February 24, 20251 yr Introducing myself here, started that login issues discussion but I didn't want to add to that one anymore. My name is John. Wife and three adult kids, one kid just got out of the Army after 5 years and she's with us for a bit, our son is going in end of this month working on UH-60 Black Hawks, and oldest girl is married off and happy. I met my wife of 34 years when I was stationed in Panama from 89-91 (Army). I'm getting ready to retire the end of this year from a career in Land Surveying. I'm a woodworker at heart and been looking into blacksmithing for a couple years now. Favorite things to do is woodworking, black powder revolvers and rifles, I also run a community forum for woodworkers, we focus on the craft and fundraising for our US Veterans and we participate in annual Christmas projects for our active duty over there. I have yet to set hammer to hot steel, I do have some parts to get started, been collecting items over the last 18 months but just haven't had the time to get going on it between family and work, but I expect when I retire and mama and me move to our forever home I'll be setting up shop for woodworking and smithing. My goal at this point is to forge architectural components for 18th and 19th Century furniture, such as hinges, hasps, latches, so I can incorporate them into my woodworking. Perhaps nails too? So far I have an old Cannedy Otto hand crank blower, a Whitlox mini wood fired forge, a few tools, a Vevor 66lb Anvil, some old hammers and a new one, a pair of tongs, I only need to get some tubing to connect my blower to the forge at this point, I hope to get it fired up within the next couple weeks and start hammering things and turn perfectly good looking steel into mush for a little while, starting out with chisels, and hooks and stuff like Black Bear suggests. It's been about a year and a half since I caught the blacksmith bug, and I think I've procrastinated enough. Can't wait to read all over this community and get to know folks, and read all about the talent here and take a ton of information away from here. Been pouring over videos, living the dream thru others at this point, I love Black Bear Forge, and a few others out there. Ok, enough about me, time to get around here and start reading all the wonderful topics. Perhaps someday in the far away future I'll have something to offer in the way of experience, but for now I am afraid I'll be taking more than giving around here as i just find my way around the proper way to even hold a blacksmith hammer and hit things with it. Thanks for having me.
February 24, 20251 yr Welcome aboard from 7500' in SE Wyoming. Glad to have you. It sounds like you will fit in very well, you have lots of interests that overlap with folk here. Also, there seems to be a higher percentage of veterans here than in the general population. There is probably a psychology or sociology thesis in studying the correlation between military service and being a "maker" of some sort. Sit down in a comfy chair with a beverage of your choice and spend an hour or two just browsing around on the IFI site. I suggest you may want to look at threads on improvised forges and anvils. There are a lot of good videos on You Tube and some really bad ones too. I like Black Bear Forge, JPL Services (our own Jennifer), Torbjorn Ahman from Sweden, and Christ Centered Ironworks. Some folk like Alec Steele but I find his presentation style kind of annoying but that may just be me. Look into joining a local affiliate of the Artist Blacksmith Association of North America. There is nothing like learning from someone already experienced in the craft to move you along quickly. Yes, you can be self taught. Lots of us have done it but it is not optimum. I started in 1978 with an anvil and forge I bought at an auction, some really nasty coal, some books from the library, and my own mistakes. This was pre-internet and there were no videos available. I didn't meet another smith until 10 or 12 years later. I probably still do some things bass ackwards from not having a teacher/mentor when I started. Good luck and feel free to ask any questions, we love to help beginners. "By hammer and hand all arts do stand."
February 24, 20251 yr Welcome from NW Florida, your old stomping grounds. Yes, blacksmithing is a manly art. If you aren't standing in front of a mirror wearing a coal dust smeared tank top, holding a 25# sledge, and admiring your bulging, flexed biceps, you're doing it wrong! You will begin to imagine how much more irresistible you are to your wife in this heightened state of manliness, anachronistic though it might be. You were born a century too late. But blacksmithing also has a softer, sensitive side. You'll find yourself saving June bugs from the swimming pool, imagining you are a benevolent, god-like being protecting all the creatures that reside in your domain. You'll spot a flower so beautiful that it brings a tear to your eye, and you forge a likeness from steel for your wife...who will say she's so tired of all the black metal things you're decorating the house with, and can you just paint them pretty colors instead. Dejected, you will sit down out by the chicken coop, pull your knees into your chest, and silently sob, questioning the very nature of existence in a universe that could very well be just a computer simulation, and its programmers are having fun at your expense.
February 24, 20251 yr omg MeltedSocks - that is humor right up my alley Welcome, John Morris! I love seeing the beautiful projects shared by those whom are skilled in woodworking. I find it fascinating. Side note: did you spell California with a K in reference to the movie? "Adele, what kind of cuckoo brain carries a cactus in her purse?!"
February 24, 20251 yr 46 minutes ago, Shainarue said: omg MeltedSocks - that is humor right up my alley What are you talking about? This is my life!
February 24, 20251 yr Welcome aboard John, glad to have you. If you put your general location in the header you'll have a better chance of meeting up with members living within visiting distance. Uh . . . Shaina, after reading that I wouldn't let melted socks anywhere near your alley! Frosty The Lucky.
February 25, 20251 yr 5 hours ago, Frosty said: Uh . . . Shaina, after reading that I wouldn't let melted socks anywhere near your alley! Hey!
February 26, 20251 yr On 2/23/2025 at 6:40 PM, John_Morris said: black powder revolvers and rifles, Welcome from the Ozark mountains. From one Vet USCG (Vietnam era 1964-1970) to another. We have a lot of us on this forum Amazing how Vets seem gravitate to firearms and blacksmithing. I started out as a puppy in black powder when my grandfather taught me to shoot his original Ohio Vincent 36cal flintlock long rifle. Been hooked since then 1954 and have collected all sorts of rifles, smooth bores, pistols and cap&ball revolvers not forget black powder MILSURP cartridge arms. I got into blacksmithing seriously when I met a master blacksmith, Isaac Doss who was still working in his shop at 84 years old in 1984. I posted that info in a thread about that. My grandfather got me interested as a kid with stories when he was in the army under Gen. Blackjack Pershing and chasing Poncho Villa all over the SW, his rating in the army was blacksmith. https://www.iforgeiron.com/topic/24374-interview-with-a-blacksmith/ You are in luck we have a sub forum for just that. https://www.iforgeiron.com/forum/214-gunsmithing-muskets-flintlocks-etc/ Randy I can’t control the wind. All I can do is adjust my sails. ~Semper Paratus~
February 26, 20251 yr Author On 2/23/2025 at 10:13 PM, George N. M. said: Welcome aboard from 7500' in SE Wyoming. Glad to have you. George, thanks so much, appreciate the welcome and I'll check out the resources you listed off. Appreciate that. Ya know, I'm thinking Veterans turn out to be crafty and makers cuz we broke a lot of things while in. LOL On 2/24/2025 at 5:59 AM, MeltedSocks said: You'll spot a flower so beautiful that it brings a tear to your eye, and you forge a likeness from steel for your wife...who will say she's so tired of all the black metal things you're decorating the house with, and can you just paint them pretty colors instead. I'm used to that level of abuse, after 34 yrs of marriage I've learned to lick my wounds and shut up, and pick the battle I know I can win, oh ya, and, never question how much she spent on hair, when she pushes back on a tool purchase. It don't end too well. Thanks for the welcome Melted Socks! On 2/24/2025 at 7:57 AM, Shainarue said: Side note: did you spell California with a K in reference to the movie? "Adele, what kind of cuckoo brain carries a cactus in her purse?!" Well I'm not familiar with that movie Shainarue, my spelling may have a political bend to it, and reflecting back here, I should not have done that per the rules here. I'll be good from here on out. And thank you for the welcome! On 2/24/2025 at 12:08 PM, BillyBones said: Yep, a lot of us vets. Welcome aboard and thank you and your kids for serving. Thank you back Billy. And thank you for the welcome, appreciate it much sir. 21 hours ago, Irondragon Forge ClayWorks said: From one Vet USCG (Vietnam era 1964-1970) to another. A tip o my hat and bow to ya Randy, and WELCOME HOME! And thanks for bringing the old guns category to my attention here, I didn't even see that! This is going to be fun. My o my, what a storied history your family has, I'll scoot on over and visit those links you provided, thanks again sir.
February 27, 20251 yr Good Morning John, Welcome from just up the street, yeh and a little swim!! Talking about the pretty flower that you just "Have To" make. when you are done, do as Dorothy St......r does. Give it a tiny drop of the appropriate perfume. Don't shower it!! Lots of folks blending Wood and Metal. Can try a little Glass or Rocks, too!! Enjoy the journey!! Neil
February 27, 20251 yr I wouldn't sweat the spelling of California too much John, if you haven't heard from a mod or admin it's probably not over the line. If it turns into a topic, maybe. At least you're not calling it the people's republic of . . . That WOULD get the wrong kind of attention. I grew up in the San Fernando Valley from 4yro till I moved to Alaska. Be HAPPY guys I just deleted at least a page of old, Frost family goes to Cal. story! Anyway, the rule is easy. Don't post anything you wouldn't want to explain to a 5yro child, don't call names, fight, no religion, etc. and don't post commercial links to places that don't pay for advertising here. I forget how Glenn used to put it, "No fussing, no cussing, no . . .?" Guys? It takes some thought to discuss some things without running afoul of the rules, say discussing the iron work on a cathedral, especially posting pics. Sometimes a disclaimer will get you some extra slack but the guys making the actual decisions are human. If you disagree with them bring it up on the side rather than the forum. Things will go better all round. DANG I'm in a yakky mood this morning and I'm normally pretty yakky anyway! I think you'll fit in here, we're a creative bunch and work with such a wide range of media most anybody has a spot. Frosty The Lucky.
February 28, 20251 yr Author On 2/26/2025 at 6:15 PM, swedefiddle said: Can try a little Glass or Rocks, too!! Swede, thanks for the welcome, I'll tell ya what, so many crafts to be involved in, so little time on earth! Add to that list, Leather. Thanks again. 19 hours ago, Frosty said: I think you'll fit in here, we're a creative bunch and work with such a wide range of media most anybody has a spot. Thanks Frosty, and I'll heed your advice here. As far as California goes, biting lip, I'm bleeding out right now.
February 28, 20251 yr Ah heck John, a large % of what I know I learned here and I'm wrong so often I stopped counting and honestly appreciate corrections. Don't worry, the bleeding stops eventually, I stopped adding to the wound more than 50 years ago. Still have a few scars though. The wife and I visited a few years ago, she had a seminar her boss paid for and her wages to attend and I went as a 2for deal on the flight. All but a couple of my old friends had moved or died, a couple of the old hangouts remained even our old Shakey's. Only a few things were familiar Alvera Street had changed but was essentially the same place and Griffith's park was pretty familiar. But coming in for the landing was the only time it looked like my old home town. Heck, 50 years has changed Anchorage to a very different city and the last 27 has changed Wasilla from a decent small city to the land of city council interference ville. They seem to think they run everything and haven't learned anything from being slapped down almost constantly. Sorry Gang, that was a little too close to politics. I'll be quite now. Frosty The Lucky.
February 28, 20251 yr On 2/26/2025 at 6:38 PM, John Morris said: appreciate it much sir. Dont call me sir, i work for a living. Forum etiquette, my general rule is if i wont say it in front of my granddaughter i wont say it here. And like my papa always said "politics and religion have no place in polite conversation". Also watch regional sayings. My run in with admin, and a phone call from Glenn, was over a regional saying that would be considered racist in other places. But in Louisiana is considered almost a complement.
February 28, 20251 yr They say "you can't go home again" and it's true. Sometimes there isn't too much change, the guy you went to high school with is now running his father's hardware store and there are still some of the same businesses selling the same things. But sometimes the change is head spinningly dramatic. In my case my old neighborhood on the south side of Chicago changed ethincally and went from being a solid middle class neighborhood to something much lower socio-economically. When I have gone back it's like a neutron bomb went off and took all the people and left just the buildings. It looks very much the same but is now very different. Rapper Kanye West grew up about 2 blocks from where I did (but about 30 years later). Rappers have referred to my old neighborhood as "Terror Town." A very odd mental experience. That said, Chicago stopped being "home" very soon after I left and became just a place where my folks and some of my old friends lived. GNM
February 28, 20251 yr Time is like a river. You can never step into the same river twice. Are we getting old or what George? Frosty The Lucky.
March 1, 20251 yr or What!! Growing Old is compulsory. Growing Up......it ain't gonna happen!!!! Neil
March 3, 20251 yr Author On 2/28/2025 at 9:01 AM, Frosty said: I stopped adding to the wound more than 50 years ago. Mine stops in a year, retiring Dec 31 this year, selling our home, should be out by next spring and moving east. Growing up as a kid and younger adult here in So Cal was a wonderful experience, it was really nice, but at this point, outta here! I'd always thought Alaska would be really nice I always though, but my wife could not handle the cold, she's pretty warm blooded from Panama, so we are looking at the Carolinas. On 2/28/2025 at 9:25 AM, BillyBones said: But in Louisiana is considered almost a complement. You can call me what you want, just not late for dinner. Our Americans have forgotten what humor and thick skin looks like. On 2/28/2025 at 11:06 AM, George N. M. said: the guy you went to high school with is now running his father's hardware store Most my friends I hung with and went to school with George are dead. Today, I'd not want to know them, nor myself when we were younger. Left for the Army, came back and they were still doing the same ol things, self destructive behavior leading to a life of deadends and or jail. Army saved my life. That being said, the town I grew up in was nice, a little beach town named Ocean Beach, San Diego, now it's ridden with homelessness and crime and the once pristine store fronts along the small main st that was mainly mom n pop hardware stores and gift shops and cafes, are now vape shops and weird pop culturish type of head shops and gift shops, attracting a strange crowed with dread locks and sticks hanging out of their hair. Ya, what a long strange trip it's been indeed. On 2/28/2025 at 10:29 PM, swedefiddle said: Growing Up......it ain't gonna happen!!!! That's the spirit Swede!
March 4, 20251 yr 4 hours ago, John Morris said: my wife could not handle the cold, she's pretty warm blooded from Panama, so we are looking at the Carolinas. Too bad that you need to be somewhere warm because it really sounds like you'd fit in well in the Rocky Mountains in general and Wyoming in particular. My wife, Madelynn, is originally from Florida and she and her late husband lived a lot of years in the southern US. When were looking at places to retire and we settled on Laramie and told her that the record high temperature here was 94 degrees and that she'd never see triple digits again she had some difficulty in processing that fact. The summers here are primo and while I have never found the winters to be that hard they can be long. Spring comes late at 7500 feet. Madelynn's folks originally retired from central Florida to western North Carolina (near Murphy) and liked it but it became unfeasible when her mother's health began declining. As far as I can tell and depending what a person wants western NC is much preferable to the hotter and humider eastern portion of the state. Good luck. We took our time and visited a number of places before buying our last home. Do your research and make an informed decision and consider the climate in all 4 seasons.
March 4, 20251 yr I'm in Wasilla just a few miles from Cook Inlet with it's 30' tides. It connects to the Pacific and the Japanese current. We've had a few long sub zero stretches but generally it's pretty mild. This winter I think we had 3 days with lows a few degrees below. Summers are mild, 80f is rare and comment worthy, high 60s to mid 70s is the norm in summer. The daylight is a fun ride, 19+ hrs of daylight in June and just a little over 4hrs daylight in December. Spring, what I call rush season the daylight increases about 5-6 minutes a day, you can tell the days are getting longer every day. It's the rush. Of course after June they start getting shorter into fall and winter's long dark. Pick where you live so you're close to State maintained roads for the best winter driving but you get used to it soon enough. Think Wasilla Ak. Maybe come up on vacation and take a look around. There are some really outstanding tours, we take folks on a glacier cruise when their schedule allows. Frosty The Lucky.
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