MonteCristo

Welcome to IFI Karl! I'm sure there are some guys from your area who may be able to provide guidance.

The Gargoyle looks pretty cool. I am intrigued by the pedestal too. How did you get the pattern on the long bars? I don't know how to describe it, but it reminds me of alligator scales. Did you make it octagonal or hexagonal in sections or what?

I have only forged a couple times now. Still learning so much. This is one of my first pieces. I made this small plant hanger the other night for my brother's headstone. My mother does a lot of flower planting there. She also said she may use it to hang a wind chime. I still need to clean it up and put a finish on it. I figured i'd start with a small one before making a rather large one. It's from 3/8" round. Let me know what you think. Also helped make a pair of draft horseshoes with my father last night. He had me working as his striker, which was really interesting.

I'd think an engine hoist or a real mechanics jack if you have one would be ideal.

At least it looks pretty ;)

My dad is a farrier, so I watched for years on the anvil. Finally at the age of 24, I got the chance to try it myself. I am gathering up a lot of equipment that he has stored away. Now I am trying to re-light his creativity and my own. First few things I made were letters and hooks.

It's looking great. How high of a grit are you going with the polishing on that? Do you buff it on top of that with compounds?

They look pretty cool Drako. Did you use a camera phone to take these photos? It looks like you are a little too close to the objects and the camera can't achieve focus at such a small distance without a macro mode or lens.

That mailbox is a beast. It's like one of those UPS/Fedex drop off boxes. That'll definitely store some mail! It looks great all painted up.

Wow, I want that! The subtlety of the wood handle matches the subtlety of the Damascus pattern very well!

Very nice, she is a beauty. I especially like the gradation in pin size. It's a nice touch!

Sorry to hear about your misfortune with the hurricane Harlen. Welcome to IFI tho! There are a lot of knowledgeable people here, who i'm sure can give you some ideas for figuring out a way to set up your shop. I look forward to any photos you contribute to the site!

Thanks for the welcome everyone! Dick L. do you know about any blacksmith chapters or associations in Mass.? Thanks for the advice Frosty! Appreciate it!

That's a lot of work right there.

Beautiful set of knives. I really liked 1-3. Favorite is probably #2 with the guard.

Greetings Ema! I am also new. Looking forward to a good time here, as i'm sure you are.

Greetings to everyone! My name is Dennis. I recently found this forum and decided to join cause it looks like a great community with a huge knowledge base. I am the 24 yr. old son of a farrier. The blacksmithing side of my father's trade has always been the most fascinating part to me. After years of watching him forge different items, I finally got the chance to give it a go myself. My father gave me a round length of steel from an old farm rake and basically said go to town. It was bent, so I heated it, straightened it and flattened it. I wanted to try to start making some steel typography, so I made an "S" for my first one. (Photography attached) It's not much, but i'm proud that I got to start smithing. Few things have been as enjoyable than this chance to work on the anvil. I am seriously considering pursuing blacksmithing as a trade possibility. I also am pushing my father to get back into it to save his back from the horses and for us to have more father-son time. My dad gave me some old books of his to read. (Modern Blacksmithing/ The Complete Library of Metal Working, Blacksmithing, and Soldering/ The Complete Guide to Blacksmithing/ The Art of Blacksmithing/ and Practical Blacksmithing) I've flipped through and begun to read some...but bottom line is there is a TON of information to absorb which will take years of practice and experience. I'm curious as to what employment opportunities are out there with a background in blacksmithing? I have seen some related to architecture and some others. Also, I have access to a lot of old farrier rasps. Anyone know what kind of steel these might be?