SwissSmith

Thanks JLP, I’ll start checking around locally. Hopefully, I’ll come up with someone. If I strike out, are you interested? They’re small enough, would be easy enough to mail. Bob

Ede,Jim,JLP, Thanks for the responses and esp. the photos. Ede, my Canady Otto is a model E. Found an old turn of the century Canady Otto calalog that has great drawings if anyone else needs, let me know. The model E sold for $23. Anybody have any of the original brass barrel bushings around, I only need two. Thanks again. Starting my restoration this winter, good indoor project. Bob

Hi Jim, Thanks for your reply. I would love to see your photo of the restoration. Your heading says “Champion blower 1898” but we’re talking about the Canedy Otto Western Chief belt driven with a handle right? I found a website that shows an original factory Canedy Otto catalog circa turn of the century. The blower is shown in the catalog on pg. 81 or 84. That is gonna help. Site is: bamsite.org Mine appears pretty complete except missing a “barrel” shaft oil fed bearing. Hoping the internal clutch is intact. How does your completed blower work? Does it move good quality of air? Does handle/belt drive operate in a way that would lend itself to daily forging? I don’t want all show and no go if I spend the effort to restore. Lots of questions I know, so thanks for any you can answer. Finally, where do I go to find your posted photo of restored blower? I’m new to this forum. Thanks Bob

Been looking on the forum and haven’t seen much info or pictures about this blower that I think is pretty old. My thought is that it is a “transition” piece as technology was making bellows obsolete. But some didn’t want to crank a blower, they wanted to pump like a bellows?? A theory, but unproved so far. Any way it was given to me as a treasured gift from a guy whose great grand pappy used it. I want to honor my buddy’s grand dad and restore it. And if it throws some good air out and is enjoyable to pump, maybe put into my new smithy. I’m thinking it would be quieter than my Champion 400. But don’t know about CFM produced. Looking for pictures of restored ones, info, patent drawings, help, links etc. towards rebuilding. Got some strange exterior barrel like bearings, missing one. And I am completely clueless as to how the leather belt that works from the handle works. The large flywheel seems easy enough. I’ve worked with leather enough to make the required belts once I get them figured out. I’m in Northern CA if ya know anyone that may want to work on this or help me I sure would appreciate it. Thanks for any replies.

Greetings IFI gang, Bob Walsh, a.k.a “Swiss Smith”. A “newbie” from Grass Valley, CA in the Sierra foothills. Recently retired from a career as a mountain guide, building contractor and 4th grade teacher. Finally setting up my lifelong desire to have a nice smithy. Brief history. Went to Europe when I was 18 years old to climb in the Alps. Ended up meeting a cute Swiss girl ( not as cute as my wife if she reads this! ), who invited me to stay and visit with her family for a couple of weeks in a small village in Switzerland. Her brother and sister in law were fellow climbers. Her father, the village blacksmith. Incredible shop built of stone under the house. Entire shop driven by overhead massive leather belts powered by mountain stream and Pelton Wheel. Would hang out with Herr Bosch every day in the smithy. On walks, this humble man, would point out all the things he had made for the village. He was a one man hardware store! When I got back home, inspired by my Swiss smith ( my tag is in honor of him, I’m Irish! ) I found Frank Turleys School in Santa Fe and put myself thru his 6 week Ornamental Blacksmithing class in the summer of 1973. Awesome time, small class, me and I think 4 or 5 other guys, and Frank. My favorite memory was when after pounding for a long time on one of Frank’s required projects, I’d bring it to Frank for final inspection. Frank, always sparse with words, would study it and then say: “Ain’t much fer purty, but hell for stout!” A howdy to Frank and any other Turley Forge graduates. Excited when I graduated went home and gathered everything I needed to set up a shop. Needed money for gear to go climb Mt. McKinley so sold it all (no regrets!). Got busy. Got married. Got kids(5). Got grandkids (13). So the smithy got back burnered. Now having accumulated over the years a: 100 lb. Peter Wright (carried out of an old gold mine deep in the mts. on my buddy’s back), 300 lb. Fisher, both in excellent condition, a good Champion 400, a what I think is a real old Canedy Otto Western Chief belt driven that is set up for a wooden handle that needs restoring (help/ideas?), nice forge, leg vise and some hammers and tongs. Hot d*#m! I’m ready to go! My goals: have fun beating some iron, volunteer at local Empire Mine blacksmithing displays for school kids, maybe combine my love of woodworking and forging to make a few bucks. Anybody that is nearby, give me a shout. Looking forward to being an active member of this community. Bob/ Swiss Smith