[SEL] Blacksmithing (a tad OT) bringing the next generation along.

[Ron D Haskell]

PRICELESS

Ron Haskell
rdhaskell at juno.com
Riverside California USA
http://www.oldengine.org/members/haskell/

On Tue, 02 May 2006 14:49:41 -0400 Curt <curt at imc-group.com> writes:
> We've attended the SIAM show for quite a few years and this is a show 
> 
> Devin particularly enjoys in large part because of the blacksmith 
> there. 
> He has been very patient with Devin thru the years as he hung around 
> 
> poking the fire and cranking the blower. In time the fellow has let 
> him 
> do more and more and Devin seems to be picking up a strong interest 
> in 
> this part of the old iron hobby.
> For those at Portland in the SEL area last fall, you may recall 
> Devin 
> picked up a forge blower. For his birthday last weekend (now a 
> teenager) 
> we picked up a forge pan from Clayton Ballard that was missing all 
> the 
> built in blower parts. This was perfect as Devin had a stand alone 
> blower. I made a air entrance and elbow to attach the temporary hose 
> to 
> (shop vac hose) and Devin gave it a whirl on Sunday evening. Missy 
> and I 
> sat and had our afternoon drink (her Scotch, my beer) and enjoyed 
> the 
> entertainment Devin provided. I took a couple of pictures and they 
> are here:
>
<http://www.oldengine.org/members/holland/images/BlacksmithDevin/Thumbnai
ls.html>
> The little anvil he is using is a tad small, so we may be on the 
> lookout 
> for a decent sized anvil. Believe we will also set up a little area 
> in 
> the backyard with a roof for him to 'smith in. He definitely needs 
> to be 
> further away from the house as the coal smoke will soon soot up the 
> side 
> of the house!
> Missy and I are quite encouraged that he is showing interest in this 
> 
> even as the teen years are beginning. Kids need something productive 
> 
> that keeps them challenged and interested in contrast to all the 
> other 
> temptations available to them at this age.
> Not many pictures to look at on the link yet, but we hope you enjoy 
> them.
> Curt & Missy Holland
> Gastonia, NC