Three Rivers Forge profile
Three Rivers Forge
Three Rivers Forge
Blacksmith - forging iron in order to bring a little bit of the wonderful trade to folks everywhere!
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Thank you! Your support means the world to me and I cannot thank you enough. It's because of great folks like you that I can experiment with new ideas, create new content, and keep the iron moving here at Three Rivers Forge!

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Firstly, you get my undying appreciation for your faith in me. Your support will help keep the iron moving here at Three Rivers Forge, making it possible to try new things and create new content.

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Displaying posts with tag Forging.Reset Filter
Three Rivers Forge

Carving Letters in Steel.

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Three Rivers Forge
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Where's all the blacksmithing gone?!


I know, I know.  Got off on a bit of a tangent with all the talk of ropes, pulleys, knots and such, didn't I?

Never fear, my friends.  I'm a blacksmith first and foremost, so we'll get back to our regularly scheduled programming now.

I'm passionate about the trade, but I'm equally passionate about history in general and the technology used by our ancestors.  Though I've studied the Ashley Book of Knots, I also saw how the knowledge contained within its covers could be directly applied to the blacksmithing I enjoy so much.... and wasn't.  Every time I watched a video of some smiths trying to manhandle a power hammer into place, I had to wonder why they didn't just rig up a few ropes and pulleys.  Seeing Will's video where he crashed his hammer because he didn't have any ropes at all.... well, that was a bridge too far, in my estimation, and I thought it was important that we start talking about the issue.

Tomorrow.... a new book review!
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Three Rivers Forge
Public post

One of the best things you can do for your shop or garage is install hard anchors.


Seriously, folks.  How many times have you needed to move something heavy but didn't have anywhere you could fix even a ratchet strap?

One good anchor in the ceiling, for example, makes it very easy to load and unload things from the bed of your truck.  While a fancy gantry crane might be nice, most of us don't have the room and really don't need such a thing very often.  With an anchor in the ceiling, though, you can drive your truck under it, lift the load until it clears the bed, and then drive out from under it.

With anchors fastened to the walls in strategic locations, you can use a rope and pulley to shift heavy tools and materials all over the place.  

I've lost count of the number of times I've heard guys complaining about how hard it is to move their heavy welding tables out of the way when they need the extra room.  All it takes, though, is a couple of places where you can fasten a block and tackle.... and you can shift that half-ton table with ease.

Okay, maybe it's not "easy", but it's a sure sight easier than trying to manhandle it with pry-bars and choice words!

Just remember that you have to be smart.  If you build your anchor points flimsy, they will rip out under load... and that makes for a very bad day.  Be smart.  Think it through.  Overkill the design and never try to lift or shift anything that is outside of your ability and experience.
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Three Rivers Forge
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One of the better videos about blacksmithing.  


Dave does a great job of illustrating all of the unseen things that go into making the grille, something customers really don't understand.  Not only do you have to make the finished product, but you have to figure out what tools you’ll need, how you’ll make the tools, and then run through a dozen iterations of the different parts until you find what looks best.

There’s nothing easy in the blacksmith’s shop, which is what makes it both rewarding and frustrating.  

If you’d like to help support the ironwork here at Three Rivers Forge, consider getting yourself a shirt, hoodie or drink sleeve.   https://www.storefrontier.com/three-rivers-forge

And now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go make a tool to make a tool...!  

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the Goal
The drill press is probably one of the most useful tools to have in the shop, and one that I use more than I would ever have imagined! To make it an even more versatile tool for the shop, when we reach this goal, we will add the excellent table made by Fireball Tools, or by shop for a vintage drill press that has better features, including a larger table. The addition of a larger table would allow for fixturing, the placement of jigs and fences, as well as supporting larger pieces. The drill press extension table sold by Fireball Tools is designed with the small shop in mind. Of course, if you're following along here at Three Rivers Forge, I'm sure you have the same passion for old tools that I do. Adding something like a Walker Turner radial arm drill press to the shop would be an amazing step forward. I can't say if one will be available at the time, or if it'll be available at a price I can afford, but I will certainly consider it an option. Small bricks build big walls, and little additions to the shop can make a tremendous difference in speed, efficiency, and design capabilities, as well as the overall ambience. Thank you for seeing the potential. Thank you for joining the team!

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