O'connell

This one below is one of my favorite pictures.

Hey everyone. So sorry it's been so long since I have posted. Life gets in the way some times, and I have been struggling with my mental health. I have just recently (at 45 years old) been diagnosed with autism and adhd. I'm doing great now and will be posting more. If you are struggling with mental health yourself, please reach out to somebody. Things seem so much worse than they are when you are in a depressive state, but loved ones and professionals are there to help you.

Hey Berrle. I had a lot of fun working with Dan. He's a good guy and very energetic! I do get paid and it is a very good wage. Barkerville and my boss are very good to me. I get laid off in the winter but still work two days a week. People order things on Barkerville's website and I will come to make those, and also just try to build up stock. I also come in to work on my own stuff. Coming in to the shop in the winter is very satisfying, and lets me work in a more relaxed atmosphere.

Here are a few pictures of the new forge, which we named Geordi.

My boss Mr. Hankin and I at the shop.

Thanks swede. There won't be a bucket. Ash will just dump onto ground / concrete.

I've been lusting after a brick forge for a while now. It's finally happening.

The top is now finished.

I ordered this fire pot from Thak Ironworks in Ontario. Great place to deal with. It's also made in Ontario.

The hood is in the dump. It was rusted beyond repair. I am building a side draft brick chimney, with a tiny little hood over the opening.

Thanks Chris. It's great here, and all aspects of the park are constantly improving. And it was time that the shop was taken to the next level.

I'll be working on the chimney today. Trying to get this finished for our delayed opening on July 3rd. We usually open mid May.

I had a friend cut out the steel top with a torch. It is 55" x 30".

With the down time because of covid, and snow ripping the chimneys off, we decided to build a new forge at the shop. It took a couple of days to destroy the old one and remove the remaining section of chimney.

Bye bye.

I poured a 5' x 5' x 9" concrete pad.

Start of the brickwork.

Getting taller.

Ready for the air pipe.

I welded up some pieces of a bedframe from the dump.

Thanks. These also have the pattern on both sides, which I really like.

A couple of bottle openers made from stainless butter knife handles.

 If it's not too cold I ride my snowmobile to Barkerville and play around in the shop.

My boss and a friend/coworker.

Thanks for kind words guys. For the next one I want the hook to really grab your attention. I have access to some nice polished rocks. I might fit one into the hook.

Thanks for the compliment Frosty. I thought about the corner thing, but was trying to do this one quick. The stainless is pretty thick and strong. I used two rivets to attach the shovel to the bar.

I will definitely rivet the corners on the next one. It looks much better. 

A friend found this for me. Yipee!

3/8 square bar, with a piece of stainless steel salvaged from an old bbq.

I cut a hole in the side of the hood so the visitors can see the fire. Even while I was pumping the bellows, some people would still ask if I was using gas.

The swallows built their nest right above the forge this year. I put a piece of 3/8 bar up there for a perch.

Then they went back to the old nest later in the summer for their second batch.

An image of a nice coal fire with a little kindling mixed in.

Same fire.

I recently sold this to a happy customer. Started with 3/8 square.

I am in the process of making another set that is much fancier, with a very decorative hook.

Thanks for your compliments. They sell really well, so I keep on making them. Done about 30 to 40 now.

The second picture has a couple of forks also.

Third picture starts with a hoof pick I made for my cousin from half a rail spike.

This one was meant to look like a beer bottle.

A rail spike on the bottom, and one designed for a friend with bad arthritis in his wrists. Basically, the weight of his arm will open the bottle.

I started making these a couple of weeks ago. The steps involved are quite enjoyable.

A blacksmith friend told me about this bellows. I couldn't pass them up. Crusty leather, but otherwise in great shape.

Thanks everyone. I enjoy the cleaning up and finishing. Filing is like meditation for me!

I made these simple ones last summer for a customer. We came up with the design together. He attached them loosely so they swing down when not in use.

I was commissioned to make a couple of these crosses. One small and one large. 3/8's and 1" bar. They are fun to make. 

I also have a local kid ( family friend ) coming in for two mornings a week, and he is doing very well. He's only 14, and he is almost as big as I am. He is used to building log homes with his father, not playing video games in his spare time.