Very happy

  On Saturday, between feeder bands from hurricane Dennis, I managed to get outside and work for about 2 hours.  In that time, I was able to complete the fleur, a chisel and a hand held fuller.  The fuller is nothing more than a chisel with a rounded end instead of a sharp end.  When cutting metal, there tends to be a gagged or sharp crevice where at the end of the cut if the cut is not through the full length of the metal.  There is a small aesthetics issue with that but also metal tends to crack wherever there is a sharp crease.  Just ask the British about the Comet passenger jet.  There is a reason why airplane windows tend to be rounded.  The fuller is designed to round out the bottom of cuts like that.

  The fluer came out pretty good.  I will try to most some pics of it later.  I am particularly happy with the leaves.  The flower part needs some work.

Added pic...  The fleur is about 2" wide.  Not a super great job but could get much better with just a bit of practice.

So, to break up the monotony of making punches and chisels, I thought I would do a fleur.  The fleur will be part of the design of the brazier that I want to make.  Although my lady is not particular fond of the fleur, it is a very common blacksmithing motif.  The pattern I'm using is shown below and is from the blacksmith Chris Marks.



  Well, I had just gotten started on it when one of the feeder bands from hurricane Dennis hit.  So, I had to stop for the now.  The weather doesn't look like it will cooperate until the hurricane is mostly passed.  Luckily, its not a direct hit for me.

Two more punches.  Really getting quick at making them since I was only on the forge for just over an hour.

Another new punch and the new chisel is working just fine.

Working quick....

  So after repairing the mower and doing some yard work, I had a few hours before sunset so I decided to do some smithing.  Using my new tongs I decided to make a new chisel.  The one I have is just not very well made.  I think I made it about 2 years ago.  So, after shaping the chisel I needed to anneal it.  This involves heating it to a critical temp and putting it in wood ash to cool it very slowly.  Well, when I went to put the chisel in the ash I was suprised to find a nicely made punch.

  I made the punch a while back and when I put in the ash to anneal it, I forgot about it.  So, I took the punch out, cleaned it up then I hardened and tempered it.  In a period of less than two hours, I have a new chisel and a new punch.  I am going to be making some more punches and chisels over the next few weeks so it was a good start.

Good day...

  Made another pair of tongs.  They are a set of "vee" tongs for holding both square and round stock 1/2".

A personal oath...

  I hearby promise that I shall, under no circumstances, ever use gasoline to start the forge again.  'nuff said.