[TheForge] Pure iron - a possible solution.

Tue Aug 27 09:53:05 2002

I have corresponded privately with Michael about PI.  It seems the entire =
inventory could be bought for ~$73000 for 70000 pounds of PI, including =
shipping (2 truck loads), storage racks and a power hack saw.

Now that's too much for me to spend, and I'd have no place to put it, and =
I'd have no time to distribute it.

What occurs to me is that perhaps some of us on the east coast could agree =
to split that quantity of pure iron.  In NJ, we could have a load (about =
half the total) delivered to Marshall's farm in Howell (nearly dead center =
of NJ).  This would be a pick-up point for persons in NJ and PA.  We'd =
need the other truckload to go to some point further south =AF maybe =
around Baltimore or Washington.

I would be willing to invest $1000 to $2000 (about half to one ton of =
metal for me) in such a venture.  I think we could talk Marshall into =
agreeing to his farm being the drop-off point.  (He MIGHT even be willing =
to distribute it retail, but he can't invest a heck of a lot of money in =
it, and he'd have to make money on the sales.) =20

How does this proposal sound?  Can we get pledges of the remainder of the =
money needed for such a venture?  Please speak up.  We may be at a turning =
point in the availablity of PI in the US.  Speak now or forever hold your =
piece.

BTW:  There has been much grousing on this forum about the inavailability =
of the stock sizes you need.  Folks so complaining just don't understand =
PI.  You don't NEED mill-sized stock with PI.  I PREFER to draw PI out to =
the size I need. I wouldn't WANT anything smaller than one-half inch =
stock.  Don't think "steel" when you think PI.  It moves more like cold =
lead.

Bruce Freeman
NJ

>>> "Andrew Vida" <[email protected]> 08/26/02 03:24PM >>>
Well, I hear all these people saying how much they would like to see PI =
remain, but I've not seen a whole bunch of solutions proposed.

How's about this:  local organizations make some substantial order and =
stock it for their members.

Help spread the word to pros.  I will bet this has not been done anywhere =
near to the degree to which it could be.  The blacksmithing community, if =
they are REALLY interested in helping this business stay afloat, could do =
a lot to help make it happen, but it would require some work and a little =
bit of placing money where the mouths are.

Be crerative, be willing to spend a little if you can afford it.  PI is =
expensive compared to other things, but it isn't THAT costly and it is a =
great material to work with.  IF you're selling pieces, play on the whole =
PI thing.  THis is what I did in the Mesa shop and it worked.  I used PI =
in some elements and while visually the customer couldn't tell the =
difference, they knew that the work was closer to "Traditional" and were =
pleased enough.

In a sense, helping Mike is an act of helping ourselves.  I'm not big on =
corporate welfare, and in fact despise it, but this is a case of pure self =
interest.  I feel there is market here, but it's being stubborn. :)

-----Original Message-----
From: Phlip [mailto:[email protected]]=20
Sent: Friday, August 23, 2002 7:03 AM
To: [email protected]=20
Subject: Re: [TheForge] Re: Pure Iron Truck Specials.

Mike, I'm assuming your computer belched ;-)

I/we, really do wish you well, and I think we'd all like to see PI stay
around. I think we all need to brainstorm, see what we can do to help.

For a start, what industries are eating up the PI in France? And, has =
there
been successful marketing of the product beyond the borders? If so, to =
who?
Gotta get you out of the box.....

Phlip