A good and informative video. My only issue is that I'm a novice and like many beginners/novices, I can't afford a power hammer and therefore can't factor in the short amount of time to produce things like the door handles. It would presumably take me 3-4 times longer to produce the same item using just a hammer and hardy. I wonder if you could cover that topic sometime for those of us that are operating with tools that are a bit more basic? Cheers :)
I attended an SCA event last weekend, and my 'big seller' was pennanular brooches/aka kilt pins. I know it is not productive to use garage door springs for such an item, but it was basically preformed, and I just had to do simple forging for the ring, and used 1/8 inch round rod to for the pin itself. Depending on size, I can get $7.00-15.00 US dollars each.
Sweet dude sounds like you did well. Fairs and shows can be sweet earners if your in the right place. thank you for the great comment. if you have any pictures i would love to see the pins.
I'm glad you've started to do this kind of thing too, I like to learn the business side of blacksmithing. Looking forward to the next video in the series :)
Thanks Daniel for the insight. I would be very interested in a part 2 of this video if it makes sense for you. Small items that sell easily at a fair or festival might keep us young smiths motivated and somewhat profitable whilst we find our way.....Keep the videos coming please.....Ron
That'c cool dude hope to be on the next part today. Ill go over hourly rates and Ill make a poker and some thing that has a couple of parts. IT's a tricky path and its one that takes time and work. I'm pleased your enjoying the videos ill keep making if you keep watching. Thank you fro the great comment.
Top video, really good content. Nice to see a UK based blacksmith at work. I was trained as a blacksmith in the army. I teach mechanical engineering now but I'm thinking of leaving and going back to my trade. Keep up the good work,all the best for 2018
It's important to recognise the price factors in your experience too...typically novice stuff sells cheap and rightfully so but once you have skills, it's right and fair to charge. The hook takes 10 mins plus the X years of practice. I'm starting out training as hobby blacksmith and my first hook was rubbish.. would need to give someone money to take it away..lol
Great video found you through Torbjorn. You shouldn't feel bad for making a profit if people are a little surprised by the price; I'm sure the costs of running your shop, attending the fair, cost of labour, and other expenses are valid reasons to tell visitors why costs are the way they are.
..Another Fan-Dan-Tastic video!! Here's a couple of questions. Why use Round stock instead of Square?? also.. Do you find that either Round or Square Hooks sell better?? You need to put a lock & chain on the Massey before somebody walks off with it..hahahaha...!!
Thank you dude so pleased you liked it. Its what i had on the shelf mate. Hooks that have twits in sell best and for them you really need square stock. thank you for the great comment.
thank you for this video i really enjoyed it i make horse shoe nails myself but im looking at doing more heating and forging these are great little quick and painless items that could be made love your work looking forward to door knockers
Thank you dude I hope i was able to help? I pleased you like the videos and my work thank you for your great comment. PS door knocker is on its way just super busy right now.
I enjoy your videos but when you are setting back in your shop it is hard for me to understand what you are saying. Even with my volume turned all the way up. I hope you can do something to help.
I pleased you like the videos. I'm always conscious that some times the sound on the videos isn't great. It has a lot to do with soft ware issues. The issues also seem to be erratic and some people get great sound with others having bad sound on the same video. I am work on it and always appreciate the feed back. I need a better camera that can take a mic and also some new soft ware but these things cost money. thank you for your great comment.
Yes Dan, I agree with Aaron, one simple thing is slow down your dialogue, you talk at the speed of a chainsaw! Not trying to be critical but your older audience are sometimes a bit deaf , please mate, and thanks!
Very nice work. Nice finish too. I would love to see the side of ideas for iteams to sell. I like to make S hooks. And Flint Steele strikers they sell real good.
and if you bothered finding out you could build a forge for pretty much nothing use cheep hammers and tools, and make stuff you don't need a power hammer for, you could go into tesco's and get everything you need to build a forge!!
So that I don't miss what is being said in these kinds of videos, I usually have cc on. This though sometimes results in some funny moments, because the cc is imperfect. At about 13:08-13:10, he clearly said bottle openers. I couldn't believe what cc translated that into!😆
Great video. I really like those little door/drawer pulls. So simple. For the hooks at a live show, you can punch the holes instead of drilling them. I am sure you knew that, but I didn't hear you mention it. Keep up the great stuff! Define Your Legacy!
Yeah you could and i didn't mention it. I don't like pinching little holes as they often look a little clumsy. I would make them as nails. thank you fro the great comment.
I was going to show you that in the video but i had a bit of accident with a tap and decide not to put it in sorry. just held it in a leg vice dude. thank you for the great comment.
Audio isn't the best. Easy to make money as a blacksmith. Make tongs. lol. You would be surprised how many blacksmiths? cant make their own tongs. Renaissance fairs, local clubs, neighbors, facebook are a good place to make some money. Every blacksmith needs tongs, very few can make a good pair.