Irondragon Forge ClayWorks

I retired in 2013 after 29 years on the police department. My timing was perfect with all the de-fund the police and just getting started. When I was planning my retirement, I had a bucket list of things and places my wife and I could go to and do. After being retired for a while, I changed the "B" to an "F". I can’t control the wind. All I can do is adjust my sails. ~Semper Paratus~ USCG 1964-1970

Aric, I went through testicular lymphoma back in 2015, lost my right testicle and had chemo and radiation for most of that year. I was declared cancer free in 2017 and my oncologist cut me loose. I now carry a 1 inch steel ball bearing in my right pocket. When anyone asks about my cancer, I show them the ball bearing and say I now have a ball of steel. Most get it and I always have the ball bearing to test the ring and rebound of anvils I might be interested in. I can’t control the wind. All I can do is adjust my sails. ~Semper Paratus~ USCG 1964-1970

I have an old radial arm saw that has a thermal switch on the back of the motor that would trip and I couldn't reset it until it cooled off. I blew it out with compressed air and sprayed it with WD-40 and it started working as designed and didn't trip for no apparent reason. I can’t control the wind. All I can do is adjust my sails. ~Semper Paratus~ USCG 1964-1970

Prayer of departed “Just close your eyes and you will see, All the memories that you have of me. Just sit and relax and you will find, I’m really still there inside your mind. Don’t cry for me now I’m gone, For I am in the land of song. There is no pain, there is no fear, so dry away that silent tear. Don’t think of me in the dark and cold, For here I am, no longer old. I’m In that place that’s filled with love, known to you all as ‘UP ABOVE’.” I can’t control the wind. All I can do is adjust my sails. ~Semper Paratus~ USCG 1964-1970

I agree, it's a blade and a fine one to boot... I love it... I can’t control the wind. All I can do is adjust my sails. ~Semper Paratus~ USCG 1964-1970

Welcome from the Ozark mountains. I couldn't get your video to play but not important. When we built our propane forge we used a N/A kiln burner we had on hand and it works fine. A thread about it. 20 pound propane tank forge in progress - Gas Forges - I Forge Iron I can’t control the wind. All I can do is adjust my sails. ~Semper Paratus~ USCG 1964-1970

Not stupid at all. As a matter of fact there are several threads detailing just what you are proposing. The one that comes to my mind is a Thread Uri Hofi did on what you want to do. Seems to me it was a 200-300 pound anvil all welded together. A search should bring up that thread. Sadly Uri has also passed away and his anvil may have been a YouTube video. I can’t control the wind. All I can do is adjust my sails. ~Semper Paratus~ USCG 1964-1970

Boy, I sure wish Thomas Powers was still with us as he was the resident expert on wrought iron grades. I think yours is triple refined and from the RR bar, it probably was used in a high stress application. As Ridgeway Forge said if you are planning to forge it at some point, it needs to be at a high yellow heat. You will love it as it is like butter under the hammer. https://www.iforgeiron.com/topic/21734-grades-of-wrought-iron/ I can’t control the wind. All I can do is adjust my sails. ~Semper Paratus~ USCG 1964-1970

It's available on the BAM web site for download. I can’t control the wind. All I can do is adjust my sails. ~Semper Paratus~ USCG 1964-1970

Welcome from the Ozark mountains My wife's folks are from Puerto Rico. I would say you are off to a good start. If you have a scrap yard that will let you look for a good piece of steel. Here is one I picked up years ago. Bulldozers and tractors are made out of anvils. This dozer counter weight weighs 110 pounds. I can’t control the wind. All I can do is adjust my sails. ~Semper Paratus~ USCG 1964-1970

For steel with a little rust on it I found a product that turns the rust into a strong polymer coating. It's Marc Rust-Away. Works great and turns the rust black like when the steel comes out of the forge. If you google it there are a lot of info and sources. I can’t control the wind. All I can do is adjust my sails. ~Semper Paratus~ USCG 1964-1970 Here is an old rusty bearing race I coated with the Rust-Away I made into a bracelet.

I'm having problems with my computer network. I'll catch up with the news letters as soon as I can. I can’t control the wind. All I can do is adjust my sails. ~Semper Paratus~ USCG 1964-1970 Well that was quicker than I Expected. Here is January's letter. 202601 BOA VOICE .pdf

Welcome from the Ozark mountains I can’t control the wind. All I can do is adjust my sails. ~Semper Paratus~ USCG 1964-1970 You might look into this, the NW chapter is up in the NW corner. I realize it's a little far for you to travel to our meetings. A great bunch of members here. https://www.iforgeiron.com/forum/187-blacksmith-organization-of-arkansas/

I thought AI stood for "Almost Intelligent".

Welcome from the Ozark mountains. I'm afraid you will have problems getting folks to click on your link. With the amount of infected links and bots most savvy computer users refuse to click on links in forums or emails. If you have a web page that you could post the name without a link folks could look it up and take your survey. I can’t control the wind. All I can do is adjust my sails. ~Semper Paratus~ USCG 1964-1970

I find this very interesting and you are doing a bang up job of documenting it. I can’t control the wind. All I can do is adjust my sails. ~Semper Paratus~ USCG 1964-1970

AI has it figured out. Champion Forges were known to have more than one plant back in the day. Here is the answer... mystery solved. "Wer & Forge Co." appears to be a historic Canadian machinery and metalworking company based in Kitchener, Canada, mentioned in industrial records dating back to 1917 . Limited information is available, but it was listed alongside other manufacturers like H. W. Petrie in Toronto. " I can’t control the wind. All I can do is adjust my sails. ~Semper Paratus~ USCG 1964-1970

Welcome from the Ozark Mountains. We even have a sub-forum https://www.iforgeiron.com/forum/186-farriers-and-horse-stuff/ And like all types of pictures, as long as they are appropriate for a family oriented forum. I can’t control the wind. All I can do is adjust my sails. ~Semper Paratus~ USCG 1964-1970

Now that is really ingenious thinking, I'll have to remember it when I run across another blower that needs gears that are impossible to get. I can’t control the wind. All I can do is adjust my sails. ~Semper Paratus~ USCG 1964-1970

I think that would be great, and if it were in say Blacksmithing General Discussion it would get a lot more views. I can’t control the wind. All I can do is adjust my sails. ~Semper Paratus~ USCG 1964-1970

I would start out at $500 and then you can always haggle down if needed. I can’t control the wind. All I can do is adjust my sails. ~Semper Paratus~ USCG 1964-1970

Hi Jim, in the breaker box did you try turning the breaker switch off then back on? Sometimes they will trip but not look like it. I can’t control the wind. All I can do is adjust my sails. ~Semper Paratus~ USCG 1964-1970

I use local hardwood lump charcoal just have to break some pieces that are about 3-4 inches 7-10cm long. I can’t control the wind. All I can do is adjust my sails. ~Semper Paratus~ USCG 1964-1970

Yes, I clean the fire pot when the charcoal gets to that point. It also sounds like your air blast is a little too strong. My side blast forge has a hand crank blower that unless I'm cranking it the air stops. I can’t control the wind. All I can do is adjust my sails. ~Semper Paratus~ USCG 1964-1970

A quick Google of the Contract plate brought this up AI. Might shed some light on it's original use. I'm thinking an optical inspection table. I can’t control the wind. All I can do is adjust my sails. ~Semper Paratus~ USCG 1964-1970 IndonesiaA contract designated as W-30-069-ORD-4389 was awarded by the Rochester Ordnance District during World War II, a division of the U.S. Army Ordnance Department. Context: The Rochester Ordnance District was responsible for procuring vast amounts of optical equipment, including fire control systems, binoculars, and bombsights, during the war. Potential Contractor: The contract falls within the range of contracts typical for major Rochester-based suppliers of optical, photographic, and precision instruments, such as Bausch & Lomb Optical Co., which was a principal manufacturer of optical equipment for the Army and Navy. Note: Specific, public, or digitized detail regarding the exact goods ordered under "W-30-069-ORD-4389" is not explicitly listed in the provided search results, but it fits the classification of WWII Army ordnance contracts for the New York/Rochester area. Related Context on Rochester Ordnance District (WWII): Role: The district handled high-priority, "rush war orders" for local factories. Key Products: Aerial reconnaissance cameras, fire control equipment, binoculars, and specialized glass. Major Players: Bausch & Lomb and Eastman Kodak were primary contractors. Based on the search results, here's information related to contract 4389 and the Rochester Ordnance District: A contractor listing from FY 2022 includes contract number 4389 associated with "6 FATHOMS CONSULTING, LLC". It also lists "ORDNANCE TENNESSEE, INC." in Jonesborough, TN. Another source mentions a contract award update that includes "4389 Roaring Fork Dr., Loveland, CO" and a company in Rochester, NY. The U.S. Army Ordnance Corps was responsible for the development, testing, maintenance, repair, procurement, and distribution of Army ordnance and equipment. During World War II, the Ordnance Department's organization and activities were documented in the Order of battle of the United States land forces in the World War. Records were also compiled for individuals from Rochester and Monroe County who served in World War I.