Ohio

John in Oly, I promised not to build anything else until the shop is re-done next spring. But my neighbor has his smithy all set up and I know I just have to bring him brownies for him to fire it all up. I'm also taking a 3-hour intro to blacksmithing class in October to get my hands dirty. I'll check out the thing at the end of October. I have to be in Gig Harbor for a film festival screening and Q&A on the 27th, but maybe I can convince the fab GF that we just hafta go to Longview. Maybe I'll try that Red Lobster bribery thing I was reading about.

Thanks, 4elements. I checked out the NWBA website and thought, "Longview is a long way from here," but maybe in winter we can make it down there. I was looking at the JABOD and thinking it would be fun to build. I need to build my metal working shop before I can move forward. A few years ago I did build an outdoor cob oven for baking bread and stuff. It was an easy build and worked surprisingly well. I may just hit you up for some clay if I decide to build a JABOD in the next couple months, even without a shop to put it in.

JHCC, don't you know it is a scientific fact that the more stings you get the better any honey tastes? Some day I'll tell you about the day I found out I was allergic to honey bee stings. Good times. Welp, Frosty, some people are just xxxxxxx. I get what you're saying with the bush pilots vs. air taxis vs commercial pilots. With metal spinning, I'd like to work competently and safely. Efficiency is a concern because I often have ten billion things (most with wings and stingers) to take care of, but you're right---I'm more interested in the art side of the craft and how it fits with my other stuff. Still, the production side is pretty neat but when I see pictures like of hot spinning---well, there's no way to say it politely: I clench. Thanks for sharing the pix and stories.

Frosty, that show-off bowl is certainly showoffable. I like it. Your dad's record is impressive, though spinning hot is crazy---I mean that in the nicest way possible---and I doubt I'll ever make anything that ends up going into outer space, though I'd be happy to recommend some people I'd like to send. Anyway, back to your vent...are you saying I should ignore Tynan's DVDs as his information is wrong or dangerous? I am interested in using a scissor tool, but the research I've done says that I should learn how to turn using the sticks and I have the basic tools already made. The other turning DVD I have says the same thing Tynan does, as does this tool maker. You obviously disagree and I respect that. Here's the thing---I would rather use a scissor tool as it looks safer than having my hands so close to the spinning disk and the leverage from the scissor may mean I'm not wearing myself out as quickly. But I don't know if that's the best way to learn. Honestly, I don't. I can see why someone may think using sticks might help me get a better sense of touch with the tool and material, but I'm just speculating. I'm not into insisting on using only the original tools for any craft---being all neanderthal for the sake of being neanderthal is fun for some people, but it's not my thing. I mean, I can and have hand planed stock for my woodworking projects, but it's not the only way to get stuff flat. And I can see why some people will never touch a power hammer as that's not why they blacksmith. (Don't even get me started with beekeepers, omg, they are the second-most craft intolerant people we have ever dealt with. It's as bad as Mac vs. PC. I feel traumatized just mentioning it.) Right now with the craft of metal spinning, I have to start somewhere. Terry Tynan offered me an entry point and I'm grateful for that. But again, if you find his DVDs to be objectionable from a safety or even efficiency perspective, I'd like to know why, if you care to share.

Thanks for the welcome. I tried spinning an aluminum disk on my little Rikon wood lathe (side note: I also have a RIkon 1/2 hp grinder and 14-12 bandsaw---I am really impressed by this brand and they're not paying me to say this). I have Terry Tynan DVDs (and another set from a wood turner whose name escapes me at the moment) and watched them repeatedly to get the idea. I got the disk from Terry (he sent me a load extra just for fun), turned a couple of mandrels and follower blocks, made and bought some tools I had to handle up, set the tool rest and the bit you use as a fulcrum, centered the disk perfectly, lubricated it with a proper lubricating goop I made, turned on the lathe, and messed up that disk real good. No pictures as the messed-up disks went into the Box of Shame to be melted down. I'll try again when the season winds down. I think I know what I was doing wrong, but I'll try to snap some pictures to share when I mess up again so you can all point and laugh. I feel pretty confident the little Rikon is powerful enough for these small spinnings---Terry demos it on one of his DVDs and so does the woodturning guy. Terry really is an artist, though I giggle every time he says, "Lubrication." That's a good guess. Well done. Lavender and chocolate---that's an interesting combo. There's an array of lavendula bouquets drying in the shed that we sell for culinary use. We combine it with honey for glazed carrots and a muffin recipe, maybe I'll suggest we try something with chocolate. The lavender flavor profile is very much toward the rosemary/sage end, so with the right chocolate cookie, I bet that would be delicious.

Hello. I've been reading this forum for quite awhile and finally joined. I'm pretty interested in learning blacksmithing because 1) I like to make things and 2) fire + hitting = good. I can weld (ugly, but they hold), cast aluminum, failed hilariously at metal spinning (like that'll stop me), and do a lot of woodworking. I'm interested in combining wood and metal in some of my designs. I'm not quite ready to jump into blacksmithing as I have to first re-build the shop and add a metalworking area, all scheduled for next spring. I did heat up some cold-rolled steel and hit it with a sledge on my little railroad track anvil a couple of weeks ago and made a slightly flatter piece of cold-rolled steel. I'm so proud. The anvil came from my neighbor, who is a blacksmith-turned-stone-mason who has promised to show me some stuff this winter because I'm letting him use my wood chipper aka "Chippy." He's a really good guy and I'm like the son he never had, which is pretty funny considering I'm a girl. I'm also a professional beekeeper and lavender farmer, have a feature documentary coming out in December, and have published four books (3 novels, one textbook). Finally, thanks to all who contribute on this forum---it's a wealth of knowledge with occasional yelling about safety (or lack thereof). Really a great resource and I appreciate you all sharing the knowledge.