use when I am pricing a new product. This includes time, material, ect. I believe this is fair for the quality, style, of my work. if I do custom, or repair work, that is where it starts, then everything is added on. In recent years if approached by unknown contact, I have set a $200 non refundable fee, paid upfront for me to consider job. This really cuts down on silly, "Can you do this" stuff. That fee is modified if they provide detailed, dimensioned drawings. I am a full time smith, and I'm probably on the low end of trades in the area. My work is sold wholesale, and I work on a first come first serve basis, most of the time I have to schedule work ahead of time. I do not do retail shows. I must also add, I own my home, shop, all equipment, vehicles, and all my bills are paid in full at the end of each month. My wife works another job( in addition to all she does for me), and our health insurance is provided by her employer. I am very thankful, and content, to be able to work, how, when, on what, and as much as I want. Al

Hi Banane, Welcome. When I started, the first thing I was taught was how to forge a taper. That where I start now with anyone that ask me to show them anything. I believe it all starts there. Find a smith close to you, ask if you can come by, and watch him work. Explain your just getting started and ask what he would suggest you start with. Then LISTEN to the answer. Good Luck. AL

Hi Baculus, I like "Atlantis". Can you give us anymore info on it? Thanks for sharing. Al

Hi Gabriel, Start with checking out the ABANA website. You should be able to find the closest blacksmith group to you. Joining, and being active in a local group is the fastest way to learn and make contact with others that are interested in the craft. Good Luck, be safe. Al

The Athens Forge is a member of the Alabama Forge Council. We meet on the 4th Saturday of the month at 10AM in Athens, Alabama. Visitors are always welcome. For more info see our website, athensforge.com, or on FB at Athens Forge. The demonstrators for 2018 are as follows... Jan. 27th Al Stephens, AL, Feb. 24th Clay Spencer, AL, Mar.24th Calvin Garland, TN, April 28th Mark Haddix, AL, May 26th Steve Williamson, TN, June 23th Raymond Head, AL July 28th Ron Nichols, TN, August 25th Bob Taylor, AL, September 22ed George Ezell, AL, Oct. 27th Josh Hill, GA, Nov. 24th TBD, Dec. 22ed Date TBD. The demonstrations, are normally followed by open forge time for AFC members.

Glenn, AMEN! Al

Very Nice, Wana be. Like Aus, I think this is an instant heirloom. If the flat bottom is removable, you should type up the story of it's making, and place inside. Be sure to include your name and date. Al

Just made this set yesterday. This was my first attempt at a box joint, and is sure a long way from the perfect fit a lot of the old pliers I've collected have. I chose to use a rivet in addition to the box joint, all of my old examples have a rivet. All forging, except rivet hole was done prior to assembly. I plan on practicing and making others, as play time allows. Any suggestions, or formulas for a better fit out there? Al

Forged and chased aluminum. 8" long

Hi Zach, I say man up and take it home. It might be kinda loud, but would be something to work on. You might also want to radius the "horn" a little bit. Good Luck Al

Welcome Remmie, We are about 3 hours from you but the Athens Forge will meet this Sat. 12/16/17 at 10 AM. Would like to have you visit us. www.athensforge.com Al

Hi Hottwheels, Where are you? Charles has made some workable suggestions, and this is a question that has come up to me in trying to set up classes at a local start up craft school. There a lot of very smart people that use this site, and some of them may be close to you. Look for a local group, and join them, or the closest active group you can work with, and please keep us updated. For the rest of the IFI community, my opinion would be we should focus more on a low cost, low tech solution to this problem, the less expensive idea's we can come up with, the more people we can reach. Al

The next meeting of the Athens Forge, will be Sat. Dec. 16, 2017 at 10AM. Please note this meeting date has been moved from the normal 4th Sat. meeting because of the holidays. This will be an open forge meeting, with discussion of 2018 meetings. Visitors are always welcome, for more info see www.athensforge.com, or Athens Forge on FB

Hi Beaudry, Just noticed the "v" wire brush set up in your 2ed anvil pic. I've never seen that before, but its a great idea. Thanks for sharing. Al

John summed it all up "And sometimes, there exists the perfect storm of ignorance, arrogance, stupidity/brain damage/chemical enhancement and the Y chromosome. Which all adds up to an area effect weapon, which can not be legislated out of existence. " Well done John, Al .

Hi Todd, Pivot to eyelet is 10". Connector link is 7". I finally used a piece of old tiedown strap and made a belt, which seemed to work fine. Had to make a ash dump gate, even made a smaller firepot from an old cast iron pan, so I could get a deeper, smaller, bed of coal. Started a heat shield ,but never installed it. Was never able to get the blower to sustain a good air flow. Ran out of playtime, disassembled the whole thing, and put in storage for...someday. Al