Bill's Blades

I have done hobby blacksmithing for many years. The Internal Revenue Service calls it a hobby when you do it for many years and don't make any money at it. Well, I definitely qualify as a hobbiest then! There is a visceral pleasure in getting a piece of metal red hot and beating on it.   Hammering metal into various shapes, twisting into gentle curves, and coaxing it too follow the lines you envision can give true pleasure. It can also give you calluses, burns, clothing with lots of burned holes and teach you what creative cursing is all about. It is a task I enjoy, and that gives me satisfaction or frustration.

Making my own tools is something I enjoy. I have made all my own forges, air hammer, belt grinder, fab tables, sand blasting cabinet, and many small specialized tools. You can see pictures of some of the tools on the shop tour page if you are interested. I will include some pictures of blacksmithing items on this page that I have made down through the years.

I am blessed with a wife that is understanding of me and my ways. She suggested I build my shop several years ago ( I think she was tired of me working in her garage). Now I would be totally lost if I did not have my shop to tinker around in all day.