[TheForge] first fire

[Bob]

After 30 years, I have a smithy set up in my back yard. Simple steel 
table with a firepot and a blower, 260 lb southern German style anvil on 
an elm stump, a hammer, a pair of tongs and 100 lbs of coal. Made my 
first tool today (fire poker/coal rake). Hammer control after 30 years 
of not smithing is weak but will improve with daily work.

I've wanted to do this since I was 18. I had some experience at the Fort 
Snelling restoration 3 decades ago in Minneapolis. Did some nails (about 
900) and learned to forge weld.

I'm back in the game and enjoying it. This is a great list and i hoist a 
beer to you all.

Bob Brashear