Dutchmancreek

I don't have a scrap pile....I have a learning pile. Shorter pieces from the pile go in wooden boxes that used to hold 120MM ammo. I go back into it frequently. Steve

Erik.....a good place to start is with the Illinois Valley Blacksmith association (IVBA - Illinois Valley Blacksmith Association) and the Upper Midwest Blacksmith Association (UMBA Online). Both organizations are very active in northern Illinois. Check the websites for upcoming meetings and hammer-ins in your general area. Steve

I live in Illinois...no concealed carry here, and if Chicago has it's way, there will never be. The state is very anti gun. On your own property they can't say anything about it, but on your own property there isn't any reason to conceal a firearm. The town of my address, however, has a law that every household possess firearms and ammunition,( not that the police would raid your place and scream "show us your guns or you are under arrest".) My wife is better trained with a handgun than most police in Southern Illinois, and I have had some experience with firearms. Out here in the country, we don't worry too much about security for the shop...I don't even lock it. JOIN THE NRA

I generally use a 2 pound cross peen or a 2 1/2 pound diagonal pen. I can't work for long times with anything bigger than 2 pound. I occasionally use a 3 pound cross peen but that is the heaviest I use. Steve

I stay home and collect checks twice a month. In other words, I'm retired. I was an engineer in the manufacture of military ordnance, mostly medium caliber (20MM, 30MM) ammunition. Steve

Happy birthday. The years sure do fly don't they? Steve

Bending forks made to fit in your hardy hole are some of the handiest items you can easily make. I have several with different spacings between the "forks. They make isolated bends (and scrolling) much easier. Steve

Congratulations... Steve

The puppy is a black standard poodle (that's the big one). I believe the name will be Dexter. And no....there will not be a foo-foo haircut for him. Steve

Yup...If I'm not going to be heating and using the shop I also protect my hammers, etc. The base of the anvils are just wiped down and now are uniformly black....the faces and horns are the only shiny parts. Not everybody does this...I'm just nuts enough that I polish all the hammers and punches that hang on the anvil block. Xxxx, that does sound kind of wierd. Steve

Oh, Mende....my anvils don't get rusty. When I leave the shop for a while in this weather I put a thin coat of Marvel Mystery Oil on both anvils. Steve

Spending time in the shop during the holidays would be something to look forward to, if you were otherwise busy, but since I'm retired and can go out there nearly any day I don't mind leaving it to go visiting. That doesn't mean I'm not busy....I don't know how I got anything done when I was actually working. Besides the maintenence chores here on the "farm", I have several other "hobbies". Mery Christmas Steve

Well I just finished the last two scroll base candleholders (gifts) and shut the shop down for the year. We'll be out of state visiting friends and relatives until after Christmas. I swept up, moved the water fire extinguishers into the warm side of the shop, cleaned the forge and turned out the lights. When I come back I need to start making new Adirondak lawn chairs and a couple of other projects so smithing will have to wait a while. I'm also getting a new puppy (we've been without a dog for a year) so that'll keep me busy too. Steve

I use a fan unit that I got used from a HVAC/plumbing company. It's a contained squirrel cage type blower from a heating unit or furnace. It puts out all the air I can use. I tried a "dimmer switch" set up, but now use an air gate to control the volume of air. These type of fans are everywhere....look in the phone book for local HVAC guys. Steve

Hillbilly, I see you're in Northern Ohio. You like snow, huh? I'm heading up that way next week...all the wife's relatives are around Twinsburg and Burton. Everytime I go up in the winter I'm glad I have a 4WD car. Steve

Every one is always bringing up youtube videos. I've never seen one. Unless I invest in satellite internet, I'll only get 26.4 Kbps max. with my dial up connection. Well, you have to make some allowances for living way out in the country. At least no one objects to coal smoke and noise (blacksmithing, classic rock, gunfire). Steve

Looks good. I've repaired small places with MIG too. I tried the "cold blueing" method some time ago and you're right...it's a good way to blend in the metal. Thanks for bringing it up. By the way, that horn looks like it would be painful, if you're as clumsy as I am. Steve

Try this site Untitled Document Steve

Standard modeling clay is what is used for these exercises. How do you fire it? I believe it would just melt.

Wow...home made dye penetrant testing. Sounds good. And I don't even have to keep up any NDT cert. paperwork anymore since I retired. Steve

It's a chipping hammer. I acquired several at one time and by removing one end or the other I made them into vertical and horizontal hot cuts. I also kept the vertical "peen" end of one, fullered around the other end (all the way around) and formed it into a pyramidal spike beyond the fuller. The vertical "peen" was then forged into a blade. It made a decent spike hawk. Oops, I forgot that I reformed the eye around a hawk drift. I wish I had photos but I gave it away to a friend. Steve

I've got a good sized arbor press, but I've never used it for anything in blacksmithing yet. I got it for free and it just sets on the end of the bench in my other shop (not in the blacksmith shop). The only thing I've used it for was as a Kydex press when I made a couple of sheaths. Steve

Oh, I forgot...I've got a beard and moustache too. I actually look a bit like my avatar, except I think I have just a bit more hair. Gee, the jug fits right in too...hmmm. Steve

If you can, get some work out where people can see it, not everyone goes to antique stores or decorator shops. When a local "rustic" restaurant was installing a dining room with a large stone fireplace, I made them a fireplace tool and rack set to match. I gave it to the restaurant in trade for a custom dinner for my wife and I (yeah, I work for food). Other customers asked where the set came from and the chef always gave them my card. I've got a good bit of work from that one fireplace set. I also had another restaurant asking for a duplicate of the large hanging pot rack that I made for the kitchen, and it's not even in public view. Also keep an eye out for an oportunity. I went by a winery and saw that they had a crappy small fireplace set (WalMart style) sitting on the hearth of a huge, beautiful fireplace. The next time I went by, I brought an example of a set that I made for a larger fireplace. Side by side with the cheap set, it was no comparison and they ended up with my set. Steve

Right now I'm making candle holders for a friend with a cabin. I've already made his fireplace set. Other ideas.. Forged hinges and door pulls Towel rod/holder Hat, coat hooks Lantern hangers for outside the door A tripod or pot rack for outdoor cooking Dutch oven lid lifter, meat forks, tongs, meat flippers If there's a fire place, then fire tools, trivets, a pot crane A bootscraper for the door way Steve