Cool Hand

Page 222 of Practical blacksmithing (books.google.com) has some interesting points on facing hammers.

Believe it or not, my wife was just using one of those tong/plier tools to shape copper roses in a recent class. It does a great job at making the curves and indents necessary to produce a top notch rose petal using copper.

I know a swage block will work, but I am looking for some non-swage techniques for making a bowl shape. Currently, I am using a 2 3/4 inch truck towing ball locked in the leg vise. At Madison, I saw someone hammer a bowl by placing the metal on a stump and beating it with a pien hammer. I love making sporks, but I just can't seem to get the bowl made the way I want it. Any ideas are appreciated. Steve

My little fella is two and a half. I have a pic in the gallery of him recieving his first hammer. I wouldn't do this if it was something I couldn't share with both my boys (the other is only 5 months old!). He really enjoys scrap hunting and plays in my quench bucket whenever he can. Anybody ever figure out how to stop em from throwing rock in there let me know...lol

In addition... - All the green coal blacksmith classes are in the sun, get the early one or bring a hat, sunblock and plenty of gatorade. - Bring your big car or a pickup, yer gonna go home with more than you think. - Bring a notebook to capture ideas, sketches, and names - You will kick yourself if you don't bring a camera or video camera, and use it... More to follow...

Just wanted to chime in about some of the things I learned at the 2009 conference. Special thanks to those that made this a wonderful learning experience for my wife and I! (Torch, Eddy, Mark, etc.!) - tools can be gotten really cheap there. - I only met 1 or 2 vendors who only wanted to sell me something, everybody else was incredibly patient with my incessant questions. - Irish chili is gooooood... - Welsh blacksmiths who ride triumphs are incredibly helpful and probably the best mathematicians. - Broom making is about as much fun as banging on metal. - Don't run your group forge fans using battery power. - Kids LOVE throwing 'hawks. - Call months ahead if you want to get in all the classes. - The worlds largest nail does in fact exist. - The beds at Quality Inn are MUCH softer than those of the Red Roof Inn. - I now wish I hadn't sold that RV... - Wives really love the copper flowers and jewelry making classes, she now better understands just why my blood boils when I bend metal. - Iron in the hat is FUN! More to follow as I think of them....Steve "Aka Cool Hand"

See you there.

Next weekend is Mothers Day. I am not gonna risk my life scheduling anything then! lol. The next weekend is SEBSC and I am not gonna miss that. After those two I am wide open for an initial get together. Donnie, I will IM you when I can for the particlars!