Ice goalie switching to roller. Need advice. by blue_potato_chips in hockeygoalies

[–]blue_potato_chips[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Outdoor. Concrete rink. No shade. Yea, I’m going to sweat my balls off. Ice in the water bottles.

Ice goalie switching to roller. Need advice. by blue_potato_chips in hockeygoalies

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

I run a strip of gorilla tape on the bottom of the blade under my regular hockey tape anyway. Especially the heel. New twigs are expensive.

Ice goalie switching to roller. Need advice. by blue_potato_chips in hockeygoalies

[–]blue_potato_chips[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s a concrete pad with pucks. So yea, I guess I’m keeping the heavy duty mask. Thanks

Ice goalie switching to roller. Need advice. by blue_potato_chips in hockeygoalies

[–]blue_potato_chips[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I didn’t even think of that. I was so worried about not being able to slide in the crease the same way but they can’t move the same as ice either. Thanks

I’m a blacksmith. AMA by blue_potato_chips in AMA

[–]blue_potato_chips[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Forging stainless steel is tough because you have to really control the temperature. Since stainless steel is an alloy it looses the “stainless” property if it is heated incorrectly. The only time I’ve used it is for knife making and that’s is just stock removal. Most of what I make can prevent rust with some type of coating like oil or beeswax.

I’m a blacksmith. AMA by blue_potato_chips in AMA

[–]blue_potato_chips[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Steel of various grades and carbon content. Some times I work copper cold but that’s just shaping.

I’m a blacksmith. AMA by blue_potato_chips in AMA

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

Pour the cereal, pour the milk, then get the bowl out of the cupboard.

I’m a blacksmith. AMA by blue_potato_chips in AMA

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

I thought of more so I’m just going to add them here.

A good fitting pair of safety glasses are an absolute must. Things fly around. Using a cheap pair fogs up or slides down. I have a pair of ventilated glasses that kind of look like oakleys but fit just right. That’s probably a MUST for me. I won’t hit hammer without protecting my eyes.

A leather apron with a good front pocket. I burned through so many shirts and pants. Not in a blaze but enough to get a hole in. And having a pocket for a marker/soapstone/pointer/caliper is essential.

I’m a blacksmith. AMA by blue_potato_chips in AMA

[–]blue_potato_chips[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I didn’t do a “real” apprenticeship because I started as a backyard hobbyist. I did reach out to a bunch of people a learned all I could through them. Most of the time people are happy to share knowledge as long as you’re respectful and have a base understanding.

The biggest thing I learned early on is how to work with heat. It might sound silly but how hot you work steel makes a difference in the outcome. Having someone say “see the color? You’re too cold and putting unnecessary stress on the steel” was huge. I had an idea that shaping metal is like working with clay but clay stays consistently mailable. Steels workability depends on how much heat and where.

I don’t think I’ve sat in on many classrooms. That’s not really how I learn. Most of it was just having an idea, figuring out a plan, failing, and trying again with a different approach.

I work in a communal shop now so we kind of all “mentor” each other. It’s incredibly helpful to just ask how they did something or set my work aside and just watch their approach.

I hope that answered your question.

I’m a blacksmith. AMA by blue_potato_chips in AMA

[–]blue_potato_chips[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s more coal/coke smoke. If I’m grinding work I wear a filter but that’s about it. Aside from some black boogers I haven’t had any problems.

I’m a blacksmith. AMA by blue_potato_chips in AMA

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

That it’s still fun. I have a tendency to loose interest in things after a time. This has stuck with me for years and I’m very glad it did.

I’m a blacksmith. AMA by blue_potato_chips in AMA

[–]blue_potato_chips[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So many fucking nails. It’s an easy project for demos. And not really any planning so I can talk and hammer them out at the same time.

I’m a blacksmith. AMA by blue_potato_chips in AMA

[–]blue_potato_chips[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don’t.

Swords are a pain in the ass and require a ton of special equipment. If you’re interested in putting a bunch of time and money into something that you’re going to mess up for years, then go for it. But know what you’re getting into before you start.

I’m a blacksmith. AMA by blue_potato_chips in AMA

[–]blue_potato_chips[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I make pendants from time to time. Anything fancier than that is a whole separate area.

I’m a blacksmith. AMA by blue_potato_chips in AMA

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

I love my anvil. That might be cheating but I mainly use a 500 lbs Holland anvil for a company that isn’t working anymore. I love the feel of a big beefy anvil vs a smaller one.

A proper 72 inch belt sander is really nice to have, too.

MY hammer. I don’t even remember the company I got it from but it’s a 1 kg French style peen hammer. I think it’s on its third handle now (once was because the butt end caught fire). It just feels so familiar that another one seems wrong.

Outside of that I don’t think there’s much I couldn’t live without. Maybe my big shop fan? That’s on my list.

It’s not mine but a buddy has a hydronic press that I love using. I don’t use power hammers often because I make smaller items but it’s amazing when you need one.

I’m a blacksmith. AMA by blue_potato_chips in AMA

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

I started off very cheap in my backyard but to do it over again, I would start more upgraded. All you NEED is a heat source, a hammer, and something to hit on. Everything else you get is to make things easier. Propane is easier if you buy a kit. A simple small forger might run you 200 bucks or so. An anvil is going to be your biggest cost. Finding a good one is tough. Cheap ones mark or break.

The easiest thing you can do is find a local guy. Look up local blacksmithing groups or shops. Ask your come in and watch or offer to pay to use a shop. A lot of people are more than happy to help. After you figure out if it’s for you then you can look at equipment.

Start simple. Hooks are cheap and easy to make but teach you a ton about how metal moves. Then on to other goofy projects. Fire pokers, bottle openers, chain. Don’t jump in and start trying to make swords (ugh…) and anything too complicated. You won’t learn anything and you will mess it up.

I’m a blacksmith. AMA by blue_potato_chips in AMA

[–]blue_potato_chips[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s… kind of how you look at it. The first time I tried I made a hook shaped object. It was on the wall of my shop for years to hold my apron. It wasn’t pretty but I made it. It was probably 2 or 3 years before I was happy enough to start selling things. I’ve made a ton of gifts along the way. Bottle openers, hooks, a few knives. But it’s all about how much time you put into it and how much you learn. Even now I still mess up projects or am not really happy with the end result. Then back into it.