Owen Hinsman

I am also trying to devise a way to get from one tree to the next, at 50+ feet in the air.

for the banks, yes I agree. however, the trees I am climbing are maple, ash, hemlock and pine mainly, so I do not want to damage them.

Yes, coconuts do migrate.

I need it for climbing steep enbankments 10-15ft tall and for climbing trees without low enough limbs to grab. As for weight and portability, it needs to be able to hold my weight (150lbs) plus my supplies, so around 225 lbs. I would like to be able to strap it to the back of my pack.

How would one go about making a grappeling hook? I would like to make one for my frequent expeditions into the forest, yet I have yet to find a good guide on how to make one.

That handle looks whittled to shape, you might want to check the wedges and stability.

Thats a good point Thomas. Thanks!

I'm naming my forge Svart Odort Forge, which is Swedish for Black Hemlock Forge.

And a partridge in a pear tree.

I got a decent sized porcupine in my yard last night. He waltzed on in, snuffled around, and waddled off.

Nice! Looks like a good spreading hammer.

Just picked up a small pile of what looks like copper, in small cutouts like pendants or beads. I'll post pics when I can.

I am building a forge in my backyard. What should I use for the flooring? I think that a base of concrete covered in 6-8 inches of pea gravel would be good, but I have no experience in these matters. I live in Cumberland County ME if that makes a difference.

That's a good idea. how would you drill out the handle and still leave enough for support?

how much experience should I have before I do a demonstration or just sell my work?

thanks frosty and irondragon, this helped out a bunch.

I saw a thread that mentioned bodkins, I was wondering how I would make them. I was thinking about taking a piece of 1/2 inch square stock and forging a taper into it, then using a hardy fuller to indent the faces. The thread here. I will post pictures as soon as I can.

I was thinking a rack similar to a kindling rack but wit spacers or rails of a sort to support the metal.

hmmm, good point.

I cant remember where I heard this, but a welding saying: 'A grinder and paint will make the welder you ain't'

Hmm. good to know. I like that version that you made. might have to put it on my shop wall once I make a shop

The original line is from a lord of the rings poem. All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost. From the ashes, a fire shall be woken, A light from the shadows shall spring; Renewed shall be blade that was broken, And crownless again shall be king So, your poem should be: All that is gold does not glitter, not all that is cold is black

AZBL, check this thread. it should help.

I'm a beginner blacksmith from southern maine. no forge yet, but im working on it!