I know some of you all have small things you make to put money back into the hobby . and I thought I would start this tread so that we could all exchange idea's . anything to make a buck off. like hooks and stuff...Thanks in advance for your input..

s hooks; pick a catalogue for reenactors, and I make a similar product. also, brass brooches, camp gear, etc.

Leaf Key rings, Bottle openers.

Mostly general camp gear, with a few small knives thrown in.

I do alot of re-enactment as well as demonstrating in non-re-enactment event and also events with the blacksmith guild. The wife gets upset cause most of my weekends are book from May - October.

But he is a list of items that work for me.

From Horseshoes:

• Hearts
• Hoof picks
• Fish
• knife
  

From Railroad spikes:

• Coat Hooks
• Knife
• Steak Turner
  

From Horseshoe nails:

• ladels
• spoons
• the above as keychains also
• rings, made cold or hot
• bend the point into a loop and put on a key chain
  

Misc:

• handmade nails
• hand made nail key chains
• leaf key chains
• steak turners
• dinner bells
• s-hooks
• letter openers
• small forks
• flint strikers
• stick in the ground beverage holders
• I have a jig for making corting candles in less that 15 mins
• cowboy hats they are fun to watch being made
  

I have a jig for making corting candles in less that 15 mins

Can we see a picture of this? it sounds like something I would be interested in trying.

Can we see a picture of this? it sounds like something I would be interested in trying.

Yes please.

Frosty

I have had great luck with the Fredericks crosses, I get some white modeling clay, texture it to look just a little like a skull, and mount the cross into it. People eat em up. The small camp grills go well too!

I discovered that at a lot of the craft shows, there is almost nothing for kids to buy. I made some Arrowheads by modifying a leaf pattern, hammering it to simulate chips from knapping, curled the stem over and hung it on a leather thong. I got $5 each and made a fair number of sales because nobody else was catering to the kids. Little boys bought mostly arrowheads but a few girls bought tiny horseshoes, too.

I will try to get some pictures of it tommorow with description and dimensions. It uses 1/4 round at about 54" long.

But he is a list of items that work for me.
Misc:

• cowboy hats they are fun to watch being made
  

Cowboy hats- could you elaborate on that?

I have posted a pictoral of the making of the cowboy hat in an album in my Gallery. They neat to make and people are amazed at the fact that you can.


The picture should take you there and look in the cowboy hat album

Here's a new one for me. My wife cans veggies, etc, and wanted to know if I could make a can opener to remove the flats from canning jars. Here's what I came up with.

Canning Jar Opener - Blacksmith Photo Gallery
Canning Jar Opener - Blacksmith Photo Gallery

Not sure how much to sell these for. It only took about 15 minutes. How's Five bucks? Too high/low, or about right?

Edited October 1, 200817 yr by CurlyGeorge

What are your measurements of everything, stock, swage and tools for shaping.
Thanks the pictures are great.
Travis

I used 5/16 sq stock. I cut it8 inches long. The lid hook, I just heated and scrolled over with a pair of needlenose pliers. No swages used. Just the hammer, anvil and needlenose.

Curly George, that canning jar opener is a neat idea........I gotta make one for the wife
Thanks for posting that!

Glad you like that, James. I made one for her to use at the historic site that we go to. She liked it so well, I got drafted to make one for her, for home. LOL.

Reb, thanks for taking the time with the cowboy hat pictures!
James

I dig that hat!!! About what size disk, dapping tube and punch are you using?

Cool stuff guys, keep it coming! Thanks, Phil

Here's a shot of one of my trinket items - Iron worry stones

Made from 3/4" x 1" mild steel plugs left over from a punching process.

Flatten them down under my air hammer then grab whatever is in the studio (bolts, washers, welding wire etc.) to impress a pattern.

I charge 3 bucks apiece or 3 or more for 2.50 ea.

Kids and adults love em'.

Here's a shot of one of my trinket items - Iron worry stones

Made from 3/4" x 1" mild steel plugs left over from a punching process.

Flatten them down under my air hammer then grab whatever is in the studio (bolts, washers, welding wire etc.) to impress a pattern.

I charge 3 bucks apiece or 3 or more for 2.50 ea.

Kids and adults love em'.

this is an excellent use of scrap. I like the fact that each one is unique

Thank all of you for sharing these great ideas.
I want to especially thank Curly George and Civilwarblacksmith.
Not only have the two you made us benefactors of your knowledge and talent over time, but I believe you are both just plain good old stewards and contributors to I Forge Iron.
You both seem to go the extra mile as to make the effort to keep things interesting and knowledge productive here at I Forge Iron.
Thanks again!
Ted T

Edited October 1, 200817 yr by Ted T

cheers to that!

this is an excellent use of scrap. I like the fact that each one is unique

Thanks!
All my work is made from reclaimed materials - its one of the most enjoyable parts of smithing for me, finding something that has no perceived value and turning it into useful things.

Reb, just viewed your pictorial on how to make a cowboy hat. MOST impressive! Good detail where needed and excellent pictures. Thank you for sharing!