SoCal Dave

I think the extra hammer you have will help determine the size of you modification. You didn't mention what kind of hammer you have. I would think about what kind you need most. I have three rounding hammers and find I use all three. Each one is a little different in the shape of the rounded head or portion. So, pick a general shape you like as a starting point and get other rounding hammers as time passes.

You might want to think about using car paint and primer. Using a good automotive primer will help and maybe a lot cheaper than hot dipped gal. Even with primer and paint you must consider the thickness of those layers in your calculations. Here in California, the authorities have outlawed all the really good primers and paint so you can't get them anymore. You might have better luck in your location of Maine. Good luck

Very nice job. I just tried a calla lilly in bronze. My first try with bronze. After getting the bar to hot and having the tip brake off, I started to understand how much to heat the bronze. Your lilies, leaves and vase look great.

After two visits to the eye doctor to take out little pieces of metal out of my eye, I always wear eye protection, even when it's just a quick grind. I learned my lesson the hard way, but I learned it for always and every time.

Very nice. Uniform shape to the hooks and nice smooth scrolls.

I really like the tips of the scrolls. They show refinement and not just a thick scrolled piece.

Wow is right. Hate to see Sid and Keri step aside, but, all things must change. I do know that Sid would only hand over the operation to quality people who can continue his level of expertise. Good luck to everyone.

I believe it was part of a larger candelabra that was seen in the ABANA magazine or the CBA magazine. It was a unique and creative piece.

A friend sent me some photos and I thought these were guy things you might like.

Wouldn't a coating also change the heat treating process?

Good video, but at the end, when you were showing the finished product, you kept moving the punch around all over the screen instead of holding it still.

I have seen these anvils advertised before but have never worked on one. It sounds like they are more designed for jewelry, or small craft work than for blacksmithing mild steel. Use it but try to avoid having your hammer hit the anvil directly. You can never have enough anvils. Over the next 20 to 30 years you will have many anvils for different purposes and this one may be just perfect for a project then. Good luck.

Clever!

It might not matter, but I like the look of the smaller scroll. It has a pleasing appearance and negative shape. The larger one just doesn't look as pleasing to me. It looks a little fat in the middle, and doesn't curve as smoothly as the smaller one.

I 'm sure it's just the way the picture is taken, but it looks like you are going to hit Brian's head first.

Very nice Frank.

Horseshoe nails are a very specific type of nail. Look up these nails and look at the silhouette. The very tip is tapered so the nail will drive out of the hoof. The head is a little different. This can be done as they were made for many years by the blacksmith. If you look at the old movies and even movies today, it seems that the only thing blacksmith did then was shoe horses. Good luck.

Well said Frank!

It is on the light side of weight for blacksmithing anvils, but keep it, be happy you have an anvil, and do work with it. Don't cut anything off as you may one day find a need for those turning cams. Keep looking for a bigger anvil, but don't be ashamed because you have a light weight. Show people what you can do with any anvil. It's not the anvil, it's the person using the anvil that is critical. I've always been impressed by some of the master blacksmiths how few tools they had and what they could do with them. Now, start hammering on that anvil.

I know most people prefer to give the customer what they want, but that door is tall and dark in color and, to me, calls for something narrow/long and dark also. A little different than what the customer may want but if it looks good they maybe open to other options. Example below:

Don't settle for just black until you've checked out other colors that will match the door color. A patina might be really nice. A picture would help.

Great job. Welds look good. What rod did you use and what was the amp setting? What type of welding unit did you use?

I found that when I'm not hammering during the week, I get weak, spiritually. There is something about even the simplest projects with some hammering that will help us get through the week and weak periods. So, don't delay, go play, and I bet you, you will feel better. Or, take on a big project that will take up that spare time of yours thinking of how you are going to do that difficult bend or make a difficult tapered leg. Good luck.

I 've checked the internet, and youtube, but I can't find and good examples of forged hummingbirds. The ones I 've seen don't really look like hummingbirds to me. They have big round ball like heads that hummers don't really have. I've only seen one written tutorial on making a hummingbird and would like to see more. My plan is to forge a few out of steal, and then forge a few out of bronze. A bronze one will be a gift to a friend who loves hummingbirds.

It all depends on maintenance issues. Nothing is forever outdoors and it depends on your location... Alaska vs Arizona? I use automobile clear coating to protect the metal, but even that will need maintenance at some point. Primer, paint, and clear coating works if the customer wants that type of finish. A wax type of layer will work for a short period, but will need to be reapplied.