Ah, Winter weather...

Well, I can't really complain...it's not like I haven't lived in Virginia for the majority of my life.  I know it is Winter and I know how wind can be when you live on one of the higher hills in the area.  However, if I could change things just a bit, I'd have another nice, warm weekend come 'round soon.  If it were just rain/snow, and cold, I don't think I would mind as much.  I think it's more the fact that the wind took my temporary shelter over the forge and slung it around like a dog does a rope toy.  With aluminum poles bent, twisted, or broken and tarp cover torn in key areas, it appears that it shall shelter no more.  I didn't mean for it to be that temporary.  Then again, I supposed I could have anchored it better...or at all.  I will call it a learning experience and move on. 

Looking forward to Spring.

Another Start-up Smithy to check out

This is the blog for Rusty Bell Forge.  Pat (pictured in the "Christening" post below) is the owner/operator of Rusty Bell.  Check it out!

http://rustybellforge.blogspot.com/

Things from the fire

Here are a few of the things I've made over the last few weeks.  I couldn't post them before as they were made as gifts.

These are brackets for the sides of a utility trailer that my Brother-in-law restored for his dad.  I'll post pics of the trailer soon.

Napkin Rings

Letter Opener

Key Ring

Key Ring

Wall Mount Bottle Opener

Wall Mount Bottle Opener

Candle Holder

Candle Holder

The Christening! (11/26/2011)

Firing up Widdershins for the first time...

 Gathering the necessary tools...

 Gathering the necessary tools... ;) 

  Gathering the necessary tools...

 Ready to start the fire...

 My friend Pat (who helped me get into smithing) and me, just before the lighting.

 Starting the fire.

 Adding fuel

 ...and more fuel

 ...and more.

 YEAH!

 Heating rebar to make my first tool (a coal rake).

 Making the rake.

 Making the rake.

 My daughter Kelso having a go while Pat's son Jake films.

 Pat helping me draw out some steel.

 My son Jordan giving it a go.

Jordan's GF Ariel taking a turn.

Welcome to Widdershins IronWorks!

Thanks for stopping by!  Here you'll find (as you might expect) pics and posts from and about my forge.  Where to start?  Well, how about at the beginning?  Here's how I built the forge...

 The table was made from an old garden cart I got from FreeCycle (great group on Yahoo!...check it out).  I built the base from treated lumber.

 Here you can see the hole for the firepot.

The firepot.  This is a brake rotor I kept from my old Subaru and a section of 2.25" steel pipe.  I ground the threads off the end of the pipe and cut/bent tabs to hold it in.

 Completed forge with wheels, pipes, blower, and control switch installed.

 Completed forge with wheels, pipes, blower, and control switch installed.

Completed forge with wheels, pipes, blower, and control switch installed.