tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17634023841507929822024-02-18T19:54:24.885-08:00Dave's DiscourseMe blog about meself! Ramblings of blacksmithing, sailing, and my general work around my place!Master Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01972326296201406890noreply@blogger.comBlogger138125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763402384150792982.post-55648687414233674252014-04-30T19:26:00.000-07:002014-04-30T19:26:01.111-07:00Being an assistant instructor<br />
As many of my faithful readers know, much of my instruction and learning in the world of blacksmithing, has come through the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown NC. <br />
One of my main teachers there is Mr Clay Spencer, a well known, talented, and experienced smith. The new John C. Campbell blacksmith shop is actually named after Mr. Clay. <br />
<br />
A few months ago, Mr Clay emailed me and asked me to be his assistant instructor for his advanced level, traditional joinery class, at the folk school. <br />
<br />
I was able to accept and thus helped him teach the week-long class. We had a split class. I helped half of the students build a traditional joinery table, while Mr Clay helped the other half of the class make a traditional steel chest. <br />
<br />
It was great fun, and a real honor, to be able to try to fill the position of assistant. <br />
<br />
Here are a few quick pictures. <br />
<br />
Traditional joinery class with Clay Spencer, 2014. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/jccfs%202014/IMG_1593_zpsbd2942f6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/jccfs%202014/IMG_1593_zpsbd2942f6.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The table, my half of the class made.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/jccfs%202014/IMG_1599_zps9eae3a4f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/jccfs%202014/IMG_1599_zps9eae3a4f.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
The chest that Clay's half of the class made. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/jccfs%202014/IMG_1604_zps4af4cf60.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/jccfs%202014/IMG_1604_zps4af4cf60.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
And here is a picture of me with the master himself, Mr Clay Spencer. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/2014%20misc/imagejpg4_zpsf296eacd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/2014%20misc/imagejpg4_zpsf296eacd.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Master Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01972326296201406890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763402384150792982.post-81013436138922174922014-03-10T18:27:00.004-07:002014-03-10T18:27:57.462-07:00Some shop pictures and products Shop work has been going by in a flurry. My goal is to have a minimum of $10,000 worth of iron-work to present to the public at the start of craft show season. This is a much higher volume of work than I have ever done at one time. <br />
<br />
I am very busy producing my standard craft show items, but this year I am trying to get a few special pieces made to display and sell at shows as well.<br />
<br />
First of all, here are some pictures of some standard products, laying around the shop, getting their final coats of finish before being put in inventory and packed away. <br />
<br />
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
Leaves and crosses! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/IMG_0891_zpsd280cc15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/IMG_0891_zpsd280cc15.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/IMG_0892_zpsb3ca7423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/IMG_0892_zpsb3ca7423.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/IMG_0895_zps904c69f7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/IMG_0895_zps904c69f7.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"Welcome" signs, made from horseshoes.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/IMG_0898_zps93a92544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/IMG_0898_zps93a92544.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/IMG_0896_zps3aba50bf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/IMG_0896_zps3aba50bf.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here are some dinner bells, horseshoe napkin holders, horseshoe hearts, and horsehead bottle openers. Lots of all of them! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/IMG_0916_zps09e2cb60.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/IMG_0916_zps09e2cb60.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/IMG_0915_zpsffa8910e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/IMG_0915_zpsffa8910e.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/IMG_0920_zps277782d6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/IMG_0920_zps277782d6.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here are a few hammers! I have gotten behind on hammers, because about two weeks ago, my belt grinder burned up. The belt grinder plays a critical role in hammer making, allowing me to quickly and properly grind the faces of the hammers I make. The grinder I built was underpowered and did not have the ideal type of motor on it, and after a year of grueling service, the motor gave out. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I immediately started a frantic search for a replacement motor. Replacement motors, especially the one I need for this application, are very costly. After some searching, a friend of mine, located a brand new, name brand motor, with all of the specs I needed, for about $100 less than what I would otherwise have paid. Now I just need to get the grinder frame built for the new motor, and I'll have the back up and running.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In the mean time, I have forged a few hammers, so I'll have some ready as soon as the grinder is back online.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/IMG_0910_zpse8c0b9d4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/IMG_0910_zpse8c0b9d4.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Also a couple weeks ago, my old touchmark broke. A touchmark is a blacksmith's way of signing his work. Just like an artist signs his paintings, the blacksmith likes to put his stamp on items he produces. My company name is Fiery Furnace Forge Blacksmith LLC, thus my touchmark has always been "FFF." Custom machined touchmarks are expensive, so I have always used a simple "F" stamp to stamp my three F's. A few years ago, I made my own touchmark. I have stamped literally, thousands of products with the stamp I made. It was a good touchmark, though it may have lacked the clean finished look of a custom mark. Well, like I said, my touchmark broke a few weeks ago. I have reverted back to the old "F" stamp as a "emergency" fill in, but I decided it was time to order a new custom touchmark. I did some research, located a company, and placed my order. <br />
Here is my new mark. It is nice a clean and looks great! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/IMG_0924_zpsc6fcde26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/IMG_0924_zpsc6fcde26.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
In true blacksmith spirit, I had to make my own pair of touchmark holding tongs. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/IMG_0925_zps1f0d431d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/IMG_0925_zps1f0d431d.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Back to products:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
For several years now, I have had a 6-inch diameter piece of steel pipe laying around the shop. It was some left over piece of something for some job past and gone. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I have long desired to make a bell from the piece of pipe, but it has been stubbornly decorating my shop floor day by day, week by week, month by month, and year by year. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Finally, I have taken the time to make the bell. It was a successful project and it rings well, like a bell. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/image_zps1f6b80e9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/image_zps1f6b80e9.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/image_zpsbe1fc9f6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/image_zpsbe1fc9f6.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/image_zps602e42fe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/image_zps602e42fe.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/image_zps5cf784c7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/image_zps5cf784c7.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/image_zpsdee1eb3e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/image_zpsdee1eb3e.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here is a bracket I made to hang the bell from.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/image_zps68e1c0e9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/image_zps68e1c0e9.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Another item I made recently, is a candle holder for pillar candles. This candle holder is free-standing. It is 40 inches tall, and 20 inches wide. It is designed to hold four pillar candles. Each holder is located 90-degrees to the previous one, and a little higher, creating a sort of upward spiral configuration. Also each holder bar is oriented to be 45 degrees to each leg, so that when viewed from above, you have eight equal divisions. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/image_zps9a864d5d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/image_zps9a864d5d.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/image_zpsc985ceed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/image_zpsc985ceed.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/image_zps2063ff05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/image_zps2063ff05.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/image_zpsbcba64c6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/image_zpsbcba64c6.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/image_zps2f02fa30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/image_zps2f02fa30.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/image_zps49c79a47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/image_zps49c79a47.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Here is an unfinished abstract piece forged from a large piece of left over hammer material. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/IMG_0930_zps082e1018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/IMG_0930_zps082e1018.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/IMG_0931_zps94716a81.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/Iron%20work%202014/IMG_0931_zps94716a81.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Well this has been a long, picture saturated blog! Hope you've enjoyed it! Master Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01972326296201406890noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763402384150792982.post-18473735061606688982014-02-17T20:11:00.001-08:002014-02-17T20:11:25.136-08:00new camera, more hammers, and general updatesHi folks! <br />
Here recently I purchased a nice new camera for photographing my blacksmith work. Many of the shows that I do are "juried" shows. This means that a jury panel reviews my work, via pictures, to determine if they want to allow me in the show. <br />
Basically I get about 30 seconds of photo slides to impress the jurors enough so that they know they want me in their show.<br />
<br />
You can probably guess that photo quality is pretty important, for my shows.<br />
<br />
So, I sought the counsel of a number of photographers, hobbyist photographers, and blacksmiths who photograph their work, and settled on a Cannon Rebel T3i. I purchased a few additional gadgets that were recommended as well.<br />
<br />
So now I at least have the potential to take some really nice photos. I just need to practice up.....oh yeah, and finish reading the 319 page owners manual. <br />
<br />
Anyway, here are some miscellaneous photos from my new camera.<br />
<br />
Here is ME! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/2014%20misc/IMG_0227_zps12a19324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/2014%20misc/IMG_0227_zps12a19324.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And ME again! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/2014%20misc/IMG_0220_zpsab9c7697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/2014%20misc/IMG_0220_zpsab9c7697.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Here is my next younger brother! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/2014%20misc/IMG_0042_zpsd5f7da39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/2014%20misc/IMG_0042_zpsd5f7da39.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My youngest brother! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/2014%20misc/IMG_0040_zps130b5464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/2014%20misc/IMG_0040_zps130b5464.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Banjo time! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/2014%20misc/IMG_0172_zpsb79d947f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/2014%20misc/IMG_0172_zpsb79d947f.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
My mandolin!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/2014%20misc/IMG_0180_zpsa3f48ae0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/2014%20misc/IMG_0180_zpsa3f48ae0.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
I play an Eastman!</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/2014%20misc/IMG_0191_zps043d1f6c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/2014%20misc/IMG_0191_zps043d1f6c.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My dog Cookie! She ain't nothin but a hound dog!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/2014%20misc/IMG_0232_zps0942aed2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/2014%20misc/IMG_0232_zps0942aed2.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I have a long commute....it's like 300 feet! That's the shop, as seen from the front porch of the house!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/2014%20misc/IMG_0218_zpsd194e6a9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/2014%20misc/IMG_0218_zpsd194e6a9.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Muddy boots! Just a fact of life back in the country.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/2014%20misc/IMG_0238_zpsd502185a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/2014%20misc/IMG_0238_zpsd502185a.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Detail photo of a fireplace set I made.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/2014%20misc/IMG_0136_zps2c61cbc9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/2014%20misc/IMG_0136_zps2c61cbc9.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A 4-pound hammer, cooling off after forging.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/2014%20misc/IMG_0269_zpsb399eadb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/2014%20misc/IMG_0269_zpsb399eadb.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I have a warm heart. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/2014%20misc/IMG_0283_zps02c0d857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/2014%20misc/IMG_0283_zps02c0d857.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A 2-pound hammer.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/hammers/IMG_0156_zps5fbf8a89.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/hammers/IMG_0156_zps5fbf8a89.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
When I do shows and people find out that I am a full-time, self-employed blacksmith, at 21 years of age, one of the most common questions I get is, how did you get into blacksmithing. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My response is, I saw a blacksmith demonstrate at a Civil War reenactment. While this is what directed me to the vocation I now hold, the answer runs much more deeply than that. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It runs back to when my parents decided to homeschool their kids, instead of sending them to public school. It runs back to my parents making that decision based on biblically-based Christian values. It runs back to them teaching me to work hard, be responsible, do good work, be teachable, etc. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Everything they've taught me, and thus the way my character and personality have been shaped, revolve directly around a home of bible-based Christianity.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
While many of my readers may think it strange or even foolish, my life has been built and it now stands firmly grounded on a book: The Authorized King James Bible of 1611. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/2014%20misc/IMG_0249_zps1c3eb6d0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/2014%20misc/IMG_0249_zps1c3eb6d0.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/2014%20misc/IMG_0240_zps507bdf12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/2014%20misc/IMG_0240_zps507bdf12.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/2014%20misc/IMG_0241_zps9c5a15ea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/2014%20misc/IMG_0241_zps9c5a15ea.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/2014%20misc/IMG_0263_zpsf3540d1c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/2014%20misc/IMG_0263_zpsf3540d1c.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Proverbs 16:3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.</div>
Master Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01972326296201406890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763402384150792982.post-55272784015333607522013-12-02T19:49:00.001-08:002013-12-02T19:49:21.557-08:00Yes I'm still alive!So it has been quite some time since my last blog. August 26 was my last post. WOW!<br />
<br />
OK so what in the world have I been doing all of this time???? <br />
<br />
Mostly work has kept me busy. Shortly after my last post, I had quite a bit of work getting ready and keep stocked up for fall art shows. Business was great at the shows, and has been ever since.<br />
<br />
I have made so much stuff over the past few months that it would be impossible to show pictures of everything, but I'll share a few little things that I tinkered with.<br />
<br />
Her are some horseshoe items I did for a lady. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/ironwork%202013/DSC09554_zps722000f3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/ironwork%202013/DSC09554_zps722000f3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/ironwork%202013/DSC09621_zpsbb079b3a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/ironwork%202013/DSC09621_zpsbb079b3a.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/ironwork%202013/DSC09646_zpsf0ed601b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/ironwork%202013/DSC09646_zpsf0ed601b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This next piece is something I made for myself just for the fun of it. It is a little short-sword made from spring steel. I can bend over 45 degrees without staying bent, or breaking. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/ironwork%202013/0328131212_zps10fda13b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/ironwork%202013/0328131212_zps10fda13b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/ironwork%202013/0328131213_zpsb69bf4e2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/ironwork%202013/0328131213_zpsb69bf4e2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I have been manufacturing and selling more and more tools lately. Here are some blacksmith tools in the works, piled under the forge, waiting the next process. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/ironwork%202013/0330131220_zps5eb819ef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/ironwork%202013/0330131220_zps5eb819ef.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Here is a "hold fast" that I made for a wood worker. I actually made several for him.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/ironwork%202013/IMG_9938_zpsacb07c43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/ironwork%202013/IMG_9938_zpsacb07c43.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/ironwork%202013/IMG_9935_zpsa69ba3f6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/ironwork%202013/IMG_9935_zpsa69ba3f6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Back in September, I got together with my striker, Chase Saxton, and we made a run of hammers and went to the Quadstate SOFA blacksmith's conference in Troy Ohio. We had a great time up there selling tools, watching demos, buying stuff, and making new friends. Quadstate conference is one of the largest blacksmithing conferences in the country, and features the largest tool sales section of any conference. One of the highlights of the conference was the blacksmithing competition. There were a total of 32 people in the competition, and they were divided up into teams of two. Chase and I signed on as a team. The competition was to make as many nails as you could in 15 minutes. The nails had to be a minimum of 2-inches long, and were judged on quality and consistency. After the 15 minutes was up, each team got to pick their best five nails to submit. We made a total of 9 or 10 nails.<br />
We were up against several really talented smiths, including my teacher, a guy that specializes in colonial work, and some others.<br />
We came in first place and won the competition, which we were of course, thrilled about. My teacher came in second place, and the guy that does the colonial work came in third. It was a really fun time.<br />
<br />
After the conference, my Chase and I parted ways. We've been friends for several years now, and have been making hammers to sell for about a year. However, we have some different views on work and some other things, and ultimately I decided it was the best move for my business to start doing hammers without him.<br />
<br />
My dad and I now make the hammers that I sell.<br />
<br />
I have been invited to teach at a school in the north east called Peter's Valley school of craft. I will be teaching, Lord willing, a 5-day class there next August. That should be interesting.<br />
In addition, I am in the process of planning a one-day workshop in Knoxville Tn. sometime in January or February. More updates on that as plans get more solid.<br />
<br />
Over the Thanksgiving holiday I made my grandad a knife that he'd asked for some time back. It is made from 5160 spring steel. The guard is stainless steel, the rivets are copper, and the handle is red cow bone. My brother made the sheath.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/ironwork%202013/image_zpsa2313df6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/ironwork%202013/image_zpsa2313df6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/ironwork%202013/image_zpsce5df7a3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/ironwork%202013/image_zpsce5df7a3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/ironwork%202013/image_zps55772e56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/ironwork%202013/image_zps55772e56.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/ironwork%202013/image_zpsc98e6817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/ironwork%202013/image_zpsc98e6817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I don't normally do "abstract" art, but the other day I was inspired by a blacksmith in France, to do this piece. He did a similar one and I thought it looked pretty neat, so I made my own version. I can see making time to do more of this sort of thing in the future.This piece was actually made from a car axle. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/ironwork%202013/1462954_210380099144397_980016169_n_zps9cb9538f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/ironwork%202013/1462954_210380099144397_980016169_n_zps9cb9538f.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>
<br />
To cap off the night, I figured I'd share a picture of something I didn't make. I never want to pass up an opportunity to brag on my sister, so here goes. My sister made this apple pie for Thanksgiving. Not only was it the worlds MOST BEAUTIFUL apple pie, but I think it was the best tasting one as well.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/ironwork%202013/image_zps528d9c86.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/ironwork%202013/image_zps528d9c86.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
'Till next time! <br />
<br />
"For God and the soldier we adore,<br />
In time of danger, not before,<br />
The danger past and all things righted,<br />
God is forgotten and the soldier slighted."<br />
Rudyard Kipling Master Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01972326296201406890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763402384150792982.post-13492694333695402992013-08-26T06:26:00.000-07:002013-08-26T06:26:37.160-07:00New blogHey folks! I've started a new blog to cover my boat restoration project! Be sure to check it out by clicking on the link below.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lugerleeward.blogspot.com/2013/08/luger-leeward-16-restoration.html" target="_blank">BOAT BLOG</a><br />
<br />
<br />Master Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01972326296201406890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763402384150792982.post-42619250699168440252013-06-29T07:01:00.001-07:002013-06-29T07:01:29.774-07:00Finished table!I finished the custom table a few weeks ago and got it shipped to its new Louisville Ky. home.<br />
<br />
Here are the final in-studio pics.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/End%20table/image_zps8fa8c240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/End%20table/image_zps8fa8c240.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/End%20table/image_zps7c4f699a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/End%20table/image_zps7c4f699a.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/End%20table/image_zpsa2fd5b19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/End%20table/image_zpsa2fd5b19.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
For custom iron work for your home contact Dave Custer owner / operator of the Fiery Furnace Forge Blacksmith LLC at blacksmithdave@gmail.com</div>
<br />Master Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01972326296201406890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763402384150792982.post-74957070545033170582013-06-08T08:45:00.001-07:002013-06-08T08:45:16.202-07:00End table almso completeHere is a preview glance of the end table / night stand I am working on. The only remaining part is finishing up the wooden top.<br />
<br />
The top is made from solid furniture grade black walnut and the boards selected for the top are hand picked for the most beautiful grain patterns.<br />
A top this wide, has to be laminated from several boards placed next to each other and glued. This top is four boards wide. The glue is the best on the market, waterproof, and so strong that if you attempt to split the wood at the joint, the wood will split next to or across the glued joint but never down the glued joint. The glue is actually stronger than the wood itself.<br />
<br />
The top is actually made square and much larger than needed to allow the best section to be chosen. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/End%20table/image_zps6f71725d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/End%20table/image_zps6f71725d.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The top is then traced directly on the table frame for the most accurate fit possible, and then cut on an upright wood-cutting band saw. The table top undergoes five stages of prepping before it is ready for the finish stain. It is first planed flat to the desired thickness, it is then sanded with 60 grit, 80 grit, 120 grit, and finally 220 grit sand paper. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/End%20table/image_zps4ac3007c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/End%20table/image_zps4ac3007c.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
<br />
Once I am satisfied that the top fits properly and the wood is sanded to perfection, it is ready for stain. Here it is with the first coat.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/End%20table/image_zpsbe650770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/End%20table/image_zpsbe650770.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The rest of the coats of finish will be applied today and tomorrow, and the table should be shipping out to it's owner on Monday.<br />
<br />
<br />
Master Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01972326296201406890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763402384150792982.post-8383351106500684472013-05-29T19:20:00.000-07:002013-05-29T19:20:12.775-07:00More progress on the custom tableI have a number of jobs I'm currently working on, one of which is the table mentioned in my last post. This is the custom 24-inch diameter by 30-inch tall bedside table. This evening I assembled the legs and central eliments, after trimming all of the legs to size and a couple other pre-assembly steps.<br />
<br />
Here is an overview......remember, this is a workshop not a "keeping things clean" convention. Everything in my shop is dirty, sharp, hot or a combination of those, and tools are generally here and as they are frequently used.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/End%20table/image_zps13b4a1c9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/End%20table/image_zps13b4a1c9.jpg" width="297" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is the central blossom and diagonal scroll assembly where the half-circle legs come in together. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/End%20table/image_zpsc1da70ca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/End%20table/image_zpsc1da70ca.jpg" width="297" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The "Habermann Bend" square corner, which is featured in this table. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/End%20table/image_zpsa4c73bbb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/End%20table/image_zpsa4c73bbb.jpg" width="297" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
The last major piece to be forged is the top circular ring. The wooden top is about to get under way in the wood shop as well. More updates later on! Master Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01972326296201406890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763402384150792982.post-76204313380838011472013-05-22T19:11:00.000-07:002013-05-22T19:11:08.706-07:00Quick work updateBusiness has been super busy over the past several months. I have a steady stream of work coming in, and I'm currently lining work up out through the second week of June.<br />
<br />
One of my current projects is a version of my small end table design. I am doing a custom table, based off of the same design, but larger. This table is going to measure about 30 inches high by 24 inches in diameter.<br />
Here is a quick picture of the original table. The original size is 16-inches in diameter by 20-inches tall.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/End%20table/DSC09368_zpsbe4604af.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/End%20table/DSC09368_zpsbe4604af.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Construction is going well. The process started with laying out a full scale side view of the table frame, and a shop improvised jig for bending the legs accurately.<br />
<br />
I currently have nearly all of the major components forged out, including the legs and central elements. The legs need extensive hand sanding before assembly begins.<br />
<br />
<br />
Here is a picture of the basic profile drawing.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/End%20table/IMG_0168_zps1b859dec.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/End%20table/IMG_0168_zps1b859dec.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Here are the legs, the central diagonal scrolls, and the center core. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/End%20table/IMG_0186_zps39b16842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/End%20table/IMG_0186_zps39b16842.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br /><br /><br />Master Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01972326296201406890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763402384150792982.post-16769740135394520212013-03-25T21:02:00.000-07:002013-03-25T21:02:28.401-07:00Made myself a belt grinder! I built myself a belt grinder for the shop. This is a handy piece of equipment, that if purchased new could have easily cost me several hundred dollars. I spent a total of about $70 on this one. I won't bore my dear readers with specs, so I'll shut up and let the pics speak for themselves.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09697_zpsdd863d6d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09697_zpsdd863d6d.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09703_zps03360c8d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09703_zps03360c8d.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09698_zpsce632f69.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09698_zpsce632f69.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09699_zps6d62e55a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09699_zps6d62e55a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09700_zps69ff3793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09700_zps69ff3793.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09701_zps1b6654f9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09701_zps1b6654f9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09702_zpsc7aeee78.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09702_zpsc7aeee78.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09704_zps80d362e8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09704_zps80d362e8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09705_zps53e0d6c7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09705_zps53e0d6c7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I was screwing a small thin metal piece on with an electric screw gun when the screw hung up on the thin piece. It spun around and cut the width of my finger on the end. It was pretty deep. I had to stop work to clean it up, and then wrap it up.<br />
<br />
The grinder needs some mounting feet and I need to build a designated work table for it. All of that comes later though.<br />
<br />
For now, it works and it works well! I'm happy!<br />
<br />
<br />
Master Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01972326296201406890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763402384150792982.post-89796899538309147072013-03-02T20:04:00.001-08:002013-03-02T20:04:21.179-08:00I'm an artist....officially! Fiery Furnace Forge Blacksmith LLC is now a juried artist in the Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen.<br /><br />I got the notification in the mail today.<br /><br />In the notification letter I also received the juror's comments and checklist.<br />I
received a "strong point" rating in every technique, design, and finish
category except one, and that one area does not apply to my work so it
simply received a N/A. (not applicable!)<br /><br />I also received several hand written comments praising finish, design, and attention to detail!<br /><br />I'm THRILLED!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I have been having trouble with my online photo uploader, making it extremely difficult to upload and post photos. Hence my recent lack of posting.<br />
<br />
I have just now mounted my post vise I purchased back in July at the National ABANA Conference. Credit to whom credit is due. The ONLY reason I have this vise today, is because of two guys out at ABANA. One guy heard me talking to the seller of the vise about the difficulties and costs of me having to ship the vise from Rapid City South Dakota all the way back here to Kentucky. The guy that overheard me talking, came up the next day and said, "but the vise and I'll ship it back." Sure enough I bought it, and this guy and another guy covered all arrangements and costs of shipping a 100 pound + vise back to KY. You guys are AWESOME!<br />
<br />
Here she is! A massive, 6.25-inch Columbian post vise. It's awesome when your vise makes your 300 pound anvil look small! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09555_zpsceb996b1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09555_zpsceb996b1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
This is the screw! It's been collecting dust so I'll clean it off and regrease it. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09557_zpse8d9dfa0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09557_zpse8d9dfa0.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Here it is cleaned up and regreased. It is an AWESOME screw. Still very clean and crisp with very little wear. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09575_zpsd46415ab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09575_zpsd46415ab.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Here is the new stand under construction! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09561_zps1bba3997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09561_zps1bba3997.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
And here she is! Bolted, wedges, and in position. It's solid as a rock. The table around the back of the vise will eventually get a lip around the edge and hammer/tool holders as well. All of that can be done where it is now though. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09573_zpse04f3a8c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09573_zpse04f3a8c.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09576_zps6749a9c0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09576_zps6749a9c0.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Here is my old vise and it's mount. I've been using this little four inch vise for seven years. It is going to get a well earned break, but will soon be put back to use in another portion of the shop. All the heavy work will get done on the big vise but the little one will be handy for well....uhh little things.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09560_zps1901c1fc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09560_zps1901c1fc.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Now to illustrate what I was talking about with the picture uploading problem, I just uploaded those photos that you have just seen. It took me about 20 minutes. It used to take me about 30 seconds.<br />
<br />
<br />
Master Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01972326296201406890noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763402384150792982.post-21929176265083246552013-02-07T07:34:00.000-08:002013-02-07T07:34:39.674-08:00End table!I made an end table. I think I'm going to start taking these to art shows....I'm very pleased with this design and what it offers in the way of making them at a reasonable cost.<br />
<br />
<br />
General overview of the table. the primary material used was 5/8-inch square bar with the primary technique emphasis on the Haberman square corner bend. The table comes together in the center bundle, giving the table a strong center core, wrapped up in a beautiful decorative collar. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/End%20table/DSC09368_zpsbe4604af.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/End%20table/DSC09368_zpsbe4604af.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Here is a detail photo of the collar!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/End%20table/DSC09369_zpsf3d23c08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/End%20table/DSC09369_zpsf3d23c08.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Detail photo of the Habermann square corner bend.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/End%20table/DSC09370_zps269a5647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/End%20table/DSC09370_zps269a5647.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Detail of the leg attachment to the table-top ring, also showing the Habermann bend again! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/End%20table/DSC09371_zps21b3c037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/End%20table/DSC09371_zps21b3c037.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Detail of the hand-forged copper nails that hold the table-top in place. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/End%20table/DSC09372_zpsf68d986e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/End%20table/DSC09372_zpsf68d986e.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Detail of the beautiful furniture-grade, locally milled and dried, walnut top. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/End%20table/DSC09374_zpsc40980bb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/End%20table/DSC09374_zpsc40980bb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This table will be available for sale in a couple of weeks. Please contact me via phone or email if you have any questions or would be interested in purchasing it.<br />
This table can be made available as a matching coffee-table and end table set as well.<br />
<br />
<a href="mailto:blacksmithdave@gmail.com" target="_blank">blacksmithdave@gmail.com</a><br />
<br />
678-925-4388<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/dave.custer.169" target="_blank">Dave Custer</a><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fiery-Furnace-Forge-Blacksmith-LLC/408269802598275" target="_blank">Fiery Furnace Forge Blacksmith LLC</a><br />
<br />
<br />Master Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01972326296201406890noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763402384150792982.post-26031245792710113032013-02-04T20:38:00.001-08:002013-02-04T20:38:06.142-08:00FACEBOOKCheck out my new facebook pages.<br />
<br />
Personal page!<br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/dave.custer.169" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/dave.custer.169</a><br />
<br />
And be sure to like and share my business page!<br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fiery-Furnace-Forge-Blacksmith-LLC/408269802598275#" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fiery-Furnace-Forge-Blacksmith-LLC/408269802598275#</a>Master Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01972326296201406890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763402384150792982.post-43539680252566166022013-01-30T07:23:00.001-08:002013-01-30T07:23:35.032-08:00stove and hammersWell, I built a new stove for the house!<br />
<br />
Our old one was a bit small and had some issues....plus, with a new stove in the house, we can move the old one into the shop and heat our work space.<br />
<br />
I'm not going to do a lot of talking, but here are the general specs.<br />
<br />
The stove is a 24-inch square cube.<br />
The stove is made from 1/4-inch thick plate material.<br />
There is a 1.5-inch lip around the entire top with all edges rounded.<br />
All of the seams where the plate steel comes together, have full length welds to completely seal the box. The corners are trimmed with 1/2-inch round bar, and the welds are all interior.<br />
The flue pipe hole is in the top and is 6-inches in diameter.<br />
The legs were forged from 1.5-inch solid round bar and are made to resemble a "claw foot" design.<br />
The hinges, handle, and damper-slide are all forged.<br />
With the firebrick inside the stove weighs about 400-pounds +/-! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC08835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC08835.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Here is one of the hinge pintels. I was doing some adjusting on it with an O/A torch. It had a little oil on it so it caught on fire.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09170.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09173.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09176.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The door was critical as far as positioning. I only had about an 1/8-inch lee-way. I finally got it right and it now has a super tight seal.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09177.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Here is the handle.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09181.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Here is the damper slide. The way it works is there is a series of holes drilled into the slide and into the door. If you want to allow more air into the stove you move the slide until the holes line up, allowing air into the stove. If you want to decrease the air intake, you slide it to cover the holes up more and more until they are completely covered.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09253.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
This is the inside of the door handle. There is a stop so that when the handle is in the open position it does not rotate freely. When the handle is shut, the bent piece in the picture, latches onto an angled piece of metal inside the stove. (not pictured!) The angled piece allows for wear on the stove over time. Even after years of wear, the door will still fasten tightly because of the wedge-shaped piece.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09257.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I put these square reenforcement plates on the bottom of the stove where the feet go. This is just to provide extra support where all of the stove weight is baring down.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09240.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Here is one of the feet!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09255.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And drum roll please........it's installed!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09276.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09276.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09277.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09278.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09279.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09280.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Interior lined with almost 50, 2-inch firebrick.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09286.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
"FIRE IN THE STOVE!"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09290.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09294.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The stove works very well and is much tighter than our old one. This means that I can put wood in it at night, and still have a fire going the next morning, without ever getting up to tend to it or add more wood. The firebrick provide enough thermal mass so that even when the fire has been out for several hours, and there are hardly any coals left, the stove sides are still extremely hot.<br />
<br />
It works like a charm!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I also sold my old faithful red shop forge! I built a new forge to replace it, the main change being, I switched to an electric blower.<br />
<br />Here are some pictures!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09208.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09209.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09210.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09224.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09218.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09219.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Here is the blower/motor!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09206.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Air supply is controlled by this shop-made air gate!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/welding/DSC09207.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The forge works very well and I am very pleased!<br />
<br />I had a friend over last week and we made some hammers. Well 6 hammers actually. These hammers are for sale. Two sold within the first two days of making them. These are very nice, high-quality smithing hammers. If any of my readers would be interested in purchasing a hammer please contact me via blacksmithdave@gmail.com.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/hammers/DSC09299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/hammers/DSC09299.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/hammers/DSC09304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/hammers/DSC09304.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/hammers/DSC09305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/hammers/DSC09305.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/hammers/DSC09306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/hammers/DSC09306.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/hammers/DSC09307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/hammers/DSC09307.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/hammers/DSC09308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/hammers/DSC09308.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/hammers/DSC09309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/hammers/DSC09309.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
This is a hammer I forged last Saturday by myself! It is not for sale!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/hammers/DSC09311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/hammers/DSC09311.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/hammers/DSC09315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/hammers/DSC09315.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/hammers/DSC09319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/hammers/DSC09319.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
That's all I have time for now! G'day! <br />
<br />
Master Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01972326296201406890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763402384150792982.post-53597021265009536042013-01-07T18:48:00.000-08:002013-01-07T18:48:41.338-08:00Teaching the tradeFiery Furnace Forge is celebrating its 7th anniversary.....its hard to believe its been that long since I first started swinging a hammer. <br />
<br />
In that seven years, I've had quite a bit of opportunity to tackle difficult jobs, learn by trial and error, meet and work alongside some of the "big names" in smithing, and travel the mid-west as a teacher, and as a demonstrator at the largest blacksmithing conference in the States. <br />
<br />
Its been quite a journey, a lot of hard work, and an amazing amount of Providential fortune to get to where I am now. I don't claim to know it all, and even if I did, I still do not have the experience to tackle anything with ease. However, I have gained the needed skills and experience to begin helping others begin their own journey as a blacksmith, whether they desire to pursue it as a hobby or as a proffession. <br />
<br />
It's been a month now, but as I'm still trying to catch up on blogging, I wanted to share my latest blacksmithing class. <br />
<br />
My student was a young man by the name of Blake. A friend of his, Mr Jonathan, came along as well and watched and lended a hand. <br />
<br />
Blake wanted to make a four-pound hand hammer. I suggested we start with a hot-cut hardy, and then do the hammer. (A suggestion passed on to me by my primary teacher Brian Brazeal.) The hardy is an excellent tool to start with as it shows technique, is an important tool, and it gets you loosened up for the heavy striking needed on the hammer. It also allows the instructor to gauge the skill level of the student. If the student doesn't possess the ability to swing a sledge hammer reasonbly accurately and heavily, then a smaller hammer might be in order. <br />
<br />
So, Mr Blake and Mr Jonathan arrived on a Saturday morning around 8 AM, and we began work. Blake swung the 10 pound sledge hammer during the hardy making time. He did a marvelous job, and turned out a very nice hardy. <br />
<br />
He did such a fine job on the hardy, that I knew that he was ready to move on to the four-pound hammer. Now, for those of you who haven't done a whole lot of hammer making, a four-pound hammer is no walk in the park. It requires a lot of heavy, accurate, striking to get done in a timely manner. It is very taxing work for the striker. <br />
<br />
Blake turned out a very nice four-pound rounding hammer in a very timely manner. We didn't set any time-records for hammer making, but his striking was right on, he missed very few blows for a first timer, and the work progressed steadly and quite fast for his experience level. As an experienced director, having worked with some fine experienced strikers, I can honestly say it was a real pleasure to work with Blake as a striker. <br />
<br />
Here is a photo run of making the hammer. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/classes/blakes%20class/DSC01870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/classes/blakes%20class/DSC01870.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/classes/blakes%20class/DSC01874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/classes/blakes%20class/DSC01874.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/classes/blakes%20class/DSC01879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/classes/blakes%20class/DSC01879.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/classes/blakes%20class/DSC01897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/classes/blakes%20class/DSC01897.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/classes/blakes%20class/DSC01907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/classes/blakes%20class/DSC01907.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Like I said, striking for this sort of thing is no walk in the park, especially seeing that for the four-pound hammer, we switched to the 14.25-pound sledge. We got to an easier part of the process and I switched off to striking. I did this for a couple of reasons. It gave Blake a chance to get on the director's side of the action, which is very important as it allows you to see the other side of what is going on. It also gave him a bit of a breather.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/classes/blakes%20class/DSC01910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/classes/blakes%20class/DSC01910.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/classes/blakes%20class/DSC01911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/classes/blakes%20class/DSC01911.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/classes/blakes%20class/DSC01930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/classes/blakes%20class/DSC01930.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/classes/blakes%20class/DSC01950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/classes/blakes%20class/DSC01950.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's a shot of us tempering the hammer.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/classes/blakes%20class/DSC01966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/classes/blakes%20class/DSC01966.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/classes/blakes%20class/DSC01972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/classes/blakes%20class/DSC01972.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
And here I am putting the handle on.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/classes/blakes%20class/DSC01992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/classes/blakes%20class/DSC01992.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
The finished tools! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/classes/blakes%20class/complete.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/classes/blakes%20class/complete.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Master Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01972326296201406890noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763402384150792982.post-10185461794313715032012-12-28T12:18:00.002-08:002012-12-28T12:18:42.046-08:00Building Truant! part 1 I'm about hopelessly behind with blogging now, but oh well! Life comes before blogs! <br />
<br />
I've kind of been taking it a bit more easy in the shop these days, and enjoying a little well deserved time spent doing other things. My hobby, besides smithing, is wooden boats. I'm working on my second wooden boat model. <br />
<br />
The model I am currently working on is a 1/8-scale model of a boat called "Truant." It's a good bit different than the model "Curlew" I built several years ago, and has been extremely interesting to build.<br />
<br />
Here are the three primary frames that will make the boat the shape it's going to be. They are glued up and ready to go! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08747.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Here are the two side planks glued to the stem. The stem is a piece of wood that makes up the front of the boat. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08748.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I hand carved a "cutwater" or stem face piece and glued it to the front.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08753.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
This is a structural piece called the breasthook! It helps to strengthen the front of the boat. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08760.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Here is the transom glued in. The transom is the very back of a boat. The string is being used as a make-shift clamp system to hold everything in place while the glue sets! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08755.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The piece glued in the corner of the frame, is called a "knee" and adds greatly to the strength of the frame. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08758.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here I am adding glue where needed!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08761.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
One the two side planks and the primary frames were all glue together, I had the basic profile of a boat. Then I had to go in and put in the rest of the frames. There were 7 frames in all, plus the stem and transom. Each frame is completely different in size and shape from the others. In such small models, clothes pins make great "clamps." <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08765.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08770.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
After all the frames were in, I cut and glued the two bottom planks on. The slot is for a piece called the "center-board."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08776.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Then came the top deck beams! These are boards that will support a deck on the from or "forward" section of the boat. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08773.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I also glued on a trim board down either side. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08774.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Where the side planks and the bottom planks meet, is obviously the most likely area for leaks. So, I mixed up my water-proof glue and wood dust and filleted the joint, using a wooden puddy knife fabricated from scrap. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08783.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Next I glued in the "mast step" and the "mast partner." The "mast" is a long stick that will hold the sails. The "mast step" is a board in the bottom of the boat that the mast sits on top of. The "mast partner" is a board above the mast partner that supports the mast. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08780-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08780-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Hey it looks like a boat! I must be doing something right! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08779-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08779-1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Next I glued some support pieces on the forward interior of the boat that will help brace the mast supports later on. I also glued in the "centerboard housing." The centerboard is a board that sticks down into the water through the boat. It's function is to make the boat sail forward instead of sailing sideways. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08786.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08784.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08784.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I also layed a layer of wood over the central seam in the bottom of the boat. These boards will help seal this seam and make it water-tight. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08827.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I painted the entire forward section brown, and then began decking it over. The decking wood is black-walnut. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08824.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08861.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
After the forward area was decked over and everything trimmed and tidy, I made a door to shut off the forward section completely. I wanted the door to be removeable, so I made it to where it could slide in and out. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08876.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08877.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
This is the door!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08878.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08875.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I added some decorative finishing trim around the mast hole and the centerboard trunk. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08871.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
And finally, the latest things I've done is to paint the aft interior, and add decking to the interior. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/truant/DSC08888.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />Master Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01972326296201406890noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763402384150792982.post-35851812351258907582012-11-21T19:34:00.001-08:002012-11-21T19:34:11.861-08:00Hammer and top swageI finalized all my power hammer tooling for making hand hammers, so I made my first hand hammer under a power hammer this evening. It's a will be a little less than 2 pounds once it is totally finished.....I still have to polish, harden, temper, and handle.<br />
<br />
<br />
The starting piece! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/DSC08716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/DSC08716.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
The hole punched!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/DSC08717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/DSC08717.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Currently!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/DSC08718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/DSC08718.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/DSC08719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/DSC08719.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The tooling needs a bit of tweeking but it worked pretty good. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I made a tool called a top swage the other day. It turned out ok, especially considering I've never made one before and never seen one made either! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/top%20swage/DSC08676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/top%20swage/DSC08676.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/top%20swage/DSC08677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/top%20swage/DSC08677.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/top%20swage/DSC08681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/top%20swage/DSC08681.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
And in a shocking turn of events.......<br />
<br />
<br />
Back in the winter of 2010 I built a properly scaled down model of the wooden boat I eventually hope to build. The model was 1/8-scale, and was quite detailed, with seats, pins for holding the sail ropes, and basically a 100% working model. It would sail great all around our pond. Here are some pictures of the boat and building process. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC03520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC03520.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC03523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC03523.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC03535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC03535.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC03650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC03650.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC03708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC03708.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC03724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC03724.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC03776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC03776.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC03777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC03777.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC03779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC03779.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC03780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC03780.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC03909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC03909.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC03912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC03912.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC03944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC03944.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC03945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC03945.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Back in the spring or summer of 2010, I was sailing the boat in the pond, when it suddenly sank without warning. I still have no idea what happened. It was fine one moment, and then it went straight down. I knew where it sunk, but the water there is 20 feet deep, extremely dark, and extremely cold, even on bright, sunny, warm, days. <br />
<br />
Today, we were out fishing. The line on one of the poles I was using, suddenly went taunt, and the pole started jerking. I grabbed the pole and attempted to set the hook. The fish had let go by this time, but there was an immense amount of dead weight on the line. I started pulling, and felt that whatever the weight was, it was being pulled along. I gently continued pulling, wowzers.......up came my boat. Here are some pictures of a model boat that's been sitting 20 foot under water, in all weather, and in the mud for a year and a half. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC08705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC08705.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC08706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC08706.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC08708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC08708.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC08710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC08710.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC08711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC08711.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC08712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC08712.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC08713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC08713.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC08714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC08714.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC08715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/boat/DSC08715.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
So now I suppose I'll get some experience in boat restoration! <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
Master Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01972326296201406890noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763402384150792982.post-14150353796974770152012-11-16T06:24:00.005-08:002012-11-16T06:24:57.223-08:00Sledge hammer and cupping toolAfter the heavy forging Chase Saxton and I did, I realized I needed a second heavy sledge-hammer in my shop. I have a 10 pound sledge right now, that is a pretty decent one, but that's it. I stopped by the old antique store in town (where I got my last sledge head,) and picked up a 16-pound funny shaped sledge. It was all they had, but I figured with a little work, it would do.<br />
<br />
I sawed off the original faces to decrease the weight as well as to get rid of some chips and pitting. Then I set to work to shorten the hammer-head by "upsetting" the material. I made one of the hammer faces round and one face flat. By the time I cut, forged, and ground it into a usable piece of hardware, I had a 13.25-pound hammer head, that weighed 14.25-pounds with the handle. <br />
<br />
<br />
Here is the original hammer head! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/DSC08610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/DSC08610.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/DSC08648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/DSC08648.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/DSC08649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/DSC08649.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/DSC08651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/DSC08651.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/DSC08652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/DSC08652.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/DSC08653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/DSC08653.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/DSC08654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/DSC08654.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/DSC08647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/DSC08647.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Here is a sped-up video of making the hammer-eye drift for this project, and then the work involved in upsetting such a large hammer head! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://1.gvt0.com/vi/S_AzWRZ19bk/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/S_AzWRZ19bk&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/S_AzWRZ19bk&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here I am forging a "cupping tool" in the new striking anvil with the new sledge hammer. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/nZbeYAoV2mA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And yesterday I made my first "top-swage." Here are some pictures! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/top%20swage/DSC08676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/top%20swage/DSC08676.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/top%20swage/DSC08677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/top%20swage/DSC08677.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/top%20swage/DSC08678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/top%20swage/DSC08678.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/top%20swage/DSC08679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/top%20swage/DSC08679.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/top%20swage/DSC08680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/top%20swage/DSC08680.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/top%20swage/DSC08681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag122/blacksmithdave/top%20swage/DSC08681.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Off to work for today! <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Master Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01972326296201406890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763402384150792982.post-7218451805709329362012-11-14T07:30:00.000-08:002012-11-14T07:33:28.999-08:00Heavy ForgingWell the title pretty much says it all! <br />
Last week, I did some serious heavy forging here at the Fiery Furnace Forge Blacksmith LLC studio. <br />
<br />
<br />
For some time now I have wanted a "striking anvil" for students to use when they come, and for myself when I make anvil tools. A "stiking anvil" is a flat, plain anvil made from cheap steel. The idea is, if a student swings a 12 pound sledge and misses the hot metal and slams it into the face or corner of your striking anvil, he may dent or break it, but it is an easy repair or a cheap replacement. <br />
On the other hand, if a student misses and hits your real anvil and takes a chunk out of it, you've just broken a $500 shop tool. <br />
<br />
So a striking anvil is a cheap and very smart investment. Plus in general tool making, it saves wear and tear on your anvil. <br />
<br />
So last week, I up-'n-decided to make me a striking anvil. <br />
<br />
The venture began with a trip to the steel yard where I obtained the following materials. <br />
2-inch square steel tubing for legs<br />
3/4-inch thick plate steel for the anvil base<br />
1-inch square tubing for leg supports<br />
5/8-inch plate for feet<br />
and a 2-inch x 5-inch x 16-inch solid piece of flat bar steel for the anvil itself.....this piece alone weighed 45 pounds. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC08494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC08494.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The next thing to do was build the stand for the anvil. This consisted of everything accept the flat bar piece that was the anvil iself. <br />
<br />
<br />
Legs!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/DSC08508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/DSC08508.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Base plate before welding and cutting!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/DSC08504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/DSC08504.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Base plate after welding and cutting. (Remember the square holes.....they are important.)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/DSC08505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/DSC08505.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The feet! Notice the round holes....these are for bolting the stand down to the concrete, once it is finished!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/DSC08502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/DSC08502.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
One leg welded on! The legs are welded on at a 9 degree angle. This is an unimportant, unintersting fact that I just randomly decided to put in!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/DSC08509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/DSC08509.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I kind of forgot to take some inbetween shots here. But basically the legs were filled with sand (to increase weight and decrease vibration,) then the feet and braces where welded on. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/DSC08514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/DSC08514.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/DSC08513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/DSC08513.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Now in an anvil, you have a square hole called a "hardy" hole. A large variety of tooling can be made for different processes, to fit in the hardy hole. So in order to make a striking anvil, I had to put at least one "hardy" hole in it. I decided to put two in mine. The standard hardy hole size is 1-inch so I decided to put a 1-inch hole in my striking anvil. My big shop anvil has a 1.25-inch hole though, so in order to make tooling for it, I decided to also put a 1.25-inch hole in my striking anvil. That is the reason for the two square holes in the stand. They are not the hardy holes, but they are clearance holes so that the base plate does not get in the way of the hardy holes in the actual "anvil." (Told you it'd be important!) <br />
So anyway, there are two ways to get a square hole in a 2-inch x 5-inch x 16-inch chunk of steel. Hire someone to machine it.....perfect but EXPENSIVE, or "drill and drift" the holes yourself. I opted for the latter. <br />
So what is "drill and drift?" Well drilling is the process of starting with a small drill bit and drilling a "pilot" hole through the material. Then you work your way up in consecutive sizes to the finished size. I drilled a 3/4-inch round hole where I wanted the 1-inch square hole to be, and a 1-inch round hole where I wanted the 1.25-inch square hole to be. It took about an hour to drill these two holes. <br />
<br />
Marked for drilling!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC08495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC08495.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
During drilling!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC08496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC08496.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Drilled!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC08498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC08498.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Now what is "drifting?" Drifting is the process of taking a round hole, like the ones I drilled, heating up the area around the round hole, and then driving a square tool called a "drift" through the round hole. The square drift being the desired size of the finished square hole. In order to heat such a large and heavy chunk of steel up, I needed some handles on it. So I welded some scrap steel handles on. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/DSC08511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/DSC08511.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Next I needed some way to support the piece while I drove the drift through. So I made this "make-shift" stand to get the job done. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/DSC08516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/DSC08516.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The drifts! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/DSC08518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/DSC08518.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Now I knew I wouldn't be able to drive these gigantic drifts through this gigantic steel by myself. I needed a little extra umph, and extra hand, and an extra sledge hammer. I didn't need the extra ego, but that kind of came with the package! :D Enter Chase Saxton, my blacksmith friend from Bowling Green Ky. <br />
I asked Chase to come over and help me drift the two holes square and then in exchange, we would make him a new forging hammer. He agreed, and came over to help with the big work. We did not take pictures of the process but we recorded it all and made some videos! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/2WQtcRqKkPw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/KrcamaqYfPo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/8BQt7yqTPnE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
We got it all done and here are some pictures! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC08531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC08531.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC08581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC08581.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
I also built a bandsaw stand last week! Here are a few pictures!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC08491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC08491.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC08492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC08492.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC08493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC08493.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I do have some pictures of the hammer Chase and I made as well as some other heavy forging I've been doing, but this is all I have time for right now! <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Master Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01972326296201406890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763402384150792982.post-43104466118391898152012-10-31T13:47:00.000-07:002012-10-31T13:47:18.550-07:00yeah it's been a whileFor those of you who do me the honour following my blog regularly, I must apologize! Things have been even more busy than before since my return from the young smith's trip through July and the early days of August. <br />
<br />
<br />
Since then, my dear sister Kayla Custer got married off and now lives about 30 minutes away with her beloved hubby and my new Brother-in-law. She also has a baby on the way! <br />
The beautiful bride! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/EllisJacobKaylaWedding315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/EllisJacobKaylaWedding315.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The anctious groom! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/EllisJacobKaylaWedding394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/EllisJacobKaylaWedding394.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
Me escorting mom! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/EllisJacobKaylaWedding386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/EllisJacobKaylaWedding386.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Uhhh "here comes the bride!" <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/EllisJacobKaylaWedding415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/EllisJacobKaylaWedding415.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/IMG_0116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/IMG_0116.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/IMG_0118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/IMG_0118.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/EllisJacobKaylaWedding624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/EllisJacobKaylaWedding624.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/EllisJacobKaylaWedding642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/EllisJacobKaylaWedding642.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/IMG_0567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/IMG_0567.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My sister made her own cake! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/EllisJacobKaylaWedding188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/EllisJacobKaylaWedding188.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The only thing I can say about this is that no-one will know what car I'm leaving my wedding in! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/EllisJacobKaylaWedding929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/EllisJacobKaylaWedding929.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/EllisJacobKaylaWedding1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/EllisJacobKaylaWedding1000.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The weekend after the wedding, I had an art show in Louisville. As usual we set up our booth on Friday evening at the show. Friday night we were hit be a large and powerful storm, and despite having concrete blocks tied to every corner of both of my tents, they wre swept away and crushed by the wind. Other than this "small" misfortune, I did quite well at the show.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC06349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC06349.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC06355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC06355.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC06359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC06359.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The week after the show we travelled to Colorado to visit Grandparents out there. We were there for about a week and a half. We had a good time site-seeing and such, and a highlight for me was being able to visit <a href="http://www.dragonforgeltd.com/" target="_blank">DRAGON FORGE</a>, a large blacksmith shop in Pine Colorado! Here are a couple of pictures of me with the shop owner and his son! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC06397.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC06397.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC06384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC06384.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
When we returned from Colorado, I had another show to do with about three weeks to prepare. I had quite a bit of work to do, but was completely ready, and I also bought a new tent to replace the ones I had lost. We had a good show on Saturday, but Sunday was stormy and the show shut down early. That means every single show I have done this year has had bad weather on one of the two days. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC08404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC08404.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC08405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC08405.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC08419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC08419.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC08407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC08407.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC08413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC08413.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
After this show, dad and I spent a couple of days preparing the shop, and then we poured half of the concrete in the shop. This is something I have been planning for and saving for, for some time. <br />
<br />
The week after this show I had another wedding to attend to. My good friend Miss Nicole, AKA the "goatgirl" of <a href="http://www.freewebs.com/goatwagonsutlers/" target="_blank">GOAT WAGON SUTLERS</a> got married about a week and a half ago. I was asked by the groom to make a small goat sculpture for Miss Nicole. I spent a couple of days working on it, and I was very pleased with how it turned out. I believe both the bride and groom were very pleased with it too! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC06482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC06482.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC06486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC06486.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC06484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC06484.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC06485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC06485.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
The groom requested that both the bride and groom's names and the date of marriage be stamped on the base plate of this piece. I emailed the bride and managed to get her signature for the names without her knowing what it was for. So the "Paul and Nicole" signature is the bride's hand. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC06483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC06483.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
After I returned from the wedding, dad and I once again, spent a couple of days preparing the shop (including moving my 1500 pound power hammer,) and then poured the second half of the concrete in the shop. The slab turned out very well, especially seeing that neither dad nor I have any experience pouring large quantities of concrete. <br />
<br />
Currently, I am working to rearange the shop and get things back up and running. This involves moving equipment around, drilling holes in the concrete, and bolting down all of the heavy equipment. I currently have my forge, anvil, and power hammers back into position, but I still have to bolt them down. I have ordered a bunch of heavy-duty casters (industrial wheels for moving equipment on concrete surfaces,) and once they come in, I'll be putting them on my heavy tables. <br />
Here are some pictures of the shop with concrete and a few of the tools back in place! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC08469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC08469.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC08470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC08470.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC08471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC08471.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC08467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC08467.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC08468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC08468.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
After I get my shop set back up and my primary tools back in place, I have some custom orders to get caught up on, as well as some other business ventures to puruse. Right now I've got work planned out a couple of months in advance, so I'm happy! <br />
<br />
<br />
In the mean time, here are some more random pictures! <br />
<br />
My new 6-inch vise! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC08476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC08476.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC06610-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC06610-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC06608-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC06608-1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC06609-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC06609-1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC06607-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC06607-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC06606-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC06606-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC06611-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC06611-1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC06371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC06371.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC06366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC06366.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Master Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01972326296201406890noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763402384150792982.post-26695740142437939132012-09-05T19:24:00.002-07:002012-09-05T19:24:17.999-07:00Young Smiths 2012 part CThe final installment of the Young Smiths 2012 adventure, starts NOW! <br />
<br />
Upon the conclusion of the class in Billings Montana, we started the long trip down the foothills of the Rocky Mountains on I-25, toward Texas. We stopped in Denver where my Grandparents picked me up and took me to eat. It was fun visiting with them. <br />
<br />
From there we continued South, traveling through the North East corner of New Mexico before crossing into the Lone Star State. Almost there right????? HA! We still had a good day and a half or more of travel within Texas. We finally reached Houston area on a Tuesday afternoon. We unloaded the tools at the shop where we would be demoing on the upcoming Saturday, transfered our luggage to Daniel's Dad's car, and the four young smiths hit the road again for a 2-hour journey to Daniel's place. On the way, Daniel's Dad, Chris, treated us to a fine Texas steak-house meal (including dessert.) <br />
We spent the next three days working (at a more relaxed pace,) in Daniel's shop, making a few odds-n-ends. We also made two gifts, one for our mentor Mr. Brian Brazeal, and one for his assistant and the only driver on the entire trip, Mr. Lyle Wynne. <br />
<br />
Daniel and Alec employed themselves with the task of making a SUPER NICE Brian Brazeal-style hammer, for Brian, and Kainon and I made a bowl for Lyle.<br />
<br />
The camera was packed up during the trip down the Rocky Mountain foothills, so I did not get any pictures of that, nor did I get any photos of us working in Daniel's shop. I do have a couple of good stories but I'll save those until after the pictures of our Saturday demo. <br />
<br />
The demonstration that was schedualed was at the Lee Brother's Shop.....our kind hosts Jeff and Allan Lee. Their shop is a large, well-outfitted, full time blacksmithing opperation. <br />
<br />
Enough talking! Here are some pictures!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8168.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8169.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8177.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8208.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8210.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/GEDC0080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/GEDC0080.jpg" width="311" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8233.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8241.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8246.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8254.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8262.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8178.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8183.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8196.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8212.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8214.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/GEDC0087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/GEDC0087.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8383.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8258.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8280.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8282.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8283.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8288.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8295.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8308.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8314.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The first half of our demo, we focused on tools. In the pictures above, Kainon and I made a hot-cut hardy and a slot punch while Daniel and Alec made a hammer. Then we all four came together and made a cupping tool. While Daniel and Alec finished up the cupping tool, I did a forge welding demonstration, making the cross shown in the last picture. <br />
<br />
After our morning demonstration period, we at lunch and then had an auction. After the auction, we had an afternoon demonstration. In this demonstration, Kainon and I forged a bird (I directed, he struck,) and three sides of a rectangular frame. While we were so employed, Daniel and Alec made three cat-tail leaves, one cat-tail, then forge-welded them together, then forge welded them and the bird Kainon and I made to the fourth side of the frame. Once all of this was completed, All four of us came together to forge weld the bottom of the frame to the sides/top of the frame. <br />
Here are some pictures of the process and the product!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8370.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8376.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8386.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8387.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8408.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8420.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8421.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8422.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8424.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8428.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8442.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This concluded the demonstrations and really concluded Young Smiths 2012. Shortly thereafter, Kainon departed, headed for his home in Austin, Texas. Before we left, however, we got to play with the "big-boy toys" of the shop. Namely, the 400 pound Nazel, self-contained air hammer. Drumroll please!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8448.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Alec, promptly heated up a piece of 1.5-inch solid round stock about 12 inches long. He took about a third of it, and forged it out under the hammer. This hammer delivers 400 pound hammer blows somewhere in the neighbourhood of 200 times a minute. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8459.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
He forged it down a bit, but being unused to power hammers, did not have an overly large ammount of control. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8494.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Daniel was next up "to bat." He took the other end of the 1.5-inch solid round, again using about a third. No offence to Daniel, but he made a mess of it! (Sorry Daniel! :) ) To give him credit he did end up with a piece of "unintentional-art."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8497.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8528.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8537.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Being that there was a third young smith present, and there was a third of the original 1.5-inch solid bar left, I was "forced" into using the hammer. BIG MISTAKE! As I walked away to heat the metal up, Brian said, "Yeah, see how long you can draw that section out!" You see, I've used both air and mechanical hammers extensively, currently owning both types, and having used the various types of both hammers. The largest hammer I've ever used was a 135 pound air hammer, but the ones I use on a daily basis are a 60 and a 50 pounder. Roughly 1/8 the size of this hammer. However, the general method is the same, just upscaled a bit. <br />
<br />
I was, at first, a little doubtful about the amount of control I would have over such a large hammer. To my pleasure, as soon as I touched the control pedal, I knew I could do it, and fell into the same rythm I use on my smaller hammers here in my shop. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8540.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8591.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8595.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
In short, I made a perfectly straight, perfectly round bar about 15 inches long and something like 3/4-inch thick. As I used the hammer and moved more and more steel, sometimes running the hammer wide open at it's fastest and most powerful capacity. Quite frankly it was a blast! <br />
There was a bit of cheering me on from the crowd once I got set into a steady pace. Once I had finished, one of the shop owners (Jeff Lee,) ran over and grabbed my arm, threw it in the air and shouted, while someone else yelled "And we have the WINNER," with Alec's voice in the background shouting, "That was incredible!" <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8598.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here is Alec inspecting my work! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8599.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8600.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Passing it to the next person waiting to see it! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8603.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8604.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
It seems I was king of the moment, and I enjoyed every second of it! It was great fun running such a large and powerful hammer, with such pleasing results. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/IMG_8605.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
That pretty much concludes the pictoral tour of Young Smiths 2012. I did say though, that I had a couple of good stories to tell. <br />
<br />
One took place while traveling over the Texas plains! I had, up until this time, never seen a real dust devil. Texas has some sure-nuff real dust devils. There were dust devils several hundred feet high and 50 feet around, swirling like mad, across the, more or less dessert lands. To make it more amazing, there were several of these within sight, quite often. Once, while we were driving down the road, one of these large dust devils collided with our truck. The impact was audible and shook the entire truck with amazing force. It was quite an interesting experience. <br />
<br />
<br />
The second story took place in Daniel's shop. Kainon and I were working on the bowl we were making for Mr. Lyle. We forged the bowl from a piece of 2-inch solid round steel, 1/2-inch thick. It started out as a thick disk and we thinned it down to about 1/16-inch thick and 6-inches around. It was quite an difficult task. When the metal is that thin, it cools very quickly, only giving time for a couple of hammer blows, before it must be reheated. Once, while we were working, Daniel threw a huge chunk of ice into the bowl. The bowl (still around 800 degrees Fahrenheight,) began melting the ice rapidly with a loud crackling and sizzling sound. I looked at Daniel with irritation! Then I looked at the bowl, which was held with tongs. He seemed to read my mind. It was a perfect catipult for the remaining ice and boiling water. He took off, but not before I could hurl the mixture of EXTREMELY cold ice and EXTREMELY hot water in his directly. The ice missed him, but a large bit of water hit his shirt, encourging some outragous dancing performances! <br />
<br />
As a part of the four Young Smiths group, I can tell you, we had quite a few clashes and arguments during the month-long experience. However, we were all good sports and got over it and moved on. We all parted as friends! <br />
<br />
From the Texas demo, Daniel went home, while Alec and I traveled back to Mississippi with Brian, Brian's wife, Lyle and Lyle's wife. (Ohhhh yes, and Brian's, wife's, dog!) <br />
However, Young Smiths 2012 ended in Bryan, Texas at the Lee Brother's shop, so that's where I'll conclude! <br />
<br />
And what better way to end than with a picture of us packing up! <br />
<br />
Pack 'em up boys, were going home! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/GEDC0154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/young%20smiths%202012%20texas/GEDC0154.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Master Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01972326296201406890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763402384150792982.post-69138767985901294222012-08-26T15:27:00.001-07:002012-08-26T15:27:39.445-07:00Young smiths 2012 part BAfter three or four days journey through Mississippi, West Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri, and Iowa, we finally reached South Dakota! Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to be exact. We were in South Dakota, so we must be close right??? Yeah right! Do a Google search for "U.S. map" and look at the location of Sioux Falls, SD in relation to Rapid City, SD. The scenery out there is all the same, so one picture will do! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05697.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Undaunted, we pressed forward. The entire trip had been accomplished safely with no incidents, until about 20 miles East of Rapid City, we sort-of blew a tire! I say "sort of" because all that happened was ALL the tread came COMPLETELY off the tire without ceremony! There was a big "WHOMPH" sound accomanied with a nearly alarming swerve and jerk and bump of the truck. I quickly looked around to see a motor home behind us, straddle what was left of the tread on our tire. We knew it wasn't blown because the truck was still riding smooth. We slowed down, and took the exit which was fortunately only a half-mile away! <br />
<br />
We stopped, and proceded to find the various tire changing instruments, that the truck carries. <br />
Jack? Check!<br />
Lug wrench? Check! <br />
Long pole that operates the jack? Check! <br />
Key that lets the spare down? MIA! (Missing In Action!) Ohhhh BUMMER! <br />
<br />
Sure thing, we got the bad tire all of the way off, and couldn't get the spare out from under the truck, because the spare tire key was nowhere to be found! But, hey we were a truckload of blacksmiths. So, we got a hacksaw, cold chisel, and hammer, and just cut the cable that held the spare. <br />
<br />
Here is the bald tire! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05730.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Here is the "new" tire! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05729.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here the Young Smith mentor and Alec, getting some air while Lyle and I were changing the tire! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05732.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Like I said, the view out there is all the same! Here is the road on the exit we got off on to change the tire! Ohhh and this is with 100% zoom on the camera! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05735.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So we finally made it to Rapid City and the National ABANA conference! Shortly after we arrived and unloaded the gentleman who ordered the 5-pound hammer that all four young-smiths made and signed, showed up. Here is a picture of him with the hammer and the four young smiths! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05739.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Here is the view from our hotel...overlooking Rapid City! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05743.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Before I arrived in Mississippi, the other three Young Smiths made a hammer and drift nail, for the ABANA nail stump. Here is a picture of it! If it is any consolation, I did help nail it in. I might have helped if there were some brains present, as it seems that the Young Smith that started the nailing process nailed it in UPSIDE DOWN! I will not mention names, but it wasn't me! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05754.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Here are some pictures of interest!<br />
<br />
First, a really neat nail in the nail stump! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05760.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
A steel buffalo that looks like it was made from a scrap pile! Neat though! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05761.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
And a stunning steel saddle! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05762.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We got there a day early, and set up on the evening of our arrival. The next day, we completed our preparations, and had most of a day to burn until we the opening ceremony and demo! Well, we thought we had most of a day to burn. Kainon and I decided to go on a little walk to see what all was there at the conference. In our defence, our understanding of the set up was, "make sure all of your tools are ready," which we did! Well, as we are walking around, we got a call and were asked to return to our demo tent. When we got there, confusion reigned. Out of nowhere, we got permission to light forge fires and demo for a Fox News crew. Somewhere in the confusion, dissorganization, and at times figurative crucifying of each other, we managed to the fires lit, and forge a thumb-tack out of 1.5-inch solid round 4140 tool steel, incorporation the use of four strikers. <br />
Here is a set of pictures from that unschedualed demo slot.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7648.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7650.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7665.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
That evening was when the conference really started, beginning with the opening ceremony presentation. <br />
This is the president of ABANA, Mr. Peyton! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05776.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Here is a panoramic set of pictures, of the opening ceremony! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05772.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05773.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05774.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Imediately after the opening ceremony speaches, Mr. Brian Brazeal (our mentor,) started the "first" fire and then the Young Smiths 2012 were turned loose to perform for three hours as the opening demonstrators of the 2012 ABANA conference. There were probably 200 people standing in a huge circle to watch our opening demonstration. We demonstrated for three hours each day at the conference, and at any given time there was usually 50+ people watching. It was an amazing experience to be able to demonstrate at such a well known event to some of the best known blacksmiths in the country. Here are some choice pictures! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7691-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7691-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7700-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7700-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7684-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7684-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/2012-07-20_15-50-47_85.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/2012-07-20_15-50-47_85.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/2012-07-18_18-02-17_586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/2012-07-18_18-02-17_586.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/2012-07-18_17-16-10_587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/2012-07-18_17-16-10_587.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/2012-07-19_19-44-32_569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/2012-07-19_19-44-32_569.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And yet another fine collection of hammers! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/2012-07-21_07-47-03_657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/2012-07-21_07-47-03_657.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Here is Mr. Brian (our mentor,) working! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05828.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
So what did we make all this time demonstrating. Well, we did several hammers, several hot cuts, several punches, several other tools, several "thumb tacks," a ginormous nail, and a 2x3-foot frame with a bird and cat-tails! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05829.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05831.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05833.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05834.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Daniel and I were asked to make an axe out of an 1800's leaf spring. Daniel did the directing and I did the striking! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05820.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05821.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Horse head letter opener I made. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05777.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
We had quite a few people support the Young Smiths 2012 effort. I gave the above letter opener to one of our lead supporters! This lady and her husband helped the Young Smiths GREATLY and their support is GREATLY appreciated! Thanks folks! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05778.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
In addition to the great fun it was demonstrating and talking to people, I got to meet several reknowned blacksmiths in person, that I have talked to over email in the past. Here is Mr. Glenn Gilmore and myself. Check out his website! <a href="http://www.gilmoremetal.com/">http://www.gilmoremetal.com/</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05826.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I also got to meet Mr. Timothy Miller. I know Mr. Timothy through <a href="http://www.iforgeiron.com/">www.iforgeiron.com</a>, and he was kind enough to offer me a journeyman position working in his shop, a couple years ago. Unfortunately it didn't work out, but it was great to put a face to the name, and I had lots of fun talking to him. Check out his website! <a href="http://www.spiritironworks.com/">http://www.spiritironworks.com/</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05784.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05784.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I also got to meet Mr. Mark Aspery. Mr. Mark is a California blacksmith, who is very active in teaching through ABANA. <a href="http://www.markaspery.com/School_of_Blacksmithing/Home.html">http://www.markaspery.com/School_of_Blacksmithing/Home.html</a> Y'all keep Mark in your prayers, as he was in a motor-cycle wreck a few days after the conference and got banged up pretty bad! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05846.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I also got to see Mr. Clay Spencer who I have had the chance to take several classes with. It was good to see and talk to him again. Mark and Mindy Gardner were there! (<a href="http://www.floodplainforge.com/">http://www.floodplainforge.com/</a>) I've taken their class at John C. Campbell in the past. <br />
Last, but certainly not least, is Mr. Eddy Rainy! It's been several years since I've seen him. I used to live only just down the road from him, and got to work with him on a couple of occasions.<br />
<a href="http://gallopforge.com/">http://gallopforge.com/</a><br />
<br />
Here is a run of random pictures from the conference. First, here's the Italian smithing team. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05808.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05799.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05804.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05810.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The Italians got to work all day, every day of the conference and this is the sculptural piece they turned out! It was massive, beautiful, and well done! (Someone thought so....it sold for $12,500 at the auction.)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05836.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Here is the kid that got the bird and cat-tail picture frame the Young Smiths made. It looks like we have a future "young smith" in the making! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05857.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Here is a facinating set of hardware a group made! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05851.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05853.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Random pictures! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05868.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05867.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05561.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
So after the ABANA conference, we hit the road, heading up to the Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse monuments! Oh yes....and we had to check on my state park! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05947.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05961.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05871.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05876.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
If the truck had been big enough and if we hadn't been so crammed into it, we would have been on the edge of our seats as we caught our first glimpse. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05880.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05880.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
AND DRUMROLL PLEASE! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05886.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05893.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05894.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05895.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05895.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Now I'm a stout-hearted southern boy, grey all the way through and through, Confederate Civil War buff and reenactor, and dubbed Confederate Drummer Boy and Naval Historian. However, I'm not even going to say anything about that sorry, no-good, rotten, lying, criminal, politian Lincoln! Oops! Well I tried! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05896.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05930.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05901.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05903.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05928.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
And DRUMROLL PLEASE! Crazy Horse! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05944-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05944-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Sorry! That's the best shot I got! We didn't stop here, we just sort of drove past! <br />
<br />
From Crazy Horse, we decided that on the way to Billings, Montana, we would "swing by" yellowstone. You'll need to look at a map to understand the "swing by." Just look at the location of Yellowstone National Park in relation to the most direct route from Rapid City, SD to Billings, MT, and you will understand! <br />
It ended up being a gruelling 18-hour, straight-though trip, with 4 kids, 14 and up in the back seat of an extended, NOT A FOUR DOOR, cab truck! One word! TORTURE! <br />
The scenery was nice though......very VERY nice! <br />
<br />
Here is a run of photos of the variation of scenery on the way to Yellowstone! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06022.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The idealistic North Western ranch setting!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06052.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06019.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The change from the above to this was literaly instant! It went from huge mountains, towering canyons and cliffs, beautiful rivers and streams flowing over huge boulders, and lush green forest, to complete and utter desert! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06053.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06054.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
As fast as it changed from huge mountains to desert, it change back to this! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06009.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
And it wouldn't be a complete North Western road trip, if there wasn't some section of a mountain pass undergoing reconstruction! Several miles of the road here were dirt. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
And DRUMROLL PLEASE! Yellowstone! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06056.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
View over Yellowstone Lake! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06058.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Bathroom and stretch your legs stop! Man the truck was TIGHT! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06061.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06062.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Me <strike>getting back</strike> trying to get back in the truck! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06065.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Alright, here is a run of pictures from the Yellowstone Lodge area! This is where Old Faithful is along with a BUNCH of other boiling pots, and really neat things! I'm just going to post the pictures and not bother trying to comment on them. If you want to see the grandness or magnitude of any of this, go there yourself. It is well worth it, and pictures simply cannot capture it all! It is places like this that make me wonder how in the world people believe this stuff just came about by accident! Can you seriously see the caption over any of the following pictures being "Oops!"?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06071.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06072.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06073.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06076.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06081.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06094.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06096.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06102.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06107.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06111.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06115.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06117.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06118.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06125.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06131.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06135.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06137.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06139.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06141.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here are some pictures as we were heading out of Yellowstone towards nightfall.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06153.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06154.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
A beautiful hill of flowers! Ohhh I wanted to climb this SOOOO BAD! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06155.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06156.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06158.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06159.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06163.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06161.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We took the Beartooth Highway out of Yellowstone. This is a road that goes high up in the mountains and has some beautiful scenery! Well at least that's what I hear. It was dark when we were riding on it! Oh well! We got a good laugh out of this next picture though! We were using a GPS and all through the mountains it had shown curvy roads ahead. We had just come off a big mountain around 10 P.M, things were leveling off, and were were finally getting back to the straight stuff and out of the mountain ranges. Then we looked at the GPS and this is what lay ahead! The purple indicates the road we were traveling! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06167.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
So much for getting on the straight stuff! As you can see, we were at 9300 feet at this point. The highest point in the whole trip was 10,996 feet and that was just prior to the above picture.<br />
<br />
We arrived in Montana about 2 A.M. in the morning after 18 hours of travel! We caught some shut eye, and then in the morning, hooked up with the coordinator of the class we were teaching in Billings. We got our equipment set up, got a meal, and got our tents set up at our host's house. Our first morning camping out in Billings, looked like this! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06171.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC06173.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Hard to beat that right there! <br />
<br />
The class in Billings was taught by Brian. The four young smiths along with Mr. Lyle, acted as assitant instructors, which basically gave everyone in the class, constant, one-on-one instruction. <br />
Once again, I'm just going to post the pictures! It was primarily a tool making class and the pictures speak for themselves! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7743.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7757.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Well this next picture will need some explaining! The class was in a zoo! Not just any zoo though, it was in Zoo Montana, and as I understand it, that is the only zoo in Montana! Here is one of our most faithful students! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7830.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7833.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here is Dave and Kainon being Dave and Kainon!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7858.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7868.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7872.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7876.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7915.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here is Daniel being Daniel!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7983.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7987.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here is Alec being Alec!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7988.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_8041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_8041.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_8042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_8042.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_8098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_8098.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Helping with the auction at the end of the class! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_8145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_8145.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
And that's all folks! I'm going to conclude the young smith's journey in the next blog where I will cover the Texas leg of our travels and work. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Master Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01972326296201406890noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763402384150792982.post-80073023047270663702012-08-17T18:38:00.000-07:002012-08-17T18:38:01.870-07:00Young Smiths 2012 part AIt would be very difficult to do justice to the magnitude or grandness of the adventure that the Young Smiths 2012 was. <br />
I am simply going to start in where I entered the scene, and let the pictures speak for themselves! <br />
<br />
Young Smiths 2012 was composed of four young blacksmiths including myself. In order of age, we were as follows: <br />
<br />
Me, Dave Custer, 19 years old, just turned 20. 6.5-years experience, Columbia Kentucky<br />
(you all know what I look like!) <br />
<br />
Kainon Baumer, 17 years old, just turned 18. 1.5 years experience, Austen Texas<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05747.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Daniel Riffe, 16 years old. 3 years experience, Sugarland Texas<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05746.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Alec Steele, 14 years old. 3 years experience, Norfolk England<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05745.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here we are all together! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05766.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So here is how it came about. All four of us boys have taken classes from Mr. Brian Brazeal and we use his style of tools and techniques as the basis for our forging theory! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Somehow, Mr. Brian and his wife Karen, organized the Young Smiths 2012 venture and got us in as demonstrators at the national ABANA conference. ABANA is the Artist Blacksmith Association of North America, and the conference it hosts, is the biggest blacksmithing event in the country. There are MANY MANY MANY talented blacksmiths that NEVER get to demonstrate at something like that in their entire lifetime. It is a true privalidge and honour to be permitted to be demonstrators at the National ABANA conference. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So, about two weeks before the conference, the youngs smiths met at Brian's place in Mississippi, to practice and prepare for their demonstration slots. Kainon, Daniel, and Alec, all got to Brian's place on the 7th of July. At that time I was not a part of the Young Smiths. Brian had asked me to go to the conference back when I took a class from him in March. Unfortunately, I had some other stuff going on and was not able to plan on attending. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Then, as a sudden turn of events, on the 9th of July, my plans fell through. So, I called Brian and asked if they still had room for one more in the Young Smiths group. He said they really needed one more person so that they could have two teams of two. Two days later, on the 11th of July I was in Mississippi. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The other boys already had time to practice so I had some catching up to do. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The first thing we did was notice how many BEAUTIFUL hammers there were laying around. It may not be in the book of world records but this has to be the largest collection of BEAUTIFUL hammer in the world. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05449.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The first project we did was making a 5 pound hammer for one of our supporters. All four young smiths worked on the hammer and we all signed it at the end. We all took turns doing different parts, and turned out quite a nice hammer if I do say so myself!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05452.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05451.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7362.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7368.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7370.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05460.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7407.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7439.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7471.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7489.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7515.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We also practiced one of the pieces we were planning on doing at the ABANA conference. We decided a frame with a bird and cattails would be a good demo piece for ABANA. Here are some pictures of us practicing a frame in Brian's shop. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7519.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7539.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7545.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7560.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7587.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/IMG_7601.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
After a few days of practice and a short informal demonstration for a local blacksmithing group in Mississippi, we loaded up, and hit the road. The ABANA conferece was in Rapid City South Dakota. Our route to South Dakota took us up through Mississippi, into Memphis Tennessee, then Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, then clear across South Dakota. <br />
Here are a few pictures! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05517.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05504.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05580.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05640.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05516.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05672.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/young%20smiths%202012%202/DSC05598.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
I tried to get pictures of all the state lines we crossed, but the camera I was using was slow. You only get one shot, and I missed a bunch! :( <br />
<br />
That's all for now! more to come! LOTS more to come! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Master Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01972326296201406890noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763402384150792982.post-382175720188098342012-08-17T05:42:00.001-07:002012-08-17T05:42:51.996-07:00John C Campbell July 2012Hello folks! It's been what like two months since I blogged last! Well I've been busy.....so busy in fact that it will take more than one post to update you on all I've been doing, and probably several hundred photos to help tell the story. <br />
<br />
For now, I'm going to take you all of the way back to the first of July! I was awarded a schollarship to take a class at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Murphy North Carolina. The class I chose to take was the first week of July. The theme of the class was traditional Colonial hardware. The class was taught by Mr. Jerry Darnell, an excellent instructor and blacksmith. I took a class from him last year as well, and thoroughly enjoyed the drive that Jerry puts in his classes. It's no child's play, and in order to keep up, you have to have a solid skill base. <br />
<br />
Enough talking though.....let's see some photos! <br />
<br />
Here is Jerry demonstrating! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05364.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Here is one of me working......many thanks to Mr. Jerry for being the photographer! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05367.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Here is the whole class here! Mr. Bob Alexander (standing just right of Jerry, who is the guy in the white shirt standing in the middle,) acted as the assistant instructor and is always ready to answer questions, and just generaly a huge help! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05370.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Receiving my certificate and T-shirt! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05372.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
At John C Campbell, blacksmithing isn't the only thing going on! There are a dozen or so crafts being taught each week! This is a bird done by the wood carving class. Pretty neat huh! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05393.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here are some pieces done by the wood turning class! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05406.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05411.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05410.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05407.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Here is a picture of the blacksmith display table! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05403.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
And here is everything I made! <br />
<br />
First up here is a spatula! This actually wasn't on the list of things we were making, but I finished my other products early, and had time to do this extra piece! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05424.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The next couple of pictures are of a five-piece door latch! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05425.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05427.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05429.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05430.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Here is a set of split hinges I did! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05431.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
These are blanket chest hinges! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05432.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This is how they work! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05434.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Here is a set of 24 inch strap hinges with a bean on the end! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05436.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05438.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05439.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
And finally here is a dutch heart finial! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05435.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
After I took the John C. Campbell class and got back home, I was fortunate enough to become a part of a group called Young Smiths 2012. This group was organized by Mr. Brian Brazeal, his wife Karen, and Brian's assistant Mr. Lyle. Two days after I got back from John C Campbell, I was off to Mississippi on a Greyhound bus, to join the Young Smiths. The Young Smiths 2012 group was composed of four young smiths. Alec Steele from Norfolk England: 14 years old, Danial Riffe from Sugarland Texas: 16 years old, Kainon Baumer from Austin Texas: 17 years old, just turned 18, and then myself from Columbia Kentucky: 19 years old, just turned 20. <br />
<br />
The main event for the Young Smiths was the national ABANA conference. ABANA is the Artist Blacksmith Association of North America. The conference is the largest blacksmithing event in the U.S., drawing several thousand blacksmiths from around the world over the course of the four day event. Demonstrators included an Italian blacksmithing team, a coppersmith family from South America, well known names in blacksmithing such as Mark Aspery, Gerald Boggs, and Darrel Nelson, an iron ore smelting demonstration, knife making demos, and more. <br />
Young Smiths 2012 were honoured to be schedualled demonstrators at the national conference this year. <br />
<br />
The Conference was in Rapid City, South Dakota. <br />
<br />
However, this Young Smiths adventure started at Brian Brazeal's place in Mississippi. All four of us young smiths were at one time or other, under Brian's teaching, so we came together at his place and had several days of preparation before starting on the long treck to Rapid City. <br />
<br />
I'll leave it at that, and the next blog will cover our month long adventure throughout the entire mid-west, as we demonstrated and taught the art of real blacksmithing! <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /> </div>
Master Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01972326296201406890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1763402384150792982.post-65760231974829031732012-06-22T20:37:00.000-07:002012-06-22T20:37:33.496-07:00latest since the bandsawThings have been a flury of business around here, and I have simply not found the time to blog. <br />
<br />
First, and most important, I finished up a couple of jobs I was working on.<br />
<br />
One project I was working on was steel accents for a chair and foot-rest base. This took quite a bit of time, head scratching, and ultimate satisfaction as the final piece came together as desired. In keeping with my normal style, the steel parts that I made for the wooden bases were all done using traditional techniqes. The circles were bent and forge welded together! The strength of the welds was tested by numerous hammer blows on the weld, once it had cooled. Both welds withstood all the beating, much to my satisfaction. The decorative pieces were split using a chisel, and then tapered, bent to fit the contour of the wood, and then riveted in place. <br />
<br />
The finished product was bolted to the wooden bases using standard hex-head lag screws. I did however, texture the bolt tops and blackened them to match the rest of the piece. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/Dave/iron%20work/DSC05083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/Dave/iron%20work/DSC05083.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/Dave/iron%20work/DSC05085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/Dave/iron%20work/DSC05085.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/Dave/iron%20work/DSC05086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/Dave/iron%20work/DSC05086.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/Dave/iron%20work/DSC05078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/Dave/iron%20work/DSC05078.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
The next job I had was an interesting one! At one of the recent art shows I attended, I met a man that had steel rings, and wood slats to make cider press baskets. <br />
One problem! <br />
He didn't have anyone to rivet them together for him. <br />
ENTER: The blacksmith! <br />
This man had just had someone bend the steel rings, and they looked sort of corny. Just a plain steel ring. So I took them and "blacksmithified" them. (I don't think they've got that one in the dictionaries yet.) Anyway, I textured the edges (called chamfering,) and then blackened, and coated the steel rings. Then I used a special, flat-head rivet to attach all of the wooden slats to the rings. The entire project took roughly 2640 hammer blows to complete. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/Dave/iron%20work/DSC05094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/Dave/iron%20work/DSC05094.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/Dave/iron%20work/DSC05095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/Dave/iron%20work/DSC05095.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I recently did a "how-to" on making your own tongs. Here are a few select pictures of the process! <br />
<br />
<div align="center">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Straightening the spring! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05113.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05116.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
Bending the jaws! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05153.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<br />Shaping the "bit." </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05158.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05161.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
Chiseling the jaw! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05163.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
Sizing for a perfect fit! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05172.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
The finished product! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05089.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Another thing I did recently was make a bunch of sample pieces showing different techniques. This is for something I'm in the middle of right now, but I'll wai until I see how it pans out to share the news. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05053.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I spent about a half a day repairing my air hammer. A piece busted on it about a month ago, and I have not had the time to fix it until now. This is the area that I repaired. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05261.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I also made a cutter die for my air hammer. This die us used to cut metal, hot, under the power hammer. It is particularly made for cutting 1.25-inch solid round, high carbon, tool steel. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05260.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The reason I made this die, is I am now the first and sole producer of the Brian Brazeal hot cut hardy. After my blacksmithing class with Brian Brazeal a couple of months ago, I asked him if he would be interested in me producing his style of hardy cutter for him to sell. He said yes, and we have been working on finallizing the design of my interpretation of his tool. Here are the first six. I am making a batch of 50 for him to take the National Artist Blacksmiths Association of North America, conference in a few weeks. Anyway, the above cutter die for my power hammer, cuts the pieces that these cutters are made from. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn114/fiddlegirl89_photos/dave%202/DSC05256.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In addition to ALL of that, Dad and I are in a scurry to finish up some important parts on the barn/shop. We have been working occasionally on repairing the entire roof of the old portion of our barn/shop. It is a momentous project, and is extremely taxing on the body, so we only work on it every once in a while. We are also still working on the siding on the barn, replacing most of it and putting in new foundations. We really have to finish up all of the work on the barn this up-coming week. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I am schedualled to go to the John C. Campbell folk school in one week to take a week-long blacksmithing class there. I am excited about that, especially seeing that the instructor is one of my teachers from last year, and I really enjoyed his class then. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Somewhere in all this scurry of work and stuff, my brothers and I found time to shoot some with our .44 black powder revolver. We ordered a bullet mold and have been molding our own bullets. It </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
is a really fun gun to shoot! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/VrVx6lBP88g?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Y8hrqr_9o4U/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Y8hrqr_9o4U?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" />
<param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" />
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" />
<embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Y8hrqr_9o4U?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/3C0_GiLZx5k/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3C0_GiLZx5k?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" />
<param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" />
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" />
<embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3C0_GiLZx5k?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Uhhhh "That's all folks!" </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Master Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01972326296201406890noreply@blogger.com0