elkdoc

Hey folks. I'm curious, what are your views on selling your projects on Ebay to further fund the forging addiction? I'm getting to the point where I can make decent garden hardware that friends seem to be going gaagaa over. I'm talking plant hangers, birdfeeder hangers, towel rings, etc. The usual small stuff. So far, they've been gifts for the wife or kept in a pile for study. I'm considering making a dozen or so of each item and testing the water on Ebay. This is just a hobby, but a bit of income to support purchases of coal, stock, hammers, expendables, etc. would be nice. What do you guys think? Viable option? Lost cause? Look for other outlets?

I really like this one. Very simple but at the same time elegant. 8)

Very nice work! And the last pic made my morning. I rank it right up there with the iron-roasted weiner pic.

I still like dirt. Seems like it is easier on my feet over the long haul.

Glad she's doing well. Keep us informed.

Hate to hear that, Mr. Strasil. You're on my list.

Radiation treatments suck. I remember that feeling. Keep up the positive attitude, Ralph! You're on my list!

Thanks so much for sharing this picture with us. You genuinely made me giggle. :D

Natural light from an open door and two windows most of the time. A 3 ft. flourescent shop light overhead from Home Depot if I'm out after dark.

I sucked it up and bought the med. sized blower from Kayne and Son's. I LOVE this little blower. Way more air than I'll ever need. I hooked it up with a straight shot to the side of my firepot with a sliding air gate inline to control air flow. Works great!

Very, very nice!

Cool! Let us know how it works out for you. P.S.: Oooooh! A Nimba! 8)

I'll try to get some pics of it up in the next couple of days. Probably won't be in action, but you'll get thte idea.

At the suggestion of many here, I built a side-draft hood. I'll admit, I was quite hesitant. However, I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. It really sucks up the smoke - even during startup. I just toss a few burning leaves of newspaper inside the hood and then light my fire. Over, up, and out the nasty green smoke goes. It works even better when it gets heated up. I built mine on the cheap. I have a tall, 12" diameter flue, and I used a 25 or 30 gallon drum for the hood. It sits down on my forge surface. I cut an 8" "mousehole" aperture and away I went.

I've been using some strips of leftover railroad steel clips about 1.5"x3/4"x9". I heat them up and lay them on the anvil - one on the anvil, one in the fire. I alternate them a couple of times while I'm cutting out steel for my project or finding mood music on the radio. The more I think about it, the more I like that block heater idea, Glenn. I think I'll look for one. I always know on the night before I'm going to work in my shop, so there's plenty of time to plug it in. Thanks for the tip, buddy! 8)

Well, it seems to me that whenever He closes a door, He often opens a window to a new yard to play in. Glad to see you're still on your feet and have high spirits! Turn it all into some creativity on the anvil, my friend! :)

Seems like I remember the steel sandbox method you describe in the anvil stand plans section on anvilfire, once upon a time. I like the idea of mounting the anvil to a plat and then setting the plate on the sand. That should cut down on the anvil burying itself in the sand. Ought to be quiet, too.

The tried and true "giant ball o' newspaper" method...

Get after it, Andrew! We wanna see! :D

That's the coolest way to make kindling I've ever seen... Way to go!

Probably. Last night when I was reading back through some of his entries he mentioned the pub.

I guess I'll play... Hey fellow smiths. I'm Jason, a 28 year old aspiring hobbyist smith in east TN. From an early age I wanted to learn the craft, but had no idea that there were so many out there practicing the art and willing to share. I used to lean over the fence at a period-theme park near where I grew up, watching the blacksmith there ply his craft. When I needed to stretch my legs, I'd mosy to the bladesmith's shop and watch him awhile. Fast forward... A couple of years ago I learned of a blacksmith guild in my area. I joined up a year and a half ago and began to learn the craft. I don't get much time to work on it, as I'm badly needing to finish graduate school and get a "real job". But when I do get to forge, I find that the process of shaping steel with fire and pressure a recharging experience. I've learned alot in my membership here. Keep those tips and stories coming. I may not post alot, but rest assured - I learn tons! A tip of the hat to you ladies and gentlemen who share your craft here. 8)

Looks great! Welcome!

Found this gentleman on his blog. He's been chronicling his reproduction of a 16th century clock from a museum in the UK. What I find most interesting is that when he decided to replicate the clock, he'd never struck hot metal in his life. He's learned to blacksmith in order to replicate this clock. A fascinating progression of events. http://www.xanga.com/Bomlin I've invited him to join us here. Hope he stops by...

Wow. Very cool, mr. tick! It comes together quite beautifully in the eye.