Reindeer Forge

A few photos from deployment in 2003-04. I live in St Paul, MN. I'm in an apartment, so I am using TC Maker's Space in Minneapolis. The blacksmith shop is pretty basic - propane forges, anvils, no power hammer, no heat treating oven; but I do have access to a full metal shop, and there are CNC and laser engravers I can get trained on. I'm mostly interested in making smaller, functional items for friends and family - drawer pulls, hooks, fireplace tools, bottle openers, etc. I work as a civilian for the Corps of Engineers (not in an engineer role). I was thinking about trying to use old cable from dredging operations (it's normally just recycled) to make Damascus steel to create knives or other objects for retirees. Some of these people have spent over four decades on the river dredging the navigation channel. Being able to present an art object made from a part of the operation would be something special. Unfortunately, that is way beyond my current skill level and the equipment I have access to. The other category of stuff I am interested in forging is Judaica. There are a few ceremonial objects - candlesticks, mezuzah (small scroll holder on doorposts), menorah, spice boxes... that I think I could hammer out and make beautiful.

I have a whole box of industrial coil springs. The metal is about 1/8" thick, varies from 1/4" - 3/4" wide (1/2" most common), and the lengths vary - if straightened maybe 9" - 18". I have no idea what these were originally used for. I got them as part of a mixed lot at an auction (I was after some tools and clamps). I don't think I paid $10 for the whole lot. I have around 50 springs. I'm not sure of the exact metal composition, other than high quality spring steel. To date, I have only used a couple of springs in various found art welding sculptures. What should I do? I'm pretty new to Blacksmithing, having taken basic classes at CAFAC in Minneapolis. I'm working out of a Maker Space shop, so the equipment is pretty basic (gas forges, anvils, no power hammer, but I have access to a full metal shop). The only idea I can come up with is to straighten the coil and use the steel as the cutting edge in a forge welded ax head made of mild steel. The problem is that the forges I have access to don't get hot enough for forge welding. Suggestions from the community are most welcome. This material seems too good to let go to waste.

I'm just starting in blacksmithing, taking basic classes at Chicago Ave Fire Arts Center in Minneapolis, a tool making class at North House Folk School in Grand Marais, MN, and I've done a number of art welding and metal fabrication classes through the community ed program at the local tech college. I enlisted in the WI Army National Guard on Friday, April 13, 2001. I was a 92Y (unit supply/armorer) in a Combat Engineer Battalion (wheeled). My last name is Riederer (Reed-er-er). I went through Basic Training as "Private Reindeer" - hence the user name. I'm thinking about using it as the business name if I can start to sell products. I was halfway through spring semester of my Junior year in college when I got a phone call during mid-terms week, telling me to report for active duty in 10 days. I lined up outside the registrars office at 7:45 the next morning along with dozens of other reservists, and dropped 18 credits of classes I was acing. My unit mobilized through Ft. McCoy, WI in March 2003. We hit Camp Virginia, Kuwait in May. On my 21st birthday in early June I rode into Iraq behind a machinegun. At the end of the road, right before we turned onto Tallil AB, these Arab guys were yelling "Mister, Mister... Whiskey... Ice... Beer!!!" But we couldn't stop!!!! That isthe kind of stuff that gives a guy from Wisconsin PTSD... screw the mortars and the IEDs. I got out of the Guard in 2007, I did two years with an Army Reserve unit rather than get yanked back from the IRR for another deployment. Got out in 2009 as a newlywed, rather than go to Afghanistan. Now I'm divorced and working for the Army Corps of Engineers as a civilian. I'm learning to pound metal to stay sane and release some creative energy.