[TheForge] Not that I'm cackling or anything.....

[Phlip]

But I just got back from my favorite  scrap/junkyard with some good finds,
several of which the owner had set aside for me.

My best purchase was a Viking compound bench shear, about a 6 incher or so,
for $30. It was a bit stiff and needed adjusted when I first looked at it
yesterday (and told him I was going to take it) but he oiled it up a bit,
and today, when I went to get it, it worked with the touch of a fingertip. a
bit of tightening and adjusting, and I'll be able to use it for light stock,
up to 1/2 inch cold  (which is what I usually work with) or sheet metal- the
way it's set up, I should be able do get considerable depth on the cuts.
Will be a bit easier for multiple cuts than heating and using a cut-off
hardie. Will likely be able to cut heavier than 1/2 inch, if I heat it. It's
nice, because it fits perfectly in the hardie holes of most of my anvils-
have I mentioned that anvils seem to be jumping out of the woodwork at me
lately?

I also got half a dozen pairs of tongs for $5 apiece, all either usable as
is, or readily modifiable to a more convenient jaw shape. One of those pairs
is 8 feet long- think I'll use them as an entranceway to my smithing area
;-) Don't mind making them, but I'd been wanting to pick up a few pair for
my various students to use, as well as to use as models for those who are
advanced enough to make their own. With all the projects I have in mind, a
few made pair certainly don't hurt my feelings any..

Also got a +/- 40 lb spool of copper ground wire for $20. I think it will be
ideal for making some of the torcs and such my SCAdians love so well. Might
just make Art (the scrapyard owner) one, just as a thank-you- he's a super
nice guy.

And, we found some good brass and bronze rod stock in various weights- my
roommate, Rob, wants to make some pennannular pins (cloak pins) and now he's
got some good stuff to do it with.

And, we picked up a nice piece of brass sheet stock, about 1/3 of a sheet. a
bit pricey, but ideal for other SCA projects- will make a good base for
enameling, I think ;-) Anybody interested?

Johan, I know you think he costs a bit too much, but what I get from him is
worth paying a bit more for some of the other stuff.....

Phlip

 If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it is probably not a
cat.

Never a horse that cain't be rode,
And never a rider who cain't be throwed....