LawnJockey Posted April 28, 2014 Share Posted April 28, 2014 I think blacksmithing has always been a destination for me, I just didn't know it. My first job was at an old WWII shipyard doing layout work in the plate and angle shop. That was back in the early 70s. I quit that job after I got a mild chemical burn in my eyes. That injury opened my eyes, I realized all my co-workers were either limping, missing fingers or an eye, or otherwise disfigured. I quit soon thereafter. After that I spent many years in various building trades and working on boats. I love figuring out how to do or make something with what is on hand. I am a firm believer that often the most valuable tool is the "thinking chair". I have a pretty big shop behind my place where I do all sorts of wood and metal fabrication for my personal needs. Recently I build a sheep wagon. I started by purchasing a boat trailer off of CL (the easiest way to get title and registration) then I took it apart and welded it back up to the proper dimensions. I built the sheep wagon upon this. I just finished a six week road trip with the sheep wagon. I had a lot of time to think about how some of the store bought hardware was lacking for the purpose. During the trip I stopped at every Ag museum I came across so I saw lots of blacksmithing shops. I have always been a sucker for such places. Being a slow learner the thought of doing my own smithing didn't pop up right away. When it did it seemed so obvious. I am already set up of basic metal fab but I don't have blacksmithing specific tools other than a large selection of hammers. As the idea of blacksmithing festered in my mind I realized that I have just about everything needed to make a brake drum forge in my scrap rack. There is the large brake drum off an old F250 that I have had sitting under the bench for years. I had been thinking it would make a nice base for a grinder pedestal but now I know better. I have a couple of RR Tie anvils around so there is something to pound on. My main interest is in making hardware and also wood stoves. In the past I have made several small wood stoves for my own use. Hardware for them has always been a problem. I would be very interested in connecting with others in my area to learn skills and I am always on the look out for tooling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted April 28, 2014 Share Posted April 28, 2014 Welcome to I Forge Iron, as for meeting smiths in your area, that may or may not be possible, because I do not get to China often. This is a world wide forum, if you post a country or state that may help let people know where your area is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chinobi Posted April 28, 2014 Share Posted April 28, 2014 unless the thread was edited the title shows 'Livermore california' :) steve does have a point though, you will be doing yourself a service to update your profile with your location so it will show up beneath your name when you post, that way subsequent topics can get more directed feedback. that said, welcome aboard! I hate to say it but you literally JUST missed the California Blacksmith Association spring conference, which was held down at the antique steam and gas museum in Vista CA, a little north of San Diego, from your road trip description I think you would have had a blast there, they have hundreds of old tractors and steam engines on display, and their blacksmith shop has a functional lineshaft powering several powerhammers and other tools. Being located where you are there is a strong CBA presence in close proximity to you, I would highly recommend checking out www.calsmith.org and becoming a member, their 'member year' has just rolled over (spring conference is kind of 'new years') so you will get the most bang for your membership dollar as you will get the full year, instead of partial if you join later on. there are a number of workshops held up in your area, but you might need to drive a little to get there, check the site to see what is coming up as they are recurring and pretty frequent. welcome again! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LawnJockey Posted April 28, 2014 Author Share Posted April 28, 2014 Thank you. I noticed several antique tractors on trailers west bound on I 40 late last week. There were also some north bound on I 5 and 99 so there must have been a show in the Valley too. I have been looking at the resources on the CBA site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted April 28, 2014 Share Posted April 28, 2014 Welcome aboard, glad to have you. The CBA is an active bunch, great guys. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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