Steve Shimanek Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 Aloha, Steve from Kauai here; I am a beginning smith and recently discovered IForgeIron through Don Fogg's website. I have been learning for about 3 years now, at first on my own, and for the last several months under the guidance of Ted Shanks. I have been learning some basic techniques and practicing hammer control. I started with a home made charcoal forge, built a propane forge and burners last Christmas, and have been buying and making tools. I see many talented people here and i thank you for the opportunity to view your posts and learn more about this great endeavor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Browne Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 Looks like you are off and running. Welcome to IFI :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Svarttrost Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 Welcome aboard! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Mayo Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 Welcome to the board Steve it's good to see you here. Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gadetoz Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 Welcome Steve - We all like pictures to enhance the story/ies - Do you have any laying around of your first forge and the three year journey, thus far, you would like to share? Trevor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Shimanek Posted March 10, 2010 Author Share Posted March 10, 2010 Welcome Steve - We all like pictures to enhance the story/ies - Do you have any laying around of your first forge and the three year journey, thus far, you would like to share? Trevor I will work on getting some photos posted when i can.....thanks for the welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Shimanek Posted March 11, 2010 Author Share Posted March 11, 2010 This is a shot of my first forge and one of my first RR spike knives, taken about 3 years ago when I started. The forge body was someone's throw away BBQ grill; I lined it with local clay and coated with Mizzou refractory, and used charcoal and/or wood for fuel. A 3/4" pipe with 1/4 " holes served as the tuyere, and a hair dryer served as the air source; a "T" fitting with a damper regulated the air flow. I used the forge (with one reline) for the last 3 years until I built my first propane forge from a R134 Freon can last Xmas. I will add more photos as time permits. Aloha, Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 Welcome aboard Steve, glad to have you. Frosty the Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Shimanek Posted March 11, 2010 Author Share Posted March 11, 2010 After my first early efforts on a cast iron pos anvil; I upgraded to a post anvil which in its former life was an excavator demolition bit; this photo was a little over 2 years ago. An awesome anvil. it still resides just outside the back door of my garage.Weight is unknown but it gets heavier every time I move; current estimate is around 500 pounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 That anvil's a beauty Steve, I'd put it right to work. Frosty the Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Shimanek Posted March 12, 2010 Author Share Posted March 12, 2010 Thanks Frosty and everybody; i am fortunate to have a scrap metal yard that lets me go out and pick out stuff....for the post anvil they loaded me up with the wheel loader and I left a $20 for the aloha of it. They don't charge set fees, just whatever you offer since they have to pay to ship the stuff off island. I find cool stuff every time i can get over there. These pictures are of the place i lived before moving where I am now, and my first attempt at a Japanese tanto style blade. This was about a year and a half ago, more or less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Shimanek Posted March 12, 2010 Author Share Posted March 12, 2010 Here was a camp type knife I made about a year ago; I have since reground the handle to eliminate the hump on top so it flows better. I also picked up a real anvil, a 120 lb JHM , about the same time as I started getting guidance from a local farrier/blacksmith. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Shimanek Posted March 12, 2010 Author Share Posted March 12, 2010 This is the propane forge i built over the Xmas break; 1 inch fiber coated in a refractory mortar, which failed soon after this photo was taken. I relined with my leftover Mizzou and the forge is still functioning well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Shimanek Posted March 12, 2010 Author Share Posted March 12, 2010 An ulu for the wife from plow steel; a bowie type with milo wood handle; the propane forge v.2 with adjustable stock rest and modified burners. I will have to take a few photos of some of the tongs and stuff; don't have any on disc yet. If this is too much, just holler "STOP!!!" :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortdog Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 Steve- That is a wicked looking forge! You're doing some nice work. Good to have you here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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