bluerooster

My Grandpas brand was quite simple. His initials JM.  But it's similar to but different than the king ranch. at first glance they could be confused. However, the registry notes the difference. Dad had his brand registered as PT,(Poco Tejas) but never used it.

No work in the shop, or the smithy.  I've been relegated to the "honey dew" list. First was replacing some siding on the flue chase, then overhaul of the back deck.  Flue chase is done save paint, Back deck is well under way with new decking, and demolition of the lower level on tap for tomorrow. All along with the usual stuff such as mowing grass, mending fences, etc.

Out west in the dry country, swamp coolers are the way to go.

I made another thumblatch handle thingy, for a gate that I have yet to build.

Not sure what I'll use for the finish.  I used up the last of my beeswax making patch lube for my muzzle loader.

I may just paint it.  I still have to make the bolts to attach it.

On 5/14/2022 at 5:25 PM, ThomasPowers said:

My mother is from Oklahoma and  remembers the dust bowl; when traveling with her she gets quite irate seeing folks getting rid of the windbreaks along the fields. 

Mom, and Dad both grew up in the dustbowl.  Mom tells of the time they were headed to Lubbock, and saw cars comming from the other direction all clean bare metal on one side. Granddad turned around and went back home.  Later that day the storm hit.  Dad said "It was the best of times and the worst of times" (quoting Dickens)

I need a gate, and that gate needs a latch, and hinges.  Latch is started. I'll drill the mounting holes.

Good lookin' story board on the leaf makin' process.  As to post pulling I use my li'l ford tractor, and a chain. 

Got in a little forge time today.  Made a new coal scoop, and a couple of church keys.

looks like I need to smooth up the face of my anvil.

Yep, that would translate to coffee table.  

I really like Jennifers videos. She gets right to work rather than spend 30 minutes of a 45 minute video staring at the camera, and talking.

What talking she does is short and to the point, while the work is being done. 

Ya'll are turning out some nice work. I've not had any time at the forge, due to other things needing done.

Spent the weekend enlarging the bog for the goldfish pond. And thinning out the plants. Gave away about a dozen Black Gamecock Iris.

Back when I was in the bodyshop business, I had several sets of the same tools. Some at home, and some at the shop.  I also had duplicates of some at the shop.

For certian common cars, and tasks, I had put together sets of tools. so when I needed to do a particular task, all the tools needed were in one drawer.

ie; R&R A/C condenser on '96 F150 third drawer down, middle section, all tools needed for that task.

I left the edges too sharp, so a little chamfering and it works fine.

I don't loan tools, nor do i borrow, or rent them.

If I need a tool I will go and buy one, or make one.  I got in the habit of obtaining tools for a single use, knowing I may never need it again. But, should I come into the need for it, it's there.  I loath renting tools, even if I know full well that I'll probably never use it again.    

Is there anyone else out there that will buy a tool for a single use?

It just dawned on me; The most useful tool in the shop is the one that's there when I need it.  I have many tools that see very little use. But when I have a need for it, it is the most useful tool at that time.

Most excellent video.  is this an earlier vid? I notice a different anvil.

I usually end up tieing them together at the break, and continue on. Until they end up with too many knots in them, then get new laces.

No, I don't save shoestrings. By the time I get done with them, they are unusable for anything.

All this talk of moving machinery, rings, and loose articles of clothing, reminds me of why my uncle never wore a straight neck tie.  In the 60's he was working for NASA.  There was a "uniform" code, all workers were required to wear white shirt and tie. His job required him to be in close proximity to moving machinery at times, where straight ties can cause problems for the person wearing it.  He managed to get around that rule, by wearing a bow tie, he had his whole department wear them.  They were referred to as "The bow tie gang".  He designed and built the ulage motors for the Saturn V. 

Fired the forge for the first time in a long time today.  I'd been having trouble with inconsistent forge welds lately, and as a result managed to seperate the top of dragons head from the rest when opening it's mouth. So, today I did a drop tong weld, twice, for practice. Then onto another dragon head. Got it done and decided to go ahead and make the rear legs. I already had one made, so I made the second one. It's a tad bit off, but I'll be able to make it right after getting them attached to the body.  Shut down the forge, and back to the shop to get these parts put together.  Head and neck installed, hind legs installed. All that's left is wings, and front legs, then all the tedious bits (claws, scales etc.)

I was told by an old hillbilly once, to use whatever fuel was handy, be it wood, coal, coke, charcoal, corn cobs, etc., just as long as it would burn, and get the thing hot.

I just got a new pair of prescription glasses. Trivex, with IR protection.  when I was ordering them, they kept confusing IR with UV.  Trivex is inherently UV resistant, I had to keep telling them I want IR filter. Finally got through to them.

I've done nothing at the forge, but I see ya'll have been busy making nice things. Blades, pokers, hammer racks, etc.   I've been busy in the shop though.  Boss Lady wants to replace the futon in the TV room with a couch. And she expects me to build one.  So I got started on the project this weekend.  Spent all weekend working on this mess, and finally have something to show for it.  Still a long way from being done, but the progress so far.

I've had fun with the fireplace poker challenge.  While not especially difficult, it's got several elements rolled into one project; drawing, tapering, folding, scarfing, welding, and scrolling.  If you want an ambitious project,  Forge yourself a post vise.  Handles, latches, and hinges are some projects that seem to be pretty straightforward.  It seems that every time I set out to make something I've never made before, I spend more time making the tools for the project, than on the actual project. 

On 2/12/2022 at 2:50 PM, George N. M. said:

 

The flavor of honey is very dependent on what flowers are being processed.  Most commercial honey is blended from a lot of sources.  There are still a few "artisanal" apiaries around that process their own honey and have a primary source.  Orange blossom honey from Florida is very good.  A person could dig around on the internet for places that sell single flower honey.

"By hammer and hand all arts do stand."

Agreed as to the honey. Alfalfa is light, and  pretty good, but Sourgum is dark and has a pretty strong flavor. Blackberry is sweet, but weak in flavor.  We just let the bees harvest what's in season at the time. It's not unusual for honey vary from frame to frame in the same super. Or even have different types in the same frame.

I think mabe these last two bags were from the bottom of the pile, and the "fines" are actually dirt, colored black.  Because usually fines/dust, will clump, and coke.  But I have managed to create some spectacular clinker donuts. 

coal smoke/soot, is corrosive in the presence of moisture.   Rain cap blew off the forge flue. The vertical supports were corroded through.  Had to replace the bottom 5 feet of flue pipe due to corrosion. Only a year of part time use.