Effective Noon 12/31/2009

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary retired is: To withdraw from one's position

or occupation: conclude one's working or professional career. In this case it is no more computer work!

So as of 12:01 PM Thursday December 31, 2009, the blacksmith shop will be open most all time!

Frank Turley workshop

The Missouri Blacksmith Association hosted a Frank Turley workshop at Lou Meuller's place this past weekend.

The class was made possible by a memorial in memory of Doug Hendrickson.

Here is Doug's wife, Bonnie as she introduces us to Frank Turley.

Frank on the left, and Lou make a striking team.

Or Frank is striking by himself. . . if only I could use some Turleyisms here.

Turley Forge is located in Santa Fe New Mexico.

Plasma cutter

Today we went back to Hope, Missouri to help out fellow blacksmith Joe.

Joe has a new toy. It's a Plasma cutter. He gave BT a few quick lessons and then it was his turn to try.






It sure makes quick work in preparing to make a gig.

Forging in Hope Missouri

Today we visited Joe's shop in Hope Missouri. Joe has been a little under the weather. He might tell you a lot, but he is doing much better.




Bernie uses Joe's trip hammer.





The reason for our visit was to help Joe forge 6 hinges for doors on a restored log cabin.








Now this is what you call a clinker!






The hinge will look something like this.



One of the two doors with the 6 hinges laying on the floor.

Free coal

Two blacksmith discuss some coal that was free for the taking in Arrow Rock, Missouri.

Blacksmith Coal

What does a ton of coal look like?

It looks like this plus 5 more sacks that were left in the front of the shop.

We took a trip Saturday to Scrub Oak Forge in DeSoto Missouri. It is one of the storage areas for the BAM coal supply.

The blacksmith lifted this coal 4 times. That's 4 tons times.

First he lifted it into place in the bed of the truck. Arriving home and accidentally locking the keys into the truck, he lifted it onto a trailer. From there he lifted it onto a 2 wheel dolly. He then wheeled it inside the shop
and lifted it into the storage area.

No wonder he slept good that night.




Sorry I forgot the camera on Saturday, I missed some beautiful picture opportunities.

SOFA tailgating

Southern Ohio Forge and Anvil held their quadstate round-up this past week. One of the main features of the conference is the tailgating.



You could see rows of vises.





Wet rows with plenty of rusty metal. Rusty especially since it rained Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

There were trailer loads of tools. This trailer even included some old traps for my son to drool over.

This trailer contained many rivets of all different sizes. They were sold by the pound and got cheaper on the last day of the conference.







Miniature anvils. The owner said he still had 1500 at home.











Here are a couple of the many hats of Jeff from Persimmon Tree Forge.

Oh wait! Here's a brief dry moment.

Have forge, will travel.

And last the "big" tongs.