Irondragon Forge ClayWorks

4 hours ago, SlimW said:

$22 bucks for a 20lb bag of Cowboy lump charcoal.

Wow... the last time I bought some it was $9.95 a 20 lb bag on sale at the end of BBQ season.

I can't control the wind, all I can do is adjust my sail’s.
Semper Paratus

Looks pretty good to me, should hold your helmet just fine.

I can't control the wind, all I can do is adjust my sail’s.
Semper Paratus

3 hours ago, Scott NC said:

Do you suppose he pounded that stake anvil into a log buried in the sand? 

When I put my cheater glasses on it does look like it's attached to some form of wood, possibly drift wood from a trader passing through.

I can't control the wind, all I can do is adjust my sail’s.
Semper Paratus

Along with gas welding, if you have a stick welder that will convert to DC current carbon arc rods will work very well, the forerunner to TIG welding.

I can't control the wind, all I can do is adjust my sail’s.
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I have to agree with George. I think trying to repair the small problems would cause more harm than good. I enlarged the pictures and the sway does not appear to extend the total width of the sweet spot. Maybe a picture with a straight edge front to back would show it better. I have about an eighth of an inch sway on the Hay Budden and it helps when straightening a knife blank I have forged out, by eliminating any spring back in the stock.

I can't control the wind, all I can do is adjust my sail’s.
Semper Paratus

We moved the 1200 lb Star power hammer that way using 1in schedule 80 black pipe sections. Debi was the roller replace artist and the adult supervisor. Moved it about 20 feet from the A frame to get it out of the truck to the garage floor, then a right angle turn to get it to the blacksmith  shop door. Went pretty fast without a hitch.

Welcome from the Ozark Mountains.

Several of us have agreed on that the best way to date an anvil, is to whisper sweet nothings to her, compliment her on her looks and hit hot steel on her.

BTW... She looks like a sweet anvil.

I can't control the wind, all I can do is adjust my sail’s.
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No scientific study just experience. I can move metal faster on my Hay Budden 106 pound anvil, which has 80% rebound with a steel ball bearing, than I can on my 110 pound Vulcan anvil which, has 50% rebound with the same steel ball bearing.

I still love the Vulcan my first London Pattern anvil and use it all the time, but if I'm moving a lot of thicker stock, I turn around and use the Hay Budden, using the same hammer. Both anvils are mounted to tree stumps.

I can't control the wind, all I can do is adjust my sail’s.
Semper Paratus

If I have a lot of thicker stock to move, I walk the 4 steps to the 30 pound Star power hammer.

I can't control the wind, all I can do is adjust my sail’s.
Semper Paratus

A Jai Alai racquet (cesta) would be great. When we lived in south Florida, I would go to Jai Alai games and those players would send the ball at incredible speeds to the back wall. I bet your dog would even bring the ball back and drop it in the racquet. You could probably use a tennis racquet.

I can't control the wind, all I can do is adjust my sail’s.
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I would forge out a sling shot. A couple of bungee cords and a piece of leather would launch the ball quite a distance.

That looks great, Karen will love it.

Here ya go...   

I can't control the wind, all I can do is adjust my sail’s.
Semper Paratus

On 8/11/2023 at 6:25 PM, ron2k_1 said:

I can recreate that post if necessary.

Don't worry about that, I'm sure one of the Moderators will edit it for you.

I would say from your description, that forge should serve well with a couple of Frosty T burners, as Mikey said.

I can't control the wind, all I can do is adjust my sail’s.
Semper Paratus

Not to worry Frosty. I'm sure folks will do as I did. That was to look around the shop and home for former items that would fit in.

For instance the Humming bird & Tulip were attached to an old yard hook that wasn't being used and cut off. Debi spiffed them up with a new paint job. One of the cattails was from a challenge on the forum (did hammer out the other 2 and leaves) Debi made the small leaf a long time ago at a BOA meeting and the long one I made a year or so ago. We felt that they would be good donations even though we didn't make them specifically for that.

I can't control the wind, all I can do is adjust my sail’s.
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My brother had a theory that the earth is just an aquarium and anything that happens is due to the entity that takes care of it. Just like when a fish tank gets cleaned and stuff is moved around and added or removed the fish living in it have no idea of what happened or why.

On 11/14/2023 at 6:50 PM, Frosty said:

Nobody goes winter skinny dipping on purpose though.

I have seen some Polar Bear Plunges that took my breath away, I'm not that weird though.

Once clay is formed, it must be let stand until it dries to bisque prior to firing in a kiln. Or as Frosty said dried in a very slow heat until it's dry.

Another possibility would be to send the OP a PM (Message) here and he may get an email letting him know he has a message,

I can't control the wind, all I can do is adjust my sail’s.
Semper Paratus

4 minutes ago, Frosty said:

I could be wrong.

Not very often though.

I can't control the wind, all I can do is adjust my sail’s.
Semper Paratus

I will ring the anvil in the Celtic garden to honor him and send comfort to all friends and family.

He was from the NW area of the USA and if I'm not mistaken a member of the Northwest Blacksmith Association.

I can't control the wind, all I can do is adjust my sail’s.
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Counter weights from tractor's, bulldozer's and other heavy equipment make excellent anvils. I picked up this one at our BOA meeting for a very good price and it weighs 110 pounds.

You can even make tools to use, this one is a small bick made from sucker rod.

I can't control the wind, all I can do is adjust my sail’s.
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Just a gentle reminder that if you are planning to donate a piece or two to the bouquet, time is running short, to get it sent to Steve and put together and given to Karen.

I can't control the wind, all I can do is adjust my sail’s.
Semper Paratus

Anyone remember building a bike for jumping ramps. Mine never had brakes and to stop I would jam my foot between the front forks and tire. It took my mom a while to figure out why my right shoe would have a groove worn into the sole.

I can't control the wind, all I can do is adjust my sail’s.
Semper Paratus