CrazyGoatLady

I have horn scratches on my 2013 Ford pick up JHCC That's a good tip. Thank you. Us new kids on the block would be up "you know what" creek without a paddle if it weren't for sage advice from the experienced people like yourself and many others. I am grateful for this site.

Thank you Mr. Powers. I plan on doing that to my handles. I'm going to get the stuff that Frosy suggests and work on that. They will be nice when I get done I hope. Yes the human kids can be nearly as destuctive as the four legged ones. Well, sometimes more!

Frosty Yep. Goats love leaves, shrubs, weeds AND the occasional house plant! Ask me how I know this... They are cousins to deer. Funny you should ask about the handles. I had seen yours before and I was going to look it up again. That was great timing. I think I will do what you have done. And ditto on keeping them away from cars. Or anything else you don't want destroyed. I love them, but they can wreak havoc! Jasent Sorry to hear you had a rough day. Mine went that way most of the day. Hope it is better for you tomorrow!

No I hadn't thought of soaking it in oil, but I was thinking about a new wedge. It's just a little loose. Think it will be ok for awhile? When Tommie gets back from work next week, we are going to start building a new forge. The one we have needs to be re-lined. I haven't been able to get to it. Thank you. He told me you sent a message about that video. I haven't watched it yet. Bad signal sometimes, so I don't get to watch a whole lot of videos.

Yes the goats eat a lot of it! I mow the ditches, and the really high stuff. We have been blessed with green grass all summer. Normally by now we are haying. The one on the left is a little loose. I didn't notice that till today. The handles are much better. I already had one flattened some, but I just refined it some. Glen was kind enough to tel me how to do all of this easier than I was doing it. Yes I would like to meet abunch of the gang here too. Littleblacksmith ...I like the work you posted the other day. Especially the rams head.

I was going to mow today, but it wouldn't start. Spent part of the day trying to figure that out. Had to get a new battery and still wouldn't start. My father-in-law came and figured out it's a safety switch somewhere from the blade engage clutch. I'm glad he got it going but I hate it when I can't figure it out for myself. But I started dressing some hammers in the meantime. Still have to sand them. The one on the right had a pretty rough life. Flattened the handles yesterday. They need sanding also. Actually, they need new handles, but it's what I have right now. I like the picture of you Mr. Powers.

You can be really creative when the Grandkids are around....just ask me

Thankful to God it wasn't near the monster it was predicted to be. Maybe it was just me, but some of those reporters sounded disappointed it didn't turn out the way they thought it would....

Heh heh! Too funny...

Thank you Mr. Stevens. Will do! Mr. Powers...Forgive me sir! I did not mean to impune the worth of a claw or ball pein hammer! We just have several in different sizes already. I was going to use a large ball pein myself but we had a 2# cross pein that I have been using. I really like the feel of the one I bought above. It has natural balance forward. Funny how you can become addicted to acquiring hammers, tools, and "junk" metal. I used to get onto Tommie for buying or bringing home stuff. Now I tell him to do it. He is fine and dandy with that! And I look forward to your Stone Age forges. No doubt you can do it! Agreed you don't need fancy equipment. I think that applies to anything we do in life. Nice to have, but not needed. I apologize for the long winded post!

Hello Page 76, welcome to I.F.I.! As I am a newcomer as well, I can't help you much with the anvil. I am using a RR track anvil as well. Just wanted to welcome you to the club!

Good looking blade. Nice job!

I don't watch YouTube videos anymore except the smiths all the experienced people on this forum seem to agree on that he or she knows what they are talking about.

Thank you Slag. You are absolutely right. I doubt he can even come up with it and knowing we really want it, the price will probably be up there. I am ok with waiting if it means not getting fleeced.

Lol! Touché'! It was just cool to see a hammer like that. Most places have a bunch of claw hammers or ball peins. Thank you for the comment and the humor! Really did make me laugh

Mr. Stevens Thank you for the feedback. The cross pein looks bigger in the picture than it is. It's probably a 2 pounder. It feels real comfortable except the handle needs to be flattened. Or just a new handle period. Also needs to be dressed badly. I don't mind the work on it. I thought the green handled hammer was probably an auto body hammer. I didn't know they were cast though. It just caught my eye and was labeled "homemade hammer". Pretty small head on it. Unless you think the cross pein wouldn't be good for anything but a sledge? I'm good with whatever you think. And ditto on what Irondragon Forge & Clay said above.

Littleblacksmith Thank you! I looked it up and figured out what I needed to do. It didn't happen today. The guys boss has not been home this weekend. He told me to check back in a day or two. I might but I don't want to get caught up in a wild goose chase. Thank you again for the help.

I am not very good with math. But I used to manage a Subway sandwich store and it was a challenge, but my numbers were always good. Charles, you are a very knowledgeable man. I look forward to whatever you have to say. I agree with Slag. Your contributions here are priceless and I mean that from the bottom of my heart. On another note, I went to check about another anvil today. Didn't pan out but that's ok. The trip to town wasn't a waste. I went to an antique store that I have never been to called Cooks Mercantile. Loved the name and the wagon wheels out front. Anyway, he has more tools than any place I have seen around here. This little bit came home with me.

SLAG Thank you! I appreciate it . I will look it up before I go tomorrow. Good night to as well!

LOL! You are correct sir! We do have an anvil. I should have added that we went to a junk store Saturday and the guy told us his boss has a couple of anvils. He was going to see if he wanted to part with one. I am supposed to go check tomorrow. I have no idea what they may be or what shape. Or if he even wants to. Thought it was worth looking into. If I may ask a question? Should I take a hammer with me to tap it with? I don't have a ball bearing. If we don't get another one, say a London pattern, I'm just happy we have one. It would be nice at a good price though. Thank you for your time and the above suggestions for a horn. That looks really good!

Charles and Frosy Thank you for your input. The marshmallow and cooking analogies put it perfectly for me to understand. I think Thomas Powers is right about too much air and not enough fuel. We are using a blow dryer for an air source. Pointed downwards with an LB conduit Frosty suggested. As far as the fuel, I probably don't let Tommie build it big enough. I have been broke so many times in my life that I freak out about hating to waste things. I need to lighten up I think. I watched a Brian Brazael video on tapering and got a copy of The Complete Modern Blacksmith by Alexander G. Weygers at the recommendation of Mr. Powers. I couldn't figure out how to pull a taper out until the video and book. Thanks for telling me how to scroll a piece. I was trying to work that out then I started fearing I was going to burn it, and I stopped to help him with nail header he is working on. We don't have a horn currently anyway. We are using a RR track anvil. Maybe have a lead on an anvil. I will find out tomorrow! Thank you so much!

No thank God, we are well north from all the flooding. Help is pouring in from everywhere for those who were affected. I hope they can get back on their feet quickly. Enjoy your trip to the US. I have never been to either of those cities. Would love to go to Nashville especially. Be careful in your travels and happy reading on IFI!

Good morning from Texas! It is 6 25 am here.Welcome to I Forge Iron! As a new kid on the block myself I can tell you you won't find a better place to help you learn the art of blacksmithing. The folks here want to see you succeed and are very generous with their knowledge and time. My advice is to read and read some some more. The information available is enormous. Enjoy your journey and hope your day is good!

Thank you Mr. Powers. Yes sir. Fire management is taking a little bit to learn. Every time we work, I am trying to see where things need improvement. BUT it will get there! More fun is on my agenda! Thank you for your advice. It is greatly appreciated and will be put into practice.

Been a few days since I have posted anything. It's been a busy week, but we did manage to get some forge time in! Three evenings in a row no less.Tommie is packing to leave out again in the morning... Anyway I thought I would post my first few practice pieces. Not so great, but every time I get to work, it gets more comfortable. The last picture is a plant hanger I made for my mother- in-law for her birthday. I still have to clean it up. It took WAY longer to finish than it should have. Started out pretty quick and I was pretty happy about that. Then I turned to do the other end and it kept getting out of whack. It's still not perfectly straight; but I stopped because I was afraid I was going to burn the end up. It is made from a two foot long 3/8" round bar. The others are 1/2" round. All I know is I LOVE doing this! Any advice or critiques welcome. Thank you. Sorry the first picture is the plant hanger. Pictures didn't load right.