Latest Blogs

Thank you

carolyn - Thursday, September 9, 2010 - 5:00am

Thank you Rich and Bigfoot for the thoughtful suggestions.

Bigfootnampa thank you particularly for the tumber thought. I have green pyramids which do as you say give a lightly sandblasted effect. Are they what you were thinking of? Also noted hot metal and brownish black hues. I would very much like to stick to metal for these but as an aside I would be interested to see your paint technique and the results.

Matte Black Finish

carolyn - Wednesday, September 8, 2010 - 11:12pm

Jewelry

Hi All

I am a mainly self taught jeweller. I work mainly in silver, but also with Gold and perspex.

I am wanting to make a series of brooches using a number of metals, and finished in matte black (with very slight variations between the metals) but no black on the gold sections.

Building a propane forge at home

ic3ss - Tuesday, September 7, 2010 - 11:02pm

I'm about to start a project building a propane metal forge. This is the latest in a flurry of activity brought on by tragedy. I recently lost a very good friend at work when he unexpectedly passed away. This left a coveted opening on day shift that I was able to move to. This change in working hours has had an unexpected effect on me after working night shift for 14 years: I have energy again. My wife just thinks I've gone crazy. Maybe it's because I build a spud gun last week, I dunno.

» read more | ic3ss's blog | 2 comments

Metal to Metal Panel Glue?

Frank Castiglione - Tuesday, September 7, 2010 - 12:13pm

I'm doing some repairs on my new "beater"car and would like to glue panels over rust holes. Is there a panel type glue that would work. I know about the expensive 3m stuff but was looking for a much less expensive adhesive. I will be welding one edge only.The surface area is large where the panels overlap.

2ed in Series of Lovers

dowpat - Monday, September 6, 2010 - 11:49pm

handforged | mild steel | wood base

1st Kiss w/blush
Mild steel
5 ¾” Square base of Butternut
1st Kiss: 1st Kiss w/blush 5 ¾” Square base of Butternut 13” Height overall1st Kiss CU: Close up with blush13” Height overall

Dipping to finish

crquack - Monday, September 6, 2010 - 9:02pm

Penetrol | rust protection | small pieces | steel

I have a few small mild steel pieces ( 2.5" cube) with intricate construction that does not lend itself to painting protective finish on. I have been waxing them but that is far from ideal as a means of protection. I have sprayed them with lacquer but I am never sure of the coverage.