In June 2011  I declared I wouldn’t be doing anymore demonstrations out side my shop.  I just didn’t feel up to all the loading and unlo...

I don’t know if this will help anyone, but I take a shot at it.  Some one might add “a long one with a limb in the way.”  I didn’t get ...

I’ve used a number of coal forges but now I only use the side draft one inside my studio.  I’ve used the great bellows, the spiral gear...

I’m finally back to making things.  After the recent coal trip I was cleaning t he bed of the pickup and managed to take a clumsy plung...

I checked the date and it was almost exactly a year ago when I went to the coal mine for a load.  When I’m running low I tell Betty and s...

Last summer I took apart several pairs of old tongs which needed repair or reshaping to be useful but without time to go further I put ...

Yesterday I decided to figure out how to share files on the Trimble 3D Warehouse (powered by Google). http://www.sketchup.com/product/3d...

I have been working on some small botanical elements, grape leaves, sunflower centers and such using the pedal hammer and veining tools...

There is no damper in my coal forge, it would be possible for a lot of cold air to come down the flue and enter the shop on these col...

Today I thought it might be helpful to post my interpretation of a couple of Alex Bealer’s drawings depicting some of the leather hinging....

I have a pair of old tongs I acquired from some flea market quite a few years ago.  I probably paid a dollar - I really don’t recall.  Th...

My press came with a single handle.  I have found that three handles work better for me.  I fabricated the additional two handles from ...

I have made a number of work stands and the most satisfactory design, for me,  is made with a base of 16” to 20” wide plow disc, a ve...

I’m pretty sure when I was starting to learn blacksmithing I was thinking “work drives the tools”.  This is a version of the “chicken...

When working new projects that involve multiple steps or processes I like to spread the work out over several forging sessions.  I set...

Maintaining the full thickness of stops for the power hammers is more of a challenge that with the hydraulic forging press.  The repeat...

At the time I was beginning blacksmithing, there was an enormous volume of antique agricultural equipment being scrapped and our area is pr...