Who's Your Daddy Now?!?!

  After a rough day yesterday, today was a much better day on the forge.  I guess my muscles had a chance to "wake" back up because I was able to go for well over 4 hours today.  I had started a pair of tongs yesterday.  I wanted to incorporate a few tidbits of info that I had gotten from the DVDs.

  The biggest thing that I did new was what is called a drop tong weld.  In the past, when I have made tongs, the reins(handles) of the tongs were simple the same square stock that I had made the jaws of the tongs from.  The problem with that is that square handles don't feel good in the hands.  So, I always had to round them up.  When that is between 12" - 18" worth of material, that ends up being a lot of work.

  Another way to do the tongs is to form the jaws of the tongs and weld them to round stock.  This is a somewhat difficult weld.  Both pieces are brought up to a welding heat and taken to the anvil.  Now, since most humans have only two hands, it is necessary to release one of the two pieces.  The jaws are held with another pair of tongs.  The new rein for the jaws are used to hold the jaw piece in place.  The tongs that were holding the jaw piece is dropped and a hammer is quickly picked up to make the weld.  Hence the name of "drop tong weld."

  This process can only take 3-5 seconds.  After that, the metal cools too much to weld properly.  After the first few hammer blows, the two pieces are hopefully held together enough to return to the fire.  They are brought to a welding heat a few more times to close up the weld.

  I was very happy with the result.  I ended up only making one minor mistake that was easily corrected.  My ability to weld at the forge is a good skill to have.  It is amazing how many long term smiths can't do simple welding.  Many will just pull out the arc or oxy/act welder rather than do a forge weld.

  The other thing I did that was new was to use powered wire brush to clean up the tongs.  I was really surprised how much better the tongs look from this simple cleaning.

Kick my ass and call me Sally,

  First time on forge in many weeks and it kicked my ass.  I started by beginning to make some new tools.  I cut of a piece of spring steel to make into a chisel.  Next, I moved onto a new pair of tongs.  I'm taking my time on the tongs to see how nice I can make them.  Also, after observing other smiths recently, I've come to the conclusion that I'm usually using the wrong tongs.  So, going to try and remake all of my tongs over the next few sessions.

Rainy week,

  Because of being out of town for a week and a half and all of the rain this weekend, I had to spend some time taking care of things around the house.  I hope to get back to the forge soon.

  The DVDs have made me rethink some of the ways that I do things.  Nothing major, just a lot of little tips that I've missed since I am mostly self taught.  I am thinking that I may spend the next few months simply remaking a lot of my tools.  Aside from a few of my recent tongs, most of my tools definitely could be improved.  So, aside from the project for an SCA group, I may try to stick to just tools here for the near future.

More on the DVDs that I bought.

  I have been watching the DVDs for the Blacksmith Primer book.  I am about a half hour into the final DVD.  Most of the material is just letting me know I've picked up the correct way to do things or its giving me a little bit different perspective.  However, I am getting into either stuff that is new to me or that I haven't tried yet.  If you are new to blacksmithing and have stumbled across my blog, I cannot recommend enough that you go to www.teachingtapes.net and order the Blacksmith Primer DVDs.  In my opinion, they would be as valuable an investment as your first forge and anvil.  For $100, you get a lot of good information.

  I haven't gotten to the other DVDs yet but will post comments if justified.

Ironfest continued...

  I just got back from Ironfest.  They had several demo areas going.  Unfortunately, most of the areas were the artsy-fartsy stuff.  :)  I need to learn some more about the artistic side of blacksmithing but some of the demos were modern art which I'm really not into.  I guess I am getting a little more experienced because the beginner classes they had going were too basic for me.  So, I didn't get too much out of the demos.  Not the fault of Ironfest, just not what I was looking for.
  However, I did get to chat a while with two gentlemen who are also in the SCA.  One of them is the part owner of TeachingTapes.net.  He gave me a pretty good deal on some DVDs that I was thinking of buying anyway.  I probably shouldn't have bought as much as I did but it was a good deal.  The other guy I met awhile back at Old City Park in Dallas.  Between the two of them, turned the day into a pretty nice day.
  I did get to see some tools and such that I haven't had to see in person.  Some of the vendors will be at a conference in Florida.  I might pick up some stuff there.  Unfortunately, its a little difficult for me to buy an anvil and check in on the plane.  Something about its weight.

Now, for an artistic picture I took at the event.

Ironfest day 1...

  Just got back from the first day of Ironfest.  Not much going on except setup.  Although they were running some basics of forging this evening.  Hopefully, they will be getting a bit more advanced over the weekend.  Still, had fun.

Anxious to get back on the forge...

  Just got back from seeing Kingdom of Heaven.  I was pleasantly surprised.  Although the history was played with a bit, I kept finding myself looking at the blacksmithing work.  In particular, I kept looking at the braziers.  I've been wanting to make one for some time.  I saw some of the ones in the movie had a fairly simple pattern.  I think I am going to try to make one of the ones with a square design.  To challenge myself a bit, I may try to do it in one day or a weekend.  Just to see if I can.

  Oh, an open note to Orlando Bloom.  If you are going to keep playing a blacksmith(this movie, Pirates of the Caribbean), could you learn to swing a hammer?  Thank you...  :)