CrazyGoatLady

We keep things around like wood, fencing, chicken wire etc. unless it's way beyond use. With ongoing projects and repairs around a farm, these things always come in handy. Usually if someone else has a need for building materials, we have them. I think some collecting comes from knowing what it's like not to have things. Like people who have large toy or comic book collections because they couldn't afford them growing up. Or something that reminds them of good times. My mother gave me a glass chicken that she'd had when I was little. The top piece got cracked and I just hated that. I found one just like it at a junky store. But then one chicken turned into two and so on. I finally stopped because I was running out of room for what- nots and you only need so many glass chickens. I grew up poor and I remember the lack there too. I still have a hard time throwing out a tube of toothpaste until I've gotten out every bit that I can, although I can buy more. I was a single mom for several years as well and struggling will make you tend to hoard or whatever you want to call it. I'm more financially stable than I have ever been, but those habits stick with you.

I keep a lid on mine also

I'm the same way. I start figuring things I can cut out or where I can cut corners. If I can't figure that out, then I don't get whatever it is I'm looking at. My husband had to do a lot of talking and convincing for me to buy my Emerson. He came up with extra funds to help so I would. I'm not actively looking for another anvil. We are in a very anvil poor area. I know that TPAAAT works because I've seen too many testimonials to the fact. But, it still hasn't worked in over 2 years in trying for me. We had literally one hit in all that time and it didn't come through. I wouldn't pass up a good deal on one or more if it came up for sure. Or pass on the information to someone else that is looking. And I know there are improvised anvils everywhere. I have one myself. But I don't blame anyone for wanting what they want if they can find and afford it. As far as collecting them just to have them, that is just something I'm not going for personally. I'm happy to have what I have and that is all I can ask for

Agreed on the anvil height. My last anvil was set at knuckle height. It made my back hurt and my accuracy wasn't always great. But I had read so much about that being the height to aim for. We mounted my new one just right below my wrist after some experimentation. My back doesn't bother me now and my swing and accuracy have greatly improved

Exactly. My Vulcan is broken at the tail and horn. It was rode hard and put up wet for sure. But Irondragon has given me the idea of using it to help make hardie tools. I don't know why I didn't think of that. Thank you!

Haha I totally agree it's exactly like having a new car. I check it over frequently and it's no touchy to anyone but me, at least for awhile anyway. My son has done a little hammering recently, but he gets to use the Vulcan or the track anvil I would love to come to your classes. Maybe I could work that out one day

I remember reading where you advise not making hardie tools in the anvil because it can snap off the tail. Trust me, I use the anvil for what's it's made for, but I am careful of how I hit it and where! The tail and the horn in particular. So far, I don't even have any dents from mishits. I wish I were closer to you also. Or could travel to visit you

I don't have any hardy (hardie?) tools yet. Just some improvised things I've used like square tubing that fit. I made a hold fast to fit the pritchel. Pretty simple, but it's nice to be able to have the means to use one. Comes in handy. I've watched some videoes of making hardy tools, but am still not sure how to go about it exactly.

HEAP of JEEP, caught your episode last night. Congratulations on your win

The hardy is 1" on this one. The pritchel is 5/8". The stand my husband built is solid and sturdy. For me, it's a great set up. Just having a hardy and pritchel has been a tremendous leg up. My old Vulcan had neither. Correction. 9/16" pritchel

Thank you Jennifer. I am well pleased with it. The only thing better would be a heavier one. But I have no complaints.

I thought I might need to clarify something. I'm not saying you should get a new London pattern or German pattern,etc. I started with a RR track anvil and it worked well. I just saw that you were considering an Emerson and thought I might be helpful if that is the way you want to go

Zach, I own an Emerson 100# traditional (without the turning cams). I would like to have been able to get a heavier one, but money is always a factor. I don't have any experience with any other "brand" names other than Vulcan. I went with a new cast steel anvil because asking prices are ridiculous for used ones. I figured I'd just buy new as opposed to handing it over for an anvil I know nothing about except for perceived value because it's "old" or "antique". Anyway, my experience so far is, I love my Emerson. There may be better out there, but for the price I don't regret it. I'd suggest do your research and decide between something new or old. Go from there and research some more. I'll stop short of recommending an Emerson simply because I don't have a wide range of experience with different anvils. But for me, I am happy with my purchase.

My organization in the shop right now is there's a pile of stuff here, and a pile of stuff there, etc. etc.. but I know exactly where everything is within said piles. Chris the curious said I needed a workbench and he's right. I have two metal tables I use, but they aren't big enough for everything. Hmm, maybe I have more tools than I thought. Which is a good thing We are pack rats also so that doesn't help. But we did clean out the shop and had enough to take to the scrapyard and give me a little money for more stock as I was running low. Plus it's easier to move around the shop

Oh yeah, not hitting it is the best thing! I was just thinking about that while reading. I don't know that I fear hitting my hand so much, because I have and I just kind of shook it off. I get more frustrated with just trying to hit where I want and it ends up being a mile away... then other times, it comes out good. I do better with everything if I don't overthink things. Which I'm bad about. But next go around, I'll try watching the working end and see if that helps. You've given me hope that maybe I'm not just terrible at punching and chiseling. Maybe just need to change technique

You can never have enough buckets. My daughter worked at Firehouse subs and she brought me several from there with the logo on them. They get their pickles in them. The smell makes you hungry! I've got two I use in the shop for scrap and such. And we've got six in the chicken tractor until he gets the wooden nest boxes built. Which he's working on now. Plus all the other various buckets we have and their uses which are endless. But that's a great idea if I were to ever travel with my tools

Buckets with their own tool belts. I like it

I need to better organize my things. I don't have a ton of stuff, but I've got enough now that I need a more designated place to put them. I like your set up JHCC. That's about how my smithy is arranged, just not nearly as well put together.

I bet she was Good information. I'll have to look that up. I haven't been wearing gloves hardly at all. I wore one on my tong hand, but now that I don't, the calluses are building pretty good. I can tell I'm more accurate because I can feel things and the heat doesn't get to me near as much. I notice when I cook I can grab stuff that normally would burn like crazy, that hardly phases me. There's an unexpected side affect of blacksmithing for you. Now if I can get more accuracy with my struck tools that'd be great.

Jennifer, I'm glad you pointed that out about where to look when using a struck tool. I watch the struck end and I almost hate to punch or chisel anything because I seem to miss my mark most of the time. I was thinking I'm just not very good at it or I'm using the wrong tool. But being armed with this information, maybe it'll go better. Thank you so much

Agreed. We don't name any animal unless it's a pet or a breeder. The chickens are "chickies" or "ladies". The meat goats are "boys" or "little fellars". You never know what I may call them, but no names. If I had large herds of anything, they would probably have one collective name. The rabbits have individual names for their pedigrees. I don't go by a number system on them

George N.M., thank you for that idea. That sounds perfect. I appreciate it. Working around those fullers is tough I'll post the results when I get to work again

We hear turkeys every now and then, but I don't ever see one. My ex father- in- law had a turkey named Tom. I think he was supposed to be Thanksgiving dinner, but he avoided that fate somehow. He didn't really like anyone except me for some reason. He would follow me around and if I stopped, he stopped. Then I'd walk again and so would he. As if I couldn't see him if he didn't move. It was kind of funny

Such good work everyone. I wish I could follow with something good. Had sort of a frustrating evening at the forge. Worked on three different projects, and none turned out very well. I made a couple of door handles for the chicken tractors. One came out alright, but the other, I broke off one of the end pieces. Forged it too thin I think. I tried to make a tealight candle holder out of a horseshoe. I fiddled with it for a long time, but it just wasn't right. I need to see if I can find examples to look at. Trying to keep the integrity of the nail fullers and make it look good wasn't so easy. But no time is wasted when your building skill. Just wish everything would have turned out better. I will try again tomorrow though

Prayers for you and your family. He sounds like such an interesting and wonderful man