Coondog

Thanks a lot guys! I really very much appreciate the advice. I understand exactly what you are saying and that is a big reason why I joined the site. I've been able to do a few things on the side, made a little money and so far everyone has enjoyed my product. Taking a business course is a very good idea and I talked it over with my S.O. She has a masters in business and feels as though I would benefit greatly from taking something online or at the local college. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart!

Hey guys! Well, I figure I'm in the doghouse because being brand new and already not doing what I'm supposed to. Yes, I have pics. I posted 2 of my forge in process with my greeting to everyone. I'll post more pics. I'll try to edit them down in size so they get here. We'll see what happens. As to why I'm here, well, I'm kicking around the idea of doing this full time. I'm not getting any younger and to be honest, I'm getting burned out on working for someone. Don't get me wrong, I have a great job. I'm a maintenance guy at Bridgestone in Warren Country TN. Great job. However, heating steel and pounding it into something useful (give or take) seems to me to be a good way of life. So, I thought I'd join up and get all the information I could on doing it. I see it as I think someone might pay me for some of the stuff I can make. I love handmade stuff and I've made all kinds of things so I have a passion for it. Whether I have a talent is yet to be discovered. Anyway, I like woodworking and pottery. I make sheaths for all of my knives except kitchen knives. I've done paintings and tye dye and plan on doing more. I've made candles and lamps and pot holders (out of leather). So it's all of that that I think I could make something of a living on. Set up a website and go to gun shows and places like that. I'm 52 and served in the Marine Corps.......30 (Good Lord) years ago. Since then I've worked a lot of different jobs but always found myself wanting to make stuff. So here I am.

Brand new here but not brand new to forging however there is PLENTY I don't know. Been at it (blacksmithing,knife making) for 15 years on and off but I hesitate to call myself either a blacksmith or knife maker since I don't feel I have enough experience for either. I finally have a shop and I'm working on getting it set up to get serious. I've got a forge that is about 3/4ths of the way done. Making it out of an old water heater I had. It's pretty good sized. Going to be a dual burner set up. Started out with some kaowool soaked in ridgidizer and now I'm putting in my refractory. Gonna do a final coat of ceramic and it should be good to go. Then all I'll need is a power hammer, forging press and a serious belt sander. That's it. Just those 3 major pieces of equipment. Maybe I'll have it all together before I die.... I'll post some pics of stuff if I can figure out how. Anyway, looking forward to talking to ya'll.

Ok! Well now that I read this after already posting a hello, I guess I'll be the new guy in the dog house for the moment.