postleg

Very cool video love watching the craftsmen at work.

No markings on this hammer but it sure has expanded what I make. Works up to 2 in no problem

Very nice work really like the snake skin on the handle. What kinds of skin is it

I have a Hay- Budden it is marked 206 lbs but weighs 210. The plate is 3 1/2 and the horn is 5' diameter and 15 inches around the horn. But mine dosen't have the clip on the side

Really like the center one. Great work

I also use a propane forge for me the fuel is easy to get and start up time on it is quite short to get to forging temps. I use a 3 burner Diamondback forge and like it very much. There are plans here to build gas forges on this sight. Propane burns cleaner than coal and will create less of a ventilation problem. But you should always be aware of carbon dioxide levels by using a detector.

I would say that no matter how much space you have it will always fill up and be to small. I try to mount as much of may stuff on wheels because some tools you won't use a lot. My propane forge is on wheels so I can move it around in or out side, anvils I can move with 2 wheeled cart. In the summer I run the forge outside. In the winter it's on the unheated side of my shop. It's good to keep things close the time moving from one tool to another is time wasted.

Your question is not a waste of time. It may seem that way at times but there are lot of folks here willing to help. Don't get discouraged hang in there

Welcome to the addiction. You have found an great source of info on this forum. At the top of the page there is a post all about getting started. The first thing you need is the desire and drive. The next is something to beat on something to heat your steel and something to hit it with. The rest is a lot of practice in the doing the basics you can learn here. Check out the blue print section it's loaded with info and starting projects. Youtube is another good source of videos showing how to make different types of things start to finish. Also just posting your location here you may find there are more smiths in our area that you have never heard of. Even in a lot of the USA there are not a lot of black smithing schools. I did find a 2 day 16 hr course at a local community college. It was day of learning basics and making a few simple things. Then a little more of that the second day then finished off using what you learned to make something of your own. Since then I've learned by using this forum, youtube and just doing. Don't be afraid to try to make things you see and like. Just take some time and think it out. Just think of it as clay that is very hot. I've seen a lot of people use clay first get it to the size of material your planning on using. Then work it on your anvil with a hammer and see how you to have to hit it to get the shape or form you want. Then when you have the process worked out in clay try it on steel. If you were closer you could come over and I would be happy to help you out. Sounds like your friend could also be a great asset. There is a lot of knowledge on this forum but asking how do I get started is one of the most asked questions. That is why there are post at the top of the page continually answering the same question tends to bother some folks on this forum. So it is best to read the info already posted then when you get stuck on a particular problem ask a way people are more then willing to offer suggestions and advice freely. I read and check this forum several times a day and have noticed new bees are sometimes not treated like I would like to be treated and I never see another post from them. Just remember there are a lot of people here willing to help. If you get a response to your question. Try contacting them trough their profile page by clicking on their picture and then you can be in contact with them and get the info your looking for without feeling like your bothering someone. Keep the desire drive and fire burning

In 2004 we hunted at Mongersfontien south of Kimberly and then at Matablas Game hunters which is only about 20 miles from the Botswana border in the North Province. Had a great time at both places. We drove through Pretoria on our way to Matablas. Very different than Nebraska where I come from. June 29th 2014 we are headed to Engelbrecht Safaris near Tsumeb Namibia. Suppose to be 6 hrs. North of Windhoek. Really looking forward to the hunt not so much the fight time to get there.

Feel free to us my art as inspiration. I'm always looking at what others do and put my spin on those pieces That grab my eye. Even if we worked side by side nether piece would be the same. Where are you located in South Africa? Went bow hunting around Kimberly and about 30 miles from Botswana in 2004. Had a great time. Will over night in Johannesburg in July of next year and then on to Windhoek for a 10 day hunt.

Looks good to me. I've made a bunch of them I've always called them a Calla lily. They do sell quite well. I usually sell them in bunches of 3 or 4 with some copper trim

if there is no slot you could weld a bolt to the screw head and then use a wrench after a liberal dose of wd40.

I'll agree with Charles it needs nothing else.

Wow that's some high powered corn your growing there.

I like it alot

How about a few pictures of your work. I would just use hot rolled low carbon steel. Buy construction rods I would guess you are talking about rebar. I would steer clear of that as the surface ridges may inter fear with any texture you want to add to the piece. Can't help with a supplier.

They do some demos but more or less a museum. It was cool to see a shop as it was in the 1800's.

I went down to Summerfield, KS today to see the Transue Brothers Blacksmith and Wagon shop. It was their 2nd annual open house. The shop has been in the same location since 1889. It has had only four owners in that time. Here is a link to their web site ( hopefully this type of link is still allowed ) transueblacksmith.org. I will also attach some pics

very nice. as far as the plate you might try using a torch or plasma cutter to break up the large steel plates. Still very nice work.

Mine is just mounted to my welding table. I used a 1/2 in wood spacer under the mounting bracket. Then the post is set on a 3 x 4 piece of oak and just sits on the cement floor.

Got to be proud of that one.

Great point. That never even occurred to me. I have a 9 in Southbend lathe in my shop. Duh

I'm collecting for a sander build also. I happen to notice at work the maintance dept was throwing out some brand new stand up fork lift wheels. I got 3 3 x 6 in. And 3 3x3 in wheels. They are very heavy steel with a hard rubber tire fused to them. Buying them fo 15 cents a lb so if they don't work I won't be out much. Do you see any problem with using a 2 in wide belt on a 3 in wheel? My thought is as long As it tracks straight I' don't see where the extra wheel width would cause a problem.

my anvils a 167lb Peter wright & 213lb Hay budden. PW is on stump and HB is on metal stand. I move them around the shop or take them outside with a 2 wheeled utility cart. Just have to make sure the tires are aired up.