Blacksmithing - Bringing an idea to life - Yellin inspired gate project - part 1

[@williams.ironworks]

This is precisely why I got into blacksmithing! The gates! I've a long way to go of course. Very, very, very happy to see this! And I can't tell you how appreciative I am for your videos! I've learned, and am learning so much! Thank you, Mr. Switzer!

[@wesleymccravy901]

Only way to do is to put your hands to it and try. One of my first pieces of forging outside of tongs and tooling and hammers… I made a tulip. leafs and all. Made it for my boss that was retiring from the flower shop I worked at. It is by far the most beautiful and precise and perfect piece of forging I have ever done. I barely had any experience. Just made it happen. So set the goal Mr. Williams. Just make it happen.

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

This is going to be an awesome project John! Can't wait to see it all come together 😊

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks, this is the largest single piece I have ever set out to do. I may have to have a some of the local guys over when it comes time to assemble the gate.

[@brysonalden5414]

I would add that I've learned that it's really important for me to document my starting and ending lengths on test pieces, so I have a better idea how much stock I'll need for the full sized piece. My memory is no longer trustworthy! Also, thanks for the tip on your cooler, you saved me some grief!

[@tonypatey5669]

Every time I watch a video, the first thing that comes to mind is a “ professor “ your knowledge is off the chart. Workmanship is insane. Every video. I feel embarrassed to ask this but you don’t ask, you don’t know. A friend of mine in AUSTRALIA bought some flint and steel strikers from you some time ago. I asked him where he got them from and he said from you. Is there anyway possible you would sell me one or two. I would send the money for shipping and for the product first. Even if you don’t, you are one hell of a blacksmith. Thanks for sharing. Tony from Canada.

[@BlackBearForge]

Glad you're enjoying the videos. I may make more strikers at some point, but I can't say when I'll have the time.

[@ИгорьСамаркин]

Большое спасибо ВАМ за ваши уроки, не понимаю по английски ,но наглядно всё понятно,ещё раз спасибо!!!

[@jackdawg4579]

My first major project years ago was making a window grill following along on a black bear forge project. I have since pulled it down and tidied up some of the rougher bits of it, but i really enjoyed making it at the time, and it is still covers my shed window today. These sort of projects are great for aspiring smiths to stretch themselves!

[@garrettshadbolt6443]

My family recently built a cemetery and it’s been on my mind to make an ornate blacksmith gate. This is exactly the video I need however, I don’t think I’ll be able to make it as fancy as this! Thanks for giving me the nudge to think about undertaking this project a little more seriously.

[@BlackBearForge]

Have fun with it

[@brendanesposito]

Datum line… gotta have a datum line!! That’s the first time I’ve seen. ’rat hole anvil’ on the upsetting block on that Fontanini! Great video John. I’ve passed it on to the young fellas that work with me.

[@michaeledwards5954]

Can't believe the timing as I'm about to start my first gate. Hope to pick up the steel order and start my test pieces early next week. Learned a lot just watching this video and so looking forward to the next ones. Had a wee laugh at your weather predicament. People think Australia is hot but down in the south its mid winter and my forge is in a lean to shed open on two sides, its only 12C (53F) and feels half that with the wind chill factor, brrr.

[@BlackBearForge]

I'm looking forward to those kinds of temperatures. Glad the video helps.

[@randolphchappel6098]

A very interesting project! Lots of planning and pre-forming to get exact lengths. I worked at the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village up here, just out of Edmonton, Alberta. A few years into working there in the blacksmith shop; making reproduction pieces of this particular blacksmith’s tools; I attended an ABANA conference down in Birmingham, Alabama. I found a book there on Samuel Yellin and purchased it for The Village library. Besides being inspirational; he was also Ukrainian! I worked there for 27 years and I retired from there 11 years ago. I still do some blacksmithing; but not as much as I used to. I love to watch all your videos!🥰

[@johnvradenburg192]

that gate looks like its going to be amazing when its done

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks

[@paulwilliams5800]

I really want to see as much as you can give us. I want to see as much as you put out there. But I want to see the lock also !😅 so much to choose ! Thanks for bringing us along

[@stevelambert6404]

Watching how you work makes it even more impressive how the past masters created such amazing masterpieces without all the modern toys ❤❤

[@candymountainforge]

I've been waiting to see this gate!! I love to see this type of forging and glad to learn about it!

[@BlackBearForge]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@PogyForge]

So great to see a little longer video but more of your processes. Great video John!

[@TheInquisitor7]

Thank you! love seeing you use all the shop. Helps to plot what small shop I may be able to have. Set some realistic expectations.

[@GodschildinNC]

This will be an amazing project. I love how good and straight you get your scrolls.

[@GLO2k7]

super excited to see this come together! thanks for bringing us along for the ride

[@RingTheAnvil]

This content is Golden! Thank you and great message at the end.

[@ericericson4]

Giving yourself a reference line was an amazing revelation to me. Several years ago I was working on a piece that was three dimensional and curved. I was struggling with it, when a friend suggested, because I didn't have a reference point, I should choose an imaginary line and reference everything off of it. It worked....

[@darenscott1718]

I'm pumped for this project. I'm pumped that your pumped, and enjoying yourself. It is going to make for probably your best and most enjoyable videos you have created. LOVE IT!

[@Sgnblacksmith]

This is a fantastic video! There is all kinds of information in it for beginners to advanced. I look forward to all your videos.

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Great video John, you're preserving the HISTORY OF BLACKSMITHING not only in verse but in filming too. Something that will be done correctly that will be understood by generations forever. Stay safe and keep up the great videos. Fred.

[@BlackBearForge]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@davidlansing1870]

I'm looking forward to seeing all the parts & pieces as well as the entire process. So glad you're getting some sponsorship and the chance to contribute to the historical knowledge bank

[@stephenjohnson6841]

As per usual John another great video. Full of so much usual information and breakdown of your process and technique! Thank you sir!

[@bunyanforgings7849]

That scroll is really something. Looks kinda like a watch spring. Can't wait to see how it ties in to the overall gate design.

[@chewyakarieckenicholas6049]

Mr John I have to say that you are an amazing Smith and I truly appreciate and enjoy your work and thank you for sharing this journey with us

[@BlackBearForge]

Thank you kindly

[@toddcaldwell5614]

Seems like an Interesting project . Can't wait for the next video

[@iwdavey]

I am pleased you are making time for your interests in your work. I am grateful you are taking us along on your journey. 😎🧙🏻‍♂️🎶

[@davetymchyn9072]

Awesome work! Can’t wait to see the finished project. I love the heavy stock projects, makes me want to do more of them. Keep up the good work and god bless

[@robsonsantosOSO]

Awesome Project! Amazing skills! Thanks for showing.

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Very nice project John. Enjoyed. Slowing down is when I do my best work.

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks 👍

[@ramshackle9876]

Nice one, John! I really love a good gate or grill. Excited to see where it goes.

[@bobvines00]

John, this looks to be a very interesting series! Thank you for sharing it with us!

[@kevg3320]

Love it! Thx John

[@TalRohan]

great project to share, looking forward to seeing more of this one thanks John

[@RyanBarnes]

Thanks! This video, as with a lot of your videos, has more nuggets of knowledge than I think most would pick up on. Especially at the end, with your words of wisdom. Great job John!

[@BlackBearForge]

I glad you enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to the challenges this project presents.

[@mattwyeth3156]

Can't wait to see the rest of the process enjoy your project

[@Vikingwerk]

Looking forward to seeing how you do those long twists!

[@jeanpomerleau8416]

love it

[@ramshackle9876]

And great power hammer control! Superior skills!

[@keithj30]

Great stuff, can’t wait for more

[@MASI_forging]

Look forward to the next video 👍👍

[@messylaura]

excellent, cant wait for more!!

[@edfollweiler4295]

Great video as always, i have the same cooler on my induction forge and had the same problem. It turns out that the fan doesn't move much air, I bent up a shroud for around the fan and it made a huge difference.

[@Lev53420]

Good video!!! Can't wait to see the next one

[@JohnJude-dp6ed]

Always a respectful word for the sorce from the artist.

[@The_Smith]

Looks good John, that scroll is bigger than I had imagined from your instagram. I got distracted by a business call and didn't pause the video, so I may have missed it, did you mention the importance of writing EVERYTHING down when you are making sample pieces? Something I wish I had started when I started as a blacksmith, and something I wish I had started when I had started finally writing things down, was to put the date as well . . .

[@stephdor8874]

Very good job 👍

[@christianmonkelbaan3537]

Inspiring work!

[@bigredbeard65]

Interesting video today, lots of good information, I'm going to have to watch this one again, to much information for just one watch.

[@BlackBearForge]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@williamemerson1799]

Edge Of The Anvil, by Jack Andrews, has some nice illustrations, some by Yellin I believe, don't have it in front of me at the moment. Second edition out now I believe. 👍🍻

[@BlackBearForge]

The Edge of the Anvil is one of the best beginner books and probably the first place I saw any of Yellin's work. The second edition, New Edge of the Anvil, says published 1994, so it's 30 years old now

[@kuhlekhumalo5549]

I would love to see a video of how to make a furnace

[@rbfcaf]

This is such a great project. Looking forward to more. Can't wait for the lock project. Do you have plans to work in the small shop? Thanks for all you do.

[@BlackBearForge]

There will certainly be projects that are best accomplished over there.

[@himmlnomml]

Perhaps a comoressor aquarium cooler would be a option for your induction forge. I use one for cooling my lasercutter!

[@tropifiori]

I thought I was the last guy walking who does design work on paper with a pencil!

[@BlackBearForge]

I took a drafting class in high school and enough of it stuck with me that I prefer it to computer drafting. Janet on the other hand is a pro with Auto CAD for those times its needed

[@markmartinblacksmith]

I've been using the Markal mechanical pencil for years and never knew there was a sharpener in the cap 😆

[@RyanBarnes]

I was wondering about how you handled the heat!! I'm not far from you, and we hit 98⁰ (feels like temp was 105⁰). Nice hot summer week, but certainly kept me from forging anything. My work space isn't covered yet, so I'd have to be outside. Not ideal. Gonna finish watching the video....

[@BlackBearForge]

I certainly don't adapt to the heat like I used to. Most days I work in the morning and find other things to do in the house during the heat of the day.

[@Jay-kk2rd]

John, I recently completed an apprenticeship funded through the National Endowment for the Arts with a skilled master blacksmith and my biggest take away was something I call “patience in the process”. I do believe I coined this phrase, but it will no doubt be used by others when they see this. So refreshing to see you take on such a project and to be willing to take us long. Nice job John.

[@BlackBearForge]

Thats a great saying

[@KTM700A]

John, I love your videos. I have to ask though, why didn't you use a holdfast while starting and drifting the holes?

[@activistamostrenco2360]

Yo ya realice esa forja ase más de 8 años 😅

[@alextopfer1068]

This made me wonder, how much do you think modern materials have affected blacksmithing even when trying to do more traditional methods? You mention using spring steel and H7 for tooling, which has different properties to simple medium carbon steel.

[@BlackBearForge]

There is certainly a difference between the old wrought iron an modern mild steel. Wrought iron could be worked hotter and moved much easier. But it also had a grain structure that had to be accounted for in the design and joinery to prevent weak spots. Mild steel is harder to work but is more consistent and reliable to work with. As far as tool steels go, I think the improved steels make for higher quality tools and that means they hold up better in use.

[@eddyarundale1566]

👋🏼

[@jimtaylor1738]

What is the tool you are using to even the spaces in the scroll? I haven’t seen one of those before. Thanks

[@BlackBearForge]

Those are a pair of scroll tongs with a 90 degree bend

[@jimtaylor1738]

@@BlackBearForge never seen one like that

[@sirkai007]

So is the lock going to be incorporated into this gate?

[@BlackBearForge]

The gate will have a lock, but it will be much larger than the one I am currently working on. The current lock project will go on a wooden chest.

[@BryantWalker-m6e]

What happened to the lock project?

[@BlackBearForge]

As I mentioned in this video, its still being worked on and will be completed long before the gate is.

[@BryantWalker-m6e]

@@BlackBearForge oh, sorry, I missed that some how.🥴

[@randyhines5628]

Sounds like your shorty test gate will be an excellent grille for a window!

[@BlackBearForge]

Much of it would be the same for either. Although I probably wouldn't use quite as heavy a selection of material for a window. I suspect his will weigh several hundred pounds when done.

[@djilalinafaa7005]

Hello my friend, what can I use in place of borax powder because it is not available in my country?

[@erniebeswick7675]

Lots of work by hand. But lots of time