JW513

life is one big wave, highs and lows but you gotta ride it and there’s always something to take out of the experience. At least you showed up, I’ve only forged twice in the past year. I’ve taken some classes by Carl and he is great. But all the spectators there don’t care who wins. I think everyone had fun just watching. This isn’t a knock to Carl because is a master. But I love your style of forging. Very colonial influenced. I’ll be there next year rooting for you. I should have introduced myself.

JPL Don't be so hard on youself... you did great. I tried to walk around and watch everyone.... I believe Carl came in first. I've never seen a judge go into such detail before each session began, but Beth is a very good smith. Going on Saturday makes me really want to get into smithing again, had to take a break due to some health and family issues. I think the best part is watching the kids from the HS forge, they all seem like very good kids who having a great time. I hope they stick with it.

I really don't have this problem unless its winter and we are doing a masonry related job....... But I just grab whatever moisturizer whomever bought in the house. It does help a lot and i should do it more often. That O'Keefs is pretty good aswell.

Nice job, you just gave that anvil a new lease on life...

I'd say here in Boston... Someone would post that for $650.... It would sit for a while, probably sell for closer to $500.. Don't do any milling to it... Sell it and buy a new one if you'd like. But there is nothing wrong with that anvil. A good smith (not me), could use yours, a railroad track or a brand new one made by Holland and produce very similar results. You

Thank you. Got it a week ago. I had no pain except for 3rd day morning. Not even real dry eyes. But I’ve been getting extremely bad migraines. Which I’ve never had before. It’s due to my eyes having to readjust.

If you know you don't know... thats ok.. Nothing more dangerous than someone who doesn't know, they don't know.

I'm going to ask the doctor, but i'm curious. I'm all set to get PRK on Friday. I''m just wondering how long others waited until they got back to the smithy.

I love this videos. Thanks for reminding me to watch them more often.

Put a new floor in yesterday. Recycled asphalt. Have not lit the forge in a year. Took one knife making class in the fall. This year is different, I’ll be going to the monthly open forge the New England Blacksmiths have in Brentwood NH. Next weekend I will put shelves up and organize it. Anyone in the New England area that ever wants to stop by or if you feel like having a visitor, let me know. I’m 45 minutes north of Boston up Rt1 or 95.

Regarding the old people. I've tried to get additional help.. I'm not the power of attorney and don't want to be. I was just a friend who little by little did more and more to the point they became dependent on me. I should have been more clear in my original post.. I also would like to do railings and gates/fences. A very good friend who started out as a blacksmith 50 years ago's just retired last year. I have his old blacksmithing stuff.... He soon found out there was more money in railings and welding/fabricating than blacksmithing and became known for his railings around Boston.... He left a huge void by retiring... I'd like to take his place in the market and he would be honored if I did.

Yes I am and would love too, that is part of my issue. I don't want to drag my personal life in here... But long story short, I've been taking care of an elderly couple for 11 years... Every year I do more and more, now he has dementia but still knows whats going on... He likes to go for walks and when that happens I get a call from the bank or his attorney and gotta leave work to pick him up..... She is starting to get forgetful.... Their doctors and attorneys all call me.. Its very complicated and stressful and unique situation but I'd never walk away. So that is a big factor. I'd like to move to the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York where my mum is from. But can't now due to the circumstances.. I know starting/owning a company is a big deal.. I've been helping run and now a legal owner of the family business since high school, I have a good idea of what does into it.. But I love forging and would love to find a way to make money doing what I love. the flip side is when you HAVE to do it, it might become a chore instead of something I love.

I still lack the skill, but this year I'm going to spend more time in the forge.. Last time i was in the forge was almost a year ago... Except for my knife making class. But working in the family business isn't working out... My own family has taken advantage of me and I can't do it anymore. But i'll continue on with them while I build up my company.. I've gotten into steel bending and old time strongman workouts... My goal is to start fabricating workout equipment. I'm going to learn how to weld as well... I'm in construction.. I have many friends who could always need something welded. I'd be interested in finding a foundry who can cast things for me. It's obviously would be a lot of work and maybe its just a dream but, the only time I'm truly happy and into what i'm doing is when i'm working with metal. So i'm just looking for any tips and ideas... Plus reasons why I should or shouldn't do it... I don't really want to work for anyone else. Once you work for yourself...No matter how much it might suck at times, i can't imagine not being my own boss. Either that or I become a public adjuster... There is money in that and I believe its relatively recession proof.

^Yeah, she's an amazing blacksmith... The door is always open, let me know when you are in the area... My (little) shop is about 45 minutes north of Boston. Of course with traffic it could be 2 hours.

My instructor Willow, from Prospect Hill teaches there.. She is great, I was nervous for my first class a few years back, the second I met her I was relaxed.. She knows a lot and metal, and shes an awesome teacher.... I'm confident anyone else that teaches there is good, there's a guy Mark that I believe, never met him but i've heard good things., I think it was renovated recently as well. sadly, i haven't been able to use the skills i've learned as much as I'd like too. I'm changing that this year!

Don't get me wrong, I respect all forms of metal working, actually just about any trade or arts and crafts in general. I've always been more into the blacksmithing side of things. But i took a knife making class and learned a lot. I feel the forging side of things wouldn't be hard for a proficient smith, but the different properties of steel side of things... There is a lot to know, possibly an indefinite amount. I'm not sure If I have the mind to know the chemistry behind it all, but I actually would like to jump ships and get more into forging straight razors and axes. Its very interesting, taking a piece of steel and turning it into a object you can cut, stab and chop with.

Pictures aren’t the best but a year ago my uncle couldn’t text. I’m slowly becoming technologically challenged uncle myself so I’m not judging. I wasn’t expecting him to buy it for me. But he did and also kinda fell in love with it but told me it’s mine eventually anyways. Can’t wait to go see it in person. I’m curious about the rebound.

That’s what I want to do. I have a huge passion for blacksmithing and working out. So it makes sense to combine the two. Whether the steel is hot or cold, there is just something about morphing it into a different shape. I know of a man who’s done shows for charity. That is something I’m going to do once I have more experience.

Always been one to work out. Always had a thing for anything related to grip, like sledges and other odd objects. Why I never get into this stuff earlier I don’t know. But I’ve got into bending steel. It’s pretty taxing and fun. Best part is, I can straighten it out in the forge and make things with the stock after.

My uncle ended up getting it for $200. He says its probably about 80lbs. He restores old cars and sometimes needs an anvil for sheet metal..... His 221lbs Peter Wright is in my possession. He told me "I told you can have it and don't want to go back on my word"... I could tell he wanted to keep it.. He's gonna hold on it. I just asked him to not really abuse the horn.

Thanks for the responses. I don't need another anvil,I have a few, but I do like obviously like them and especially colonial era smithy things. If I get it, my uncle is just going to snatch it for me. I'll see if I can get him to do a rebound test. From the pictures it doens't look to be in horrible shape... Assuming the rebound is decent. The early anvils of that era, weren't made with hardy holes, they where sometimes added later.

My uncle found it at a recently deceased friends house. It looks like an early colonial 5 foot anvil. I have one without the horn. Would be cool to have another. This is the only pic he took.

So I sadly have not been in my forge since April... I signed up for a class, went to get my apron to bring to class. It is now moldy. Somehow it fell on the floor. What is the best way to clean mold off leather?

I watched you and you where great.. I was torn between rooting for you and the fine blacksmiths from Prospect Hill. Justin Morrell is great too. Everyone there is actually.. Most of the smiths there are on the artsy side of the craft... While I can appreciate that side of it, i'm more of a traditional smith like you, and would have struggled making wearable art.. Your display was beautiful, I love things that look like they belong in an old colonial home. I tried watching Ellens demonstration but my dad and uncle kept talking and distracting me. She is a riot and a great blacksmith. It was another great Fitchburg Forge In, I got hit a couple times while you where forge welding... I consider it an honor.

I listen to everything from Tony Bennett to the Moody Blues to Hank Williams.. When i'm forging its a lot of Jethro Tull, Moody Blues, Johnny Cash, and old blues records... But honestly, I just the natural sounds of a blacksmiths shop.