CrazyGoatLady

Unfortunately I don't have that much shop stuff, so mine wasn't that big of a deal to move. My tools pretty much fit in a few buckets and my hammers and files and things like that are in a box. My anvil and propane tank were the only two bigger things. All my material was unwieldy because I have a lot of 10' lengths of different steel and some odd shaped stuff. And the goats haven't found any escape routes thankfully. Although one day I was going out to feed and one goat shot out of the gate along with about half of the 53 chickens. Then another goat and another goat... and I was home by myself. We moved to the woods mind you, and it's a very big area where we live full of Oak trees that are heavy with goat crack. (leaves). I was thinking that I might not ever find them again if they took off. But I managed to get them, including the chickens back in. Took me a minute to recover and calm my temper because I was freaked out and angry at all of them. I was sweating bullets and I could feel my ears burning and cursing them and myself for ever being dumb enough to have such ungrateful critters that they would want to escape from me. I didn't speak to them the rest of the day. But I apologized the next morning. They forgave me 

Sorry I haven't been on but it's heartwarming y'all missed me. Moving was not fun, easy or smooth. God forbid we ever rent again, but I'd never get so entrenched in a rented place ever again. We had help from a few guys in a group that Tommie is in that are dedicated to helping others out and that was great. They volunteered some time when they could and these guys live a good distance away. Other than that, it was mostly about 4 of us. I'll make a thread about the new place if y'all are interested. Congratulations on your new place as well Frazer. I'm glad it wasn't winter when we were moving.

Frosty, you are correct about goats not liking change. I knew that anyway, but it's been a bit more difficult a transition than I thought it'd be.

Thomas, I bet they like helping you move your shop! I gained some new stuff for mine

Aw, thank you Dan and George. I haven't even had time to lurk very much. But had a bit of time last night and saw Frazers' post and wanted to let him know that he's doing great. He's been kind to me and I had to compliment him

And yes, it's been a good and bad year both. Definitely the strangest of my life. Hope all of you are doing well

Nice work! Keep it coming

Right on. I know you have to be careful with RR property. I bought spikes I think for around 38 cents (US) a pound. Can't remember. I have more spikes than I'll probably ever use in my lifetime. Don't know what I was thinking

Do you know of any scrapyards near a train station? We have two and both are full of spikes, track and track plate and probably other rail parts and pieces that I have no idea what they are. That  may be an option to check out

I'm a right hander when it comes to writing and things like that, but I do most everything else left handed. Counting money and operating a fishing pole, which is set left handed comes to mind right off the top. I tend to use my left leg more. I can write left handed and it's legible, but feels odd. My Dad was ambidextrous and could write beautifully with either hand. He had the prettiest handwriting of any man I've every seen

1 hour ago, ThomasPowers said:

Note that they generally charge to cut stock down smaller lengths; my last place was US$1 per cut.  I generally bring a hacksaw; but I drive a pickup truck and so 1 cut gets me on the road.

I have read this many times. I must be fortunate because my steel supplier doesn't charge me to cut. I generally buy a 20' stick and have it cut in half. Any other cutting I do myself with a hacksaw or the chop saw, depending on size

I love the trivet also Justin. Really good stuff as I've come to expect from ýou. Sorry I haven't commented in awhile. But I've been keeping up with your progress. You're really good

That is great news. So nice to hear good things especially in the times we are living in. Prayers won't stop

I think I got  burned and cauterized all at once. Neat looking scar from it though. Kinda looks like a bird 

I have several little scars from burns. Mostly scale landing somewhere. Including on the back of my neck. I thought it was a mosquito until it kept getting more intense. The best one however, is on my upper thigh. It is the perfect outline of the boss and rivet from a pair of tongs... I don't suggest wearing jeans with holes in them while forging 

Prayers from here too 

I'm so happy that you are posting pictures of your work. I know you're particular about things just like I am and you think sometimes it's not good enough to show. I encourage everyone to show their work. Wherever you are on your journey is, well, where you're at at the time. I show the good, the bad and the ugly with few exceptions. Those are right nice looking little tongs. You're doing great

I used to hate filing and felt that if I were a better smith, I wouldn't have to file. Over time though, I came to actually enjoy filing. Especially in artistic pieces. Don't get me wrong, I avoid it if I can because it's time consuming and I have very little of that to spare. But it can sure refine a piece very nicely and no shame in it

Nice assortment of hammers. I didn't know Nordic Forge made hammers. Nordic Forge branded horseshoes are my favorite ones to forge out of all the old shoes I have. I set those aside when I come across them. May have to check out one of their hammers now.

It's looking real good Jennifer. Long time coming, but it's taking shape nicely. You'll be teaching befor you know it

Er, no. I am definitely not THAT committed. Thomas must be one tough hombre 

Thank you. I'll try to get a picture for scale next time I'm there. It won't need to move far. There is a private road up to the house that it sits beside. Just needs to be closer to the county road to be seen better

George N.M., hmm... if I could think of something to compare it to, it would be about the size of a super crew cab pick up truck? Maybe a bit bigger. I have only seen it up close a couple of times so it's not hard wired in my mind to know exactly. I see this size dotted all over the place usually with several others in the surrounding area. Of course, in Texas, it's hard to go very far without seeing one. I've seen little bitty ones too. Thank you for the advice. I appreciate it

"There's nothing new under the sun". I've only made one thing I've never seen before and it was just a design choice on a bottle opener. But I bet someone else has made one just like it. The only difference is, mine is unique to me 

Thomas, that sounds like a good plan. Thanks

Hee hee very sound advice! We were discussing how to move a pump jack last night. We are buying a piece of property and he has a non functional pump jack with a marquis sign mounted to the top. He used to have a little cafe and he probably used it for advertising. He said it goes with the property and we are going to use it to advertise "eggs for sale" the farm etc. But it needs to sit closer to the main road to be seen better. Egyptian lever system entered the equation as well as the tractor, or all the pickups... all the pickups AND the tractor... we'll get 'er done somehow. 

Eric Grubb, I have a 105 lb. Emerson traditional. With the tax and shipping, it was a bit over $800. But there are brands that range in the same size or little heavier for less. I chose mine because it was cast steel. But if your budget is $700, and you don't need a real heavy anvil, there are good candidates in your price range. 

Hmm, maybe someone will come across the name somewhere. I can't recall if I've ever seen any like it, but I don't think so. But I reckon you custom made them so you can call them whatever you wish. Whatever the name be, they look like a very versatile pair

I vote for Hawk Bill tongs. Really good work Chris. Can't wait to see your next ones in the works