Joist brackets

Artsy joist hanger brackets. 2x3x1/4 angle, 1/4 inch thick forged elements. 12 x 19 inch overall. Decorative  rivets on the base plate for some industrial texture. Handmade square nuts. Full penetration weldments with preheated 7018 rod, blended and textured. Finished with beeswax, pastewax,linseed and turpentine mix. Beats the hell out of galvanized Simpson brackets, tell you what. The extra bolts up the run satisfy earthquake code, and eliminate the need for another ugly galvinized strap. These brackets add a personality to an already unique open beam house.

Dragon Curtain Rods

I've been working lately outfitting a house with, in my opinion, fairly unique curtain rods. Heads and rods forged from 1 inch solid square. Wings from 22 ga sheet metal, textured on my newly aquired  and rebuilt 1952 High Speed Rivet Hammer. These pictures are mocked up on a closet door, it's really hard to photograph iron work when installed. Still evolving the curtain rings.

Revolving Wall

A local horse trainer needs convenient acess to his saddles and tack, he had me build a 10 foot wide wall on a center axle. The equipment is safe in the tack room, until he unlatches and pivots the wall, then everything is suddenly in the main aisle of the barn, only a few steps from the horse. It works extremely well, the wall pivots with just a couple fingers of pressure. It's plumb nifty. Axle made from drill stem pipe, framework from 2 inch sq tubing.

Camp Axe

Small axe made from 1 inch square ag shaft. After hardening, I heat the eye drift in the forge, and use the heat of the drift to run the temper colors to the edge. The process is called mandrel tempering. It makes a great product, and is kind of pretty, I reckon.

Gazebo Spire

I had to teach myself metal spinning to make this piece. The upside down cup shape above the silver globe was made on my lathe from a flat disc, over a maple mold.  I scrapped many dozens of parts before I got the feel of spinning figured out.

Staghorn Hinges

Bavarian staghorn hinges and latch. This chest was a tribute for my late instructor, Greg Hartell.

Hose Storage

Decorative garden hose rack, riveted construction.

Fireplace Doors

Riveted together, textured board and bat construction, with a dragon latch.

Quote from Henry Ford

"Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right."

Kinetic whirly Doo-dad

I made this while visiting Gearhart Ironwerks last year. John has a big 300# DeMoor power hammer that he let me play with, this piece was made from a scrap of 1/2 inch plate, approx. 8 x 14 inches,  and several cans of Miller High Life for inspiration.

Detail picture

Up close shot of the yardbird.

Yard Art

I learned how to make the bird from Mark Aspery. The wing and body are one piece, folded over to give more dimension. The circle and wind vane were made on the power hammer.

Wheat Sculpture

The wheat heads use 4 pieces of roundstock each, doubled over, twisted, and then forge welded together. It took a day plus a bit to make the finished item.

New Blog up and Runnin



Forged hinges from last year