OHMYGOLLYGEEWHIZWOW!!! Finally got my hands on that firepot/tuyere I've been hunting and ain't she a beauty, (need to get some digital pix to post) an antique, mighty stout and large. Has tuyere with ash dump and no clinker tickler. The blacksmith I got this from is a true Gentleman, his smithy a living museum beyond compare and I am awestruck at the ease with which he oozes experience and wisdom with every sylable. I will not take the liberty of mentioning his name in cyberspace but if you ever met him you would not be lost on the magnitude of making his aquaintance, a nicer guy you will not meet. When I asked his price I was floored at his reply- $25. That was four hours ago and still my jaw hangs open. This is what continuously leaves me so immpressed with all of these folks I am meeting in my quest to persue blacksmithing- just how awesome all of these folks are, from the New York State Designer Blacksmiths to individuals I have met to folks on this sight- it seems to be the overall hallmark of the contemporary blacksmithing community. Everyone is so willing to see a newcomer succeed for the sake of the craft itself- awesome! Also "Mr. Smith" threw in an electric blower for free with a warning all of us should heed because we are probably all guilty of this; He told me this blower was last used in 1962, it has been shelved since that time because the previous owner broke this safety rule- DO NOT STAND IN FRONT OF A GRINDING WHEEL WHEN STARTING OR STOPPING IT. This is when the wheel cycles through the full range of r.p.m.'s and this is when it will likely fail, which it did. A portion of the wheel struck this man in the head and he bled to death on the floor of his shop. SAFETY FIRST. Keep on hammerin'

Glad to hear that...Cool.

Sounds great man! Post some pics!