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Three Rivers Forge
Blacksmith - forging iron in order to bring a little bit of the wonderful trade to folks everywhere!
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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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Public post
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...!
And now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go make a tool to make a tool...!
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Public post
The Rag-in-a-Can Oiler.
Around the blacksmith shop, rust is something you have to deal with.
While Mr. Sellers is a master woodworker and I'll trust his thoughts on how the oiler helps with cutting wood, my first thought was that his wonderful design would be a real boon here at Three Rivers Forge, too.
Visit any smithy, and you'll find that most folks have an oily rag that they use to wipe down their hammers and anvils before leaving the shop so nothing rusts overnight. The problem is that the oily rag always seems to dry out no matter what you do. And when you give it a dose of fresh oil, it's then too oily to wipe down your tools.
Overall, it's something that's more frustrating than not, so you can imagine how happy I was to see Mr. Sellers discuss his solution to the problem! Plus, I have to admit that I just love the old-school vibe the Rag-in-a-Can Oiler gives off. This is something my grandfather and great-grandfather would have done.
Whether you work wood or metal, you should have one of these in your shop. Just remember that the cloth has to be cotton so the oil will wick up through the weave.
https://youtu.be/npKo1y2e8RI
https://youtu.be/npKo1y2e8RI
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Public post
Forging an Auger!
Our ancestors certainly earned their honor. Every once in awhile, I'm reminded of what those who came before us had to go through just to end up with something we take for granted today.
Videos like this are also a great way to show people why blacksmiths charge as much as they do. We tend to think in terms of mass production, big factories with amazing machines that can churn out thousands of parts in just a few minutes. It's really easy to forget that doing the same thing by hand takes hours and hours of hard work!
Many thanks to Eugenio Monesma for taking the time to record the many trades in his region of Spain. It's truly great to watch the old skills being kept alive, and that scenery is just amazing!
Videos like this are also a great way to show people why blacksmiths charge as much as they do. We tend to think in terms of mass production, big factories with amazing machines that can churn out thousands of parts in just a few minutes. It's really easy to forget that doing the same thing by hand takes hours and hours of hard work!
Many thanks to Eugenio Monesma for taking the time to record the many trades in his region of Spain. It's truly great to watch the old skills being kept alive, and that scenery is just amazing!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukpuEjCW5EU
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Public post
Drill Guides -- The Forgotten Tool.
Even though I own a set, I will still often forget to use one.... and always to my detriment.
Big Gator Tools makes what I consider the preeminent drill guides. No affiliation, sadly, but I have no problem recommending their product because it's solid quality, made in America, and more useful than you might imagine.
Big Gator Tools makes what I consider the preeminent drill guides. No affiliation, sadly, but I have no problem recommending their product because it's solid quality, made in America, and more useful than you might imagine.
As a blacksmith, I often have to use a hand drill to make a hole because the workpiece is too large for the drill press. The Big Gator drill guide makes that job a lot easier and helps to guarantee that the hole will be oriented properly!
They even offer "tap guides", a wonderful tool that helps make sure your tap is perpendicular to the work when you're trying to cut threads into a hole. If you've ever had to hand-tap a few holes, you know how aggravating it can be -- especially when you get done and find out one hole is catty-wompus!
I can't say enough good about Big Gator Tools and their wonderful creation. If you don't have a set, get a set. You might only use them once a year, but when you need them.... you'll be glad you have them!
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Public post
Thinking outside the box
One of the reasons I've never purchased a swage block is because they are covered with a bunch of shapes and holes that I just don't need. I thought about having one cut out from a plate of mild steel, but that's every bit as costly as buying a cast iron block, and I really don't have much need for one. Most blacksmiths don't use 90% of their swage block's options so it seems like a lot of mass to have around collecting dust.
Kudos to Adriano Pasquino for coming up with a swage block design that gives folks the ability to make their own, getting exactly what they want and nothing they don't. With the bolt-together design, you can cut out the shapes you need right now and have plenty of room to add new holes in the future. Plus, it's a good project to help broaden your metalworking skills!
A great video to watch, as well. Adriano does a great job making a door handle! https://youtu.be/2kb93p5hzfc
A great video to watch, as well. Adriano does a great job making a door handle! https://youtu.be/2kb93p5hzfc
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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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