"Backyard Blacksmithing" pounding iron on the forge this evening!

8 AM. I'll be up around 6 am. Scotty must be rubbing off on me because my shop is a mess! Hahaha. Yeah I have to clean and clear some stuff out so we have some room to move around. Can't say that too much about Scotty Overkill because after years of him collecting and throwing stuff on his benches here about 2 weeks ago he cleaned it up! You now have enough room in his shop to layout and work on 6 saws at once!

 

wish I was closer sounds like a fun time. nothing like inviting yourself..................

 

I did.

 

A two prong fork would round that set out nicely. Very authentic looking.

 

There is nothing like meeting up and working some small projects up. Bouncing ideas around, planning how you want the metal to move is all part of the challenge. I wish I could be there with ya.

 

I’m hangin in there. Hadn't been burning as much this season with my arthritis being bad. Started feeling better about a week now and I’ve been firing up the stove again. Sure beats the heating oil bills this year. Right now I’m on the recliner with it being 10° outside and the stove is right next to me full of oak. It’s 76° in the house. So, I guess things are pretty good. Hope you and your family have been doing well. It’s good seeing the membership growing. It is like family here.

 

That spoon is a fine piece of work, Scotty.

 

Had a great time with Joe and Tim this am. Was really cool to beat on some iron. Thanks Joe!

 

What?!? No pics?!?

 

Had an absolutely awesome time with blacksmith Joe and John today!
Just seeing the hinges on the shop doors was exciting !

 

Joe guided us through our first project .
Fire pokers.
I wanted one to keep in the Rock and Roll Tour Bus for when we go camping and to GTG's
Check it out!



Started with the handle



Then the hook



Then twisted two areas . One left hand twist, one right hand

 

Last piece. Make a point



Attach the pointed poker

 

Very nice. Twists are fun. Heat a small area for a tight twist, larger area for longer ones. It's cool watching the scale drop off and seeing the metal move in those swirls.


I did a quick project today with a little forging. I made self-rescue ice picks to take along ice fishing. I always see these advertised with short picks, but always thought if there was hard snow on the ice, longer picks would be good. We always fish on thick ice, but you never know if there is a spring hole that causes a thin spot.

I forged points on the ends of 5/16th mild steel. I had some hard maple table legs that I cut sections off.



I turned two handles down with knob ends.



I drilled holes 2/3 the way in and mixed about a tablespoon of epoxy. I epoxied the points in and covered both handles and picks. Just before the epoxy completely set, I took old gloves and rubbed the handles to rough up the epoxy finish for grip. Attached a lanyard and they are drying by the stove.

 

Redfin John wanted a mega poker for his OWB. This is a two hand poker
An extra bend at the handle for a better grip



Nice long point


John and his 6' poker
That thing looks medevil!

 

Holy crap...who made the anvil?? LOL

 

I was amazed how the metal twisted so easy and even but the corners stayed sharp

 

Acme anvil co.

 

Yes
And the black snot I blew out of my nose was particularly interesting!