Ratel10mm Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 Yeah mate, finally!! lol. Now I've just got to get on & finish all the projects I started at Jack's, Owen's, etc! :rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mad Uncle Cliff Posted July 22, 2009 Share Posted July 22, 2009 Hi all. I've finally got it together this afternoon & started doing SS leaves. Here's a picture of the first one. What I'd like to know is: Is it good enough for the project? It's definitely a leaf that's seen some life. However, I've been studying the leaves around here & not many of them are beautifully spear shaped & 'clean'. I intend to get better at these, but can I get suggestions for how this leaf would be better please? Cleaner edges? Better central vein (If so, how do you vein please?)? Lateral veins? Different finish (I did a brushed finish to black heat, then water quenched this one)? I think the next ones need to be thicker, as this one's possibly a bit thin to meet the specification. I want to make sure any leaves I send aren't going to detract from everyone else's. Thanks for taking a look. Those leaves look great to me, all of mine look like a herd of wombats ran over them, so don't worry about trying to have a 'neat' looking leaf. Your leaves look very natural and I reckon they will compliment the other leaves on the tree quite nicely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quang0 Posted July 24, 2009 Share Posted July 24, 2009 We're not going to knock them back, they'll fit right in on the tree for sure. The best way to finish the stainless is anneal it, and just leave the forge scale on unless you have access to pickles and passivators. Thanks for taking the time to contribute to the project. PaulHi all. I've finally got it together this afternoon & started doing SS leaves. Here's a picture of the first one. What I'd like to know is: Is it good enough for the project? It's definitely a leaf that's seen some life. However, I've been studying the leaves around here & not many of them are beautifully spear shaped & 'clean'. I intend to get better at these, but can I get suggestions for how this leaf would be better please? Cleaner edges? Better central vein (If so, how do you vein please?)? Lateral veins? Different finish (I did a brushed finish to black heat, then water quenched this one)? I think the next ones need to be thicker, as this one's possibly a bit thin to meet the specification. I want to make sure any leaves I send aren't going to detract from everyone else's. Thanks for taking a look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratel10mm Posted July 25, 2009 Share Posted July 25, 2009 Thanks all, I appreciate you taking the time to critique me. I'm glad they're up to scratch so far. This is the first time I've forged stainless, and I've found it really quite a nice material. Paul, I'm afraid I don't have vermiculite & can't get any right now, but I'll see if I can figure out something better than normalising & get making some more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy k Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 Paul - It looks like the leaf counter is still counting - that's great !!!! . Keep the pictures of the assembly processes coming. I most likely will not get to visit the site personally but I do enjoy looking at the pics you've posted so far. I like to see other peoples form of leaves - all of them will sure look great when it's all assembled. - JK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strine Posted August 16, 2009 Share Posted August 16, 2009 (edited) Hi all. Here's a picture of the first one. What I'd like to know is: Is it good enough for the project? It's definitely a leaf that's seen some life. However, I've been studying the leaves around here & not many of them are beautifully spear shaped & 'clean'. I intend to get better at these, but can I get suggestions for how this leaf would be better please? Cleaner edges? Better central vein (If so, how do you vein please?)? Lateral veins? Different finish (I did a brushed finish to black heat, then water quenched this one)? {previously answered queries not quoted} Thanks for taking a look. Ratel10mm I have found the trick to getting the "spear shape" (which is very much the shape of leaves on the Lemon Scented Gum overhanging my forge) is to taper your stock to a long taper, before flattening out and even then keep a keen eye on how it is spreading. If it's getting too wide somewhere, just turn it on its edge and bring it back on track, although the thinner it gets the harder it is to reduce the width. I have a "veining hammer" to do lateral veins and a "veiner" to do the central vein. Lateral veins can be got with a cold chisel for really sharp lines or a straight pein hammer for more of an impression of veins. Using the edge of the anvil also gives a nice effect and worth a try. You sort of hang the leaf over the edge of the anvil and hit it to leave a mark on the underside that extends to the centre of the leaf. It takes a bit of practise to find the right angle of hammer blow. The veiner is just a top and bottom tool much like two V's where the leaf is passed between them. Hope this helps. And yes, the latest TP News pikkies reveal what my avatar is all about!!! Edited August 16, 2009 by Strine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fadi Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 Hello Not too much English text. A photograph of end of demonstration (" chimes of anvils " ). In France it is the beginning of the summer but some sheets fell for the Australien tree. Pascal Hi all, 75 leaves were made last june by Pascalou and 39 other Blacksmithes around the Lou Foc association in Fontenilles - France. Our modest contribution flew this weekend into Sidney on a brand new Airbus A380 just delivered to Qantas Airways. The Qantas crew was so enthusiastic helping the project for their homeland. Thought you all should know how proud we all are to be in. Philippe from Lou Foc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mad Uncle Cliff Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 I saw the leaves from France the other day - magnificent! Now - please see my new post 'Calling all Queensland - Gold Coast blacksmiths WE NEED YOU! Yes - the Tree Project is coming to the Gold coast for three days and we need two portable forge and anvil set ups for a demo on Wednesday 23 September. So - please contact me via the post ASAP if you can help us out on the day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy k Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 Mates - How goes the tree? - progress report please - JK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanR Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 G'Day, just thought I would bring this to the front. Does anyone have any info on how the tree is going, the last news on the project website was from August. Cheers Ian Ross Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
double_edge2 Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 nothing as yet, a newsletter or update was meant to be sent to me but as yet nothing. i do know a few of the blokes are still madly making leaves, stems, and setting up the tree in general. im sure if you were wanting to send leaves they would take them.The Tree Project Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strine Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 nothing as yet, a newsletter or update was meant to be sent to me but as yet nothing. i do know a few of the blokes are still madly making leaves, stems, and setting up the tree in general. im sure if you were wanting to send leaves they would take them.The Tree Project We currently have a branch holding about 300 leaves which stem from a branch about 50mm diameter. To match that we are nearly ready to start another branch with most of the sticks and twigs and larger sections forged. We are also busy pickling, polishing and photographing sponsored leaves of which there are about 1000 made and another 400 odd to forge. On the technical side, a group of very savvy engineers are hard at it dealing with structural and logistical issues. Suffice to say we are moving along as fast as our normal commitments and day jobs will allow but it will take time. We are pretty right for leaves but as DE2 says we can still get new ones onto the Tree for a while yet. On the other hand we have decided on a rough formula for twigs and branches for our members to work to and if folks would like to help we could post a schedule but that's something for Quang0 to organize, ....or I can do it, but only with his nod. Watch this space! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanR Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 Strine, thanks for the update, I'm sure there's plenty of blokes out there keen to know how things are progressing. As there appears to be more leaves than originally estimated I can understand that there is plenty of work to be done and I appreciate you taking the time to keep us informed. Cheers Ian Ross Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dale Russell Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 Ian , i'll be doing more leaves today , but i'll save a few & bring em up ta MOONY'S & let youse make a " couple " Will also be doin' more branches today as well , mite take a few of those up as well & get MOONY / forgemaster ta show us ow real pros do it Dale Russell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanR Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 Thanks Dale, that'll great. I sent 6 leaves down not long after the project started, but I haven't done any since. It'll good to have another crack at it. Moony's weekend gettin' closer I'm countin' the days. Big month this one , got Moony's at the end and next week all being well getting a gum leaf/celtic knot tattoo. Cheers Ian Ross Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanR Posted October 16, 2009 Share Posted October 16, 2009 In an earlier post I said I hadn't seen any news on the project web site since August. I have the site saved as a bookmark and was explaining to our 22 yr old how I hadn't seen any news when he casually said "Do you refresh the page?", and lo and behold all the latest news and photos magically appeared! That large section of branch looks amazing, apologies to the team for my error. Cheers Ian Ross Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strine Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 That's allright IanR we here are all just mugs with hammers. We can't be expected to be masters of modern technology as well as the ancient. And Dale we can't wait to hear how the big stuff went up north. Fun was had by all I'm sure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strine Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 Hi Tree People, It's been a while since anything was posted as was pointed out to me by Dale today. So hopefully I can bring everyone up to speed. The sponsored leaves are nearly finished. The last tally of sponsored leaves I saw showed we are up to 1421 and there are quite a few still to be added to the list. We've been madly trying to get these done. Readers that have made a leaf will understand that just covering this obligation is a big job. Anyway there are less than 100 to do. Each and every one has been stamped and polished and forwarded to our photographer who has been busily snapping away, cataloguing, and emailing the photos to each sponsor. Dale picked up 130 sponsored leaves to stamp today out of the 180 he and a few mates whipped up around Christmas. That'll keep him quiet for a while! Great effort Dale. We have finally opened the OS boxes too. Wow! We are just awe-struck with the response. It is incredibly heartwarming to be a part of a community such as the world-wide Blacksmithing fraternity. These leaves also will be catalogued and photographed for the record. Many of the leaves were bundled together as a group but obviously made by a number of different smiths. Some are works of art while others clearly show the efforts of a brand new blacksmith but I know each and every last one of them has been forged from the heart and we thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. The leaf count is now well over the 3000 mark. Anyway since the leaves are just about done we are now thinking hard about forging the trunk. We have not quite decided whether the trunk will start at 200mm (8inches)or 300mm (12inches) but we know we can only purchase a 3m length. I'm sure the engineers will opt for the 300mm. They would wouldn't they! It is estimated this will forge to a length of about 7m depending again on what the engineers prefer. Adding a main branch to the top will take the Tree to about 9m or 30 feet. The main branches start at about 75mm (3inches) tapering to 6mm (1/4 inches) over about 2.5m. We have secured a Melbourne establishment specialising in heavy industrial forgings where we can forge the main branches. I'm sure this will be a most interesting excercise as most of us haven't worked in an environment where, for instance, there are ride-on-tongs...yes, I know... "Manipulators"! The smaller twigs and branchlets are well underway with some 3 or 400 leaves already attached to a parent structure of one description or another. And just for you Dale, to be set up in a few weeks, will be "e-news". I'm not sure what this is but it sounds good eh? I'm told that there you will find much more frequent updates especially since the updater wont be worried about managing all those leaves. In the meantime you can still checkout the web site. Lastly I'm not letting too much out the bag by saying we look like planting the Tree in late October or early November as that's when a particular mode of transport may become available if all goes well. We might have to work out how to transport a 9m high tree with a 5 or 6m ball of leaves and branches on the back of a truck or we may not! Absolutely nothing is for certain in this regard and to say anything further may only lead to disappointment. Fingers crossed! Cheers Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanR Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 Strine, thanks very much for the update, I too was wondering how things were going. What an amazing effort, every time I see news of the tree it seems to get bigger and bigger. Hope all goes well with the assembly and transport.One of my clients belongs to a garden club who raised some money for the project, I might copy your post and forward it to her, they will be keen to see how things are progressing. Cheers Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 Great to hear what a response you have had. I just went to check out the website but it seems to be down for me. Is that the same for everyone else? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strine Posted March 13, 2010 Share Posted March 13, 2010 Hi Stew, Yeh, it was down for a short while but seems to be working fine now....something about maintenance at the server end!! Cheers Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy k Posted May 1, 2010 Share Posted May 1, 2010 From the pictures of the leaves and the branches that have been started or in the works - this is going to be one Awesome Tree .tree project Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rthibeau Posted May 1, 2010 Share Posted May 1, 2010 So......when should I make reservations to go and see the final product ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mad Uncle Cliff Posted June 3, 2010 Share Posted June 3, 2010 G'day all - I have not posted here for far too long, Might get Strine to fill you in on the latest expected completion month for the tree, as it looks like it may move off our intended target a wee bit. But having blacksmiths from around the world come to see it when it is up sounds like an idea for a special event. Meanwhile - we are having a branch making day at 'The Barn' (ABA VIC HQ) on Sunday 20th July. I reckon making branches is something a learner like me can manage okay, I mean - how hard is it to take a straight smooth rod of stainless steel and make it look all crooked and lumpy? Cheers, Cliff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strine Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 Eh what?, Did I hear my name mentioned? News just to hand as Cliff alluded to is that the Tree maybe setback into 2011. One good thing is that it's a huge relief for me in that the talked about date was going to fall on my daughter's wedding? Ye Gods would that have put me in a predicament because there was no way I would not be a part of the Tree unveiling or planting. This is not a fabrication issue but an issue related to the Tree's final location. It's about land management more than anything else. It gives us a littkle breathing space. Anyway it maybe a good idea to put a circle around March for any intended trip. Cliff makes a good point. If there is going to be a gathering of blacksmiths from around the world to attend the unveiling maybe the ABA(Vic) should think about throwing a chop on the barby and putting some tinnies on ice. It would be just fantastic to meet some of the blokes that have helped bring this Tree to fruition. I shall watch this space and if there is some interest in catching a bird to Australia or indeed in hitting the road from some far flung locale in Oz we will get something going. Let's call it the Tree Project Debrief. Even if there's but only one visiting smith rest assured we will do our best to look after you. Cheers Strine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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