andgott

Ok, So it's not really MINE, But I do get to work there whenever I want to- Don't mind the smoke. The fire was just started This is the Choo-Choo forge, our local chapter 'headquarters'. Pretty well equipped, too- as you can see. They have just about anything you'd need. It's a great shop, and I'm lucky to have access to it!

Here are a couple- A Ginko leaf, An elf head, and a willow leaf... I've made a number of them, But they don't hang around long- They are popular! I like to keep a few around as gifts for unexpected occasions... -Andrew

Yeah, And if you don't do it right- YouTube - Anvil launching gone wrong

Dealing with insurance companies has to be the biggest PIA in the world... Just go in to it knowing that they are going to try to get out of this by paying you as little as possible, and you will probably have to fight to squeeze every penny you can out of them. Hopefully, You have a complete inventory of all the items that were in there- And even better if you have photos to back that claim. After my last dealings with insurance, I made SURE I was thorough with this, Recording what I have, where I have it, Serial #'s and any other applicable info, as well as what I paid and what it was worth. You'll find that the Insurance companies will have an entirely different idea of what your 'stuff' is worth than you- For instance- A 6' x 12' enclosed box trailer, which cost me about $3500, was totaled in an accident about 30 hours after I drove off the lot. The adjuster for the 'other' parties insurance claimed a depreciation of almost 50% since it was a 'used' trailer at this point. It took threats of a lawsuit and calls to a lawyer to get a fair settlement, they finally agreed to pay full price. THAT whole 'incident' isn't even settled yet, though- Such a mess. Make sure that you have something to back your claimed values- Though It might be a little tough with some of your old tools. Even printing final auction prices from E-Bay is a great help, it will show the company exactly what it will cost you to replace the tools (and at the often high E-Bay prices you MIGHT do OK!) And- Despite what they might tell you, you do NOT have to 'settle' for what they bring to the table first. If it truly looks fair, then go for it. If not- Tell them so. You paid for insurance, and they took a risk. It didn't pay off for them this time, and they are obligated to pay you, though they don't like it. They WANT to pay you as little as they can, and they WILL try to lowball you, if you let them! Remember, the magic "L" word (lawyer) helps a lot, too... Just the threat of having to deal with an attorney often makes them weak in the knees and suddenly changes their attitudes. You might have to actually use one, too- Often, the expense is well worth it. Can you tell I am a bit jaded about insurance companies? Hmm... Must have happened to me when I lived in Hurricane country in Florida -Andrew

Nice. I especially like the Calas.

Nice- Can't beat the price on that one! I agree w/Frosty- Give it some time before you choose to 'fix' it... I have run across a lot of anvils out there in my search that some well meaning person tried to 'fix', and usually they made it worse... It doesn't look TOO bad to me! -Andrew

Nice! Dragons are always popular... I did one while I was working at the Amusement Park shop that I used to work in- As luck would have it, they have a roller coaster there called the 'Iron Dragon'. I love the copper wings, But I also think that perhaps the tongue is a bit much. I did brass flames for mine... Regrettably, mine 'flew away' from the shop just before it was completed, I went in to open up one morning and the entire project, which was in pieces waiting to be assembled, had vanished. -Andrew

I just have to jump in here to say that those pics are absolutely gorgeous- Especially the last one- What a beautiful place. Bet it's BRUTAL in the winter, though. -Andrew

Very nice... I like the copper- It works so well with the iron.

That kid has some skill You better watch out- Looks like future competition!

Looks like he's got a GREAT head start! Is that a trivet? Very nice. -Andrew

That's a cool toy- He'll be boarding merchantmen and making the crew walk the plank in no time! -Andrew

Thanks... I ended up cleaning the bowl up a bit more with Vinegar, and giving it a light bufffing with fine steel wool... I'll post pics later. Off to the shop again this afternoon! -Andrew

I had fun with this one! The bowl is forged from 1/8" steel plate, freeformed on the anvil & a swage block. It is about 5" in diameter. The base is 4 pieces of 3/8" round, drawn & tapered then forge welded together. I 'bundled' the parts together using Brian Brazeals method- It makes for an INCREDIBLY easy forge weld. I am not sure if I am done with the bowl or not- I might do a light acid etch to clean it up a bit more before I clear coat it, but I kind of like the texture that it has now.

I can see where it would get tedious.. When I was in college, working in the college shop, I felt much the same way. It was the first time that I'd worked in a production environment, and making 100's or even 1000's of the same thing, day after day, week after week, got a bit boring. So much for the romantic notions of the noble blacksmith pounding away at the anvil in front of the coal forge with the big leather bellows. More like hours in front of a power hammer drawing tapers on round stock that was autofed into a propane forge. Such fun I could support myself doing what I love- But I don't know if I'd continue to love it that much if I HAD to do it. And, I know that there are times when I would just be supporting myself, barely getting by, and not a lot more. So, I found a job that I only have to work 6 months a year. I still make a good buck, have insurance, and retirement... But, I also have 6 months a year to do whatever I want to do. That way, I can do what I love, and not worry about paying the bills! I would LOVE to work as a full-time artist someday. I'll have full retirement in 12 more yrs, and not be 42 yet- So I might jump on the chance then!

That is really neat... 'Only' 12 tapers? No sweat The bundle method of doing things is ingenious... I just love it.

Thanks, Brian, Karen, & Finnr... I was just happy that the forge weld worked. I plan to use a collar next time to help hold the bundle together, too... This time I was just concentrating on getting all 10 arms (tentacles?) welded together! I wish I had a few extra tentacles to help!

I was playing in the shop today. Inspired by Brian Brazeal's Squid (from his web page), I tried one of my own... I had a photo of his with me to help, BUT I laid it down on the forge, turned my back and, well- It was a LITTLE too close to the fire... So I had to kind of improvise I haven't done much forge welding in the past- My first couple of tries weren't successful, so I kind of gave it up... But it went pretty well today. I practiced on a bundle of 4 before attempting the bundle of 10 that I did the squid with. I didn't leave as much material as I would have liked for the body, and have a whole list of things that I'll do differently next time, but it's a start! I'm just glad that the forge welds worked :)

Seems to me that to get THAT kind of $$$ the transaction would involve a cashiers check and shipping to Nigeria!

I do realize that NO hammer is magic- And that technique has a lot to do with it. I am at the point where I feel that I have good hammer control. I also learned a few years back when I started doing a LOT of smithing while I was attending Berea College that you should let the weight of the hammer work for you. This was the first time that I had spent hours each day, every day, hammering- and it took it's toll. But, I want to take whatever steps I can to prevent any further damage. If that means spending a little bit of money on a nice tool, then I have NO problem doing so. Another thing is I like the shape of the hammer- and can see how it might be quite advantageous, especially compared to what I have been using to date. Just north of Chattanooga, in Hixson

I'm getting to where I am back working in the forge a couple days a week- And starting to feel it in my arm. I already have some minor wrist issues- As an artist, I spend hours with a pencil or paintbrush in hand, and while I do what I can to keep CTS at bay, I often find myself in pain after a few marathon days at the drawing board. I guess it's a hazard of the profession. So- I got to thinking about how forging is going to affect me long term, and the ergonomic issues that I am dealing with. It seems to me that swinging a hammer is probably impacing me far more than my pencil work is- And I want to make sure I am going about it RIGHT. I have read a lot about the Hofi Hammers, and the technique, on this site- And I am really considering making the 'investment'. How much good am I going to be able to get without actually having the technique demonstrated? Is it easy enough to learn on my own? Also- For those who have the hammers- A size suggestion would be helpful. I tend to work with about a 2-3 lb hammer usually, So I would guess that I'd be looking at either the 2.75 or 3.3 Hofi. I am just wondering if the people out there that are using them have found that they wanted a larger or smaller hammer than what they were 'used' to in a more traditional version? Thanks!

I know that there are a FEW hanging around here that are members of the Choo-Choo forge in Chattanooga. I am new in the area, and new there. Who else is a member? Hopefully I'll be back in town to make the next meeting (Should be Thurs, Right?) Anyone else going to make it? -Andrew

Hi Bud. I am a member of the Choo Choo forge as well, Though I have only been able to make it to one meeting! I live in Hixson- Not too far away. This is a great site, TONS of information here. Hopefully I'll make it to the April Meeting! -Andrew

Just think how many there must have been BEFORE the war!

I'm planning on buying one of those in the very near future- You'll have to keep us updated on how you like it. I am especially interested in how the idler valve works for you! -Andrew