Wim

Nice to know about you. Yes I know a couple of blacksmiths around Cape Town ( mostly from online) and we had my friend Volker (also German) visiting Johannesburg for the Wheels on the Vaal blacksmithing event this last weekend.
If you send me your contact details I can ask him to contact you.

By the way we had a great time at Wheels this year, working together on a friendship gate.
Anyway, I hope to see some input from the Cape Guys to this forum as well. It would be nice if we could broaden our base and create a meaningfull blacksmithing community in our country.
Welcome, Frank.

Wim

Hi to all
Time is getting closer. (5 to 7 Sept) Abie has done some great work with the desing of the door. See attachwd doc. Roto sponsor the plate for us, but we will have to bring material for our panels. We need to make arrangment for tools and who will bring what. This ruffly what we need.
The university will put up a tent for us and promised meal tickets for lunch.
I will bring 4 or 5 forges and 2 or 3 anvils plus selection of hand tools.
I will bring coal and some fire wood, but we will need more fire wood.
I will try to arrange gas with someone at the Vaal
Abie will bring 1 anvil. We need 1 or 2 more.
I will bring a legvice or 2, but we may need one more
Extention leads and multi plugs.
Welding machine (electronic) will be best.
Electric drill and angle grinder
Water buckets and containers
Table and chairs
I will bring the basics for coffie and tea plus some oros. The rest to eat and drink is self catering.
If there are others things that you can think of let us know or just bring it along. Please let us know what you can help bringing.
I was hoping that some of us can start on friday afternoon (13:00) to set up the work area and finish the the chair. Then we can have it on display for the show. On Saterday night we can draw strings to see who will be the lucky owner of the chair.
I hope you are all as excited as I am.
Please reply to all to keep everyone informed.
Blacksmith greetings
Coenraad

Hi Everyone,
Since you need to bring your own material it may be useful to know what to plan for.
Firstly as you can see we are now working on a door

Hi Everyone,
Since you need to bring your own material it may be useful to know what to plan for.
Firstly as you can see we are now working on a door

door_with_people.pdf

Lucas,
That's wonderfull news, baie geluk, julle. Ons bid en vertrou dat alles goed gaan met die swangerskap.
Ons sal aan julle dink daar by wheels.

Groete, Wim

Hi Guys,
Just to answer some of Wim’s questions below:


Size of the plate: 1300 (h) x 700 (w)
In terms of a frame – not if we can avoid it. The original thinking is that we do not build a structure – it is a lot of hard work with many dependencies. We start with a plate (thickness to be determined still) with the windows done and ready on arrival. This allows every individual to start working and do their thing! Maybe flat bar all around for purposes of safety (and rigidity) – not to be ripped apart when squeezing through the gate opening.
In this design I want the plate to stay clean (focus remains on the pieces inside) and it will be quite busy! We can add decorative rivets or other decorative blops on the plate as well – let’s see how the juices flow on the day.
Hinges, latch, post – Hmm. One could add a ring somewhere and mount the plate to a wall with an aloe or some plant in the ring. But it looks like it the leaning is towards gate now. In that case the hinges must be small – but I would like to keep a low profile on the decision until we have seen more of the content.

It looks like we have a lot of enthusiasm going which is great!

Wim when I look at your design I think we should allocate one of the horizontal windows to you.
See the link below – look for ‘Pillar of Friendship’ – I quoted it as Tower of friendship. We have not specified a theme – If you want one: ‘forms and patterns’


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I think this may be the image that is being discussed ---->click here
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http://images.google.co.za/imgres?imgurl=http://www.artmetal.com/files/images/BABA-AGM-2007-Ironbridge.-0.thumbnail.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.artmetal.com/brambush/forum/bramyak3/messages/808.html&h=144&w=108&sz=6&hl=en&start=10&tbnid=LtE36zd2xOrrpM:&tbnh=94&tbnw=71&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpillar%2Bof%2Bfriendship%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG

Maybe the link above will help to give you a better feel for it. I am sure you should find more images for ‘pillar of friendship’ if you google it.

Ting tong cheers
Abie

Hi guys,
The idea is very nice, I have included a sample of what I would like to make in one of the windows. I could certainly use some help, off course.

Abie, just some question on what you had in mind.
How big is the complete gate going to be?
Do you want a forged outer frame?
Do we make the plate from 3 mm mildsteel and give some nice texture accents?
Or maybe we can have a crisscross network of flatbars overlapping, joined with rivets that form the windows to be filled?
Hinges, latch and post or just the plate?

Hi Everyone,
I have an idea (inspiration from the BABA tower of friendship) of a garden gate (or maybe just a wall mount) for our communal project.
It consists of steel plate with various size cut-outs (Windows) that needs to be filled in with creative patterns, objects, etc. These get mounted to the plate with riveted joints. The advantage of this approach is that we do not need to worry about a support structure and enabling everyone to work on their

Hi to all
Wheels at the Vaal is coming up on the weekend of 5 to 7 Sept. We have to finish chair from last year first. I don't think that will take to much time as it is only assembly work. Nico and I will sort out the snag we had under the powerhammer. After that... your ideas please. I like the idea that we work together on one project and that different people take charge of the project each year.
Hope to hear from all
Have go hammering
Coenraad

Hi everybody, here is how to get there.

From all direction you travel towards OR Tambo International airport. From Pretoria (you are on the R21 south), before the airport you take Atlas Road turn-off, from the south you pass the airport and Kempton Park, and take the Atlasroad turnoff.
When you reach the first robot you turn left to Benoni, next robot turn right towards Benoni.
Skip one robot, second robot turn Right into Ascolana Drive, Oranjehof Old age home is on your lefthand side, the second plot. Follow instructions of the Parking attendants, once you've parked, follow the smell and smoke of burning coal.
See you there, bring a hammer and safety glasses !!!! :cool:
Wim.
If you can't find it give me a call on 083 263 7325

Darryn,

Nice to hear from you. I don't know of any smiths in Durban but you. The closest ones from you that I know, are in Bethlehem, Job and Wena van Eden. They are a wonderfull couple, and are fulltime art metalwork designers and manufacturers. I can put you in touch with them if you want to.
It would be nice if you could come up to Joburg to attend one of the events. We have the Dutch market coming up, maybe we can accomodate you, for a sleepover.
Let me know,
Blacksmith greetings,
Wim

The other thing to consider Artie, is once you have got it nice and hot, what are you gonna do with it. You need a big hammer, and a buddy to sledge for you, and all the tools, fullers, cutters, in other words all your ducks in a row.
My forge works very well, I can get 1" material up to welding temperature, but 2" round to make a hardy took me ages, and then I didn't have the right tools and a sledge to do the operations.
You could cut the thick section with a grinder into thinner material first.
Let me know if you ve come right.
Wim:)

Nobody ever heard of skyhooks? They've been around for years!!! I always keeps a couple in the back of my car, just in case.;)

On the 1st of May, a holiday in South Africa, The Oranjehof Old Age Home in Kempton Park, Gauteng, South Africa is hosting once again its Dutch Flea Market, with all kinds of Dutch delicacies to enjoy, beer to drink, and all kinds of people sell or exibit their homecraft work.

As during the last year market, I will give a demo on the great art of blacksmithing, at least show the little bit I have mastered in the last 2 years.
I can do with some hands, my forge can accomodate 3 smiths, if we bring a few anvils, it 'll be more fun than sweating on my own. Get your wife and kids involved, make some fudge or cake to sell on the side line. Offcourse you can bring forged stuff to sell as well.

If you're interested post a reply here, with some ideas on how you can contribute. I will announce more info, and give a route description within the next two weeks.
Wim.

After forging in full African sunshine on a number of occasions I find myself with increasing desire to build myself a afdakkie (roof). When your DG starts confusing you with the vine ripened tomatoes she just bought at the local fruit and veg, you know you have to make a plan...

Here finally some pictures of a great day at the Vuka school for the deaf. Young and old, Novice and wizard, it was fantastic, Paola, thanks for your wonderful work, organizing everything.
Enjoy it, Wim.

Pictures are also posted on the Gallery/Blacksmithing events/2007/Vuka design Sparks with Light

The preparation of the pieces to be joined is almost half the work done. My first try only joined half the bar, and because I did not upset the pieces enough I was allready down to my final cross section. I find it a lot of work just to get the fire prepared for welding, a deep fire and a minimum airflow. Another tip I was given to preheat the anvil a bit. My anvil (202kg) is too heavy for my forge, I m afraid. Besides it will crush the coal to powder!:confused:
That's why I prefer joining by rivets or bands.

Hi Bob,
Any news on that heat treatment oven you are busy building. Give me a shout if you need more help,
Wim

Here are some pictures from the Wheels on the Vaal 2007 event.

Lukas, these things are very scarce, I would ask around on farms in your area. The North West province has a lot of large farms, where farmers used to sharpen there own implements, plow shears and stuff. They often had a little blacksmith shop on the farm, with a handcranked blaasbalk, a small anvil and a legvise. That is your best bet.
Gaan jy weer Vaal toe kom hierdie jaar?

Groete, Wim

Glen,
I have a number of pictures for this event, for which a folder is already created in the Gallery. But I cannot post them, because of the format (bitmap image) any idea I how to get around that?

Wim

Herman,
There will be a Dutch Market again at Oranjehof, in Kempton Park on 1st of May 2008. I give a blacksmithing demo there, and a few extra hands are always welcome. We could even set up an extra anvil; my forge is good enough for 2 smiths. One of theguys in our group, Nic Taylor, also a member here is planning a forge in, maybe in april or may, in Pretoria. I will announce it here when the date is set.

Slaan daai ysters!!!
Wim

Herman, I received your mail, thanks very much. I see you have made contact with Kevan as well. It would be nice to talk to you and maybe visit your shop some time. I am in Kempton Park, were I believe you work. You can contact me on 083 263 7325. I will keep trying your phone.
From 2nd March to 10th March 2008 I will be in the UK, so please wait till I get back.
With our next event I will warn you well in advance, so you can be a part of it.
Regards, Wim

Kevan,
I'm in Kempton Park, you can phone me on 083 263 7325, it ll be nice to talk to you. I saw the pic's on your gallery, very nice shop.

Keep well, Wim

Hi Bob.

Sorry for the delayed response, I was away and could not log in, where I was.
OK, it looks like you have plenty of room to fit this element. What is the wire gauge and what is the space between the coils. If the coils are hard up against each other you can stretch the element to 48 ",(space 4x wire gauge) and then divide them up into 4 legs of 12" length. If there is allready a space in between the coils of say 4 times the wiregauge, you cannot strech them much more. If they have only a litle gap in between you can stretch them to say 24" and only create 2 legs. I wonder whether you will heat that 22" long chamber with only those 2 elements.
If your electricity supply voltage is 220 VAC you must connect the elements in series, so that you get only a 110V drop over one element. If your grid is 110V then you connect them in parrallel. Otherwise you may have a risk of burning out you element, or compromising its life.

To make the hairpin bend you unwind one coil, and then align the 2 legs to each other. The more of a coil you unwind the further apart the legs will run.

The grooves in the insulation board you should cut slightly smaller then the diameter of the element so that they stay in when you have pushed them in. That way you dont need the extra wire to secure the element to the board.
These 2 elements should give you about 3000Watts of power. You may need another 2 elements, otherwise it may take too long to reach temperature.

Let me know, if you anything more from me.
Wim