Chris C

To whom are you directing that bit-o-wit, Thomas?  I can't keep up with you...........much too fast for my feeble ol brain.

EXACTLY!!!!!  Duck Duck Go doesn't mine!

25 minutes ago, Irondragon ForgeClay Works said:

What you don't use Google?

I try not to use Bezo's subversive website any time I can keep from it.

I've been considering building one of the "washtub" forges myself.  But I find your comment about the gas forge scaring the dickens out of you interesting.  What about the gas forge scared you?

Good suggestions Glenn.  I'll keep that in mind if I ever get around to making one of those solid fuel forges myself.

Some of dese here fellers know more words than a cat has hairs on it's body.  Me, well........... my vocabulary is numbered more like a cat's whiskers.  So Webster is my friend. 

Heck all this time I thought you were just one of those dumb 'ol blacksmiths in bib overalls.    Didn't realize you were a plumb intellectual type!

Man, Thomas, I had to look that one up.  Ring-a-ding-a-ling. 

I bet I know a couple of smiths with tired arms!!!!!

Wow, are we a bit edgy today?  You might want to listen to Thomas.  He's most likely forgotten more about blacksmithing tools and equipment than you'll ever know.  His advice comes with a WHOLE of of experience and is freely given when asked for.

Абсолютно красивая работа.

(Absolutely beautiful work.)

My Doc put me on Metformin because I was borderline diabetic.  Messed my guts up something fierce.  Finally took me off of the RX and just told me to watch my sugar intake.  Told her I would................I'm a sugar-aholic, so that's not easy to do.

"Practical Blacksmithing". 

See if you can locate some Pecan or Bois d'arc.  (Osage Orange)  The latter of the two would be preferable if you can't find Hickory.

I really like those, ausfire.  Such an imagination.

It says "Your grammar is hammered out".  (Latin)

OUCH!!! 

Love the smell of the air after a rain in the "sandy lands".

I "second" that idea.  I think it would make it a whole lot easier to use.

The problem is solved.   I went ahead and bought a Benzomatic torch head today, so it's all settled.  Though I will continue to suffer from red button envy. 

I think I'll just use a Benzomatic piezo nozzle to start my forge and be done with it.  Guess I'll just have to live with my red-button "envy".

I broke a commercial handle that was on an 2 pound engineer's hammer the other day.  Copied one of Jennifer's hammers and re-handled it and used it for the first time to day.  Got two 5/8" sq rods drawn out to 14" for the reins portion of a pair of tongs.  Hammer feels great in the hand and swings effortlessly.

53 minutes ago, Mikey98118 said:

For multiple burners, only the rear burner needs the igniter hole.

This is a forced air ribbon burner with 149 holes, Mikey.  Do I want to be lighting the propane "behind" that???

That's funny you'd mention that.  Took me a couple of months to grow the hair back on my arm after trying to fire up the forge the first time with a flint-striker. 

Frosty, I'd thought about recessing it in the refractory, but decided against it because of overheating.  My entire forge (thanks to the swirl suggestion you made that I incorporated) is the same color top to bottom, side to side and end to end.  No "cooler" spot to put it in.  Nothing to complain about there.  Might work, but I don't want to mess with the refractory because it's already starting to pull away from the bricks in several areas, so I think it may be slightly fragile.  Don't think I want to try drilling into it.

Chris, Latticino has me worrying about location.  I was originally thinking about inside the forge but them concern over melting was brought up...........then there was mention about inside my static mixer.........but that's behind the burner and I know I don't want a flame "behind".  I'll look at my friend's, but I've a feeling the BBQ starter is going back to the store.    Disappointed, though because every time I see someone "push the red button and have immediate flame", that little green man inside me rears up and takes notice.

I know, Laticino..........I was just sayin' "been there-done that".  Thanks for the suggestion, though.  I have a gnawing feeling I'll end up just buying the piezo activated propane nozzle you suggested a few posts back............even though I'll pucker when I buy it.   I know several smiths who use it successfully.