MastaStan Posted September 2, 2017 Share Posted September 2, 2017 Finally got my new anvil fixed to it's base today. (Huge ash stump) I received a huge amount of attention from my 6year old son Brandon Cai. What better to do than to let him use his initiative and make something. I let him loose on a railway spike and he decided he wanted to make a snake coat hook. I didn't touch the piece, apart from holding it with tongs, holding a punch for eyes and a screw hole and also I was guided to put a bit of detail on the snakes head. Start them young (safely), I wish I could go back in time, I'd be a pro lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted September 2, 2017 Share Posted September 2, 2017 Looks like time for another anvil. In the mean time a duck board to bring him to forging hight will work. Their is also nothing wrong with re handling 2-3# hammers to make him mini sledges. Seriusly 16 oz hammers with shortened handles (have him cup the head in his hand and cut the handle elbo length for hand hammers and arm pit length for sledges. Imagine what he can do in just a few short weeks with his own tools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MastaStan Posted September 2, 2017 Author Share Posted September 2, 2017 Thanks Charles, all taken onboard. Brandon had the choice of about 18 different hanmers and two anvils (other one just out of view, and slightly lower. Although still too high, he had to make do) He thoroughly enjoyed it so it's just going to get better and better. He's feeling like a man tonight!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lionel h Posted September 2, 2017 Share Posted September 2, 2017 Good job young man, you did much better than my first , through twenty attempts, to make something other than making it into scrap. Good work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted September 2, 2017 Share Posted September 2, 2017 The question is who had more fun? Lol Forgot, you will have to hook him up with his own forge at anvil hight I have been slowly working that way for grand kids So which anvil will be his? I would love to see the 1/2 size tools for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MastaStan Posted September 2, 2017 Author Share Posted September 2, 2017 We both bounced off each other it was so much fun. Much to his mothers dismay... Argghh what are you doing?!? Big learning curve for both of us... Him in what he can achieve ...and me in how much I can trust him! He gives me a reason for pretty much everything I do! He has been donated my much shorter anvil/stand. And on your advice we will be making some smaller hammers! 16 minutes ago, Lionel h said: Good job young man, you did much better than my first , through twenty attempts, to make something other than making it into scrap. Good work! Thank Lionel. He did so well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLAG Posted September 2, 2017 Share Posted September 2, 2017 Lovely young fellow. Great craft to start on. And he has a whole lifetime to enjoy it! Glenn's son started a little bit older, but not much. If he is slated to have more sessions, could you arrange to have him wear a pair of leather shoes? Synthetics are not advised. Neither are rubber material. Great start. I'm jealous. All the best to all of you. SLAG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MastaStan Posted September 2, 2017 Author Share Posted September 2, 2017 I know what you mean Slag, I would have had him much more dressed for the occasion but it was completely off the cuff. They are leather shoes but he needs some little leather work boots and some overalls that come over the boots. He wanted to start work in flip-flops and shorts so I did my best lol. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLAG Posted September 2, 2017 Share Posted September 2, 2017 Leather flip flops? or leather open toed sandals? Nahhh! SLAG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MastaStan Posted September 2, 2017 Author Share Posted September 2, 2017 Plasticy flip flops..... I said go and get dressed. You need ....at very least trousers, jumper, socks and shoes. Oh and don't forget the specs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted September 2, 2017 Share Posted September 2, 2017 The way to solve the leather shoe problem is to make a pair of tie on leather spats. That way he can wear the shoes that are most comfortable but still no flip flops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MastaStan Posted September 2, 2017 Author Share Posted September 2, 2017 We'll see, tomorrow he might be into UFC lol you know what kids are like, I was!...If he wants to carry on (strong possibility!) then he will be kitted out 100%. Good idea on the leather spats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLAG Posted September 2, 2017 Share Posted September 2, 2017 I.D.F.C., Leather spats. Brilliant idea. SLAG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted September 2, 2017 Share Posted September 2, 2017 Wish I could take credit for the spats. A life member of our club BOA (Blacksmith Organization of Arkansas) Mark Morrow introduced them to us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MastaStan Posted September 2, 2017 Author Share Posted September 2, 2017 Big up to you and the BOA! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted September 3, 2017 Share Posted September 3, 2017 Please post him with his scaled down tools Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MastaStan Posted September 3, 2017 Author Share Posted September 3, 2017 4 hours ago, Charles R. Stevens said: Please post him with his scaled down tools I will do. He did use a lot of different hammers as he went along. But I'll definitely take your advice and make him some of his own. Hes going to be having the 'train track anvil' on the left. He preferred it yesterday. Thanks Charles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Stephens Posted September 3, 2017 Share Posted September 3, 2017 Give Brandon a piece of modeling clay, he can work out the steps of what he wants to make, before he does it on the anvil, and dress anyway he wants. And MastaStan, remember, patience, patience, patience. Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmoothBore Posted September 3, 2017 Share Posted September 3, 2017 In my opinion, ... having a bit of "downsized" gear is a good thing, ... but far from essential. Hands-on lessons about perseverance and overcoming adversity have a lot of value as well. The thing that immediately registered with me, was the psychological benefit of successfully accomplishing a new and difficult task. That self-confidence is an invaluable "tool", ... that will always "fit" his hand. And one that is sorely lacking in the majority of his, video game obsessed, nanny-state coddled peers. ----------------------------------------------------- While past generations were often forced by necessity to "grow up" too fast, ... it seems some of the current ones never do ..... . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted September 3, 2017 Share Posted September 3, 2017 You can make spats out of worn out welding gloves as it's usually the fingers and palms that go first, while leaving the fingers on is much more humorous they are a trip hazard... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MastaStan Posted September 3, 2017 Author Share Posted September 3, 2017 Al, SmoothBore and Mr Powers Thank you for your comments and advice. Much appreciated and taken onboard. Thank you very kindly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will W. Posted September 4, 2017 Share Posted September 4, 2017 Good on you Stan. You may have just stoked the flames of a future blacksmiths fire. He will remember and cherish the time he spends at the forge with you. And I agree with Smoothbore, it is vital that the younger generations learn to make things with their hands, see that the world is not all digital. It teaches them the value of hard work, and the sense of confidence when a seemingly insurmountable challenge is overcome. Keep at it with him! And keep us updated on what he makes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted September 4, 2017 Share Posted September 4, 2017 Remember that he might stop at some point only to take it up again later in life---don't let his equipment wander off! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted September 4, 2017 Share Posted September 4, 2017 Won't be long, much of that equipment he will have made, stuff he can pass down to his kids. Half the fun will be remodeling his tools and workspace to fit him as he grows! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MastaStan Posted September 4, 2017 Author Share Posted September 4, 2017 Thanks Will, my wife and I do strongly believe in Brandon seeing the world around him 'hand's on'. We do a lot of walking and exploring. Brandon is constantly wanting to help in the workshop/garden and I try to accommodate him as much as possible. He does obviously do all the digital things, but we try to limit and spread that out. I was rather worried about him trying out blacksmithing....but he nailed it with the practical and the thinking/listening side! I'm very proud of him. He's back to school this week, so once he is settled we are going to hit the anvils again. Thank you all, again, for all your encouraging and kind comments. We are quite overwhelmed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.