nuge

I remember reading that during a demo the author of the connection said he took out a patent on the design so big business would not get hold of it. He then said that smiths could use it all they want. For what it's worth.

Thanks for the photo sequence. This process is a great alternative to getting blanks laser cut if you have a large quantity to forge. It would be cost effective to have the guys at the local steel yard shear the diamonds and there's still enough forging to keep it fun. Good stuff!

Thats a mankel forge. They are real nice.

You the man Brian.

I'm confused.

Thanks for the photo's! Did you use the press to drift? That is one ambitious series of slots. Really appreciate this thread.

Hey lil' dylan, any chance we could see some pics of the tooling used to drift those big slots?

Looks great with the painting. How'd you do the curved pieces?

Thanks a (quarter) ton for posting this doubleD. Real neat.

Looks like you could knock it out pretty quick step drilling in a drill press finishing with die (or angle) grinder. At the least you could do a good enough job to know if the die will work. Please to keep us posted.

What's this Clifton Ralph dvd. Sounds like its worth a look. Where can I get one. UK based but guess that wont be a problem

UMBA has some dvd's featuring clifton ralph. Whoever fills the orders is on top of things. Get the ones with Ralph Sproul as well. He has some work flow ideas that will make your closet, I mean workshop, seem big.

Back on topic, both my anyang and striker hammers have the "die locating slot". Works with a round hole in the block and a tee shaped pin. I'll try to get photo's.

Back off topic-

"I was born in the back seat of a Yellow Cab in a hospital loading zone and with the meter still running. I emerged needing a shave and shouted 'Time Square, and step on it!'"
-t waits

First one to id the "icon" in my avatar gets a prize.

The whole master thing is similar to the "artist" title. Thats not for the maker to decide, only the audience. Best not to utter the word.

Yeah it does jump right out at you

Tom Waits anyone?

I'm a bit of a rain dog. Gotta be careful with the Waits, it will take over.

Nice. What gauge metal? Substrate? If you get a chance let us know a bit about the process.

I got to hang with Mr. Lewton-Brain years ago... To say he is a character is an understatement.

I don't really get the chart either. It's all about time (my time). Doesn't matter if i'm using my hammer, welder, belt sander or butter knife. Clients are paying for expertise and efficiency. One you have a piece of equipment, good, done. Maybe it ups your rate but its not really worth anything to your customer.

I'm down with the whole "perceived value" deal but you gotta start somewhere and usually that's time. Often the value (to the potential customer) is less than your time is worth and you gotta kick the job to the curb. I am also one to ask "whats the budget?" if I think I can get away with it. That way you can give the client your best for the money and hopefully have some profit in the deal. Usually only flies with people who trust you and your work

I made a few garden hoes for my father and he likes them.

They make great woks (or discadas) when cooking for a large crowd....

Thats the first time I have heard the term "discada" My latina friends call it a "fritanga".

Nice dutchie, you can feed an army out of a few of those.

Well, there are no unintended marks on that Paley bench. It surely speaks to a smith's skill to execute those long tapers and flowy lines with nary a divot.

Hey Spears -
Those two guys are tops. Love reading your blog John, and James is definitely got the support thing dialed. But.....as a machine buyer I dont like seeing any of the suppliers go under. Competition is good. I'm sure people on the west coast in the market for a hammer in the future are bummed. Tough to get an IronKiss to Cali.

(mini rant)Forge work can be tight and crisp when done correctly by the way, it's is only in recent years (post 1940's)that distressing or hammered finishes have been introduced to suggest things are hand forged to unknowing customers. If you left any unintended hammermarks on a piece in those days you would incur your master blacksmith's disapproval to put it mildly, nowadays it seems to be perceived it must have hammermarks in to suggest it has been handmade by a blacksmith, its called distressing, well it certainly distresses me, haven't people heard of hammer control and flatters? (rant over)

I think one of the most appealing aspects of working hot steel is the ability to impart texture, hammermarks being an overused motif. But, if done skillfully, with thought and maybe a good dose of restraint it is effective. To leave toolmarks leaves a story. The industrial revolution is over, the machines won. When children visit my shop I often ask them if they prefer the textured metal or the mill finish and it's always the bumpy one. Its tactile. And interesting. Smooth is a texture we maybe know too well. Bring on the imperfections.

Grandpa's anvil, huh? Doesn't get much better than that. Keep making your scrap pile bigger. Nice poker.

Please feel free to drivel on and on.....

What's the footprint of that hammer?

If you had any interest in my little Say Mak hammer Id sell it and drive it down for the gas money.... Its a 2006 model and sat till this spring unused when I bought it.. Like I said earlier its basically the same machine as a Sahinler They sold for $11K + shipping new without a base. Mine has a nice solid base built out of heavy plate and Id sell it for $7K That is as long as I can get the hammer bought that I want to replace it with

Do you have to be on the TV to get that deal?:)

Poetry man. Neither a wasted or extra blow.