The morning after the second class meeting and I'm awake at 3:37am. Seems like as good a time as any to think about metal.

Class was really great. The instructor, Jim, provides a safe, comfortable, challenging learning environment. His attitude is that we should explore and experiment as much as possible without worrying about whether we think he thinks we're doing art. If the weld holds, it's good. If we want to buff out the weld mark, fine. If we think having the weld mark is desirable, fine. Right now is about learning the skills that will lead to the craft. It's a terrific feeling of freedom and even the smallest gains feel like great accomplishments.

Each chisel (tool) has a history, a master, then handed from generation to generation .. The logos show the owners. There are tools with 6 or more logos .. It means that they are lost in time - date back to 1500/1600.The

what is thisI was talking with a friend about the forging and he said he had a tool for me. He was using it as a wheel weight on an old cultivator. Neither of know what it is or how to use it though it now seems to belong to me. Does any one here know about it? 

Here are some simple shapping tools that I made. They work great!

I thought I would post this web page for all to look thru. A friend of mine came over and took some photos of my studio and all the junk and tools I have laying around. Thought you might be interested in the pictures...He is a very good phtographer - even makes the junk look half decent!