David de Groot @david@bne.social

This weekend just goes marks the anniversary of Queensland's worst train disaster that occurred on the 5th May 1947 at Camp Mountain about 20mins from my place.

We have photos of various relatives who turned up at the crash to assist with rescuing people, but the State Archive has put together this excellent timeline of events and witness accounts:

http://qldstatearchives.shorthand.com/campmountain/

Yesterday, after shooting a medieval festival, I got a quick lesson in forging an S-hook from an actual #blacksmith, Wayne.

I did one half, he did the other. Turned out pretty decent (my half is the upper half).

This morning, I forged a hatpin for another friend who is preparing a Victorian Era impression. I even put in a little decorative twist in the middle, and a handy loop in one end.

#metalwork

When I started my career in tech I naively accepted nerd culture, treated it as mostly harmless and did my best to pander to it to fit in, even though I almost lost myself in the process.

20 years on I am still here, grateful to have learnt that being myself is not only ok, but necessary -- through cultivating diverse communities in tech, we can and will do better.

https://www.theverge.com/2018/4/19/17250892/ready-player-one-book-facebook-internet-dystopia

And finally, the results of the forge firing. A coal rake for the forge made from an old tent peg.

#blacksmith #forge #metalwork

First firing of the now fully operational forge.

I’m using charcoal in this and it is powered by a hand cranked blower.

#blacksmith #forge #fire

Finished the forge tuelle complete with ash dump. The plastic hose connecting the steel pipe and blower is temporary until I come up with a better plan.

Made completely without welding, and fully operational.

#blacksmith #forge #metalwork

Inspired by @lauraritchie 's Dawn Chorus the other day, here is the dusk chorus from my veranda.

https://youtu.be/l3tEfdWY-aM

#BirdSong

I made a thing!

Had some scrap steel with holes in it lying around, and thought, why not try making a knife.

So I carefully cut out the blade shape (around the holes), then ground in the bevel, filed out the grinder marks, sanded out most of the file marks and then made the handle scales from an old branch I had lying about.

Used 5 min epoxy to join together (with wood pins), then cleaned up the handle, filed in finger grooves, sanded & oiled.

It's very rough by #knife standards but ok.

My workmate Flic is trying to win a free wedding ceremony for her and her partner. You should totally go like this FB post to vote for her.

https://www.facebook.com/events/220465365366917/permalink/220467605366693/

Picked up this little beauty this morning. A 3 stone, 2 lb, (20kg) Peter Wright Anvil.

These smaller PW anvils are a bit rare, as he usually made anvils larger than 1 cwt. Based on the stamp, it was probably made between 1890 and 1909.

My #blacksmith adventure is getting closer. Just need to finish off the forge, and probably actually build the shed it is all to go in.

Today's project progress. This is Forge Mk2 (Mk1 was a makeshift version using a bbq plate and grill, some bricks and a leaf blower).

The stand is extruded aluminium salvaged from an old book return sorter.

The fire pot will go in the right hand sink, surrounded by sand. I have yet to acquire the plumbing needed for the blower.

2nd sink will likely have water in it for quenching.

The blower was tricky to mount using some brackets I already had, but seems stable enough. #blacksmith

Finally got around to making the pizza oven door.

Ironbark centre, wrapped in a sheet of aluminium, hammered to shape and fastened with tack nails.

Stainless handle screwed on.

Yet to test it, but I'm fairly confident the wood inside shouldn't catch fire.

https://mastodon.social/media/OaVM2UH3yhtt0-Q2FBs

Left it too late to leave work and am now flooded out.

So we’ve gone to the village for lunch. No point waiting on the side of the road.
https://mastodon.social/media/EVKinqLMOMtuq0LNqoE

And some pictures of the Leg-Vice after I cleaned it up but before the new spring was installed. https://mastodon.social/media/V5SiKZSFcihadnzIYmM https://mastodon.social/media/ljS7A4hlCitG-juJN28 https://mastodon.social/media/A8ixGASexvQibvIpBIU