September 19, 201312 yr If all goes as planned I'll be there early Friday afternoon. I'll have a couple of old Champion fireboxes, an old champion blower, some tongs, tire making tools. some of my books (A Blacksmithing Primer) and my forged bronze belt buckles. Stop by and say "Hi!". I'm looking forward to seeing old friends and making some new ones!
September 22, 201312 yr Looking forward to my second QS. 600 mile run from NJ. I will be packed up Tuesday afternoon, and on the road by 530 am Wednesday morning. Dinner in Ohio Wednesday night. I am looking forward to meeting some of the IFI members again this year.
September 22, 201312 yr Greetings , Looking forward to meeting you.. Been going for many years ... If you find Wayne you are close to me.. He and I have been SOFA buddies for a long time. Are you camping ? Forge on and make beautiful things Jim
September 23, 201312 yr Greetings , Looking forward to meeting you.. Been going for many years ... If you find Wayne you are close to me.. He and I have been SOFA buddies for a long time. Are you camping ? Forge on and make beautiful things Jim No camping. Staying at a local motel. I like my bed, shower, and in room can. I will be parking my 4 door GMC across from where Matchless sets up. And wandering around all day.
September 23, 201312 yr Going down Thursday night and will be bunking with Bob Trout, one of the demonstrators, in a local establishment. I will be wearing the IFORGEIRON t-shirts friday and saturday, stop me if you see me, I will be hanging around the Alabama GROUP and Steve at Matchless antiques.
September 24, 201312 yr All loaded on my end. Quick stop to load more and pickup two other fellows. Then the long westward run down the Pa Tnpk, and 70, then 75. Lots of highway miles ahead. First long run for my truck. On the road at 525 AM Wednesday morning.
September 24, 201312 yr I hope all y'all have so much fun the UN has to step in to stop it and you find so many great deals your vehicle springs invert on the trip back home. I'm just going to stay here staring at the walls and eating my own cooking... Maybe next year...
September 24, 201312 yr I thought I was going to make it this year. But as seems to happen most years this seems to be my busiest time of year again. All the people who didn't get around to ordering things they needed over the summer because they were either on holidays or thinking about holidays order them mid September and want them right away because they should have been ordered in the summer. I cannot afford to take off Friday and Saturday. In the past 2 weeks I got an order of 2 large patterns (about 150hrs), about 800lb of steel dropped off that has to be made into scrolls and rings (luckily someone else is doing all the fabricating) 8 pairs of tongs mostly 5' long 8 watermain valve keys and an old corebox will be dropped off tomorrow that needs to be replaced. As well I have 100 drifts to forge. It's a good problem to have but all this work needs to be done in the next 3-4 weeks. 2 weeks ago I was a little worried because I had almost no work.
September 25, 201312 yr Since I can't be there is anyone else going to wear lederhosen and an aloha shirt on Friday in honour of RAH and Paw Paw Wilson?
September 25, 201312 yr I lost my ride and room and don't want to do that trip on my own. So looks like I won't make it this year. Bummer! You all have a great time!
September 25, 201312 yr TP, you wear those together, right? Can't believe there's no rain in the forecast this week.. anything you'd like us to be on the lookout for in the tailgate section for you ;) ?
September 25, 201312 yr Yup it's from a quote in Heinlein's "Glory Road"; Paw Paw was the only one who recognized that right off the bat; so I try to wear them Friday at Q-S in his memory.
September 25, 201312 yr Only 645 miles to go 200 done. What is best route thru Indy west 74 to east 70 during evening rush.
September 25, 201312 yr By air.... When I go it's more like a 1500 mile trip, luckily I have kids in AR and OH!
September 25, 201312 yr Usually in February and usuall quite close to where I'm working now; apx 36 miles instead of 150; shoot I even have a couple of extra bedrooms...
September 26, 201312 yr I'll be there Friday only this year again. I enjoy Quad State. I'll have a out a trade blanket with lots of goodies, and Bluegrass music playing on the boom box, so stop by and introduce yourself !! My quest this year is to trade for some offset tongs. Ohio Rusty
September 28, 201312 yr Update from post above. It was nice to see all the stuff I couldn't afford. Gotta get car brakes and fuel oil for winter. I did get a pair of cheap tongs and an inexpensive cone mandrell for my anvil. Ohio Rusty
September 29, 201312 yr My first SOFA event. After a 12 hour trip and camping in the field with the lights on I learned to sleep with a well lite tent. But the fellowship was oustanding.. Nice to see some of the previously made friends from other events. So now I am looking forward to next year. Carry on
September 29, 201312 yr Greetings David, Just got home from SOFA.. I got there Wed. and had a blast... Been going for many many years... Sorry I missed meeting you.. I met 4 other IFI folks and it was fun putting a face to my IFI friends... Next year I hope... Forge on and make beautiful things.. Jim
September 29, 201312 yr Jim Coke, it was a pleasure hanging with you, and you are a really sneaky fellow grabbing our dinner check on the way out, that was a really classy move, it is good to call you friend, and I will get you back for that!!!! I will be in touch... black frog was pretty cool too, it was nice to see DK and all of the rest of you guys, made it to Atlantic city safe and sound.
September 29, 201312 yr Well darn, I wonder how many others I missed. I did get to talk a bit with Tim Miller, and saw Clifton Ralph, Aaron Cergol, Dave Custer (who's team won the nail forging contest) and Bad Rodger 781 (not like you can miss him in that tie-dye). And if I had 10X the cash I brought, it still would not have been enough for all the toys I wanted. 3!!! monster 200+ pound post vises, and a couple of the chain drive Fishers. Collections of 50+ tongs, whole sets of sheet metal tools, row upon row of anvils, cones, swage blocks..... I've got to stop, the drool mixed with the tears is hard on the keyboard. As someone noted on a hand written sign: Welcome to blacksmith Christmas.
September 29, 201312 yr Greetings Mike, The Black Frog Zipped out and out foxed me on that check... Pass the thanx on to him... I spent a lot of time with the newbie and had fun showing him the ropes .. I had a blast and if you need some help with your new shop give me a shout... Forge on and make beautiful things Jim
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