JME

Just had to toot my own horn. Been using long pliers for tonges so I got some round bar 3/8. (I think I should have gone bigger) and... I just made my first set of tonges. They are sloppy and the rivet s lopsided but they hold a piece of steel and feel good in my hand, so this is a win for me. Thank you to everyone who has given advice on how to get started. More help than you can imagine. And thank you everyone who has answered all the newbie questions. Lots of great reading. I have learned so much I now realize how much more there is to learn.

It is actually an electric. Gonna put it in one of the bedrooms. Would love a gas stove though. It always pays to help people out. Feels good I believe it is helping yourself. The good feeling I get from helping is the reward. Anything else is the bonus.

Just goes to show that helping others is really helping yourself. I helped out my girlfriends Aunt today, she is moving, and she had set aside a bunch of stuff she thought I would be interested in. Fire bricks, couple old hammers, plyers scrap steel, some antlers, a couple drive shafts, a fire place, a couple metal containers, a bag of hard wood cut offs, and an old vice.

Thank you

What do you guys think od the Whisper Deluxe 2 burner forge? I may be getting one. The price is right (next to free) but the door is not insulated. I was thinking I could fix that. I want to make some simple tools and small decorative items. I think it will do but worried about heat loss and efficiency. Any opinions will be appreciated.

Those are fantastic. I have to learn how to do the bull dogs. Think I have some practicing to do.

Bottle opener from stainless rod. Twisting stainless is harder than I thought. The opener works so I am going to count this as a win.

It didn't exactly follow me home but I got a nice Happy Present today. Needs a little work but... hehehe

I will defiantly be posting a few pics. I want to make a small set of matching knives and this is the first experiment.

Darious, I am really not sure what to do about the handle. Dustin, I like your idea though. Think I will give it a try. I have about 10' of the stainless rod so lot of material to experiment. Thanks.

My first try at a knife. Lots more work to go though. From some stainless rod. Blade shape is wrong, I want it shaped more like a fillet knife but overall I think it is a good start. Not sure what I will do for a handle but I am sure I will figure it out.

That is a cool setup. I like how you can swap what you need in and out so easily.

It is a sheet metal hammer. But any hammer or tool is welcome my place. :-)

Was just given 2 heavy jack stands. Looks like I have a new anvil. They are made from some kind of machine steal and truck axle sections. Just have to weld them together, mount it and clean it up. I also was given the hammer in the picture. It feels like christmas morning.

Here are a few bottle openers I have made. Top is tje first one I made, bottom is the last. They are simple but I am learning a lot from doing them. I get the steel for free and it is great practice.

Glad you like it. I am going to practice these for a while. I have an almost unlimited supply of the steel. It is from a feed auger. We install them at work and I can take all the cut offs. I am going to try some hooks and maybe a rack to hang on the wall for tools. All I really know is this is fun. Gotta build a solid fuel forge next. JMe

Here is the 2nd bottle opener with the double twist and the different end. Thanks EJ foe the tips.

I like the bend at the end EJ. Think I will try it. I think I will try the tighter twist too. Looks cool. I have not joined an association yet. I have been reading everything I can on IFI. Learning lots. JMe

Hi there. Just wanted to say Hello and to share a pic of my first bottle opener. It is made from some steal scavenged from an old feed auger system. Any comments, tips or critique is welcome. BTW. Thank you to everyone who posts tips and advice in here. I have learned so much over the last few weeks reading everything I could find.