Dick L.

Welcome to IFI Jennifer! Nice job on the forks. I'm from MA. as well.I'm not a full time smith but have a serious interest in forging of all kinds. Dick

Thanks for posting that link ! It's always enlightening to watch a true craftsman at work. Dick

Great job Phillip ! I really like the shape of the blade and as has been mentioned the contrast between spacers and scales. Dick

Ferris, To answer your question vises are measured by jaw width. I do agree that you can make your own from information you can get here. Hope this helps, Dick

How is the hacksaw used ? Are you dragging it in a draw filing motion ? I've never heard of anyone using a hacksaw in steps toward sharpening so very interested in the correct procedure. Thanks, Dick

I'm wondering how / why the top got separated from the bottom ! Dick

Connor, I agree with Phil, I have one now for camping (air mattress) and it is slow. They aren't real rugged and won't tolerate sideloading or uneven hard surface under them. The bellows material is also thin and won't stand hot sparks or slag hitting it. For the time and funds invested your returns will be better on a home built bellows for this purpose. my 2 cents, Dick

Mark , I have used insulating bricks for the sides but I think you want a hard firebrick for the floor. I've never used a soft brick for the floor so I don't know it won't stand up but they do scar easily. Dick

Mark, The tomahawk looks great for a first one ! Once you cut the end off the tank you will find that dent is easy to knock out with a hammer. If you place the tank with the dent facing a hard flat surface you can knock it out to that point easily then if you want to get closer to original shape hold a good size piece of stock inside behind the dent and hit the edges down being careful not to make it high on the outside. Firebrick will go a long way to saving the floor from flux. Hope this helps, Dick

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone here on IFI and their families ! Have a happy healthy and safe holiday season ! Dick

Really nice work with great attention to detail as usual. Thanks for sharing it here . It will be a very fortunate individual that receives it! Dick

I'm still a beginner as well. That said I couldn't agree more about realizing when it's time to stop. However I seldom toss it in the scrap if gone to far unless I burn it up. It seems you can always see a forging exercise left in that material whether it's a hook , a twist or a nail. When I say it's scrap it's scrap. Dick

Beautiful job ! Flows nice, great lines. Thanks for the photos. Dick

Brian, thanks for all the ideas. That is some beautiful work !! Hope the folks living close by realize the opourtunity they have at hand. I have so many different things to try that you have posted I'm not sure I'll ever get through them. I call it the Brian Brazeal Challenge Thanks again, Dick

Welcome to the group KAM . What brand of anvil is that ? Dick

My link This one too.

Thanks, I wasn't thinking of him starting with a jackhammer bit. Makes perfect sense now. Dick

Lyle is there a reason for the line around the multi radius hexagon Hardie tool or is it simply for appearance? Thanks, Dick

Great pictures Lyle ! With all the content you have captured on film Brian should be able to do a book soon ! He just has to put words to it and it will make itself Thanks for posting, Dick

Another winner Dave ! Thanks for taking the time to film it. I haven't tried that style yet. I did a welded basket handle last spring for a mulling iron. Actually did a couple before I got one I was happy with. Thanks again, Dick

Great video Dave , Thank you for taking the time to do it. Dick

That looks outstanding to me !Great detail and proportions. I've done three so far, though only one with an anvil that had edges.The wing was another learning experience. I knew fullering the feathers would curl and widen it but didn't take it into account from the start. Looking forward to doing more but we have steady wind around 40 mph. today so I doubt it will happen today unless the wind dies down at sunset. Thanks for posting your crane ! Dick

Ok , I remembered today that I had a sawmaker Fisher anvil. Hard edges but nice and smooth ! Didn't get out until 7:45 and the rain blew in about 8:30 so I only had time for one Crane and a tryout for the wing. Here are the results . The Crane I feel came out much better. With a little time selecting hammers/ edges to work the tight spots I think I can really bring it to life. We will see. The wing on the other hand started out ok But I started hurrying to beat the rain and my top line went over the edge , then the proportions went crazy. I used the rat tail end of a spud wrench to feather it because I don't have any fullers yet. That actually worked well. I got carried away though and didn't pay attention to the length. Next one will be better. I'll try one in the daylight this weekend. I'm still forging outside but not for long. Dick

Hey Brian, That's exactly what I wanted to do. My PW anvil is a sway back with nothing smaller than 3/16 radius and that one is chippy. I guess it's time to make a stand for my other one. First I'm going to look at the post you have in tools section though. Thanks for posting that! Dick

Thanks Mark, I agree that practice is the key to the hammer control and the knowledge of where to place the metal and the hammer. Dick