MarkC

acid etch it! good lord, you're a genius Phil! hadn't even crossed my mind. That is a great idea

hmm, I've never done it with a press, always tried with stamp punches... that's why they've never come out very sharp eh? lol

Was wondering if anyone had any experience stamping letters/words into mild steel plate? I've got to get some words onto 3/16" plate (doesn't really matter the method.) I've never had much luck getting nice crisp letters when stamping. Another idea I had was to make a "stencil" out of another steel plate, affix to the project plate, and "brush" the letters into the surface with the knotted-cup on the angle grinder, or perhaps go a different route and use a hot brass brush. I'm going to seal the surface with clear sealer and there won't be much wear and tear on this. (it's basically a sculpture/trophy type piece) Any of your thoughts are welcomed Mark

http://www.metalsource.com/ This is where I get copper sheet, small retail outlet selling the waste from a large metal company (their "scrap" can sometimes be 8 feet long). It's in Massachusetts but ship by UPS. Don't know if this helps you at all, but thought I'd post it. Mark

Wayne, it's just one one-piece, rolled style, like from the "how-to's" on the Anvilfire site.

thanks for that compliment, but brother, i spent 3 xxxx days on one rose. if you were crazy enough to spend 3 days on 1 rose, i'm sure you'd far exceed my lil flower.

everyone always has so many great ideas. Sukellos, what you said is powerful. It makes me have a lot of respect for these people and their profession. Same goes for what you said Frosty. They are like unsung heros among us. your cops and firemen and doctors, people are tripping over each other to call these people heros, but people like speech therapists and their like... i guess you have to have something hit close to home to realize what a difference they make. Really makes me stop and think. Frosty: I gotta find me some rose oil. I remembered reading that before... obviously i read it from one of your posts. And without further ado, the rose: I hope it does justice to the girl. It's kinda whimsical and fantasy-like. I couldn't choose the best pic so i posted them all.

WOW, wrought iron christmas tree ornaments as Christmas gifts to those folks you aren't close enough to actually spend real money on. Probably not a brand new idea huh? Anyone ever done that? I think I'm going to.

nice setup and setting, perfect for a smithy. someone tell me again why we don't have a Mass blacksmith guild? and why we just fall under the NE blacksmith association in rhode island? There seem to be a good number of us from MA.

Very sweet, Mark. Not just saying that. It's a great design, very pleasing to the eye, would look excellent in a home. Too many of these become gaudy or over the top. Extremely nice work.

Avadon, you've got a xxxxxxx mad scientist's workshop going on over there. you fabbed the nicest anvil stand I have ever seen, under that gladiator. Ever seen. bar none.

oh wow, nice idea. Around here, you tell people you're a "Blacksmith" and they don't have the slightest idea what to say. They know there aren't any horses in the area, so the standard misconception that we're all horseshoers doesn't even apply. So people are just completely dumbfounded. But you tell them you're a "Metal Artist" and suddenly you're the Most Interesting Man In The World from the Dos Equis beer advert. I go by Metal Artist around here. I don't need to be explaining my profession, what I need is to be getting paid.

hm, no cubicle, she works in a public school, working with the special needs kiddies who need speech therapy. she's a real doll. Love that pen holder idea, and the swan business card holder from anvilfire. BigGun, I dont know about the tools of the trade, but I'll look into that for the future. Also love that idea about making the pens themselves... what a great idea in general. I already got to work on a regular old rose... putting extra attention to detail into it, since it will be the first piece of mine she sees in person. I want to make sure the xxxxxx thing look exactly like a rose, the whole kit and kaboodle. Everyone on the forum always has so many great ideas and info to share. God bless ifi. I'll bang this thing out in the morning and let you know what she thought of it. I think I'll be making her a few other items in the near future as well, while i'm taking breaks from making the stuff i'm suppossed to be making, of course LOL

one heat. one heat. one. heat. for sale in massachusetts: one gas forge, 2 anvils, assorted hammers, tongs, punches, drifts, carts, welders, welding table, band saw, torch outfit, workshop, and a single family house. price: free. I am moving to the bottom of the ocean.

Frosty, I know you don't know me from a hole in the wall, but I have got to tell you that it's xxxxxx fine to be reading your posts again. You don't know how gut wrenching it was to hear that you were laid up. A flower. you're right. I'm gonna go make it right now.