Bert145 Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Hello. The name's Bert Olton. My wife Bonnie and I live in Palmyra, NY which is a little village about 20 miles east south east of Rochester, NY. Nope, we're not Mormons but we do have six kids and one grand son on the way. I've been a heavy equipment mechanic/operator, truck mechanic/driver, certified welder and rigger for more than 30 years and for most of that time blacksmithing has been at the back of my mind. I've read about it over the years and drooled over pictures of other people's work on line and in the ABANA magazine. 25 or so years ago I even purchased a little starter set from a guy named Don Newcomb, a blacksmith in the greater Rochester, NY area. But, until a little while ago, I never had the time to get going with it all. Well, I've finally forced myself to get started and am enjoying the heck out of it. This forum has been a real inspiration and an incredible resource. I want to thank all of you for the incredible amount of information you post here. Every time I log in, I learn something, jot down notes, and book mark pages. I probably won't post much - there's still too much to learn, but again, my real thanks to you all. Best regards, Bert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macbruce Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Hey Bert ' welcome aboard! This site is the place for the info...Thanks for listing your location, it makes things easier...mb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurlyGeorge Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Hi Bert. Welcome to IFI. Glad to hear that you got your set up and are getting to use it. As for posting on here, keep us up on your progress and post lots of pix of your work, even if you don't think it's quite up to snuff. We like pix, and may be able to help you fine tune a few things. One thing that we really don't do is belittle someone that is trying to learn. You may get some "Constructive criticism". But most of the folks will try to help and give you good pointers. If you have been a welder, you already know a lot more about how metal will react to different processes than you may realize. Good luck and happy hammering. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marksnagel Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Hey Bert, Welcome to IFI! Wow, having the tools to start blacksmithing for 25 years and just starting now. Better late than never. Glad you finally got around to starting. Please post what you are up to as you progress. You may think that you are the only one that needs learning but you will have plenty of info to teach others. We all have something to learn and we all have something to teach. Some more than others. Enjoy the ride. Mark <>< Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swamptroll Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Welcome Bert Don't forget to check out NYSDB Genesee forge your local ABANA group. The meet in Marion at this time. Next meeting is 3rd Saturday in September. Website is <http://www.nysdb.org/>. I hope to see you there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bert145 Posted August 6, 2011 Author Share Posted August 6, 2011 mcbruce, CurlyGeorge, Mark and Swamptroll, thanks for the welcome. mcbruce, you're right, I've found more answers to blacksmithing questions here than on any other web site. CurlyGeorge, I appreciate your advice on posting pix here, but I think I'll hold off on loading up the IFI web masters' work until I'm doing something that merits either closer examination for problems or real specific questions I've got. In the meantime, the simpleton stuff I'm doing is on my web site. Mark, yeah I've got something of a feel for how metals act - but I've got to say, I'm glad I kept my mouth shut around here. I've been humbled by the difference between welding/fabricating and blacksmithing. Swamptroll, I did things kind of bass akwards - joined ABANA first, then found out about the NYSDB. I'll be joining up as soon as I can afford it and afford the time - which will probably work out to around mid to late winter. Looking forward to meeting you too! Again, thanks to you all, Best regards, Bert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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