Jeff Bly

I finally got some pics. Some nice, some not so nice.

You must have just missed this. If you are refering to the opening, I am sure the same fluid dynamics should apply.

Was learning oxy/acetlyene welding, I could smell something burning. I lifted my goggles and asked is anyone smelled something burning, no one noticed anything, so back to welding I went. A minute later, I could REALLY smell something burning. I lifted my goggles again, and it was the front of my shirt. Some slag had settled in a fold and was smoldering. It was almost to the point of ignition, but I was safely able to extinguish it. I also had longjohns underneath which quite possibly insulated the heat so that I did not notice it as quickly. Fire is a very dangerous situation, and it can happen fast. It is very important to always have your wits about you and keep very aware of your surroundings. Keep a fire extinguisher handy and probably the fire departments number as well.

Wow, I was hoping this thread would generate this kind of info! You are all supplying me with great information and suggestions. Thank you all so much! It's also encouraging to see that even accomplished smiths continue to constantly further their own knowledge and understanding of this craft by attending schools also. I never considered that the teachers need teaching. Peyton - You mentioned a scool for getting a degree. What kind of degree? Where or what does that degree earn you? Gerald - Thanks for those links to this area. I will be reserching tose shortly. Paul - Are there people out there that still do apprenticeships in this craft? And pay you at the same time? If so, I'm all over that, just as soon as I finish welding school and get all my certifications.

Never mind. I answered my own question. He will be 2 hours away from me at legal speed limits. However, I will not be able to take the class, as I am enrolled in welding school during this period of time. or Depends on how you want to look at it.

Brian, I will ask him to show me/us and say hi for y'all. Thomas, I wish I had been into blacksmithing 15 years ago when I lived in Roswell, NM. I obviously missed out on some great oppurtunities. How do I go about finding out where Mr. Hofi is holding classes? I feel like a sponge, soaking up all this new info is pretty fun!

I am going to the Northeast Blacksmiths Associations Spring Meet and Bob Patrick will be the demonstrator there. I signed up for a "Hands On" workshop for beginners. This will be my first blacksmithing event.

Is there any advantage to going to a blacksmith school? If so, which schools are suggested, and why?

Thanks for the link KeyKeeper. I get so used to reading in the forums that I often forget to look in the BP's for helpful info and learning.

Don't know the answer to that, being that I'm a newbie myself however, welcome.

Here is a photo of the numbers in question.

So anthracite has a higher sulpher content that bituminous? And why use a softer coal than a harder coal? Is that why bituminous burns more readily than anthracite - the hardness, or rather, the softness of the coal?

Do you think they would take a 30 year mortgage on that?

Thanks for clearing this up for me guys. Now I understand.

I just got off the phone with a guy selling an anvil, says he's in the coal business. He suggested using anthrocite. Is that right? I know most people say they use bituminous coal. I don't really know the difference enough to say one way or the other. Just curious.

Thanks. I will. Wish me luck.

Thanks Frosty. I'll see if that guy still has it and make an offer. Keep your fingers crossed.

Frosty, Yes, I am VERY happywith the deal!!! To get a bellows that may actually have some history in it is worth all the price to me. Even if it's just a generic bellows, it was used for the craft for which I wish to return it. Besides, if there is history, that's priceless. For everything else, there's Mastercard.;)

On a Peter Wright, what do the numbers 2 and 2, one on each foot, on the front of the anvil under the horn indicate? Year? Also, I have the chance to get a 200# Fisher for $200. Should I jump on this deal?

I have the chance to get a 200# Fisher for $200. Should I jump on this deal?

What do the numbers 2 and 2, one on each foot, on the front of the anvil under the horn indicate? Year?

So a Fisher is a decent anvil? What is the full name and who makes them?

What do you reckon an old antique bellows is worth? It is a full size blacksmiths forge bellows. It is supposedly from circa 1900, but I am researching that now. I saw it in an antique store and they said they were going to turn it into a table for a New York City restaurant. I paid $275 for it. It was supposed to have come from the Old Sturbridge Village in MA, but I contacted them and they said there shop didn't have bellows when they aqquired the shop, so I don't know if what I have is authentic or not. I was told that the old Sears catalog sold blacksmith bellows if it was circa 1900, but I have to try and find identifying marks on it somewhere first.