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I Forge Iron

JW513

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Posts posted by JW513

  1. 8 hours ago, jlpservicesinc said:

    JW513.. it's hard knowing where someone was compared to where someone is..  I'm conflicted because of this.. I know where I was vs where I am..  

    And yes Carl did take again.. Mighty fine smith..  I think this is his 7th or 9th grand champion.. 

    I have high standards and producing sub par work is not something I relish. Even if it's the work produced at the time. 

    Those kids were having a blast and killing it..  I loved the fact they had a few people who had like no practice and took a spot on the board. 

    Next year I'll do better.. :) 

    David really nice hawks.. 
     

    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.

  2. JPL

    21 hours ago, jlpservicesinc said:

     I have a very hard time  shifting gears now and and getting into someone else's mind thoughts and patterns especially when I dont agree.  

    I can feel myself getting older and having less mental flexibility.

     

    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. 

  3. On 5/4/2022 at 10:50 PM, Jason W said:

    I don't think you're going to be interested in smithing for a least a month. Unless you wear a welding shield. I got PRK done about 12 years ago before I ever got into smithing but I stare at a computer all day. I think I was off work for 4 days (2 days and a weekend) then went back and had to wear sunglasses inside the office for close to another couple weeks. PRK is way different than lasik so expect longer recovery. And the recovery wasn't uncomfortable, it was the most exquisite pain I have ever experienced. Mind you like a typical Canadian I decided not to take the pain killers they gave me because I don't need xxxxxx pain killers! Dude,TAKE THE PAIN KILLERS!!  Probably would have been way easier. The only thing that helped me find comfort was sitting in the hot shower with the lights off. Seriously, you'll thank me. Not trying to freak you out because I'm super happy I did it, just expect it to be a nasty recovery.

    Once they take the contacts out it does start to get better but your eyes are still super sensitive. Dark room with no lights or tv for at least a week after. I'd recommend creating your music playlist now. 

    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.

  4. 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. 

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  5. 2 hours ago, Frosty said:

    Welcome aboard JW, glad to have you. I approach hobbies more seriously than what you describe for starting a business!  The forum Rockstar is a professional, his above advice is as good as you'll get without paying for it.

    Frosty The Lucky.

    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. 

  6. 1 hour ago, ThomasPowers said:

    Take any small business administration classes offered in your area to see what's involved.  Also MA has not the best business environment for various reasons are you willing to move someplace with less "overhead"?

    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.

     

     

  7. 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.

  8. 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!

  9. 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.

     

  10. 30 minutes ago, ThomasPowers said:

    He's trying to bend it as a workout and so doesn't want the "easy way".   Why not come up with some projects that use the shapes you bend and get a head start on your Christmas presents!

    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.

  11. 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.

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  12.  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. 

  13. 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.

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