Rcrew

One thing that I have noticed around the smithing community is that most are more than willing to help and teach you. For that I am thankful to all who have helped over the years, but I have noticed that that some think that their way is the only way and when ask they say because that the way I do it. With Brian when he tells you that is the way he does he can tell you why and what the advantage of doing it that way. I learn so much from Brian and Lyle over the last few years about moving metal with the least amount of effort. Can't say thanks enough. A lesson is well worth the money. You will come away with enough tools to more than pay for the lesson.

It's Christmas time again. We will be there first thing Thruday morning. Me and John will have a load of 51/60 like always

See y'all Thruday around lunch. Looking forward to seeing everybody Me and John will have a load of 51-60 again.

We will be there and we have anvil, vice and some more 5160 that we are bringing to sell. You got two great demonstrators.

Great job, many many hours of work there. I would hate to be your grinder.

Eight years ago I couldn't spell blacksmith, now I are one, Maybe.

You could take up engraving and or copper work. I got it hand forged needles. I would hang on to it I have one that I use for a good many things. Used it for making a copper madalion the other day. Tools big or small we like them all.

Dead as a door nail.

Outstanding Bill I wish I had thought of putting a heal on mine like that. Looks great.

You are right Dragons Lair it's alot cheaper to buy an anvil, and we will next time. Now we know we can do it. Some things you just got to see if you can do.

It had a swag in the face and the corners where rounded off.

This maynot be what you are looking for, but the frist written record of a blacksmith is Genegis 4:22 The old boys name was Tubalcain. Check it out.

No chipping at all, we let the second anvil cool alittle quicker than the first. We have both anvil several hours now with no problem.

Here is a finished Picture.

Here is a link to one of the anvils that me and Johnny have repaired. Mostly Johnny. http://picasaweb.google.com/smithing3006/RebuildingAnAnvil# We pre heated to 400 degrees then used a stoody 2110 to build up to within one or two passes. Then used stoody 1105 to hard surface. Then cooled slowly in (I don know how to spell vermiculite) for 24 hours. After that we spent about 14 hours grinding, using a strait edge for a guide.

I have been gunsmithing for 30 years and blacksmith for 8. I would not advise doing this. If you do I would suggest using black powder the pressure from smokeless powder will blow your spike gun into orbit. From one Mississippi boy to another don't do it.

I have had a beard for 30 years, shaved it off once just to see what was under there. Grew it right back.

Brian me Johnny made a set of tongs out of spring steel to make the rings with, and made my frist slitter, it worked great made the little plug just like you taught us. It wasn't quite as smooth as yours tho. Slit the hole then drifted it with a quater inch mild steel for the rivet. Thanks for all you do.

If the indains would have had a forge an a anvil they would not have had to build those sweat lodges. Over a hunderd in Mississippi and humidity is so bad that there was a catfish swam thro the shop.

After watching Brian and Lyle make it look so easy. I got home and found out I didn't know anything any more. Good job Lyle. Hope to see ya'll in July

Hand rails in front of shop. Me and Johnny made.

Carbon bushs out of a large ele. motor. Filed to fit. You sure can't cut it after you weld it up.

Here is a link to some pictures of an anvil Johnny and I have redone and a set of hand rails we built. http://picasaweb.google.com/smithing3006

I have been a full time gunsmith for the last 29 years. Two years ago we expanded, adding four more employees. It has taken longer to be come a business man than it did to become a gunsmith or blacksmith. As things slowed down you have to make changes you can't just stay the same and expect things to change. Local TV add has helped us this past year. Now I thought everyone knew me in this part of the state, because I had been at it so long. I was wrong people come in every day during and months after the add saying I saw ya'll on TV. There has been a lot of people move into our area in the last 29 years. I didn't think we had the money for the add but it has paid off big time. This has worked for me in these hard times and we are still here. I wish you all the best of luck, but don't just tie a hard knot and hold on. Make a move, go to a trade show, do something to get your work out to the public. God Bless

You will have to make sure you have metal clean to use these products, but they will work very well in the weather. It is very thin coat that lays very close to the metal. like coating that you get from brownells above mentioned this is even better. There are sevral name, but it seems to be the same stuff. Dura coat, it is avable from Dura coat, and there is the coating that you get from ten ring in Texas. Both of these are good finishs, and if you can keep a duck hunter's gun from rusting you can keep can keep a door knocker nice and black.