lordcaradoc

Very nice hammer, and very considerate of you. I agree that hospitality has become an industry buzzword, not a way of life as it once was. My family and I participate in Medieval re-enactment (Society for Creative Enactment) and we try to live this way all the time. I stress try, but at least we make the effort that many won't. Good job, Tim

Wow Dave, that's beautiful work. I only hope my work gets to that level once I get my forge up and running. Thanks for posting. I don't have any idea on pricing really, but just for a baseline, how many hours work do you have in this project and what was the materials cost? That would be a good place to start. Best regards, Tim

I currently have three hammers for the forge. One is a 4lb beast of a cross peen with a fiberglass handle. I usually use that for driving wedges into stubborn wood to split it. The second is a good 2.5 cross peen from Sears and was my normal hammer for a long time. Last year, I bought a video by Tim Lively, Knifemaking Unplugged, and he used to use a 4lb sledge hammer with one face domed, (I now know that it makes it a rounding hammer) and I liked that. So I went to Harbor freight and bought a 3lb version. It took some time to shape the flat face to be usable and then I rounded off the other face. All the work was done with a flap-disk in the grinder and I took it really slow to avoid any issues with the questionable hardness of the face. In the end, it is now my favorite hammer and I grab that before any other when working at the anvil. Regards, Tim

Nice work. I think that volunteering at Living history and other shows like this is a key component to keeping interest in Blacksmithing high. Keep up the good work. On a side note, those tent stakes look like a terrible failure, you should box them up and send them to me for immediate disposal. Regards, Tim

Anvil Fire carries it by the Pint for $44.00 US. Would that work? Anvilfire Store Regards, Tim

Clay Soaked Paper? Can you link that thread? I am confused, but always interested in learning. Regards, Tim

My first forge was built in an air tank, like I think you are wanting to build in the grill, with a pipe tuyere and mine was huge. I used a thrift store hair dryer and never needed more than the lowest setting. I got one of those foot switch extension cords for easier turning it on and off. Regards, Tim

Well, since everyone else gave the Smithin' uses, there are loads of other good things to use fireplace ashes for: Ten uses for Wood Ashes Of course, you can also use it in the old Outhouse instead of lime. Regards, Tim

Wonderful video. Regards, Tim

Clinton, Here is what I would do in your situation. (if I had a forge at the moment that is. ) Take a 1/2" square stock piece and fold it in half. Weld that together leaving a few inches where the ends come together so you can flatten them out later for the mounting bolts. Then do your wrap and weld to create that square eye and weld that too. Then flatten out the now essentially 1" thick section and draw out the tails and drill/punch for the bolts. I've seen the tailed out mounts too, but that should give you all the features you are looking to replicate. Here is a link that may help: Anvilfire: Blacksmith Vises In the middle and near the end are the parts about the bracket. Regards, Tim

OK, so if you're really dedicated to the craft, shouldn't that be mounted on an air source with a coal fire or a propane burner instead of a candle? Nice job. Regards, Tim

Nice stand for the swage block Frosty, but I want to know about that purty post vice. I mean, mine came painted green, but that is the first time I've seen anybody accent a post vice with gold paint. Regards, Tim

Hey, how much do you charge for those? Those are really nice. I'd be interested next week after I get paid. Regards, Tim

Well, nobody else commented on this, so I will. Got any pics? Regards, Tim

Very nice Dave, I may borrow that idea one of these days. Regards, Tim

Wow Clinton, how big a note do you want to nail to the door? Regards, Tim

An excellent point Maddog, also good grounds for calling myself an Artist Blacksmith as the Muse can strike hard one weekend and then either the family demands my time (always a higher priority with me) or she may strike in wood or leather and, like you I may not make it to my shop for months. I hope not, but it happens. Regards, Tim

Beautiful work all of you. My wife and I just moved into a nice little house and there are no curtains, maybe I should get the forge set up and start making curtain rods rather than buy them. I take much of what I see here as inspiration and am grateful for the interwebz to bring it to me. Best regards, Tim

Wow, I think taking a class from Brian is on my bucket list too, though I don't know if my wife will let me go for a whole week. Fantastic pics, thanks Lyle and Brian. I have always subscribed to the notion that when you learn to make your own tools (where blacksmithing is concerned) that those skills will carry you through much of the solid education needed to be competent. I am learning slowly as I haven't been able to take any classes yet, but there are quite a few good classes available here in Washington and I will be taking some as soon as I can. Brian, I love how the tools you make and teach others to make are not just functional, but also very pretty, I particularly like that flatter I saw repeatedly in the pics. Again, fantastic job and I am jealous of Darren a little bit. Best regards, Tim

Well, when was the last time Artists were universally liked, respected or revered? I take Artist to mean that I do the best I can and people are able to hold their own opinions as I do for much of the "art" out there. Regards, Tim P.S. Thank you tlreif (Todd) for starting this thread, discussion is always good and I have seen only people sharing opinions here, no flames. :D

OK, my turn to weigh in. I make my living in an office. I have also worked as a handyman to put bread on the table and will do so again, because I can do it in addition to my day job. I have many hobbies. I participate in medieval reenactment, I do Woodworking, Blacksmithing and Leatherworking as an outgrowth of that hobby. Well, woodworking has been a passion for quite a bit longer. I'm also a history buff and an avid reader, among many other things I like to do with my scant free time. I think a distinction could be applied here for those of us who can't make a living with Blacksmithing. ABANA stands for Artist Blacksmithing Association of North America. I may not be in a position right now to make a living at the forge, but I am still an artist for wanting to take the images in my head and shape the hot iron to conform to it. I am an Artist Woodworker because I conceive of a thing and make it into reality as well. I don't make my living doing that either. I love learning new skills for both and in other areas. @Ciladog: Not to offend, but we can't all make our living doing this, or nobody would. Does the fact that I am currently not able to make a living doing these things I love, diminish my reverence for their history or for the skill of real masters? No. So I'll take the title Artist Blacksmith and hold my head high. Best regards, Tim Edit: Oh, and if all I ever do achieve at the forge is to pay for the hobby, then that's OK too. :D

LeeRoy, Nice stand. My wife always has me buy lots of Bananas. First because our 4 year old daughter will eat lots, but also because it lets a few start to get all brown. Then they get made into Banana bread. that's my favorite way to get bananas. Regards, Tim

Pat, that is beautiful. It would hold all my shop wants like Blacksmith, Woodwork, Leather-work and be enough to store my utility trailer too. Sam, that wouldn't be David Robertson would it? Very nice guy, I haven't met face to face, but he is always willing to answer my questions when he gets a few minutes away from the shop. I love that idea of using a light bulb to heat the space around an anvil all night. Another suggestion I have heard that could easily be adapted is using a light bulb (100w) to keep your slack tub from icing over. The same concept of an insulated cover with the light bulb as the heat source could be used. The Iron is a great idea and they only top out at 100°C/212°F, the boiling point of water, so there shouldn't be any damage to the temper of the anvil face. I used to live in NE Ohio and my only shop space was on a little patio pad outside. I was not interested in January in working outside as the temps would dip down below zero and the wind was brutal. Now I am in the Pacific NW and as long as I have cover from the rain, I should be able to work all year round. Best regards, Tim

Nothin' wrong with that. Regards, Tim