Timothy Miller Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 My real name is Timothy Miller but you can call me Tim. I have been posting on here for about 2 years. I have been a member for some time longer than that. I decided it was time to use my real name and tell you a few things about my self. At first I did not take IFI very seriously I probably messed with a few people I shouldn't have but its in my nature to be a bit of pot stirrer. So to those I annoyed my apologizes. I have learned tones on this site. Special thanks to Grant, Larry, Frank Turly, Mr Powers, Ric Furrer, Randy McDaniel and Glen among others whom I forgot My first exposure to blacksmithing was at the age of 11. I saw a smith working at the local historical society his name was John folk. 10 years later we would reconnect and he would teach me. I watched him split and twist a bar of iron then cut it off in disgust. I watched the hot cut off hit the floor and burn the dirt. I think it burned into my brain it was at that moment I decided I wanted to be a blacksmith. It was the most fascinating thing I had ever seen up to that point. It was not until the age of 19 I got the opportunity to work in that same shop and truly begin to learn. I played around for a few years working on week ends, I also took a few classes at the Penland school of craft. In 1998 I got my BFA in metals from SUNY New Paltz. At the same time I had been working at a fab shop as their blacksmith. Working under a very skilled Grumman aircraft trained welder fabricator named Dan Smith. I continued at that job for a year then went out on my own. My older sister is also a blacksmith in 2003 she joined me to form Spirit Ironworks. She is my business partner she is an amazing designer and sales person. I am 38 for all of my adult life I have been a blacksmith. I have done a lot of different work over the years. Gates, railings, tools, restoration work, hardware, home furnishings, hollow-ware reppouse fire place accessories and sculpture. I never had a master though I have had a few very good teachers over the years. The most influential blacksmiths for me have been Nol Putman, Rick smith, Peter Ross, John Folks, and Clifton Ralph. I have studded under all of them except Clifton who twisted my arm to buy his DVD at quad-state a few years back. He is a power hammer wizard I strongly suggest you get a copy. I do not consider myself a master perhaps a competent journeyman. I also feel that wile I am able to make something beautiful I still have a long way to go. I hope to one day work at the highest levels of the craft. The last thing I want to say may not go down well with all but I feel it is important. I do feel we are too soft on bad ideas around here. I feel that we put too much importance into protecting peoples egos and encouraging people who may only have a passing interest in the craft. Wile what we should really be doing in my opinion is focusing on the propagation of good techniques and objective assessment of quality. I have had my work ripped apart by instructors, contractors and customers it hurt, cost me a lot of time and money but I learned from it and I am much better for it. There were times I wanted to give up. I know for many people this is just a hobby and they just want to have fun hang out with their friends and make a RR spike Knife or a steak turner. For me this is what puts food in my mouth, a roof over my head and fills my days with meaning. Finally Lets stay away from the mindless hero worship all the best smiths are dead anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petere76 Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 It's the journey my friend ... that leads you to whatever it is you will find. If you need critique, let the market be your master. Find solice, harmony and fulfilment in what you do and how you do it. Look inward, reflect and be at peace, for it is that season. All the best, Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nakedanvil - Grant Sarver Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 Hi Tim! I'm Grant and I'm a recovering blacksmith. Hang in there, you'll become less tolerant as you get older. As I like to tell students "Remember: there are no stupid questions; only the ones you ask"! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Miller Posted December 21, 2011 Author Share Posted December 21, 2011 Who says I want to recover? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marksnagel Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 Hi Tim, Thanks for your honest post. I am one of the hobby guys that really enjoy the craft. I have no aspirations to become more than a hobbiest however I do wish to learn all I can and pass on my love of blacksmithing to others. I have the greatest respect for anyone in any craft that has chosen to make this their livelyhood. I also look to and count on your input and advice. The only way that any of us hobbiests will learn and not bring discredit to blacksmithing is to listen to those with experience such as yourself. I thank you for your patience and willingness to teach. I do understand your feelings about those that only want to bang out rr spike knives and steak turners however I ask that you bear with us. We seem to be looked at as a lower life form by some, not all, but some. We may not have had the priviledge or ability to start at a young age or may not have the opportunity to fulfill our aspirations of becoming a "Master Blacksmith" due to location, status in life, or just plain old chain of events. I started when I was 51. I served in the US Coast Guard for 20 yrs as a Boatswains Mate and have captained and/or run vessels up to 110ft. I try not to look at those of you that own runabouts or other small boats as a nusance or just wannabes although sometimes that is difficult given the way some people act. It is the love of something that keeps it alive to many of us. Again, my thanks to you and all of you that are willing to put up with those of us that ask the questions that you feel are no brainers. Don't hold back when you have an honest opinion and continue to tell us what you think. It the only way we will learn. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dillon Sculpture Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 Hey Tim, I too feel there is a bit of sidestepping but also realize you have to start somewhere and most people don't take to degrading criticism. I really don't give a, who you are if the work is heart felt and you put in the time I'll be the first to step up and congratulate you in your efforts. That being said, I would like to encourage people to show more of their work (hint, hint) and offer up some constructive criticism in a manner that is helpful to the work. I have benefitted greatly from the suggestions of many of the finest blacksmith from all over the world right here and I thank you. I do however wish that some of the more advance smith, like yourself would direct their attention towards some of the advanced work and tell us what you would do to better it. Thanks, and welcome to IFI! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 "Some folks call him----Tim" Welcome under your own name! I feel that posting under my real name helps remind me that everything I say *is* connected to me. And yes sometimes I am a grouch and sometimes I'm frivolous; but all times I am *me*! Getting a BFA introduced you to an important part of "real" art and that is criticism. Many people do not have the experience of standing there and getting their work critiqued by pro's---it's a valuable experience especially if you learn how to accept the criticism of your work as not a criticism of yourself. I tend to not post "oh pretty" comments; but will sometimes make a suggestion. Hardest for me is when I can see that the work is well done indeed; but the design is "not to my taste". I sometimes post those very words for objects that I would not accept as a gift but others might rave over. So be true to yourself but remember "if you can't say something nice; perhaps it's best to skip that thread..." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Dean Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 If you take a look at the survey that was taken a few yrs back you will find that the overwelming majority of members here are hobbiest and newbies. I agree with you that criticism is good for you, makes you strive to do better, but not all are after that "perfect" piece. I started working metal back in '73 but not as a blacksmith. I am a Master weldor by trade but my passion is working at the forge. I do teach both, although my expertise is in the welding end, the students I have had at the forge have left with a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that they have started a journey into a wonderful craft. Had I been critical in their endevor they most likely would have given up. Like Mark mentioned, if you have spent your entire life working and perfecting something and you see the "weekend worrior" saying "Wow, I didn't know welding was so easy" (fit your own field of expertise in the line) it's easy to 'look down' on them. I totally agree with ThomasP in that "if you can't say something nice; perhaps it's best to skip that thread..." We don't HAVE to comment on EVERY thread. BTW, the "best smiths" are NOT dead...not by a LONG shot! You prooved that when you mentioned several in your post that you had the great fortune to learn under. My Mother once said that when you walk around with your nose so high you could drown.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southernforge Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 Welcome to the forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Miller Posted December 23, 2011 Author Share Posted December 23, 2011 What I meant by all the best smiths are dead is that in the past there were types of forging that we would be at a loss to preform even the best smiths. Some of these things I would not even imagined possible without seeing then first hand. Wile we could reproduce the object by other means we could not truly duplicate the object with the same techniques and materials. For example the breach loading cannons of the renaissance that were built up like barrels with rings shrunk on. Extremity large wrought iron anchors built up of smaller wrought iron billets. Locomotive spoked driving wheels that were forge welded together. Built up crank shafts made for steam engines. Large reppouse statues. Intricate masterpiece locks with dozens of moving parts all polished, chased and filed to perfection. All sorts of hand made tools that were made by specialists beautifully filed with with the thinnest tool steel edges welded in. Or even welding a high carbon steel face plate on an anvil they used 1045 at quad-state and never hardened the face. Wile some have dabbled in these areas none have truly achieved mastery equal to those in the past. That's what I mean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basher Posted December 23, 2011 Share Posted December 23, 2011 What I meant by all the best smiths are dead is that in the past there were types of forging that we would be at a loss to preform even the best smiths. Some of these things I would not even imagined possible without seeing then first hand. Wile we could reproduce the object by other means we could not truly duplicate the object with the same techniques and materials. For example the breach loading cannons of the renaissance that were built up like barrels with rings shrunk on. Extremity large wrought iron anchors built up of smaller wrought iron billets. Locomotive spoked driving wheels that were forge welded together. Built up crank shafts made for steam engines. Large reppouse statues. Intricate masterpiece locks with dozens of moving parts all polished, chased and filed to perfection. All sorts of hand made tools that were made by specialists beautifully filed with with the thinnest tool steel edges welded in. Or even welding a high carbon steel face plate on an anvil they used 1045 at quad-state and never hardened the face. Wile some have dabbled in these areas none have truly achieved mastery equal to those in the past. That's what I mean. nice re emergence. The great think about having such a talented modern group of people in the craft is that all the things you mention are doable and will be revisited at some point by the modern smiths , when the finance or free time is available people are drawn to the challenge. we as modern smiths are just as capable as our ancestors and given the necessity and means and time its all possible. now don't get me wrong human beings have always been ingenious capable and inventive I don't think its any different now. Most of us had a choice of being a smith or not and that makes for a motivated bunch of people. What we do is very simple really .....or is it! I think that the hobbyists are a very important part of keeping the craft alive and visible and it is often them who can get lost in trying time consuming stuff that keeps the pros away because they are busy keeping the wolf from the door. this is a great site and growing and drawing more talent and there is an underlying love for the craft that is what it is really all about . The way to deal with hero worship is to fill a site with talent , I agree more work being shown would be a great idea that way the egos get replaced by the work . as far as having your own name I think its a great idea . I took a fictitious forum name for the first time ever on this site and was greeted with "hello Owen " on my first post! go figure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dillon Sculpture Posted December 23, 2011 Share Posted December 23, 2011 I took a fictitious forum name for the first time ever on this site and was greeted with "hello Owen " on my first post! go figure. Maybe it was the beard that gave you away? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Miller Posted December 24, 2011 Author Share Posted December 24, 2011 You have a way with words Stewart, I hope to one day venture out your way and see your shop. owen I agree with all of what you said. The only thing I would add is that those things were done that way because that was the only way they could do those sorts of things. Smiths of previous generations were at the cutting edge of technology and culture. We are on the other hand rediscovering and reinterpreting previous outstanding achievements. With a few notable exceptions. Knife making is in my opinion the only place where smiths have perhaps equaled what has come before. Don't get me wrong there is a whole bunch of modern work that is beautiful and well executed. But it is in my opinion less technically sophisticated with less emphasis on formal design than work of previous times. Sadly I think we only have one or two generations more before fabrication methods become so advanced that hand work in any form will become hopelessly out classed in an economic sense. Its only a matter of time before they are 3D printing in steel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mainely,Bob Posted December 26, 2011 Share Posted December 26, 2011 Glad to meet you Tim. Don`t worry, we`ll round the corners off you in no time. Before you know it you`ll be as smooth as the rest of us over here in the 50+ crowd. You only have a couple of decades to go before you get where you need to be. Does this mean I can`t call you Southy anymore? Most of my buddies from down Boston way would take that as a compliment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Seelye Posted December 26, 2011 Share Posted December 26, 2011 It's a pleasure! I can't think of anything worse on here than not having an opinion. If you fear criticism... don't post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted December 27, 2011 Share Posted December 27, 2011 My great Grandfather was the smith in a small rural Arkansas USA town. There is much that he could do that I cannot. However there is much I can do and know that he did not---especially about alloys and heat treating and the "why?" of things. I could not point a plow properly for that area without a lot of practice. On the other hand he could not smelt iron from ore using medieval methods or do pattern welding. (and actually my ornamental work tends to be much "prettier" than his as he had a living to make and could not throw away extra time on the job...) I know of at least one armour maker who is doing Negroli level work when commissioned and one silversmith who can reproduce Sutton Hoo perfectly! The knowledge and skills are still around they just don't have the *patrons* willing to pay for their use! (I'd mention the re-discovery of the details about making wootz too!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Miller Posted December 28, 2011 Author Share Posted December 28, 2011 Lack of opportunity not lack of potential. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old N Rusty Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 Tim comes OUT! I think Tim got a lot to say, and PICS to show, that the biz Southshore Smiths, Like mine Arnold & Anvil Blacksmiths L.L.C., felt constrained to post because of the advertising rules of IFI. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basher Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 out of interest what are the anti advertising rules on IFI and how do they relate to showing ones work . if it is not offered for sale? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 The full posting of the rules are posted in the top of the tailgating forum. Basically, If you make an item to re sell, post it for free. If you are making items then its advertizing, and requires a small fee, talk to Glenn or Andrew if this applies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Miller Posted January 6, 2012 Author Share Posted January 6, 2012 I really have no intention of seeking buisiness on I Forge Iron. I may sell a tool now and then but what I do here is for fun, sharing and learning more about the craft. Sadly there are many jobs that I am unable to post photos of or discuss because contractural restrictions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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