Filed under: September 2017 | Tags: anvil, Blacksmithing, cone mandrel, forge, forging, grime, knee replacement, treasure
September 17, 2017
I continue to heal and am starting to get around a little. I sit a lot and move slow, but mostly in a forward direction! Progress is slow but steady. I have been working in my old shop. I am slowly turning it into a forge room. I want to do blacksmithing in my retirement years. It is a hobby that I have embraced for years but have not had the time to devote to it.
I have been acquiring tools and equipment for the last 30 years. These last few days, I have been wire brushing tools, hanging up stuff and restoring order. I had to move a bunch of junk (also known as treasure :o) Some of the stuff my wife has been helping me sort and move. The heavy stuff, I have been relying on friends and family to move as I direct. I am very sure EVERYONE will be happy when my knee replacement is finally healed!
I am pretty impressed with my use of wood. An oak log made good anvil stands. One stump is almost thirty years old. A pair of horses of mine dragged it out of the woods in 1991. My small anvil has sat on it since. I painted it down with boiled linseed oil again today. I think it made it look almost new again.
The cone mandrel ( the dunce looking thing) is actually one that goes in a hardy hole in an anvil. I took a log, shaved it down with my chainsaw and placed the mandrel on top. I’m sure it will work fine to make an occasional ring when needed. I can roll it around the shop as needed when needed. I have less than $80.00 invested, A real one made for the purpose of forming rings costs well over a thousand dollars if you can find one.
I’m pretty happy with my efforts so far. Last week this stuff was covered in rust and dust. I used a bunch of rags, lots of WD-40 and a wire wheel on a drill. I wore out a pair of pants from sitting so long. I messed up an apron, trying to keep some of the grime off me. I’m not sure it worked, because it took almost half a bar of lava soap to clean my face and arms. Oh well, I’m keeping busy and forging ahead.
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RicelandMeadows 
My Dad did forge work and my so inlaw does forge work. I love it.
Comment by Donkey Driver September 18, 2017 @ 7:46 amI too really enjoy it. I never knew that I could be so artistic! It is a blast for me. I am looking forward to making useful things as well as playing around on the creative side some too.
Comment by ricelandmeadows September 18, 2017 @ 10:49 amLove the donkey. I have observed, though, that your nearly daily blog has diminished lately. With all your “free” time I’d think we’d hear from you everyday, not every couple of weeks. Time to go back to work so you’ll have more blogging time. Just saying…..
Comment by Aunt June September 19, 2017 @ 12:00 pmLOL, I would love to BLOG more, but I’m pretty boring still. I am just now starting to get around and do a few things and even then, in moderation. I hope to work the horses some soon, with Jake’s help of course. I have tried to avoid boring the crap out of people with my recovery, therapy and all the whining that went with it! Stay tuned, farm work will soon be starting up again and I am so very glad!
Comment by ricelandmeadows September 19, 2017 @ 2:23 pm