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Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/f0e6b7b9-af76-4b11-bf69-fbe0f0cf7c32/PheilTable.jpg Member Gallery - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/8b8ca42c-4a19-4d4e-be38-e32dd7d457b1/mygrill.jpg Member Gallery - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/1d7b9717-c978-42a2-89d3-8480fee3dec4/bouquets.jpg Member Gallery - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/63a5cb5a-6384-43b7-b337-1c94cb259467/candles.jpg Member Gallery - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/ca57dfe8-2f44-4387-8166-34229b8d5033/fireplace.jpg Member Gallery - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/5ccb83ce-44e2-40c9-8bfd-ea6398c9cb63/vice2.jpg Member Gallery - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/5903600a-32ec-4e48-97dc-f6e25ee0c549/details.jpg Member Gallery - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/fd9ea5a6-8652-41cc-bf57-6f75bdff5e25/hummer2.jpg Member Gallery - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/6ad9a98e-b567-4347-8ac2-fc13579b7133/DogBoneBowie.jpg Member Gallery - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/0aa5fdfa-da52-41dc-9690-e54709d849bb/wise1.jpg Member Gallery - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://balconesforge.org/next-meeting daily 0.75 2026-03-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/75d0bcb7-2276-4e7a-8d29-bff86d707c4d/BalconesForge_Logo.jpg https://balconesforge.org/home daily 1.0 2026-01-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/b0845540-b75b-4178-9bef-00c404c22b4d/BalconesForge_300-rgb-custom-size-400-1339.jpg Home - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/5ccb83ce-44e2-40c9-8bfd-ea6398c9cb63/vice2.jpg Home - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/830f6c68-cef2-4966-9b7c-9172c602c489/vice3.jpg Home - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/e3a84440-ebbb-4004-aa12-a7091e2f95a3/Blacksmithsign.jpg Home - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://balconesforge.org/jerry-achterberg daily 0.75 2022-03-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/2dba6d1b-183f-4803-8ae7-853c0cdc835e/poundingout-large.jpg Jerry Achterberg A page from Pounding Out the Profits https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/959eb9bd-bb11-47cb-9770-03611a0188ad/pounder1-full.jpg Jerry Achterberg The Completed Hammer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/3d91901b-787d-4122-a537-e5cb4a633870/pounder2-large.jpg Jerry Achterberg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/a6691dd6-7d63-406a-bb2f-62ad518a27ad/cross1as-full.jpg Jerry Achterberg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/a40aa3c4-b8d8-46d2-9c4d-5c9d8b1d94f0/cross1bs-full.jpg Jerry Achterberg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/f47055a1-200e-4421-8d24-e8df60aa5407/cross1cs-large.jpg Jerry Achterberg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/af8bf889-a157-4ba8-a72b-5f64e55e11e6/hammers-custom-size-600-480.jpg Jerry Achterberg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/a9709887-f2d3-4a8c-83cb-5cb46503d76e/tinyanvil-full.jpg Jerry Achterberg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/d56dc250-2d7e-40a1-bac8-4cd7a195f25e/vice6-custom-size-600-682.jpg Jerry Achterberg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/517750a4-1ad9-4c3b-bcf4-026dd9921bcb/vice4-custom-size-600-1024.jpg Jerry Achterberg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/0b501da3-b751-436e-9331-91a977c4a5aa/vice7-custom-size-550-1024.jpg Jerry Achterberg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/431cef16-05a0-457a-8456-b6e7bcb142f8/vice1-custom-size-600-1024.jpg Jerry Achterberg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/5dca3a22-2390-4940-9da1-00a90be41e07/vice8-custom-size-600-1024.jpg Jerry Achterberg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/0c6ae95b-d85a-4a62-9c81-3a146229218d/BalconesForge_small.jpg Jerry Achterberg - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://balconesforge.org/laura-armstrong daily 0.75 2022-03-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/645ae2e3-2c14-4fa5-be03-6df4d3367be3/Floor+Lamp.jpg Laura Armstrong https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/f38a0f58-c422-4ccb-90c7-0809eb916be8/Lamp+detail.jpg Laura Armstrong https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/ce59870b-8df3-47fe-bdd1-5776a433f070/H.jpg Laura Armstrong https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/b5f33922-865c-47e3-a5ab-519f377f0630/gate.jpg Laura Armstrong https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/e8637aaf-f411-449a-8933-13a44b67bf67/Sconce.jpg Laura Armstrong https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/0c6ae95b-d85a-4a62-9c81-3a146229218d/BalconesForge_small.jpg Laura Armstrong - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://balconesforge.org/roy-bellows daily 0.75 2022-03-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/15bb17a8-b28f-4687-9d01-827b37234a12/100_0278-custom-size-620-446.jpg Roy Bellows St. Stephen's School Entrance Gate https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/2d66dbde-7d0f-470b-aa1b-998ccf6ab6b9/img028-custom-size-620-1280.jpg Roy Bellows Door Knocker https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/bb18fa4e-5bb5-4c9a-a14d-8359828a5c9e/09890007-full.jpg Roy Bellows Entry Gate https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/81232457-58f1-4d32-abd5-7aa178b26113/18CityofFredericksburgMaypole_1-full.jpg Roy Bellows City of Fredericksburg Maibaum (Maypole) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/0c6ae95b-d85a-4a62-9c81-3a146229218d/BalconesForge_small.jpg Roy Bellows - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://balconesforge.org/contact-information daily 0.75 2025-01-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/0c6ae95b-d85a-4a62-9c81-3a146229218d/BalconesForge_small.jpg Contact Information - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/4a22a3f1-1c81-4465-9546-d061f6fe92fc/Anvil+Tombstone.jpg Contact Information - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://balconesforge.org/john-crouchet daily 0.75 2022-03-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/10034aff-cb4f-4379-88a9-f855453461d4/Logowithtypes-full.jpg John Crouchet https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/7d83b885-d787-4212-9635-8714d3fd76f2/deliverycross11.jpg John Crouchet https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/7959db54-21f3-4fe6-964b-6ba7290f39c1/BasketTwists-custom-size-600-480.jfif John Crouchet https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/2b3af2aa-00d2-4434-aac2-ae4e84e8b012/BrandingIrons-full.jfif John Crouchet https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/5ba9d69f-70f1-4fca-b12b-5cf8dd7e714a/BrandingIronbrands-full.jfif John Crouchet https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/eae8beda-4b2f-4808-9b2b-74306ef9e36f/Granitetoptable1-04s-full.jpg John Crouchet https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/b7712db1-1e22-45ca-b8a1-40c05a4936ea/Granitetoptabledetail01-04s-full.jpg John Crouchet https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/a6a5fecb-9230-4957-a178-2bc13b01ff43/Hatrackthirdimages-full.jpg John Crouchet https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/ebc8ab99-9adb-4e68-b1c4-ade1fc6937e7/Hookss-full.jpg John Crouchet https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/3d7300ca-1f3d-4db5-8421-284b26e2fb2a/Marbletopbetters-full.jpg John Crouchet https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/41d59783-419a-44c6-80e1-ebdb43708193/Themedalliontables-full.jpg John Crouchet https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/14ad6b94-cae6-420d-b731-9a3130e1bc82/Medalliontabledetails-custom-size-600-480.jpg John Crouchet https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/8741b3f3-664a-4329-b515-f1fab6f9176b/Scrollshelfbetters-custom-size-600-387.jpg John Crouchet https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/e5135b72-8615-4d12-ab22-80517aee15ca/SignFrameNBs-full.jpg John Crouchet https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/15feffa6-85cd-4c0c-a130-7a38f3175deb/UpsetShelfBrackets-full.jfif John Crouchet https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/037bc5a1-54ba-4051-bf35-832750918675/SignFrameDetails-full.jfif John Crouchet https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/958a1427-aa96-46bd-afc9-487b8935711f/UpsetShelfBrackets-medium-init-.jpg John Crouchet https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/80cb5be6-7966-4493-b7ea-a7038f6ab569/Snubs-full.jfif John Crouchet https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/0c6ae95b-d85a-4a62-9c81-3a146229218d/BalconesForge_small.jpg John Crouchet - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/701624f0-afef-4846-a232-bff27fd02a32/JC.jpg John Crouchet - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://balconesforge.org/jim-galish daily 0.75 2025-01-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/36ee2949-2b51-45d1-a7ac-6741d4acae27/doors-full.jpg Jim Galish Doors and hinges I made for my shop with my brand in middle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/267976fc-1706-4fbb-bc48-8813aef5baac/hinges-custom-size-600-422.jpg Jim Galish Hinge details https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/c18c7e71-f91c-476c-a720-49629be265cb/candles-full.jpg Jim Galish Candle holder, 3/8 round stock & 16 ga steel sheet https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/d0c53375-18e5-4ea1-babd-90cb856efa14/knife1-full.jpg Jim Galish Knife, 6-1/2" blade from file & whitetail antler handle with brass furniture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/2bec9112-19a3-4152-9512-75f307869c33/knife2-custom-size-600-738.jpg Jim Galish Same knife with display rack made from leftover antler that handle was made from https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/29d9eb6c-b2a0-4be9-98c4-0479da45f004/hasp-full.jpg Jim Galish Door bolt & hasp - 18th century https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/d2d6844f-8b00-4dc4-bcaa-578ea9b060c0/spike-full.jpg Jim Galish Railroad spike knife & tommy hawk blade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/8f1f272e-5071-4727-be06-68979f7c954f/skull-full.jpg Jim Galish Skull & crossbones - 4" x 4" https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/4f4e33da-dda7-4e51-882b-785985bab679/dillo-full.jpg Jim Galish Armadillo tail handle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/7651ad3c-f3c8-4a11-baf8-b1781debfbf8/carrier-custom-size-580-360.jpg Jim Galish Pet Carrier https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/0c6ae95b-d85a-4a62-9c81-3a146229218d/BalconesForge_small.jpg Jim Galish - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://balconesforge.org/classes daily 0.75 2025-01-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/0c6ae95b-d85a-4a62-9c81-3a146229218d/BalconesForge_small.jpg Knifemaking Classes - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://balconesforge.org/lorenzo-fortunato daily 0.75 2022-03-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/0c6ae95b-d85a-4a62-9c81-3a146229218d/BalconesForge_small.jpg Lorenzo Fortunato - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://balconesforge.org/mark-gelatt daily 0.75 2022-03-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/6d7fb5a1-2d96-4bd3-bf24-ab9c27b0fb57/Nov09_01s-custom-size-600-540.jpg Mark Gelatt Custom latch for a wooden garden gate designed by the homeowner. Forged from 1-1/2" x 3/8" mild steel to form an "H" using the cross-bar of the "H" as the latch. Each vertical member was 31" long before I started the scroll. Each "H" is about 18" tall and the cross bar was forged from 1" x 3/8" x 10" long bar. At this point all the hard work was done and I am bolting the the two H's together to determine the placement of the second latch for the inside of the gate. It worked out well too after it was installed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/d27e8b35-cf3a-45e8-873b-1109eb5db164/Nov09_03s-full.jpg Mark Gelatt Ready for the hot wax. After setting the rivets on one set of H's, I lightly wire brushed with a cup brush and applied a copper patina on the highlights. The long rivets I made from 1/2" round bar (with 3/8" tenons) are long enough to pass thru the 2" x 6" frame of the gate plus one inch on each side for the spacers. The hot wax is a mixture of equal parts of Bees wax, Paste wax and Linseed Oil. I melted the wax and applied it to the hot iron - black heat so we don't flash the mixture. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/9ebf6990-5f4f-496d-99d4-442ef211cbce/Nov09_07s-full.jpg Mark Gelatt Layout complete and holes drilled for the latch. 1" spacers are made from 3/4" black pipe with a flat washer tack welded to each end so not to dig into the wood. The 1" makes it easier to grasp the latch and it makes for some nice shadows under the latch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/e2d52ef0-7902-413b-bac8-5619d417dfcd/Nov09_10s-full.jpg Mark Gelatt Finished! All the hard work really seems worth it now. I'm wishing I had an "H" in my name... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/05909143-37f1-46f8-8288-a76b338a5061/Nov09_13s-custom-size-600-540.jpg Mark Gelatt Close up shot. The flared ends at the bottom were probably the hardest part as they were formed by repeated upsetting and forging to get the flare while keeping most of the 3/8" thickness of the piece. Once I had the flare the rest was forged out to a 3/8" point over the 31" of length using George Craig's Little Giant power hammer. Thanks George! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/a6908dd1-52e8-429f-a12d-2c12649ad2bc/Nov09_14s-full.jpg Mark Gelatt Better view how the latch stands off the gate on the 1" spacers. Once the front "H" was pushed thru the holes in the gate, the "H" on the opposite side was slid over the tenons and was riveted in place using a torch and a sledgehammer as a backup. ~ Napkin Rings Taken from Sue Murray’s dazzling design (which I was lucky enough to obtain at last year’s Balcones Auction), I executed this set of napkin rings using 1/4" cold rolled square stock trying to reproduce the reverse twist look that Sue was able to achieve in her design that used 3/16” stock. Once the piece was forged and twisted, I wrapped it around a chunk of axle that was about 1 7/8” in diameter. The ring was cleaned on the bench grinder with a wire wheel and then buffed with a hard cotton wheel using white polishing compound (thanks Jerry!). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/097f8f88-ca0b-486d-8d4a-9cf65ec54e22/mgNapkinRing01s-custom-size-600-446.jpg Mark Gelatt https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/82636141-e465-40cf-a0d7-8f2052bd053a/mgNapkinRing02s-custom-size-580-483.jpg Mark Gelatt https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/ba6fb5cb-54c1-49e4-81b0-6de9ad51427e/mgNapkinRing03s-custom-size-580-483.jpg Mark Gelatt https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/88f4503b-70d4-4d13-b944-5b5d25ad3c7b/mgNapkinRings05s-custom-size-575-386.jpg Mark Gelatt I also made a few sets up out of 3/16” stainless steel (type 304) just to see how they would look. The ring on the left is the same as the ones above, made from 1/4" cold rolled steel while the one on the right is made from 3/16” stainless. The differences in feel and coloring are subtle but the main difference is that although the one on the right is only a 1/16 of an inch smaller in the square, it makes a for a much more delicate looking ring. Plus the stainless steel version has the added benefit of being able to go through the dishwasher without rusting in case someone gets a bit careless at the table. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/f360ac24-b3cc-438b-b18a-b3da4c99934d/mgNapkinRings06s-custom-size-575-429.jpg Mark Gelatt For those interested in forging SS 304, it is a tougher material to work, and is very easy to get a flat spot in the scrolls while forming – you need to keep it red, no forging at a black heat on this material or you will not only get flat spots but splitting at the end of your taper, just like in mild steel. You don’t get the typical scaling that occurs on mild steel but you do get a nice dark gray oxide that forms on the surface that is very smooth and requires little or no wire brushing. I did finish the stainless rings with some pretty hard buffing on a cotton wheel using the same white jeweler’s rouge that I used for the 1/4" rings. The photos don’t show it well, but the corners of the twists have a nice polished edge that shows nicely against the dark, burnished look of the ring. ~ Candlestick Holders https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/0bdbd5ab-8f34-4d0a-94d6-81d1f64d25ef/twincandle-full.jpg Mark Gelatt Twisted 2 arm candlestick This is a slightly modified design I found in one of the books in our Balcones Forge library, Elementary Wrought Iron by J.W. Bollinger. The book is reprinted by Lindsay Publications and has some great examples of projects for the beginning Smith. This one is on page 110. The upright is forged out of two 3/8 x 3/8 x 12" mild steel bars, the candle cups out of 3/4" black pipe and the base out of 10 ga sheet metal 5" in diameter. The book called for candle cups turned on a lathe and were screwed on. Instead, I opted for forged cups which were necked down with a piece of 3/8 bar inside the pipe so that they would slip over the arm of the stand. This one was done with a lot of help from George Craig, thanks George! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/127610e4-b5a6-45b3-ba4c-f172b2c92919/cs3-002s-custom-size-600-480.jpg Mark Gelatt Brazed Mild Steel Candelabra with Copper cup holders https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/ac4d57ff-73c9-49d3-b272-46704ac46f4e/cs3-008s-custom-size-580-480.jpg Mark Gelatt View of the Candelabra base - 1" plate, flame cut edges https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/77ba8710-bab3-4e08-a70f-49711e076eb4/cs4-004s-full.jpg Mark Gelatt My first forge weld - Vine Candlestick Holder - 1/2" mild steel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/b24b528f-5882-4abd-b337-53ba7807f082/cs8-001s-full.jpg Mark Gelatt Pair of forged Candlestick holders - 1/2" x 2" x 7" mild steel bar (each) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/7d8d8b3c-dbc0-4071-ad5b-804dcc19c244/Aug19_40s-custom-size-580-371.jpg Mark Gelatt Pair of forged candlestick holders made from 1/2" x 2" x 10" flat bar - This one took lots of hammering as I don't have a power hammer yet. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/c318de1a-65be-4975-9ca4-d3d01e0784c4/cs1_4-28-00s-full.jpg Mark Gelatt 4" square candle, ashtray or key/coin holder. Torch cut 3/4" sq bar on 45 degree angle mitered to form a square with copper bottom. Joints and copper bottom brazed in place. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/15d8d846-9922-47ed-ac2d-46f183dad6b5/Jan06_40s-full.jpg Mark Gelatt Candle holder made from 3/8" rod forged to taper at each end with a leaf wrapping around a candle cup. Candle cup with round finial was forged out of 3/4" black pipe fullered down on a guillotine fuller at the anvil. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/961a7dff-9202-4c6f-bbd2-1f7c58b02bee/Jan06_49s-custom-size-580-480.jpg Mark Gelatt Candle holder made from 3/8" rebar forged to taper at each end with a leaf wrapping around a candle cup. Candle cup with round finial was forged out of 3/4" black pipe fullered down on a guillotine fuller at the anvil. Power brushed to bright finish and a copper patina was applied. I didn't like it so I put it back in the fire and went back to basic black with copper highlights which toned it down quite a bit. Sorry I don't have picture of the black version yet. ~ Hooks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/3d59204a-6ad7-4c61-9434-9f61f543456c/Nov13_36s-custom-size-580-556.jpg Mark Gelatt Heart Hooks forged and split out of 1/4" x 3/4" mild steel flat bar. Hooks vary from 10 to 12 inches long and about 7" wide. Probably done the hard way, but it was fun. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/42a3ef4f-c873-4d92-9cec-268d31dcaa74/Sep03_09s-custom-size-580-410.jpg Mark Gelatt Key chain fob with leaf motif forged from 3/8" sq cold rolled steel. I made half a dozen of these which wound up as gifts. I barely got a picture of this one! ~ My New Gas Forge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/47483f56-db8d-4357-8854-49ec63c2777b/Sep26_04s-custom-size-580-435.jpg Mark Gelatt My new 3 burner gas forge built at the HABA Gas Forge Workshop. The only welding I had to do was for the burner tubes on the top and the legs. It's an oval design and is roughly 12" x 16" in the oval and 24" long. I can turn each burner on independently and it has an idler circuit built in to put the whole works on "simmer" if I want to conserve gas in between heats. It will run on a single burner on about 1/2 lb of propane when idling. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/a30f7146-bdec-48fa-b949-c3262b5d57e2/Nov05_01s-custom-size-580-540.jpg Mark Gelatt New forge in action. The removable ends lets me put wider scrolls inside or just use the mousehole as shown here https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/0c6ae95b-d85a-4a62-9c81-3a146229218d/BalconesForge_small.jpg Mark Gelatt - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://balconesforge.org/rudy-billings daily 0.75 2022-03-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/0c6ae95b-d85a-4a62-9c81-3a146229218d/BalconesForge_small.jpg Rudy Billings - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/5a77b4e1-57f9-4181-8767-d411bb9693e8/hot_rose_3-medium-init-.jpg Rudy Billings - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/330d0f10-8781-4b4a-b44d-f9e010b4343b/hotrose2-medium-init-.jpg Rudy Billings - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/c22af703-689e-48c3-8bb8-ff87dd737ff7/hotrose-medium-init-.jpg Rudy Billings - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/65d467b8-f458-4175-aced-5867ba5b4521/red-l-full.jpg Rudy Billings - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/d7658732-8d42-499d-848f-c8242dd2fbea/r-ever-full.jpg Rudy Billings - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/920e3669-7110-4882-8ba5-dc8fe2ac071f/longstem-l-custom-size-590-238.jpg Rudy Billings - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/2af33a88-d706-4d20-b398-8ca9e10ee971/SapphireRose-large.jpg Rudy Billings - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/6e16b897-23eb-4bbc-82e7-6259977eb765/cr-rrs-sm-m-full.jpg Rudy Billings - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/d4ac7cc6-1e49-46ca-8109-8e11af98583b/woodtone-l-full-effect-sharpen-64.jpg Rudy Billings - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/acb26e76-5974-41be-9c84-b3108f7550ef/IMG_0471_2-custom-size-175-240.jpg Rudy Billings - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/c8ccf16a-380c-4758-87d0-369bd8f9aa55/CR-SG-M-full.jpg Rudy Billings - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/66908ddd-3a57-40a7-849f-679ee14b274c/CruxAngelus-large.jpg Rudy Billings - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/6878da4c-267d-47bc-ac3a-bfac5c51df5a/CruxExtraordinaria-custom-size-300-917.jpg Rudy Billings - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/c11d4aea-6209-46c0-965a-d4557578ff73/CruxHumilis-custom-size-300-847.jpg Rudy Billings - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/bf6c297f-25c8-4ae6-973c-52be06cfb38f/Largecross-full.jpg Rudy Billings - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/7a658437-a745-42fc-9edb-e536c61188ed/IMG_0675-1-custom-size-275-435.jpg Rudy Billings - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/c66caead-2aad-4cd5-93c1-1115e3fc7e49/IMG_0802-1-large.jpg Rudy Billings - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/ab9d1471-693d-49c0-a0e3-5aaa22d12e33/IMG_0804-custom-size-200-513.jpg Rudy Billings - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/a5e3180a-b9fc-429b-bba6-c8b0b2c01189/IMG_0805-custom-size-190-389.jpg Rudy Billings - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/9ad74b9b-8eca-4446-a1e1-2417eb2e1826/brand-full.jpg Rudy Billings - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/16adc0f4-be9e-4c92-add8-6d0a0184235a/mustangsign-full.jpg Rudy Billings - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/30845cc6-198b-4549-a1b5-dd86212419ae/mustang-full.jpg Rudy Billings - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/ae1577f4-0aba-474a-9405-2c6f0a8b1902/DSC00119-large.jpg Rudy Billings - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/3bd17167-c235-4254-b112-b1b4e9d3ec78/DSC00121-custom-size-266-420.jpg Rudy Billings - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/70a2112d-c508-43a9-a7c2-82fe92648872/RHIWlogo-custom-size-350-734.jpg Rudy Billings - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://balconesforge.org/wayne-byrd daily 0.75 2022-03-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/108f9dae-d325-4640-9077-5670fa6ffa53/IMG_0067.jpg Wayne Byrd https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/350312e3-3982-47ae-b1a5-6d58c1a3cc3c/IMG_0089.jpg Wayne Byrd https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/61faa3da-94d2-428f-81e6-18f38102d170/IMG_0092.jpg Wayne Byrd https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/07633b18-5bc5-482c-8156-9d1b6d50991f/IMG_0159.jpg Wayne Byrd https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/79144ea0-1f15-4cfd-8c4b-982c92b676c5/IMG_0156.jpg Wayne Byrd https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/a94934eb-4586-4f4d-83d6-d9f6eb1f1b3c/SAM_0806.jfif Wayne Byrd https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/f5c47898-0296-4c28-a8e2-2f774eeada88/DSCN1399.jfif Wayne Byrd https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/9f6be1a7-3706-4d46-b2aa-6b9a7b27a1bf/SAM_1492.jfif Wayne Byrd https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/e4d532e2-b385-41d9-9f2a-5fcb49e55f78/-24376426968962FEE.png Wayne Byrd https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/2c0f40d8-d410-43f9-8856-68ca101b1060/-2437643020CBB8A7E.png Wayne Byrd https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/f14e6216-3ae9-4184-ac22-2537197afa8f/DSCN1292.jfif Wayne Byrd https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/7040831c-0bff-4d69-8d34-16bd7bc389ff/DSCN0266-full.jfif Wayne Byrd https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/393395d9-0d64-493f-82e9-6d4787af51be/DSCN0265-full.jfif Wayne Byrd https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/59ede369-90b9-4559-b831-e7472ca15b16/P2060002-1-full.jfif Wayne Byrd https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/d9362c07-6fe6-4567-8641-b03b3631a90f/PC210283-full.jfif Wayne Byrd https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/f921fa41-684e-40a1-b0a0-f7a561c2edf0/PC210286-full.jfif Wayne Byrd https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/79684c37-89a1-47fb-ba1c-733a535d79ec/P2220001-full.jfif Wayne Byrd https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/bbef19ea-75b7-4c93-8189-3ebb62b5b4a9/P2220004-full.jfif Wayne Byrd https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/bb759df1-ab66-4055-8119-415a73d2963b/DSCN0253-custom-size-280-347.jfif Wayne Byrd https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/dc817c2b-a165-4d8d-8ed7-b57ce3618027/DSCN0254-custom-size-280-357.jfif Wayne Byrd https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/aa016ae6-db3e-44a8-88b9-2c3788ac974a/P7280001.jfif Wayne Byrd https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/7e1318df-9a4f-4fc8-9c48-27d45ae27a8f/P7280002.jfif Wayne Byrd https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/cb8afeb1-a502-4997-9b66-d049cec2d02e/P7280003.jfif Wayne Byrd https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/0c6ae95b-d85a-4a62-9c81-3a146229218d/BalconesForge_small.jpg Wayne Byrd - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://balconesforge.org/william-j-bastas daily 0.75 2022-03-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/1507f6c4-31d0-4069-aa08-fe5c17a9d6e3/screensaver-custom-size-600-523.jpg William J. Bastas The "Screen Saver" Grill https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/2247ead5-4282-433e-bed8-e939709ab2fd/detail1-custom-size-600-397.jpg William J. Bastas Detail of riveted joints, collars are forge welded in place https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/ea084cf2-203d-4a11-b72a-68e7416c5b0c/detail2-full.jpg William J. Bastas Scroll detail - note extensive use of forge welding https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/95ff1ff6-f4fd-4e00-8a61-b0c62a9169b9/firework-full.jpg William J. Bastas "FIREWORK" https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/fbcfcc5c-7812-4896-ae7d-864280bca4a6/schoolgrill-full.jpg William J. Bastas School Grill https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/1c50180c-b842-4010-a26a-c8a973c54cb9/grillpanel3-full.jpg William J. Bastas This grill is an assignment in the basic blacksmithing class (WLDG 2433 METALSMITHING) I teach at Austin Community College. I deliberately incorporate a multitude of forging and joining techniques to provide my students with broad exposure to these techniques. Every time I teach this class, I make a grill of my own in the process of demonstrating all the techniques to the students. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/767a33fc-4f9e-48e8-ab0b-948d00b3665c/grillpanelfoot-full.jpg William J. Bastas https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/0c6ae95b-d85a-4a62-9c81-3a146229218d/BalconesForge_small.jpg William J. Bastas - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/f6731de8-ac1c-44e2-81f2-870b468af4c5/grillpanel1-custom-effect-autolevels-11-size-350-741-brt-56.jpg William J. Bastas - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/767a33fc-4f9e-48e8-ab0b-948d00b3665c/grillpanelfoot-full.jpg William J. Bastas - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://balconesforge.org/mr-charlies-hummingbird daily 0.75 2022-03-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/0c6ae95b-d85a-4a62-9c81-3a146229218d/BalconesForge_small.jpg Mr. Charlie's Hummingbird - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/2471581d-3bcf-401e-b6cd-f202c8a472e6/Hummingbird-Pg1-custom-size-620-1480.jpg Mr. Charlie's Hummingbird - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/b7cdee51-6bf2-4f62-9fea-3ab98967b6a7/Hummingbird-Pg2-custom-size-620-1421.jpg Mr. Charlie's Hummingbird - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://balconesforge.org/neil-hastings daily 0.75 2025-01-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/9b61756c-9482-4656-b200-584c68277ede/jun02-full.jpg Neil Hastings https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/1c0c5bdb-e4df-4593-8d5d-2900fbb86983/IMG_0883-large.jfif Neil Hastings https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/0c6ae95b-d85a-4a62-9c81-3a146229218d/BalconesForge_small.jpg Neil Hastings - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://balconesforge.org/scott-little daily 0.75 2022-03-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/20af8de8-199a-4042-8e2c-501c4517b4be/hinge-full.jpg Scott Little The straps wrap around the hinge side of the door and are forge welded into a loop which protrudes on the interior side of the door. This loop fits over a round pin mounted to the door jamb to form the hinge. The round pin was formed by forge welding three 1/2" diameter rods together which were then spread and flared to create the attachment to the door jamb. Note the forged washers on the inside of each rivet. The door had to be assembled on the anvil. Each rivet was driven into place, the washer positioned, and the rivet headed cold with the other head resting on the anvil. The resulting clamping forces are enormous. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/d952a593-2e72-4045-a0ef-f5f786016a72/lowerhinge-full.jpg Scott Little This photo of the lower hinge shows how the straps wrap around the hinge side of the door and are mortised flush with the edge. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/5d4da1b8-8e04-4734-80f8-ddcab6b4bf65/inlatch-full.jpg Scott Little Here's the inside of the Norfolk latch mechanism. The extra little piece (top) is a simple lock that I devised. Note the square-headed bolts. I made them by forging the hex heads of regular lag screws square. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/7a741178-be8a-43e9-90fa-c95d89ad0a78/handle-full.jpg Scott Little Here's a closeup of the handle on the outside. It's a big heavy handle. The escutcheon plate is 21" long. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/1399a785-4dfb-4bd0-a085-f60097effc86/key-full.jpg Scott Little Finally, here's the key that I made to open the simple lock mechanism mentioned above. Trivet https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/d452ab5b-8ab8-4c18-9ee1-0dbbb0a21c4b/trivet2-full.jpg Scott Little This trivet was inspired by some of the many techniques I learned in Bill Bastas' blacksmithing class at ACC. It's made of three pieces of 3/8" dia round stock. I formed the leaf first, then the tenon, and then I split and drifted the mortise. After considerable experimentation with the curves, I fitted the three pieces together and headed each tenon by holding its rod securely in the vise and heating the protruding tenon with a torch. It's about 8" in diameter. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/445df212-a2c8-4542-9e51-e03ff196239f/trivet-custom-size-590-569.jpg Scott Little This trivet was made by forge welding three RR spikes together and working over the joint rather thoroughly. I've spent a lot of time trying to master forge welding because it seems like such an integral part of "real" blacksmithing. As you can see, I can do it...but it's still a highly uncertain process for me. Forge Madness https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/c78c976a-5d3d-4f08-b363-18e748344909/start-full.jpg Scott Little A while back I decided to make a new forge. I love my little rivet forge but there's a limit to the size of fire that can be built in it and its fire is destined to be rather shallow, a problem for the aspiring forge welder. The first step was to purchase a nice firepot. I settled on the heavy duty coke firepot offered by Centaur forge. It is a thick casting! Wishing to retain some of the character of the rivet forge, I decided to make a circular pan for the firepot. I also wanted to end up with a flat area around the periphery so I could more easily lay tongs, workpieces, etc. beside the fire. Being an amateur blacksmith, I decided to make this pan myself using my existing equipment. How naive I was! First I torch cut a disc of 1/4" thick mild steel about 30" in diameter. Then I temporarily relocated the blower on my rivet forge (see photo) so that I could lay this big disc flat on the forge and get it centered. (note the PVC pipe sections to extend the airpath). My procedure was to heat the center of the disc until it was red hot and then throw it on the ground and beat the center of it with a 4lb hammer until I was exhausted. What you see in the photo is the state of the disc after three heats. Once the depression got fairly large, my rivet forge could no longer get the whole area red hot at once. I started heating a spot on the edge of the depression and banging it down, then moving to the next spot, etc. etc. Finally I had the good sense to torch cut the center hole in the plate. That relieved things considerably and I was able to form the lip properly in only about ten more heats....(whew)! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/d59290a6-7b21-453c-a7fe-597ae78b838e/side-custom-size-590-365.jpg Scott Little Then the fun really started. As you can see in this photo of the finished pan, I decided to form two troughs so I could get the middle of a long bar closer to the fire. Without going into a lot of whining and moaning, let me just say that these troughs were harder to form than the big depression in the center! (NOTE: please read the May 2004 update at the end of this article) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/cacb2a3b-7879-4568-a1c9-0379b40f7470/top-custom-size-590-473.jpg Scott Little After the basic shape was completed, the periphery was far from satisfactorily flat. Unfortunately the necessary corrections extended over large areas of the surface and I had no way to heat such large areas to forging temperature. So I proceeded to flatten the rim of the pan cold. At one point I had it lying on the dirt and was hitting various spots around the rim with a 16 lb sledge....just to get the shape to change at all. Slowly, over the course of several frustrating sessions, I started to understand how to change the shape of the rim and now it's pretty flat. September 8th, 2001: https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/a1312b23-fa32-46a8-8bcc-91ea139ad418/pipes-full.jpg Scott Little It's finally quit raining long enough for me to get some more work done on the new forge in my outdoor shop. The air pipe you see in this photo was quite a project. I took 3" pipe (3.5" OD) and welded it to a torch-cut flange to mate with the Centaur Forge firepot. Then I miter-cut the pipe and welded it back together to get it to come upwards at a 50º angle...to match the flange on the blower. But the blower outlet was only 2.5" diameter so I cut a long triangular sliver out of the pipe, forged the remaining part of the pipe down until the gap closed, and TIG welded the seam, effectively producing a tapered section. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/af6169be-d0b0-4a84-8d13-e8701009cdd7/taperpipe-custom-size-590-519.jpg Scott Little Here you can see the slight taper in the upward slanting section of the air pipe. The next step is to complete the stand and this baby'll be ready to light up. 15SEP01 - It is finished! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/042ce239-97d4-4e7d-89b1-de6145b63176/finishedforges-full.jfif Scott Little Well, here it is in completed form with a fire going in it. I made the stand out of some 1" iron pipe I found at AMP (metal recycling center on Howard Lane in north Austin). It blows a lot harder than my old rivet forge and, so far, I think I like the coke firepot's "clinker breaker" feature, which allows me to restore the fire pretty thoroughly while it's burning. NOTE: the wooden blocks under the legs are required because my entire outdoor blacksmith shop is https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/bc7f2ae8-6fb6-4fce-bebb-59cbfd14e448/blowers-custom-size-590-600.jfif Scott Little Here's a closeup of the big "Lancaster" blower on the new forge. I would like to do some rework on this blower but I can't figure out how to disassemble the high-speed shaft. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/486a9cfd-40ca-4743-8397-faf9030a2bb7/blowerapart-custom-size-590-494.jpg Scott Little OK, thanks to the advice of Rick Morningstar of Oak and Iron Forge, I've managed to get this thing mostly apart....and the balls and races are really in nearly perfect condition. I think it'll sound a lot better when I get it all cleaned up and properly adjusted and lubricated....but I still need to get the mid-speed shaft out of the housing!....any ideas? (note that this blower is, in fact, a Champion blower made in LANCASTER, Pa.) UPDATE: May 2004 After using this forge for a while for various projects, I have come to the dismaying conclusion that all the forming I did on the 1/4" plate was a waste of time. With the added depression in the 1/4" plate, the firepot is now TOO deep. So if you make your own forge using a factory-made firepot, just attach the firepot to the bottom of a FLAT sheet of steel. Then way out away from the firepot, you can/should fashion some low walls to retain your coal. Make sure to leave two opposing places on either side of the firepot where there are no retaining walls....so you can lay a long piece of stock down atop the firepot and get it close enough to the fire. Thanks....Scott My School Grill Below is my "school grill", the class project I made recently in Bill Bastas' metalsmithing class at ACC. The grill is 12" square and deliberately employs different kinds of corners, scrolls, joints, etc. to give the student an opportunity to learn a variety of smithing techniques. I had a blast making this grill and even came up with a few "original" ideas of my own such as the center detail (a spread twist), the braided collar, and the split scroll in the lower right corner. To anybody who hasn't already taken Bill's class, I HIGHLY recommend it! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/aa2d1468-8fa2-44c3-b490-cdf13895024d/mygrill-full.jpg Scott Little The Framed "C" This "framed C" was inspired by the Bastas School Grill (thanks, William). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/e33099f0-c874-4d0d-9e75-575d1e029604/c-full.jpg Scott Little This grill is 11" square. All the stock is 1/2" square heavily worked over all surfaces. The pineapple (diamond) twist was made with 10/4's initial twist followed by 5/4's reverse twist. Final adjustments were made by locally heating the twist with a torch and twistin' and untwistin' until the diamonds lined up satisfactorily. The leaf rivet and "wiggly" rivet were made as follows. First I upset a small area in 1/4" rod about 2" from one end. Then with that area very hot, I dropped the rod into a special swage block I made and drove it down into the swage cavity with a "monkey tool". This formed the upset area into the little trumpet bell shape (most visible on the lower "wiggly" rivet). The small leaf at the end of the upper rivet was just made out of the 1/4" rivet stock...i.e. that rivet is one piece. After fabrication, I brushed the entire piece vigorously with a very coarse wire brush, heated the entire piece moderately (i.e. 300 degrees F or so) and wiped on Danish oil (natural color). This stuff polymerizes so it leaves you with a thin permanent coating that is fine for indoor usage. The elevated temperature just seems to help the oil penetrate everywhere and maybe even darkens it a little. Handrail https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/e6ad3f5e-99c3-47c2-9afd-cea135251118/doorout-full.jpg Scott Little My main interest in blacksmithing is functional ironwork. I made this door at our house completely from scratch using 3 planks of roughsawn longleaf pine 1-3/4" thick by 13" wide (from an old school building in San Antonio). The door is held together entirely by the two heavy (2" x 3/8") strap hinges with a pair of 1/2" diameter rivets through each plank at each strap. Yes, the design is painfully simple. At the time this was by far the biggest blacksmithing project I'd ever undertaken and I was totally focused on function. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/053f570b-c581-4437-9bae-c90767a9e1cd/handrail-full.jpg Scott Little I made this handrail out of a piece of old-fashioned re-bar scavenged from the debris piles below Tom Miller dam in Austin. The piles (the biggest of which is known as Red Bud Island) are the remains of the old earth and masonry dam (which failed catastrophically in 1900) that predates the present concrete dam. This piece is 3/4" square bar uniformly twisted along its length. That's how they made re-bar grip concrete in the old days. It was horribly bent when I found it and I only straightened it enough to make a functional railing. I slit and drifted 1/2" holes for the stanchions using a special little rounded punching "anvil" I made so as to protect the existing twist. The stanchions were made of 7/8" diameter round bar that I tenoned on one end and split in half on the other end for the mounting feet. The stanchions are secured to the studs in the wall with 1/4" lag screws whose heads have been forged square for a more authentic look. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/0c6ae95b-d85a-4a62-9c81-3a146229218d/BalconesForge_small.jpg Scott Little - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://balconesforge.org/lee-lanford daily 0.75 2022-03-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/44d60983-a81f-434a-a42b-6b54ed33c262/Helix2-full.jpg Lee Lanford https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/c819322e-f0b7-405e-be35-3ad42bc070e0/Helix-full.jpg Lee Lanford https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/0c6ae95b-d85a-4a62-9c81-3a146229218d/BalconesForge_small.jpg Lee Lanford - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://balconesforge.org/gary-hilton daily 0.75 2022-03-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/b6311188-e618-4453-88b8-f23fbeeb2890/gary_arm-custom-size-580-675.jpg Gary Hilton Gary and his Armadillo https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/2d94f030-bcc8-4dfd-a02c-8ecb0db6e328/sue_arm-custom-size-580-675.jpg Gary Hilton Sue and the Armadillo https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/4137fd01-4fbf-4324-b524-5b5ebda7b93a/ax2.jfif Gary Hilton A standard axe on the left made from 4140 and is from one piece of stock. The axe on the right is a Viking style axe made from mild steel for the body and 1075 carbon steel for the bit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/cfc4238d-0bc1-44ab-b82c-8585a3a8f01b/ax1.jfif Gary Hilton Mandrels, eye drifts, and small railroad track anvil used to create the axes https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/bec18173-26bd-4e04-959e-ca005abf102d/100_0408-custom-size-620-2142.jpg Gary Hilton Beep beep! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/1d75d86f-526f-4446-8c0a-7505e887fd01/Crane+1.jpg Gary Hilton https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/079b7ab5-d29e-492f-8d54-b7deb2f35f5c/Crane+2.jpg Gary Hilton https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/528cb709-5610-454e-8bca-66986c457e31/Crane+3.jpg Gary Hilton https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/bca202ec-5dac-41e4-b5a4-42d9bf5a7eba/Sand+Hill+Crane.jpg Gary Hilton Sand Hill Crane https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/d21e0028-4539-4cf5-8a05-c3eb661ccb61/hummer1-custom-size-620-768.jpg Gary Hilton The two birds are about 4' tall, overall sculpture 5'. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/cab8b1db-0bbb-4c5d-900c-525360fb2494/hummer3-custom-size-620-768.jpg Gary Hilton https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/ef3058e9-cc08-4043-92b5-899636608447/BigBird-custom-size-600-1024.jpg Gary Hilton Hummer (about 6') https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/9c7259ed-0d4a-418e-b0b0-7f00d5667bc3/hummer2-custom-size-620-768.jpg Gary Hilton https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/92b78137-4ea0-489f-8413-21f1842bd8ae/Hummingbird-Small-custom-size-600-644.jpg Gary Hilton A 3' Hummingbird https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/2141fbb6-6aa5-4235-91c7-6ae9165f1482/Hummer4-custom-size-600-768.jpg Gary Hilton https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/4135a483-9bce-465b-bf1e-b5f6cc6d517d/GH+Birds.jpg Gary Hilton https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/63a43a67-0faa-4b78-8335-b9bf95de4b31/100_0409-custom-size-620-2142.jpg Gary Hilton Sue and the rabbit https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/905a2be7-5d23-415c-bbb7-ddbf6ad9e9ba/Madonna-in-20-custom-size-600-768.jpg Gary Hilton Sue and the Bar Maid (with a serious problem - or is that Madonna in 20 years?) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/d9deb7ab-72b8-412a-956d-f3817d605f03/GHPalms-custom-size-580-768.jpg Gary Hilton Tropical West Texas https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/8a37bd70-bece-4e2f-8669-0014d1333184/GHBuffalo-custom-size-580-768.jpg Gary Hilton Buffalo Horse https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/f5960b45-6116-492f-b73d-693811532775/horse-custom-size-580-523.jpg Gary Hilton Buffalo Horse https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/334be35b-4994-4468-9e2e-a1876926772c/HorseIndian-full.jpg Gary Hilton Buffalo Hunter https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/a05e4a75-6d9d-435e-824a-38c2113eb8dc/bigpalms-custom-size-580-481.jpg Gary Hilton https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/a24b00c9-c466-46a9-937f-7aa5d2c4a91a/palmchicken-custom-size-580-546.jpg Gary Hilton The two palm tree chicken trees are both from 6" ID casing and the leaves are from 16 gauge sheet. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/929ed1e2-7d80-4552-8b1e-1c198db11924/1buffers-custom-size-580-555.jpg Gary Hilton Outer layer of fur is made from 100 lbs of 1/8" welding rod https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/a9754c2d-80b6-425f-915c-e2f868a2dcff/2bufferss-custom-size-580-390.jpg Gary Hilton https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/b0edcb76-d5a8-42ab-b5bd-9d22ecf9265d/pigsaddles-custom-size-580-679.jpg Gary Hilton The pig has a 1904 McClellan saddle that makes Pig riding easier https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/a87716de-6ee6-450b-8285-629598073d1a/mantiss-custom-size-580-536.jpg Gary Hilton https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/cfeb00de-97a9-4b84-afcc-7ce1335ef0de/whitebuffalo-custom-size-580-563.jpg Gary Hilton https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/8355b225-1b27-4dcc-9531-eb5222f4ae01/buffalo-full.jpg Gary Hilton Buffalo is 20 gauge sheet over 1/4" rd used to make the skeleton. About 30" high. Torch welded. Horns and ears forged. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/8a8768fc-6a7f-4013-8140-8976d93efa23/chicken-custom-size-580-600.jpg Gary Hilton Palm tree made from casing and sheet metal about 7.5' high. Chicken sheet over skeleton. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/368baf2c-89f6-4165-80ec-c6d253fb85f0/smithpig-custom-size-580-600.jpg Gary Hilton Long faced blacksmith and one of his pigs https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/be776f06-695a-4a1c-9abb-8097730e688b/pigs-custom-size-580-586.jpg Gary Hilton 55 gallon pig and friends https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/1f13b09a-14cf-44a8-b7fc-7ee3be547956/rabbit-full.jpg Gary Hilton A jackrabbit https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/1a84fc8c-36d5-4ff4-ba5d-c634ec98c574/antbed-full.jpg Gary Hilton https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/215f1bae-ce23-40d0-90cd-149d87fc458e/image001-full.jpg Gary Hilton https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/7c2b1de4-f199-48c3-969b-05fe60f0ba79/wovenbench1s-custom-size-550-555.jpg Gary Hilton Legs are from 1 1/4" round stock. Top is woven flat stock https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/6ed5e3d2-a95e-4c31-bcba-f5b85ae41f3d/wovenbench2s-custom-size-580-488.jpg Gary Hilton Legs are made from 5/8" round stock. Top is woven flat stock https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/01b9b7ad-2957-4784-95f0-c52758ca169a/bench2s-custom-size-580-348.jpg Gary Hilton New York Park bench copied from the Anvil's Ring Vol 34 Number 1, 2005. Wood is Western Red Cedar 4"x12"x12' and legs are 1" round stock. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/c2ecd6b5-7a5c-4f7e-8ec7-177725b213b0/benchs-custom-size-580-413.jpg Gary Hilton This bench is about 8' long and the legs are 1" round bar https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/896ce3d3-e5f1-4e19-b574-14ce86be587b/image002-full.jpg Gary Hilton https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/15fb6c0b-f58b-4728-814a-4864bd721e60/image003-full.jpg Gary Hilton https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/d46603fe-a80b-4580-b559-f96bac0ba2f3/image0011-full.jpg Gary Hilton https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/f1c35883-5bb8-44a3-a020-3bfe8566ecec/image0021-full.jpg Gary Hilton https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/c4bb9b18-5e32-4770-886c-c3d846d8e7b1/image0031-full.jpg Gary Hilton https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/20938f10-27cf-43ab-8093-9d257876b867/image004-full.jpg Gary Hilton https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/5fdd7d41-1d88-488b-a391-9ccacbff4afa/sinks-custom-size-580-587.jpg Gary Hilton Stand with sink: legs are from 7/8" round stock https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/b1bcdeb7-b58c-412b-bb5b-08b35c93b399/sbirds-custom-size-580-676.jpg Gary Hilton The Shop Bird https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/63a96def-1194-4e47-a2f0-82759701994b/Boots-full.jpg Gary Hilton https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/984bb549-49d4-4620-9226-4f5de351bf46/Benchrepousse-full.jpg Gary Hilton https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/f714daef-55a7-442a-8a8e-3b9489f4758d/yuccas-full.jpg Gary Hilton Soft leaf yucca. Flower stem is 1/2" round stock and leaves are forged 1/8" or 3/16" by 1" flat stock. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/957fc38a-0d71-4ebc-a09e-f70649993d9e/palm1-full.jpg Gary Hilton Another palm tree...in it's native environment https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/d935ea2c-2fa9-43a0-a0b7-174b8b0bb734/palm2-full.jpg Gary Hilton https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/946b2bc7-5601-419f-b84f-ff12bc4aafbe/125.jfif Gary Hilton Plants Stands or Table Frames https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/0c6ae95b-d85a-4a62-9c81-3a146229218d/BalconesForge_small.jpg Gary Hilton - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://balconesforge.org/katherine-kagler daily 0.75 2022-03-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/2e7070b1-b342-459d-9b17-4a3cbe747447/hibiscuscus-custom-size-590-593.jpg Katherine Kagler Gate Detail https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/3cba8f77-cadd-4f26-9a49-e053060f9c17/lickums-full.jpg Katherine Kagler Gate Detail https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/1ef4b5f7-d82c-4b5e-93bf-873daeae4ba9/lilshoppes-full.jpg Katherine Kagler Gate Detail https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/8723c80d-e549-4b59-9ca4-ba7f8be3d35a/sundials-full.jpg Katherine Kagler Gate Detail https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/dae5f69d-6217-40ea-afcf-0dca8590e68b/bouquets-full.jpg Katherine Kagler A friend saw the gate I was working on with all the flowers and asked me to make a bouquet of flowers for her wedding! The scale is much smaller than the flowers on the gate. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/f6fad0ec-3f60-477e-897a-e1e3a1d7876e/4roses_black-large.jpg Katherine Kagler https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/bd50cdca-d3b0-4bce-8871-015ea1f15249/black00-large.jpg Katherine Kagler Forged wedding bouquet for BFF Kimberly Murphree and Terry Fenner https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/df1ca660-bd4b-4479-bc4c-e5ae3e46b600/firescreens-custom-size-570-536.jpg Katherine Kagler A firescreen installed in the patio of Guero's Taco Bar on Congress Ave. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/67125fab-c9c7-41fa-8b19-8817a08d4827/01fireplacetools_sm-full.jpg Katherine Kagler Set of fireplace tools made to accompany the firescreen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/381764fc-91c6-4837-a502-a68c187edf6d/02handlecu_sm-custom-size-590-476.jpg Katherine Kagler Handle detail with touchmark https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/23ab4ff2-1df7-4cbd-a1fd-ce7abfb889a9/GueroGates-full.jpg Katherine Kagler This was an overly ambitious design with all traditional joinery. William Bastas was generous enough to collaborate with me on the larger more difficult forgings. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/977ea76a-7844-4f5d-b092-5927903c3381/HandleDetails-custom-size-590-1000.jpg Katherine Kagler https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/82e57c52-e405-44fb-9fc3-9dce2dece70d/details-custom-size-560-472.jpg Katherine Kagler https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/15281e78-8093-402e-8af5-1236d3523271/kimbies_buckle_sm-full.jpg Katherine Kagler A belt buckle for my best girl, Kimbie. Making belt buckles is a sort of tradition in my family. My father, Jeff Kagler, was a welder and was known for making buckles out of anything weldable from braided welding rod to stainless pipe, often incorporating coins and abalone shell. My grandpa, James Cotton, as well as uncles James, Frank and Charlie Cotton, are all talented welders. My grandma's father, Frank Pagoda was a blacksmith too and I proudly carry on the tradition in our family. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/9d67e3e3-df5a-4110-a5f3-01834e98dc53/mailbox_sm-full.jpg Katherine Kagler A new mailbox post for my Momma. Merry Christmas! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/0c6ae95b-d85a-4a62-9c81-3a146229218d/BalconesForge_small.jpg Katherine Kagler - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/778df8f4-0021-4d6f-9f16-04686e176e16/Rightpanels-custom-size-305-507.jpg Katherine Kagler - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/287c692e-c8a9-4c1a-ad43-d7d9549dc4bc/leftpanels-custom-size-290-512.jpg Katherine Kagler - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://balconesforge.org/bob-pheil daily 0.75 2022-03-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/26a97a8e-524f-48b3-b9b5-2d21205751c8/cross.jpg Bob Pheil https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/3ac7d2c9-7b79-48d4-ad2f-9a111de4b416/candle.jpg Bob Pheil https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/36261d69-2702-481d-9ac2-85dd26a09f17/table-full.jfif Bob Pheil Coffee Table (traditional construction: mortise and tenon joints, blind rivets for the scrolls....no welding) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/2a9969d6-c7d2-4271-bcd0-56b30cc937e2/PheilTable-custom-size-520-479.jpg Bob Pheil Mesquite and Iron Table - 60" with 2" mesquite top Legs are 1" square https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/de5427cf-0f1b-46fa-983b-d7feaa07b946/firescreenleaves-custom-size-590-402.jfif Bob Pheil 60" firescreen with brass chisel-cut leaves https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/2f2a5a06-7811-478d-ad24-cc98f59e162f/firescreen-custom-size-590-395.jfif Bob Pheil 60" wide firescreen (48" logs). Brass monogram is chisel cut. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/35358802-69d5-43ad-b44f-81613181f198/screen-custom-size-590-602.jpg Bob Pheil Fireplace screen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/506165fb-1f4a-49b9-b72c-e5d8fae5585e/hinges-custom-size-590-568.jpg Bob Pheil Offset hinges made for 3" thick mesquite doors https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/7bfccdae-ca85-4a9c-a2c6-6ba5a2c29532/bench-full.jpg Bob Pheil Mesquite bench https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/280bc502-a656-4f92-8046-e1d9b85e9751/benchside-custom-size-590-427.jpg Bob Pheil Mesquite bench https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/0c6ae95b-d85a-4a62-9c81-3a146229218d/BalconesForge_small.jpg Bob Pheil - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://balconesforge.org/dylan-lalonde daily 0.75 2022-03-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/75784c22-2780-4031-a103-4102bd41634f/dagger-full.jpg Dylan Lalonde This dagger has a 10-1/2 inch blade and a 5-1/4 inch handle for an overall length of 15-3/4. The blade was forged from a coil spring and the handle is African Blackwood. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/a30480fb-15c9-4d62-a40b-a8f544a58673/Skinner-custom-size-600-480.jfif Dylan Lalonde This little skinning knife has a blade forged from a lawnmower blade and a handle of Marblewood with a file-worked bolster. I like the way the handle flows into the blade. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/9b8950b5-1e62-41e0-a1d2-a814ea5d5cd4/DogBoneBowie-full.jpg Dylan Lalonde This bowie is styled and filed from head to toe, or rather tip to pommel, I should say. The full tang handle is fully file-worked (the rope file-work that Johnny Stout taught in October 2009). Like the dagger, the wood is African Blackwood. All the pins, spacers and the collar are brass. The guard is also fileworked. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/3badc4ec-5ae2-40fb-bf5c-630980f0751e/Hunter-custom-size-600-480.jfif Dylan Lalonde I like to call this knife the zebra hunter... because of the Zebrawood handle. It has a full tang and is fully fileworked. The serrations were put on the knife at the request of the customer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/0c6ae95b-d85a-4a62-9c81-3a146229218d/BalconesForge_small.jpg Dylan Lalonde - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://balconesforge.org/sue-murray daily 0.75 2022-03-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/ff6c0a70-53aa-4c16-bf1b-27e03daa89a8/Sculpture.jpg Sue Murray https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/6eac551a-8251-4e35-8cab-593fb1117f32/Flower+Sculpture-sm.jpg Sue Murray https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/cc009a40-648a-4774-b3a6-ef7dd3cf3805/BallFeederHook-sm.jpg Sue Murray https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/13ab8d47-5ca7-4d26-882e-d3a5fb4964f9/BallSculpture-sm.jpg Sue Murray https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/f1dc7010-264b-4c1b-91bf-36c84033b96e/BottleTrellis-sm.jpg Sue Murray https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/f979391a-5c7b-4c68-ae61-4768d79cd198/DateTrellis22010-sm.jpg Sue Murray https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/d5d97af0-2e10-4cbc-a0da-4729c3aa9373/FlowerPlanter-sm.jpg Sue Murray https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/b2588d5d-b2a2-427e-8ae5-791b63dc0d9c/Trellis122010-4sm.jpg Sue Murray https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/157a08f5-1fa8-4b92-a424-4c582a4985a6/Trellis122010-2sm.jpg Sue Murray https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/c755138e-9074-495b-a543-8012ae161b80/s-Bracelets-custom-size-590-623.jpg Sue Murray Bracelets I forge bracelets out of different sizes and shapes of mild steel bar stock. The ends are tapered, rounded, and/or flattened first. I may also flatten round stock or square stock on the diamond. If I am going to file or fuller the edges, I do it after working the ends. Then, I do my twisting, securing the piece in the vice and spot heating in small increments with a torch and working my way up with a twisting wrench. After the twists are done, I shape the bracelet over the horn of the anvil, using a wooden mallet, so as not to damage the twist. Of course, if I decide to flatten the twist, I use my forging hammer. The final step is any scrolling done to the ends, which I do using scrolling pliers. I normally just apply Johnson's Paste Wax or Renaissance Wax to the heated bracelet after going over it with a wire wheel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/09f2e1e9-ad16-4fc8-b771-901708268fb4/s-NapkinRings-custom-size-590-406.jpg Sue Murray Napkin Rings The napkin rings I make are for use with large, cloth napkins. I like to use 1/4" round or 3/16" square bar. I begin by heating the stock in the forge and tapering the ends. If I'm using square stock, I also flatten the ends on the diamond into a spear point. I use a torch to spot heat and create whatever twist I'm using at this point. Then, I heat the whole piece in the forge and wrap it around a jig made from a piece of pipe. When all of the rings are made, I clamp each one onto the jig and use scrolling pliers to scroll the ends. Finally, they are wire-wheeled and sprayed with Krylon Clear Satin Acrylic coating. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/45c97f1b-81a2-4f77-8314-e572b40c37b8/s-EarringTree-custom-size-590-438.jpg Sue Murray Earring Tree I made the earring tree because I had a dresser top full of earrings to organize. I used 1/4" square bar for this project. I cut a starting length that would allow me to have two separate places to hang earrings on, each supported on a different height vertical section coming up from an "S"-shaped base. I used the propane forge to heat each end and then tapered them to a square point. The earring-hanger sections were then flattened on the diamond so that the earrings would fit over them. Each end was then bent straight up, leaving material in the middle to be bent into a stand. A twist was put in each vertical piece starting one inch from the bottom and ending one inch from the top. Then, the base was curved into a stand. Finally, the sections for the earrings were bent into organic forms. The tree was wire wheeled, heated and waxed with Renaissance Wax. Turns out that my sister needed an earring tree worse than I did, so she got this one and I made another one for myself. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/e8b8c556-9dd0-45b6-a6bd-e655dd4cbbf9/s-EarringTree-detail-custom-size-590-805.jpg Sue Murray Detail of Earring Tree https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/d577d1c9-f98a-4831-90e6-40279d63ad50/s-Fork-full.jpg Sue Murray Fork The BBQ fork was made using flat bar, although I can't recall exactly which size I used. The stock was heated in a propane forge. The section that necks down near the tines was fullered using the Smithin' Magician. The tines were split using a chisel under the treadle hammer. They were drawn out and shaped using the flat and curved surfaces of that cool Brazeal brothers' anvil I was lucky enough to acquire a few years ago. The curly-que at the top, for hanging the fork, was also formed using that anvil and scrolling pliers. A ball-peen hammer was used to dimple the entire fork for texture. It was sanded to remove the scale on the surface, leaving the scale in the dimples for contrast. The fork was finally heated and coated with cooking oil. (For those who are not familiar with the Brazeal brothers' anvil, it is a large hunk of steel (almost 3" thick) mounted on a tripod base. The surface is broken into a 45° angle, a flat section and wide and narrow rounded sections.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/f741d03e-ac64-4239-8b32-2ad703276845/s-GateHandle1-full.jpg Sue Murray https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/1262a774-aa03-492a-a6d1-4cae99131ec3/s-GateHandle2-custom-size-350-800.jpg Sue Murray Gate Handles The gate handles are made from 1/4" x 3/4" flat bar. Material was heated in a propane forge and the ends shaped first. Splitting was done using a chisel under the treadle hammer, then the piece was placed in a vice and the split cleaned up using a very thin chisel and a file. Long, pointed tapers were formed using the Brazeal brothers' anvil. Rounded ends were formed on a regular anvil by rounding the end of the material and flattening it prior to splitting it. The handles were then placed in a vice and spot heated to form the twists. After twisting was complete, the handles were heated in the forge and shaped over the horn of the anvil using a wooden mallet, so as not to damage the twists. The cusps were shaped using a forging hammer and any scrolling of the ends was done with scrolling pliers. Holes were drilled for 1/4" screws. The handles were finally cleaned up with a wire wheel, torch heated and coated with Renaissance Wax. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/465f9b2b-4572-4566-9bd2-c768820750b5/s-Trellis1-custom-size-590-1042.jpg Sue Murray Trellis 1 This trellis was made from 1/4" x 3/4" flat stock. Because I wanted it to be fairly tall, and I didn't want to have to try to prop up the ends while forging the top sections, I forged the two-foot top sections separately and riveted them to the vertical pieces. The tops were tapered first, and then fullered along one side of the taper using round bar under the treadle hammer. Then they were heated again in the propane forge and bent around the horn of the anvil to varying degrees. The bottom sections of two of the vertical pieces were also tapered and fullered to match the top and were bent flat for support, leaving only one piece to be sunken into the ground. The tops were riveted to their vertical pieces using large (5/16"), handmade rivets, which were then decorated using various bird-eye and ball nose punches, as well as my touchmark. Three short horizontal pieces were riveted across the vertical sections to hold them in place. The trellis was wire-wheeled and then heated for applying Johnson's Paste Wax. Although I intend for the trellis to rust in the garden, I used the wax to allow the customer to transport it and set it up without getting rust everywhere. It was made to hold lightweight vines, such as morning glories, snapdragon vine, or cardinal vine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/afcf24d9-217a-4761-8179-2def844e10f4/s-Trellis2-custom-size-590-1120.jpg Sue Murray Trellis 2 This trellis was made from 1/4" x 1/2" and 1/4" x 3/4" flat stock. The large piece was sandwiched between the two smaller pieces. The top section of the larger bar was forged and scrolled before being riveted to the vertical piece. The longer of the two narrow pieces was also made in two parts, with the top end being formed and then riveted to its base. The shorter of the two narrow pieces was easy enough to handle as one piece. The decorative element tying the three pieces together was dimpling, made using a ball peen hammer, but it is not visible in the photo. The pieces of this trellis were riveted one on top of the other toward the bottom using handmade (1/4") rivets. Then, the longer of the narrow pieces was bent around the larger center section. The shorter of the two narrow pieces was then bent around the other two pieces. A twist was put in the center of the wide vertical pieces because it "needed something". This trellis was just lightly sanded with emery cloth and then heated and waxed. It will easily support a lightweight vine in the garden. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/945bcf3e-5abb-4bb3-b539-a1613dc496ef/s-Heart-custom-size-590-666.jpg Sue Murray Heart Our trade item for the February, 2007 meeting was "something riveted". Being February, I decided to make a two-part heart. I used 3/8" round bar. I drew out my idea on a steel work surface for a pattern. Using the propane forge, I heated and tapered the ends of the material. I used a torch to shape the two halves of the heart according to my pattern. Curved areas were flared, using the hammer and anvil, for interest. The point of the arrow coming out of the heart was carefully cut with a chisel and scrolled out with tiny round-nosed spring pliers. The two sections were intertwined and then riveted at the top and bottom using handmade rivets. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/42d79d6b-e542-460d-880d-cd055c13b140/s-Sun2-custom-size-590-726.jpg Sue Murray Sun I start by scrolling flat stock for the sun. Then, I make eight rays, splitting one end for riveting to the center section. I may split the outer end of the rays for extra movement and character or I may make them two different lengths for something different. Depending on the size of material I'm using for the rays, I will use the v-notch in a full-size or a mini-swage block for shaping them. Once the rays are done, I rivet them onto the sun's center with homemade rivets (detail below). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/fed64dc7-8932-402d-bb2c-9ae9e0e572c7/s-sunrivets-custom-size-590-555.jpg Sue Murray https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/d28c7885-b7df-4cdd-b186-e6e6aaa150e8/s-Turtle1-custom-size-590-922.jpg Sue Murray Turtle The turtle is made the same way as the sun (above), except that I make the legs and head separately, texture them and then rivet them on. The bottom side of the center scroll becomes the tail. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/0c6ae95b-d85a-4a62-9c81-3a146229218d/BalconesForge_small.jpg Sue Murray - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://balconesforge.org/j-alex-ruiz daily 0.75 2022-03-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/e81a6e3b-c8fa-4c10-a735-e90b89a924de/IMG_20180510_100416.jpg J. Alex Ruiz https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/36d1f029-fd63-4344-892c-836f5a2c9b3c/63571.jpg J. Alex Ruiz https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/bfedfb48-2c59-48fa-935f-1a6973c6338c/42103.jpg J. Alex Ruiz https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/7b3a7bff-73e3-4667-ae2e-d6b82c680a5e/15081.jpg J. Alex Ruiz https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/8bff9112-05d9-49ad-8a07-38c4e82ffb0a/47183.jpg J. Alex Ruiz https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/ecb6ed2a-9abb-4e53-80e0-4b19cbbd6c00/knife.png J. Alex Ruiz https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/0c6ae95b-d85a-4a62-9c81-3a146229218d/BalconesForge_small.jpg J. Alex Ruiz - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://balconesforge.org/jose-m-sandoval daily 0.75 2022-03-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/346390ed-9697-4eba-bbf3-046db1c38b99/JoseMSandoval+%2816+of+42%29.jpg Jose M. Sandoval https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/56a12471-3c3a-47c3-ac15-a69d5583da2c/20141006_053316.jpg Jose M. Sandoval https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/0207c1c3-639e-4947-9d08-2100cc299c22/20141006_053209.jpg Jose M. Sandoval https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/698fda24-1bab-4308-981c-21ea2514fded/20131225_103357.jpg Jose M. Sandoval https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/def9b69b-edb1-47cd-8231-d33f965af4a9/20131225_103411.jpg Jose M. Sandoval https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/2997f7cf-9de9-480e-9d0b-0ae1c064a844/DSC02077.jfif Jose M. Sandoval https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/ac540691-2b38-48cb-b4d9-fb8f86637443/Purse_hanger_02.jpg Jose M. Sandoval https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/005c6660-a664-42b2-b1d5-6179f0ffc6dc/Purse_hanger_01.jpg Jose M. Sandoval https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/cc1bbda5-eba8-4eb0-8955-db01abecd3fd/Purse_hanger_03.jpg Jose M. Sandoval https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/d6ffb804-c91a-4e65-a4a8-c93c529c6819/IMG_2425.jfif Jose M. Sandoval https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/dc683539-3659-45a0-9df4-739e599a7d67/JoseMSandoval+%2820+of+42%29.jpg Jose M. Sandoval Horse Hoof Pick This horse hoof pick was created using 1800 Blacksmith techniques. This hoof pick was forged into this shape using a coal forge, recycling an old horseshoe, using tongs, anvil and a hammer. The hanging hole was done using a round punch. The maker's mark was also stamped by heating the metal to a red color, about 1600 F, and punching the maker's mark brand, with a special punch. Finishing the hoof pick by filing the sharp edges with a rasp, bastard file, and a bastard circular file, wire brush and applying a treatment to reduce metal corrosion. Once the horse hoof pick was completed we then attached a genuine leather hanging/whipping tail hand- square braided with a terminal knot. This item is a true representation of how blacksmithing was done back in the 1800s. Jose M. Sandoval May 22, 2014 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/e0fac2b0-faf9-4cc6-8d2f-553089d3c606/IMG_0213.jfif Jose M. Sandoval https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/88f3de75-8536-4d62-bc97-3754e1db1ab6/IMG_0046.jfif Jose M. Sandoval https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/0c6ae95b-d85a-4a62-9c81-3a146229218d/BalconesForge_small.jpg Jose M. Sandoval - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://balconesforge.org/daniel-smith daily 0.75 2022-03-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/25f512aa-34e2-4a43-9606-bb1b898461e6/bowlflower2-full-effect-sharpen-40-effect-autolevels-34.jpg Daniel Smith This is forge welded angle iron to form the flower petals. The piece hangs on the wall with a hidden connection. The whole thing can disassemble by removing one nut on the back. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/164f785f-6319-4e29-b039-936e958f0f18/ceilinglamp-full.jpg Daniel Smith This is forged and fabricated. the metal shade forge welded together then welded to the mirror side of it. The center shaft is tubing that is threaded for disassembly. The glass shade was blown by Helen Tegeler. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/4b1705c0-5643-4cbc-bb8d-e56c66488bdb/pressedflower-custom-size-590-396.jpg Daniel Smith This is another forge welded angle iron flower. I didn't like how it looked in 3d so I pressed it under a fly press to resemble a flower pressed in a book. The flower is away from the background by about 2 inches. The patina is ferric chloride and Johnson's paste wax. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/30416055-df31-4a2c-8f1e-17996b9da8bf/remnants-full.jpg Daniel Smith This is a sculpture based on my concrete construction experience. the form is based on making a combination curb and sidewalk. I have always appreciated the aesthetics of the metal forms. The broken concrete is to symbolize building the new off of the old. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/fe55ff09-872f-42bf-848f-45f17bd80c68/reverseflower2-full.jpg Daniel Smith This is my second attempt at making a forge welded angle iron flower. This is my favorite one. It mounts on the wall. The original idea came from seeing a piece of flattened angle in the scrap bin. The metal is flattened then folded in on itself then forge welded to make the taper. The other end is then made into a scarf for welding to the stem. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/0c6ae95b-d85a-4a62-9c81-3a146229218d/BalconesForge_small.jpg Daniel Smith - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://balconesforge.org/charles-stolte daily 0.75 2025-01-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/7d95d66e-65fb-48d7-866a-8c02ba3f3f0c/IMG_0884-large.jfif Charles Stolte https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/15eb6914-44da-42cd-9cc0-546bd8c78f1c/stolte2s-full.jpg Charles Stolte https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/dd210898-cb3a-4e26-92ce-310ff84f4fc6/whitaker2-full.jpg Charles Stolte https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/50ff8c3e-5b39-4854-9901-567e878d8868/whitaker-full.jpg Charles Stolte https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/7d9c244b-81c9-43c7-95ab-bbd973a1cb06/hummingbird2-full.jpg Charles Stolte https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/0d4d845c-1a42-450c-9c75-d4d1ec377f56/hummingbird-full.jpg Charles Stolte https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/18f031a7-b7c8-455b-8261-04fb95932a48/cross-full.jpg Charles Stolte https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/85692ce8-2666-4d32-9814-ae2e5a4ff072/grasshopper-full.jpg Charles Stolte https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/fcd879f5-9e74-496d-a20b-72f00435c1bb/necklace-full-brt-44-effect-sharpen-32.jpg Charles Stolte https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/cf043894-ad61-4384-9e5f-b0fae0e8b8d9/stoltes-large.jpg Charles Stolte A rare event -- Mr. Charlie taking it easy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/c9794854-5dba-4ac6-9eb3-528e25c955d7/mar02-medium.jpg Charles Stolte https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/0c6ae95b-d85a-4a62-9c81-3a146229218d/BalconesForge_small.jpg Charles Stolte - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://balconesforge.org/lupe-urdiales daily 0.75 2022-03-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/c04a44e9-79c8-418a-9727-e618cb1421f1/dad+jobs+001.jpg Lupe Urdiales https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/a09b8e8a-c049-46de-bcff-3d0f79fdf678/dad+jobs+008.jpg Lupe Urdiales https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/704f471d-ccd7-4a06-958b-87b3bb2a95eb/dad+jobs+012.jpg Lupe Urdiales https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/eb7aa648-57eb-4f10-a3f5-191662c243ee/600EAD9C.jpg Lupe Urdiales https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/6bc75da8-432e-4d3f-a2b9-497a1fd10b6a/dad+jobs+016.jpg Lupe Urdiales https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/d41f843d-4ef3-4b3f-8651-9eff0bc03a55/dad+jobs+029.jpg Lupe Urdiales https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/4d6de9d1-9113-44ab-ac34-113a69f18631/dad+jobs+030.jpg Lupe Urdiales https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/b00adec5-3091-4081-ad7f-668c60289692/DSC00923.jpg Lupe Urdiales https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/98e3148d-4a51-4083-8331-8f994ee0c678/DSC00916.jpg Lupe Urdiales https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/ec9e2a08-2a22-4448-a313-e6420765ca7d/dad+jobs.jpg Lupe Urdiales https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/0c6ae95b-d85a-4a62-9c81-3a146229218d/BalconesForge_small.jpg Lupe Urdiales - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://balconesforge.org/tim-tellander daily 0.75 2022-03-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/69e05b85-65a9-48ec-a3d5-30c6978c26dc/Tellander+Knife.jpg Tim Tellander https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/b7abfff6-7495-4198-9bc1-162ba2081506/IMG_5006.png Tim Tellander https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/9dcdd34f-f9df-483f-99ea-f2bc51ca39f6/Tims+flyer.jpg Tim Tellander Click on picture to see entire brochure https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/cde7138d-a11e-4138-8855-6fb52f501824/IMG_5007.png Tim Tellander https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/c9b64a1c-6b4f-4af8-abfe-a35e19a245e8/photo+4%2813%29-001.jfif Tim Tellander https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/78a3ff3b-3e1e-4b0b-a0cf-415696ec3cb2/IMG_5008.png Tim Tellander https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/b7dc07d1-7117-4688-9f22-8523b68e6b71/photo+2%2816%29-001.jpg Tim Tellander Railroad Spike Knife with Brass Finial https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/c24e531f-b131-42e8-bd29-c93bc10e8f2f/IMG_5009.png Tim Tellander https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/f4771464-4a97-45e5-ab93-fb0f3db34582/IMG_5010.png Tim Tellander https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/878bfc27-61e6-4647-a2aa-4e77cffe91cc/IMG_5011.png Tim Tellander https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/3b6802cb-7b6f-4781-adac-596d9e88821e/IMG_5012.png Tim Tellander https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/71fd4dd7-3745-490d-b148-03bdd78173b3/IMG_5013.png Tim Tellander https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/7029b6d1-03ea-41ed-b8ff-b5c86179dd71/IMG_5014+%281%29.png Tim Tellander https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/04cba820-d5f0-40b0-9c9b-7c99212e8460/IMG_5014.png Tim Tellander https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/57622de1-f654-4692-8d0a-d9eda8c845e4/IMG_5015.png Tim Tellander https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/402719ba-7a4f-4f77-ae4c-0cb93695f092/IMG_5016.png Tim Tellander https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/8a330de4-28c6-4acc-afa9-174cade1e2c9/IMG_5017.png Tim Tellander https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/ffd74427-67cb-4707-a459-93919774069f/IMG_5018.png Tim Tellander https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/6f38e9f4-0079-4948-95f3-eeed7cc2235c/IMG_5019.png Tim Tellander https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/617ad6eb-3285-43ba-9ac5-b2f3586c06c5/IMG_5020.png Tim Tellander https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/a26111a5-3981-4af2-8646-acb14862172d/IMG_5021.png Tim Tellander https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/0ca2858d-7c51-42ad-a93f-cd6068874635/IMG_5022.png Tim Tellander https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/9b9e6463-13f9-4b1f-a5a4-7e07aa1031ec/IMG_5023.png Tim Tellander https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/1346bd75-27b2-4637-af8b-dee2f09fb7bc/IMG_5024.png Tim Tellander https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/7ac96ff0-e2b8-4f6c-881a-e8a2d84a6ff2/IMG_5025.png Tim Tellander https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/82e36a45-9e55-42e6-998e-638c1d16e332/IMG_5027.png Tim Tellander https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/e70ba7e1-4c7c-475d-8995-fc35e532b451/IMG_5028.png Tim Tellander https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/0d12171d-b9e4-4577-b93a-53305afd96f6/IMG_5030.png Tim Tellander https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/84518fa5-96cc-416f-8702-36a3458d94b5/IMG_5031.png Tim Tellander https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/3ec64109-4975-4fa3-a667-da98d9b480fd/IMG_5032.png Tim Tellander https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/94092b64-9f48-4c04-8430-81be41a9df32/IMG_5033.png Tim Tellander https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/0c6ae95b-d85a-4a62-9c81-3a146229218d/BalconesForge_small.jpg Tim Tellander - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://balconesforge.org/harvey-wise daily 0.75 2025-01-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/f0cf5b09-b736-4ce6-9f37-6117aa8bff5e/wise2-full.jpg Harvey Wise There are 60 snub-end scrolls in this panel, riveted and hot-collared in place. It's a stationary grill for a home located in Austin. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/3f96365e-111b-47e1-9079-4b14057c7d06/wiserose-full.jpg Harvey Wise Made from mild steel, 9 layers (cross by owner). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/c9061cf6-f7b1-49c1-be2d-d94c6ce6279a/wise1-full.jpg Harvey Wise Double-swing outside gates for the same home in Austin (stationary grill is just to the right of these gates). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/fa6f5294-1f7b-4658-b8aa-0df0317adde1/wise3-full.jpg Harvey Wise Our own mailbox stand in Smetana, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/fc930eb7-2786-4e81-991a-da9c34ee09c2/Harvey-custom-size-480-600.jfif Harvey Wise Our Harvey (Photo by Harry Cabluck) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/0c6ae95b-d85a-4a62-9c81-3a146229218d/BalconesForge_small.jpg Harvey Wise - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://balconesforge.org/latestnewsletter daily 0.75 2025-11-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/0c6ae95b-d85a-4a62-9c81-3a146229218d/BalconesForge_small.jpg Latest Newsletter - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/becc8152-7ca8-4d62-9ba7-28b597d99017/know.png Latest Newsletter - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://balconesforge.org/membership-1 daily 0.75 2026-01-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61dd440bcfe7dc3b861f60a8/0c6ae95b-d85a-4a62-9c81-3a146229218d/BalconesForge_small.jpg Online Membership - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.