Robert,
Thanks for sharing, and all I can say is that is incredible. How do you get all of the intermediate hammer strikes smoothed out in the final stage, is it the wheel? I really like the pattern making with just simple craft paper and magnets, that is a great idea. It looks like a good amount of artistic ability is needed for that kind of fabrication.
I lived in the Maryland blue crab area for a while in my life, but never used the same shell cracking tools as you all. Boy I miss crabs season.
Paul
Paul, many options there, the same blocking hammer can be used over a sand bag to bring down the high areas (as you look at them from the back side) to a more consistent and less "walnut" form. Post dollys, bench stakes, etc will also help out to help smooth things where the wheeling is much less of a chore. But if all else fails, the wheel will smooth walnuts as well, just a bit more work.
Robert, nice shop. So how does one get included in such metal working class? What are the prerequisites?
Allen, no pre-requisites at all. Peter will be in Colorado in two weeks where I believe there are a couple spots still available. The announcements for these classes are normally put out on metalmeet. My class and the one in Rock Hill, SC both filled in about two days. We are considering two back to back classes next year, the first an intermediate class such as the one we just did here, and an advanced class for someone who has already attended.
Wow! I am impressed you got Tommasini all they way over from Australia. Interesting pics.
Peter has been doing classes like this for going on three years now in the states, and also does the same in Australia and Europe. The past two years he never came farther east than Nashville. When I asked the coordinator about when there would be any classes for the east coast, it was suggested that I step up and make it happen. The rest is history, as they say.
