Brian Hibbert

My prayers for a speedy recovery for Sheila and for strength for her caregiver....

Sorry, that wasn't meant as a slam. I USED to work on OS internals (crash analysis mostly) and just threw out a rough description of the OpenVMS scheduler. Others here have mentioned that they've been working in the computer industry as well and I wouldn't be a bit surprised if some know more about scheduler designs that that 2 of us combined... This forum seems to have a pretty deep skill set in addition to blacksmithing (on just about any topic you can name). Your questions have generated some great responses and some advice that I'll be following as well. I'm just learning this craft and have been trying to decide what's best to do for heating up steel. The wife doesn't like the strong smoky smell so I'm going to gas. I've already started gathering what I need to build a Frosty burner and will start the assembly once the rest of the pieces are available (in the next couple of days). Then I'll start building something to house the heat it generates... probably a brick pile first, then move it to a propane or Freon tank.

LOL! You might be surprised at how many people could also give you a great argument on that topic here. (I prefer a modified round robin scheme with quantum based time slicing, priority levels, priority boosting, and non-boosted, non-quantum real time priority levels. But it all depends and you should probably write your own to suit your specific needs. 8*)).

Hi Wilson08. welcome aboard. First, read as much of the information in this section as possible. Especially the pinned posts. You'll find that the answer depends on what you want to build and there are many different answers already provided for that subject. Also, Frosty will soon come by and tell you to put your location in your profile. You might beat him to it and do the update now.

As a beginner here who hasn't produced anything I'm ready to give away yet let alone sell, I thought I'd throw in my 2 cents. Marc1's explanation of how HE would use a shop's name is in my opinion spot on. If your motivation is to reach non-believers, an overtly Christian reference is probably going to have the opposite of the desired effect. It may chase away those who you may otherwise reach by being more subtle. That said "Three Nail Forge" is a name that doesn't immediately tell people that you are a "Christian" shop which as Marc1 said is as likely to scare away your customers as it is to draw them in. A customer probably won't get the reference unless they ASK you and then you can TELL them without it being forced onto them. With many people a slow and gentle approach works far better than a strong message. You can become known as an Artist Blacksmith who is Christian rather than a Christian Blacksmith. It's a subtle difference, but the former is more accepted by non-believers than the latter and they're more likely to stop by your shop or table at a craft fair. I like the name. It's got references to iron with the nails and also has a connotation that is special to you and your beliefs without being too overtly religious. It's short and easy to remember.

Thanks for posting this. I really liked the audio interview on that link. I just received a copy of "My Life as an Artist Blacksmith" from ABANA as a gift for joining. He's an interesting fellow.

Merry Christmas to all!

Nice workshop! I'm currently limited to working outside and would be thrilled with your small space. Coal is mined all over the world and has different composition depending upon its source. I found an analysis of Illinois Coal here: http://large.stanford.edu/publications/coal/references/docs/katrinak.pdf This analysis shows there are traces of many metals in THAT coal. Other coals may have different levels of each of these metals and I can't say what's in YOUR coal. So yes, it's possible that is the source of your excess metal levels. If you are concerned, I'd suggest using a good fitting respirator with an industrial quality particulate filter. Another alternative would be to switch to a propane forge with plenty of ventilation to prevent carbon monoxide buildup.

I will pray for Dolores, and for you and your wife that you may find peace.

Thanks Frosty! I've been thinking about equipment upgrades and considered building a better bellows. I may also wire up an old PC fan or similar and box that in with some air flow directors for control. I've got a couple days off work next week so I plan to make some better equipment. I got a copy of Weygers' book on order along with Lorelie Sims' book. They should show up in the next few days. I found out that the company I work for printed "The New Edge of the Anvil", but that was a year or so ago and I didn't get to grab a sample copy. I'll have to order a copy of that one too... I'll have to check out that self drafting coffee can. Sounds interesting. One of the things I'm finding very appealing about this pursuit is the attitude of "if you don't have the right tools, use what you have to make the right tools." Or to make the tools to make the right tools to make the tools you really want.

Thanks JHCC and Thomas. Yes it's real. Like I said I was able to heat up some steel and beat it into a shape I almost liked. I just need some improvements. But more specifically about the improvements.... For the work I have in my head: 1. I need an air supply that will provide a bit more volume with a little less physical effort so I can get a bit better heat and more consistency. 2. I need a better forge design or at least better material since the hardy board scraps I used were intended to support tile rather than the heat of a fire and have started to crumble. The Whitlox forge looks great if I stick with wood as a fuel. But what I've learned from reading here is that there are many good ways to heat steel. I may still go propane. 3. My "anvil" is acceptable for a LOT of work. It actually has some nice radii and flat places on it that I can use well. But at some point I will replace it with something else and probably put a handle on it to return it to it's original purpose. I'm having a blast with it. P.S. I just discovered the prayer request section of this forum. Another reason to love this place.

Hello everyone! I'm Brian Hibbert and am a beginner located in Central Illinois. I've been playing with blacksmithing, but have not yet purchased a real anvil or forge. I've been building a makeshift wood fired forge in my backyard fire pit using a couple of hardy boards in a V shape, with a 3/4" pipe and a hand pumped bed inflator for side blast just to see what I can do. I haven't been able to get to welding temp but have been able to heat to bright orange and can beat out simple tapers and a crude scroll. My current "anvil" is an old sledge hammer head strapped to a 4 x 4. It's ugly but the exhilaration of heating it and beating it! I can JUST about see what I can turn this into... I didn't expect much with my setup (I actually exceeded expectations). I was mostly trying to see if this is a path I want to pursue (it is). My ideal is to make functional art (like most of you do already), useful items that have some artistic qualities as well. Strange thing is, as I've been playing with this I've learned to appreciate the artistry in a simple bend. I've always been fascinated by blacksmiths and glass blowers I've seen at fairs, etc and wanted to try my hand someday. Someday is here. Glass is too fragile for me to play with, but steel... I've been a member here for a few weeks and have been reading what I can of the postings and have learned MUCH from the reading. I learned enough to even attempt to use a makeshift setup until I can get something better.... I learned that there are better ways to heat metal (a couple of hours of hand pumping is OK for trial, but I'll need to upgrade to do anything serious). I'll see where this goes from here. I've also learned that you don't need complex tooling to get started. Primitive works even if it's not as easy.