Weekend update...

  What a fun weekend.  I did an SCA event this weekend and once again I dragged out the blacksmithing stuff.  I arrived Friday evening and unloaded all of the equipment because I didn't want to do it in the morning.  Well, after I was set up, I went ahead and started smithing.  I worked from about 7:30pm until 11pm.  I then got up fairly early on Saturday and spent all day working.  Made another pair of tongs, finished some gifts for the Royals, split a hunk of tool steel (it was too big for the tools I needed) which was a bit more work than I wanted to do but a lot of people were fascinated with the process, worked some on a new chisel made from the previously mentioned steel, made a spearhead and generally just tinkered.  By the time Saturday night rolled around I was exhausted when I loaded up the truck.  I was barely able to stay awake for dinner.  I'm glad I loaded up Saturday because by Sunday I was very sore but felt good...
  I also realized that the chest I mentioned in a previous post is a very good project.  Since it is a period blacksmith tool chest, will be a great way to make my smithing area at events and demos look more medieval.
  Finally, just watched a new series on History Channel called "The Master".  It is about master craftsmen in history.  Two episodes showed a lot of good smithing.  One was a master armor maker and another was for Samurai swords.  Unlike most specials of these types, these specials focused on the actual methods of production.

  I will see about getting some pics of the actual chest I want to build online.

 

Last Sunday I decided to make some more tongs.  After having the good success on Saturday, decided to do some more on Sunday.  I took a look at my tongs and decided it would be a good thing for me to remake most of them.  So, I started to make a new set of bolt tongs.  Bolt tongs are used to hold (surprise, surprise) bolts, think of 2 to 3" carriage bolts.  I did not finish this pair of tongs but they are already looking better than a pair I made about a year ago.

Lucky...

  I managed to make a pretty full day on the forge today.  It started with making some gifts for next weekend.  That went okay but not as well as I would have liked.  Then I moved onto some various projects.  One of the projects that I am going to try to work in is a reproduction of 9th century viking tool chest.  The tool chest includes wrought hinges and a lock and key.  I will also be doing the woodworking for the chest.  I'm considering making some items that were also found in the chest.  Doing this as a diversion from the clock.  If I only work on the clock, it would get frustrating.
  Anyway, after screwing up several things in a row, I took a break in the afternoon which ended up turning into a nap.  Around 5:00 I decided to go drag everything back inside.  However, I had not completely shut down the forge and it was still hot so I decided to go ahead and make a pair of tongs.  I'm glad I did...
  This pair of tongs is a very basic pair.  I made them in less than 3 hours and I am extremely pleased with how they came out.  I've made many sets of tongs before but this is the first set that I made that looks as good as the tongs I see being sold online or in better blacksmith shops.  This was one of those times that everything was clicking right.  Even the tong hinge is nice and tight(meaning that there is no side to side play in the hinge)
  As an aside, it was a great time to work.  When I went out, it was almost completely dark.  I worked by the light of the forge and a few lights in the garage.  I live in an area that is partially surrounded by wetlands.  It was a clear, moonless night.  The stars were out bright and clear.  I spotted an owl on several occasions and I could here the hawks calling out to each other.  The temperature was just right.  And to top it off, my lady is making a run to the store right now to get dinner!  :)  Life is good...

Blacksmithing heaven...

  So, I've been going stir crazy with not being able to do any blacksmithing.  Yesterday, I decided to make some calls to see if I could find some coal.  After exhausting the list of smithing supply stores I found a listing of farrier supply stores that had some stores that I hadn't tried.  After a few phone calls and a road trip, I have 200# of coal to last me until Thanksgiving.
  I spent all day today smithing at an event.  I made a cross piece for the clock.  I won't be able to use it as some elements of it are not what I expected.  But, as I was telling a friend, as long as I learn something new, it is never a wasted day.  Good to be back at the forge!

 
^-- I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, "Come!"   Revelation 6:1

With apolgies to the religous readers out there...  Something truly monumental today.  I WANTED to go to a fabric store.  For those that know me, asking if I want to go to a fabric store is like asking me if I want my toenails pulled out while listening to Barbara Streisands greatest hits.

I need to make a carrying pouch for my files for when I do demos.  When I've transported files in the past, I didn't worrying about them but after talking with several other blacksmiths, I was advised that you want to avoid the files from touching each other as they can cut each other's teeth.  Especially when they are the higher quality, expensive files. So, I picked up about 1 1/3 yards of denim.  I hope to sew it this weekend.

Just a quick update,

  I have definitely put the blacksmithing on hold.  I threw out the bad coal Monday.  I could have struggled to work with it, but I'm at the point that unless its an emergency I have no desire to work in those conditions.  I am putting things on hold until early December.  That is when I will be returning with about 1000+ pounds of coal.  I am going to get the coal dumped into the bed of the truck.  That will actually cut the cost in half.  I should be able to get the coal for around $70-80.  To have it bagged would push it close to $200.  So, I am going to be looking for somewhere to store it.
  What I am going to do is make and elevated flower bed alongside a bare part of the house.  I am thinking that about 8' x 3' x 2' deep should be enough to store the coal.  If I am guessing correct, the 1000# should be enough to last one full year.  That would be good because I can just make it an annual thing to pick up the coal.
  To look on the bright side of things, this will give me a chance to take care of some things in the garage.  I already resurfaced my table saw.  The problem with Florida is that tools rust rapidly.  I also want to make a tool stand for the blacksmithing.  Right now, my tools are scattered around and in buckets.  I also want to make a pouch for carrying files.  The pouch would be designed to prevent files from contacting each other(don't want files to file each other down.)  Anyway, that is the plan.

LOL  oops...

  So, I just happen to glance at the pic of the clock when checking on the blog and I realized that I almost made a very significant mistake.  This past weekend I made the first of one of the side pieces.  This is a piece for the long axis of the clock.  Well, the way I made the piece is actually an end piece.  Because I caught it this early, not a big deal but if I hadn't caught it early...  Well, let's just not go there.  Think happy thoughts...  Think happy thoughts...  Go to the good place...