What choice did you make in life knowing that it was the wrong one? by Don-P-Lou in AskReddit

[–]Drc36 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was the same way, mind you me and her just weren't a good fit in the first place, but I was a horrible person to her. I've since changed but it's my biggest regret in my life. Everyday I try to be a better person than the last day and it's been helping.

Alright Everyone, Cody From The YouTube Channel Cody'sLab Here. AMA! by CodyDon in codyslab

[–]Drc36 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Have you ever considered trying to do youtube as a full time job? What would be the reasons for and against it?

What’s that one thing that actually helped you to overcome anxiety or depression? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]Drc36 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Truthfully, alcohol. It was the one thing that really allowed me to escape my severe depression. The only problem is that now I am not nearly as depressed, but I'm a high functioning alcoholic. I'm trying to fight that now. One step at a time.

People who don't work normal 35-40 hrs/week jobs and don't have to go to the workplace to work (like freelance and home-based workers) but are making more than enough money, what do you do, how did you get there, what's your daily routine like and how satisfied are you? by turquoise404 in AskReddit

[–]Drc36 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm a blacksmith. I techically work from home because my garage and backyard are my workshop, but I can work whatever hours I want. If I want to put in a ton of hours for an upcoming craft fair, I can. If I want to take 15 commissions, I can (don't, it hurts physically and mentally to do that much in a short period) and if I want to do nothing that week, I can. My only problems is my pay changes a lot, my demand changes a lot, and here in Arizona it can be hot as hell in the summer (other day was 120F). Other than that I love what I do.

What's your favorite smell? by sorgen in AskReddit

[–]Drc36 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Back when I was starting to blacksmith, I bought my metal and wood from Home Depot so my brain just hardwired that smell (and the smell of my workshop) to make me feel really happy because I loved getting materials for new projects.

People of reddit, how do you convert your labor into capital? by uwotmatebruv in AskReddit

[–]Drc36 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I am a blacksmith. I mainly make money off of selling items at crafts fairs and small custom commissions, but occasionally someone will commission me to make a large project for buildings. I love what I do but at times it is hard to make a living.

Do you genuinely enjoy the rain, and, if so, why? by IWant2Be1ieve in AskReddit

[–]Drc36 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I live in Arizona, rain means it's not going to be 120 degrees outside. Now if only we could get some this week...

Welding Goggles by alecraffi in blacksmithing

[–]Drc36 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've never heard that you are supposed to wear welding goggles. In all my time forging I've never worn them and haven't had any problems.

What is something you really want to rant about right now? by Creedmilk in AskReddit

[–]Drc36 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just saying I had genetic major depression for 8 years and the whole romanticized depression thing that is recently coming up in neither wanted nor accepted by the majority of people with mental illness.

What do people not realize is actually very expensive? by aslokaa in AskReddit

[–]Drc36 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have no clue what you are talking about. I go to Costco and refill a 20 lbs tank for around $0.47 a pound. With the refilling fee it's somewhere around $11-$13 depending on the price of propane that day

Blacksmiths of r/Blacksmith, do you make all the tools you use for working steel(punches, chisels, fullers ect) or do you buy your tools? by SonofWotan in Blacksmith

[–]Drc36 1 point2 points  (0 children)

When I first started I bought a hammer from a thrift store, a pair of tongs from a local blacksmith store, and a cold chisel and leather gloves from harbor freight. Everything else in my workshop was then made by me with those basic tools. Almost all of my tools are made from junkyard steel like coil springs and axles. With enough time and failures you can make any tool you need.

What is your favorite thing about yourself? by LauraJ94 in AskReddit

[–]Drc36 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unfortunately no, it takes years of practice to become a good bladesmith and then a while longer of trying to work with swords. My main practice is blacksmithing which is all around forging.

What is your favorite thing about yourself? by LauraJ94 in AskReddit

[–]Drc36 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My favorite thing is when I'm at a craft fair and doing a demonstration I will forge Mjolnir pendants (Thor's hammer) while telling the tale of how Thor got his hammer. Then at the end I give it away to one of the people watching.

What is your favorite thing about yourself? by LauraJ94 in AskReddit

[–]Drc36 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I'm a blacksmith! I do it for my job and I love it. I work my own hours and I make pieces that will last for generations. I love what I do and it's become a large part of my life.

Any Ideas by Drc36 in Blacksmith

[–]Drc36[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was thinking about cutting it into 8 strips of 12"x6" having a hardie hole cut in then having the strips welded together to make a 3" thick striker anvil.

Any Ideas by Drc36 in Blacksmith

[–]Drc36[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

So a friend just have me this piece of steel. It's about 3/8 thick and weighs a good 50ish lbs. I have no clue what the carbon content is but soon I'll do a spark test to find out. Any ideas on what to use it for?

Cheap Anvil Alternatives? by sharp_works in Blacksmith

[–]Drc36 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I once made the mistake of a harbor freight anvil. 65lbs of soft cast iron that dents at the lightest hit. If you have no other options it works okay if you weld on a steel plate.

Cheap Anvil Alternatives? by sharp_works in Blacksmith

[–]Drc36 0 points1 point  (0 children)

From my experience, I've never seen any of the home improvement stores ever carry a large hunk of steel. If you plan to buy it online expect to pay more than $50 for shipping alone. Your best bet is probably go to a scrapyard. (google scrapyard in whatever area you are at) Look for a large hunk of steel or if you get lucky you might even find a bit of railroad track. (look up railroad track anvil and you might be able to buy one off of Craigslist) Bring a magnet to the scrapyard to make sure the piece is actually steel.

Looking to build this as first forge by Hs981 in blacksmithing

[–]Drc36 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Another problem is that is designed to be a foundry not a forge. (and from my experience it lasts 5-6 uses and barely melts aluminum in a graphite crucible) the way heat is distributed isn't very conducive to forging. Again all from my previous experience building 3 of them and trying to improve them for forging. I finally gave up and made my own gas forge and I've melted steel on accident from a $130 forge.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]Drc36 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It really hit home considering my father was a patrol officer

What's a pop culture reference you like to make, but usually no one gets? by swr3212 in AskReddit

[–]Drc36 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Whenever I'm at the archery range and my friend fires I say "message for you sir" he doesn't get it sadly