G'day Wayne,
For all intensive purposes yes, the gum nuts are hollow. In reality they carry the seeds, but I generally make mine from tube/pipe and neck it down to form the stem

Here's a start for my donation towards the tree project - forged from 3/4" round S/S this leaf is 1-1/2" wide x 7" long x 3/16" in the center. - JK

Jeremy that's fantastic,as we say down here.a bloody ripper Mate.

Strine you go for your life mate,were all in this together,I only hope Blacksmiths from all over the World join in as well

Salty

That's great Jeremy,

What we need now is a whole lot more (from everyone, not (just) you Jeremy!), and please if you can post a picture of your leaves here on IFI, I'll put the whole lot up on the the tree project website when it's up and running (hopefully) in the next few days.
And please don't for a moment think "I don't have to make one, they'll have enough without one from me", because if we have to make two trees to fit them all on we will! Maybe even a whole forest if we need to, so get out there and start hammering!

Thanks for your support.
Paul

I really want to, but my forge is under-going construction. luckily the due date is a few months away, I plan on donating a couple! I'M IN!

Here's a sample that I knocked up out of a piece of 12mm sq. just using the neck and taper technique. It's 120mm x 30mm (not including stem)

How thick do you want the stems on the leaves?

The stems on the leaves I'm making are about 1/4" round. - JK

Yeah 1/4" (6mm) is OK and if you can, about 2" (50mm) long, if they're too big we can easily cut some off. The one I posted yesterday has a stem of approx. 6mm at the thinnest part where it joins the leaf

Here's a couple leaves....gum nuts are next

Rich, what size stock did you use?

Top one was 5/8" round, bottom one was 1/2" round.

I'll have to pick up some stainless rod so I can start making some.

I have split the leaf memorial discussion from the prayer list Fires in Victoria in Oz

I'm with Richard - gum nuts are next on my list along with some more leaves. I should have enough S/S for at least 2 dozen leaves and a couple clusters of gum nuts, so the Australians can count on me for at least that many. I'll certainly make more if time and mat'ls are available. I am hoping anyone who can, will step up and forge a donation for this project. I'm looking forward to seeing it when it's done. -JK

Way to go JK! I am about half way done with my first one, I had to go to work, so it ended at the wrong time. but tommorrow, it should be done (or realllllly close) then on to the next one.

I think it'd be a good idea for those who wish make something for this project to post here and give them an idea as to how many they can expect to receive, so they know what size to make the tree/s - all for the purpous of expediting the planning process. - JK

IFI is not the only group adding leaves to this tree, as the Yahoo groups Blacksmith list is now on board as well. Small forest (that will not burn) may be in the making here.

That's great, I think the more the better, they will be putting trees together for years. It's amazing how something like this brings people together for a cause.

ok i got 2 rounds of leafs to make some to send to dale and some for the tom clark memorial

Just got finished making one, made from flat stock, sheesh stainless is not painless, just have not figured out how to get the stainless look back, any ideas?

Mike - I used a stainless steel wire wheel on an angle grinder to remove the dark forging color. - JK

Passivation of SS can be done with most any acid that does not contain chlorine.

Nitric is pretty popular, 20-40% 20-60- minutes at 70-100f. Acid into water, wear safety gear, etc. It's dangerous stuff be really careful!

Then there's Citrisurf available from Stellar Solutions

Vinegar will work but takes weeks.

You can also use a SS wire cup and polish it up.

Passivation is the removal of free iron from the surface leaving the chrome to oxidize and form a relatively impervious layer.

Frosty

Thanks Frosty, will muriatic work? here is a pic of my second and final leaf for the Oz project, it's a copper leaf, done in the roycroft style, chased and hammered, man it's been a while since I did any fine hammerin, be merciful guys!!

I`ll start making some leaves tommorow. I make some out of 1/2" &/or 5/8" . I`ll Post pictures, though i dont have a touch mark but I can stamp my intails (CDJ) and TENN. USA so they can be identifed.
Chris