billp

I use a short bib apron I got from a wood working supplier. But being that I'm only 5'4" the apron hits me just right at knee level or a touch higher. It's heavy leather with nice clasp or buckle and no it was not cheep but should last quite a while. After all I don't mind paying for something that will last apposed to cheap that wares out and have to replace over and over. I went with out it once but never again. To hot to many sparks and helps protect your clothing as well as skin. BillP

There are so many pages to go through as it's really hard to have time to search each and every one to find a supplier near me. I would like to know if anyone is making a list of suppliers with in states or regions to help make finding someone easier? If so I would like a copy please. Bill P

A bit of all right, I especial like the wheels and the fire box is very unique. May make a few changes in my forge to copy a couple of small parts of yours but not the fire box (don't think I can). After all being copied is the extreme of flattery LOL. Great job Bill P

No, I sorry to say I don't and I didn't ask the man I got it from but, I feel if he did have it he would have sent it with the blower. He really did me right by the deal to spite the looks. I may try the sheet metal with pop rivets. Problem is there just not much room inside for the blades to clear so what ever I do can't take up much room if any at all. I do want to try and coat the screws with oil that are holding the housing together. I feel I can get a better idea of what and how if I get this thing apart. Plus get a look at the gears and such to make sure all is holding up well. The handle I figure I'll weld a bar to a short tube with a set screw and attach a wood handle to that. I have a fair wood shop with a small ark welder so that part is no problem. I'm just not sure of the housing metal and if I can weld on that with stick. Don't want to make a bigger problem then I all ready have. As for the housing repair it don't have to be pretty just has to work. Bill P

I just acquired (a new to me) blower I don't know for sure the brand name but maybe a Camedy-Otto. It has a nice hole in the outside casing I would like to fix but not real sure just how to start. Thinking about molding a small piece of thin sheet metal around the outside to cover just the hole but not sure on how to attach it yet. Also need to figure out how to make a stand of some sort as I don't see any way that is build onto the blower. Have a few ideas on this as well but would really love to hear from some of you fellows with more experience. Almost forgot, it's also missing the handle but I know I can get that one no problem but still would not turn down any other ideas. So if anyone has any ideas on any of the above problems please let me know. After all two heads are better then one. I placed some photos below. Bill P

Unicorn Forge I do understand what you are saying when it comes to the re-enacting community. I too re-enacted in Civil War events for about 12 years as a doctor, seeing that at that time my profession was in Emergency medicine an EMT-IV in Tennessee. It never ceased to amaze me at how even re-enactors had the wrong idea about things. I am grateful that I did belong to a group that tried very hard to be as correct as possible in the look and manor and even behavior at all events. Be they dog and pony shows or true portrayal of the events that took place where we were. But yes you had to make it look old as if a soldier never bought new items. There seemed to be a never endless fight to ward off new comers to the not so correct sutlers and direct them to the more correct ones. I know even for myself I did carry a lot of things but as a doctor but all was correct and proper as an officer and an educated man would have in that day. Plus the never ending watchful eye of my most beloved teacher who has passed away. He would never let me dress or act wrong cause if I did I got a look and cold stare that told me I was wrong and I did not want to dissapoint Him. So I do feel and understand the frustration knowing how mis information gets out even more so then the truth. But as easily confused stated you can only reach them one at a time and when you do glory in that. As for making something look old reminded me of an old comedy skit can't remember who did it but. He was selling and antique desk to a lady when she stated it did not look like an antique he pulled out a length of chain beat it across the desk a few times and sold an original antique desk. Bill P

Will today I came across an example of being priced out of range. My wife and I took the day to make a road trip to the town of Paris Tn. to the world's largest catfish fry. The wait in line was long, the fish so, so, but the learning experience came before all that. We got out walking the town square just to look around a bit to find and go into a metal shop. Now as I could tell this so called shop did not make anything but sold a number of tables, chairs, lanterns and so on at quite in expensive prices including renting pieces for weddings. As we walked in we saw a metal chandelier hanging in the entrance. It was the very thing my wife wanted for the back yard patio and was going to be my first big project to make for her. But this one was perfect on top of that it was only $69.00, I could not believe it. I though for sure it had to be $160.00 at least. But when the sales person thought it was $79.00 at first I knew it was not a mistake. Then as we kept looking around something was said by her about making a trip soon to buy more pieces to put in the shop. That's when I realized they much be going into Mexico somewhere, where labor is very cheep and that's how they sell so low. Now the work was not bad in face it was quite good for bending and welding 1/2" to 5/8" round bars, 3/4" flat and 1" to 1 1/2" channel. Matter of fact I took a number of pictures with my phone to see if I might make the same items at home. Which coping I no is not a good thing on my part but considering that these are more then likely mass make I felt no guilt. But how do you deal with that? Now I could add a few extra twist curls and turns to fancy it up a bit and make it more personal but still hard to compete. I'm tickled I got the chandelier for such a good price but some what concerned about this kind of possible threat. I'm just grateful this type of shop does not exist in to many places, not for my sake but for those of you who can do this type of job and do it better. As the public would rather settle for cheap then really good. For me it was a case of finding something I could get for less then the time and trouble it would take for me to make the same thing. Bill p.

I agree with what Unicorn Forge and Don A had to say. You make very good sense and I thank you for it. For now this is a learning experience for me. I don't look to try and make a living off my smithing but would not mind if I could in the future as a craft's man or artist. As for pricing by figuring my time involved is not a good option for me at this time. I do learn by my mistakes as I do have a number of them before I start making successes. As in the rebar stakes I made for my family's scout camps. As simple as putting a ring on the top the first 5 or 6 it took some time doing and redoing till I finely figured out a way to do the ring in 1 heating and a point in 2. So if I priced these by my time they would be to much to buy. So as a comparison such as what DKForge gave is more what I'm looking for to be fair but not sell myself to short. For now I more then likely will be selling to friends or friends of family and I don't want it to be too much or to little. But with in a year or so maybe doing fairs or craft shows things like that. Who knows it's all in the future and no telling what the future holds. Bill P

THANK YOU EVERYONE DK Forge that is exactly what I'm looking for thanks, and Goat man I'll try out the sight you gave me later after my brake and Charlotte I fear I'm no where near being an artist yet but one day. As for Walking Dog, Mike, And dablacksmith I will defiantly keep all your advice on record to look back on as need. The advice of putting my wife in charge may work best for me as well. To spite what she will say she is the queen of shopping and will haggle with the best. As for my work now I'm just getting the fill of making things and working on my technique and such and don't look to do to much selling as of yet. But it is in my mind of maybe doing some of the local fairs and things of that sort in the future. That is after I improve a lot and also get a few classes under my belt after the first of the year. But, being an old scout I'm trying to be prepared and be ready if the subject of price comes up. As advised by you all I don't want to sell my self short nor feel like I'm cheating someone either. Even though I fear I may come out on the short end more times then not till I gain more experience. Again thanks to all you gave me your thought and advice. Bill P

I know this is going to be kind of hard to answer in some ways but as I'm starting to get going I was just wondering how would I price what I make. For starts I'm doing mostly things for use around a camp fire or use in camp in general. I know what I payed for the materials, and charcoal or coal, but then theres equipment use and your time. Again as I learn I will start off using a lot of time but as I get a routine down time will improve. Then again what are people willing to pay with Wal-Mart and Home Depot even the local hardware store to compete with kind of puts you in a fix to compete. On top of the fact some people thinking hand made is cheep no matter how good it is with only a few truly appreciating the effort and skill it took to make what you sell. :confused: So, I ask those of you with much more experience to please give me some ideas. I don't look to be doing much soon nor do I look to get rich quick. I might be slow to catch on but I'm not stupid either. But with me making things for my grandson, and son-in-law to use in there camping with scouts I anticipate some of the other parents asking and maybe even buying some of the same items I make for them. As there big camp outs are now family affairs here involving everyone and not the every boy for his self, hope to survive, kind of camp out we had back in my day. Which by the way my grandson was surprised that scouting had been around that long for me to have been a scout. And yes he got a slap on the back of the head for that one but not from me but from his mother, my daughter. Bill P

Thanks guys I'll differently reheat the rods today as I plan on trying to make some more new items. As for the burn cure will keep it in mind for the next time but will have to run for the freezer if I do with summer coming on here in Tenn. I just hope the next time will not be so soon, thanks again all. Bill P

I'm afraid I did quench the ends but the rods have a triangle piece to push in with your foot BUT. As you said with scouts I may be repairing some after a camp out or 2 but this time I want quench. Thanks for the tip. Bill P

Will I have finely been baptized by fire today as it was the first full day I have spent working at my forge. I started off putting a 1" loop on a bunch of rebar poles for my grandson and son-in-law to use at there Boy Scout camps. This as simple as it sounds was a learning experience as the whole day was. My first poles took several heating to make the loop but as I did more I can now do it in 1 heating. I know you old times can stop laughing any time now. Next and the source of my baptism was making a water can holder for my forge work. I was trying several twist on the main body with a somewhat fancy fold back with a loop for the handle. Will I got the part made to hold the can and had quenched this part to start work on the handle. WILL I found out not to take anything that could be hot for granted as I though I was grabbing a cool piece of rod but found out it was not. So I got a nice burn on my first finger and thumb on my left hand. At first though I would tough it out till the pain caused me to rush into the house for burn jell from my ambulance days. I still finished up the water can holder as it too was a great learning experience. I'll post pictures of it as well as a BBQ fork I made the day before feel free to comment good or bad just keep in mind they are my first attempts. As for the burn I know it will be the first of I hope many more to come as I now for sure have the bug and can't wait to try something more new or an attempt at improving something already tried before. I have been Baptized so cant go back now. Bill P

I wish I lived in the middle of elbow room even if my wife is a city girl and would rather be in a downtown condo. We do live out in the country of sorts as I'm not in any town but there are houses all around me like a large spread out neighborhood. My neighbors beside me and I live on 1/2 acer lots with a small ravine across the street with a couple of houses over there and a small farm behind. The land use to be a trailer park till the owner found he could make more money selling off lots instead. So far as I'm just getting started I have had no complaints with only 1 neighbor to really worry about. But after building a wood shop, patio awing and other outdoor type things, along with just finishing a small utility trailer I have had no complaints about noise yet. I don't work everyday but I do have to do my forge work outside when I do so I hope my luck holds out. Both neighbors are good folks so maybe it will. I just hope the little volunteer fire department does not get to be a problem as they do come up with some of the wall regs and rules. But I have in the past worked with most of them when I was on an ambulance and they as first responders so should be no problem there if I'm still in good standing. Bill P

I too, agree with the KNUCKLE to WRIST height as I made my stand from 2x12's staggered standing on end glued and or nailed together cut to the appropriate height for me But. I also have a flat platform made of 2x6's I made long ago for another reason, I can sit my stand and anvil on for an extra 3 inches of height if needed. Just a thought if it might help in a pinch. Bill P PS I'll add a pic tomorrow if needed.

I have 2 the first made from a tire rim with 3/16 plate welded into the bottom to flatten out and cover holes and 1" rebar for legs. I used 2" black pipe parts to make the ash dump and to connect the blower too. The second I made the table from 3/16 plate frame and legs are made with 1 1/2 x 1/8 angle. The fire pot I also made from 3/8 diamond plate. It's kind of shallow at a 2" depth and about 6" at the bottom and 8" at the top not your typical fire pot but so far it works. I still used the black pipe as before for the blower and ash dump. I put wheels on the back to help move it around as I have to work outside and store equipment inside. I got all my metal plating from a junk metal reclining place so not much expense in that. The angle I bought new from a supplier in Memphis,TN. recommended buy folks at the Metal Museum also in Memphis. Hope this helps. Bill P

I have to agree with all, this is my first book recommended by some folks at the Memphis Metal Museum. I carry it around almost like a Bible and it has helped me a lot. I would highly recommend this book to anyone starting out, a great help. Bill P

Will I finely caved in and switched blowers and fired the new forge up. It really did answer a few questions as well as point out many things I need to learn. As for starts with charcoal it got so hot I melted a few small items I was working on. So learning how hot is hot will be a start plus not having to many irons in the fire is not good as well. As I tried working on several things at once and didn't work to well as well. I did discover in my question of blower the smaller will do just fine as the one I put on today is even smaller then what I'm going to order. So all in all I very happy the fire pot did real good and the table was a pleasure to use compared to the tire rim, I just need to start paying attention to what I'm doing and learn. Bill P

Will after all my many questions and with all the helpful information I was given my new forge and fire pot is finished. All I need now is a blower which I want order till next week. May scavenge the blower off my tire rim forge till then who knows but for now it's done. I did add 2 wheels to the back so that all you have to do is tilt and go as it does need to be portable. I also put a wooden handle on the front for when you roll it around and as I didn't have the metal for a handle and the wood was already in my shop. Any way I was thinking if the forge is still hot and I need to move it the wood might not be so bad but then again???? Will even though I'm at a finished state for now I know it is still a work in progress as I'm sure I change things here and there as I see room for improvement. Now all I need is for my new anvil to arrive (must be on a slow non-union truck, ha! 24 yrs. a teamsters) when it does I'll be ready to roll and start working on skills and many new projects. As my wife has co-workers already putting in request for different items. I do hope there patient as I know I still have a lot to learn. For now I excited and looking forward to doing more as I'm starting to expand a little. Thanks again to all of you who have put in on my different post it has been a very great help. I'm sure glad I found this sight as all the advice and instruction is very helpful. Bill P Tried to add pics but having trouble sorry.

I have used royal oak as well but have found the Kroger store brand of wood bit charcoal a bit better. It just seems to burn better to me but like parts of our anatomy it's my opinion as everyone has there own. Any way if you have Kroger stores in your area may want to give it a try. Oh, yes I tried to make my own charcoal as well but mine was a bust still more to learn about charcoal but would rather concentrate on blacksmithing so I buy mine for now. I did get my first bag of coal but as of yet have not used any spending all my free time building a new forge instead. May try the coal on the new forges maiden trip out. But, no the charcoal is fine just may not get as hot as coal but there are much more experienced guys here who can fill you in on all that then I. Bill P.

The blowers I'm looking at go for 72.95 to 64.95 new and are sold to go with an inflation system by a growers supply catalog. I was looking on line at Dayton blowers and these are the same if not close to size and price that Dayton offers. It's been a while since I have shopped flee markets and such but looks like I may have to start back again. Seeing that I started with an old metal hair dryer on a tire rim forge which just did work, then moved up to a small 2" 13 CFM Dayton blower which was like day light to dark in the difference it made. So with this new forge I do want it right to start but to be honest would still prefer some type of hand cranked blower over all. So if anyone knows of any place or person selling hand cranked blower I would love to know who, what, and where. I keep looking but so far no luck but somehow I think that's par for the up and coming blacksmith with out just falling into one out of pure luck. Any how you make since Mick and Oak Hill as both blowers have a inlet damper to regulate the amount of air the bigger might be better as you can always back off a little but you can't go up if your at your limit at the start. Bill P