Production and Profitability
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- Опубліковано 3 вер 2022
- Tent stakes are not a particularly glamorous blacksmithing project. But when done efficiently, they can go from simply being tedious to be highly profitable.
#blacksmithing #blacksmith #forged
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Below you will find useful links that will help you in your journey as a blacksmith.
To find more information in blacksmithing in the US or to search for your local ABANA affiliate group visit.
www.abana.org/
Blacksmithing tools and supplies
Self contained air hammers - www.saymakhammers.com/
General blacksmithing supplies - www.oleoacresfarriersupply.com/
General blacksmithing supplies - www.piehtoolco.com/
General blacksmithing supplies - www.centaurforge.com/
General blacksmithing supplies - www.blacksmithsdepot.com/
General blacksmithing supplies - www.blacksmithsupply.com/
Square head bolts and lags - www.blacksmithbolt.com/
New anvils - www.oldworldanvils.com/
New anvils - www.nimbaanvils.com/
New anvils -
Industrial supplier - www.mcmaster.com
Tong blanks and tools - kensironstore.com/
Fire brick and refractory - refwest.com
Blacksmithing and related activities can be hazardous. These videos are not a substitute for competent professional instruction. Your safety is your sole responsibility. Always use appropriate safety equipment including eye and ear protection when working in the shop. Follow manufactures safety guidelines for the use of all equipment. In the event something shown in one of these videos seems unsafe, it is up to you to make the appropriate changes to protect yourself.t yourself.
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I love real life Ron Swanson
If only that collaboration could happen..
The real life Ron Swanson, is real... his name is Nick Offerman... there is not much difference between the character and the actor that portrays him.... check out his stand up and books!! (Nick's not Ron's lol)
I'm a software engineer (emphasis on the "engineer" part), and I'm thinking of making this a mandatory video of any juniors that I may need to train in the future. The IT scene is full of these self-proclaimed "coaches" writing productivity blogs and other nonsense, while you've managed to convey the message in less than 9 minutes: if you want to be effective, optimize your workflow.
The idea of buying something used and useful for your business as a splurge and still having it 35 years later is amazing. Just the nostalgia of being able to look back and say this little thing that cost a handful of dollars made a difference for decades. Awesome
Mate, that was a top video, as usual. Cheers for the advice. Very pertinent to my situation.
Same!!
That fly press is a really neat tool.
It can be an amazingly useful tool
Thanks for this post. I just recomended your site to someone on Facebook about a hour ago. I really enjoy watching and using what I learn from your videos.
A very instructional video, much appreciated by my daughter Molly who is an enthusiastic apprentice blacksmith. She learns fast, whereas I'm just a plodding hobbyist. 🤭 John, thank you very much for this! -Wendi 🌻
Glad you two are enjoying the videos.
I just did a production run on s-hooks last night - no jig or special equipment, just hammer and anvil. The amount of time it took to get the number of hooks I made (plus burnt fuel) I learned was not economical. Yourself, and everyone else, are absolutely right about production work - anything you can do/have to make it go quick and easy is the way to do it!
S-hooks depending on stock size used are best made cold ...weld up a jig you can grip in a vise grab a 4 foot section of 1" steel pipe and get to bending ... Ive done up to 1/2" stock cold that way it goes really quick maybe half a minute per hook and if you are using 3/8 or 1/4 it goes much faster 1/4 you don't need a pipe just some tongs ... Right tool for the job can't stress the importance of jigs enough for repeatable items
Oh and if you don't want to go for a jig then find a cheap brake line bender those work well too not as quick as a jig but quite good
Hi! I am a 20 year old welding student. I recently discovered your channel and I absolutely love it! So entertaining! I'm not exactly forging anything like you do and I only work at a place that makes custom steel table legs, but I'm loving it. Keep on making awesome videos!!
Welding is, as some say, the gateway drug to forging/blacksmithing 😂 that being said, I can't weld so blacksmithing will get me into welding eventually
God bless those automatic welding masks, without them I would be as blind as a moonshine addict
Grate advice John I have all ways had the opinion if I can not pay for a tool up front I can not afford it . Cheers .👍🤠
Good point, thanks for sharing. I spotted a Gargoyle and than I realized he's been in that spot for a while but I didn't notice. So long overdue....., I SPOTTED A GAGOYLE 😉
I do like my Combat Abrasive belts. Thanks for pointing me in their direction.
Another good video sir. Having multiple irons in the fire, and production work is something I’m practicing at the moment. Being able to reproduce an item reliably is a skill every blacksmith should cultivate.
Being able to make the hobby/job pay for itself is a wonderful thing. I was recently able to retire my harbor freight anvil and purchase a “real” anvil from Holland Anvil.
Power tools really make production work fast and easy. U got cute🐈 behind u👍👍🔥🔥
Great video John. I appreciate your explanation about the business side of what you do. You don't make things sound like rainbows and butterflies, but rather, you discuss the realities of running your business. As you discuss the equipment you have acquired, I am often reminded of what my parents taught me. They said many times that we should buy the best that we can afford and sometimes that means that we need to wait a bit before making a purchase to get the best value.
All good information, I just wish I could use it. Got/ made more than enough tools, built my own coal forge and have qualifications in traditional and heritage blacksmithing but can't afford anywhere to set up and use the damn stuff.
Excellent video John, enjoyed every second of this one!! Thanks for sharing with us on how it worked for you. You've done well and worked hard for everything and you folks enjoy what you do. THAT"S LIFE and you are living it. Fred.
Lots of good advice here!
Great video John!! I always enjoy learning from you.
Great advice from a very experienced Smith!
Thank you
I've been tempted several times to charge a forge press or 2x72 grinder to the ole credit card, but i've learned the hard way. Don't spend money you don't have especially if it isn't going to make you money right away in return to pay off the debt lol. Thanks for the video and it's funny. I just forged out some tent stakes a couple months ago because of a camping trip we were doing. You made me realize I put WAY too much effort into forging those stakes lol.
Hello John
Thank you for this little view in the Background when you start your Shop.
Thank you for your view .
It will safe some guys for a big finacial breakdown.
Take care have a good week
Yours Frank Galetzka
Great words of wisdom! Thank you for sharing.
This is my favorite yt channel
Thank you very much for your insight and the reality of life as a blacksmith and a young one as that :--)
Thanks for sharing that brother! I enjoyed watching!
From Toledo Spain
I really like your vídeos, they are very educational
I'm just getting started really, but I'm looking at getting a bigger anvil and a treadle hammer it is hard to find someone to strike for me. I believe those two items are a must for me right now.
Well, I'm in Kentucky and having the same issue, let's team up!!! Lol
We've done that in aerospace where we accept less than ideal work which will allow us to buy a machine that will then allow us to do a wider range of work and be more profitable long term.
Always good to see ur videos John. Can't wait to see more videos soon my friend. Forge On. Fab On. Weld On. Keep Making. God bless.
You can see right away this fella has a lot of wisdom to share. Thanks John, we need more people like you, willing to guide beginners .
Thanks John!!! It's been a while old friend and each time I make my way back I'm reminded why I love your channel so much!! Lol Great advice as always. Hope you and the misses are well
Nice, thanks for your time.
I appreciate the simplicity of some of these projects. I am notorious for feeling like I didn't put enough time into a piece and ending up wrecking it cause I won't leave it alone.
Pricing can be a contentious issue. Sometimes communicating with customers, finding out what they would pay vs what you can make an item for, can help you decide if a product is worth providing. Whether or not the first few you make sell for a good price, before you do production runs, can also help in deciding if a product is production worthy in one's shop.
I am always disappointed when I hear of craftsmen/women and artisans doing projects for a fraction of minimum wage.
It may be noteworthy to consider what minimum wage was at the time you were making $5/hr. Many people don't realize the self employed in the USA pay about 45% in taxes and gov't fees at the federal level. If $5/hr was after taxes and expenses, then your net hourly was around $10/hr... not too bad.
You could have just said supply and demand. No point of building something cheap and selling it expansive when it takes so much space in the shop and you only sell one a year.... yaa sounds cool make cheap and sell expansive.. but is it worth it?
I'm beginning to commence starting to think about deciding whether or not to initiate reflecting on deciding whether to purchase an induction forge. What parameters do you recommend for a back-yard blacksmith?
Feels like the same mode I’m in building my new ribbon burner forge. Buying a part here and there and assembling a component now and then to help me to pretend that building it is cheeper than buying a commercial made forge.
A pleasure to watch as always!
Thanks for sharing and God’s blessings for you and your family keep up the great work
A real life tip. Much appreciates! I think it's true for hobby shops as well.
I just picked up a coal ironworks press because I want to make axes/tomahawks and the few I've done by hand was not profitable at what I sold them at. Now I should be able to make them faster, easier and hopefully better quality
I took your advice. I bought an Edward shear for about a hundred dollars yesterday.
Sounds like a great deal these days.
Thanks John, valuable thoughts!👍
Thank you Sir. Solid advice from experience.
Thank you very much!!! 👍
Those are some seriously heavy duty stakes. Really make those wire-thick ones that come with modern tents and whatnot look pathetic.
Tent/canopy stakes are definitely one of the most popular items I sell at shows.
The tent stakes being a profitable market is mind blowing
More production videos.
Thanks so much for the wisdom.
Some good advice, great video
Great video!!!
Those are nice stakes.
Really enjoyed that.
All your Tool are Awesome
IT WOULD BE NICE IF IS THERE A PLACE WHERE WE CAN BUY THEM ESPECIALY THE OLDER MODELS LIKE THE REBAR CUTER
I think that shear is still being made. www.elitemetaltools.com/tool-shop/products/edwards-5-manual-alligator-shear-sh5?sku=SH5&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzLKalvD7-QIVfxbUAR3HfQN2EAAYASAAEgIR7fD_BwE
Of corse used ones are much cheaper
Nice video John. Sorry for your loss if your outdoor cat, Smitty Kitty is not with you any longer.
He's alive and well, just an indoor cat now
Love your videos
How did you get into Blacksmithing?
Great video, been watching your videos for a year now. they are one of the things that got me blacksmithing. What drill bits do you use on carbon steel none of mine work? And which do you suggest buying first a hydraulic press a power hammer or a fly press?
I just by bits from a reputable industrial supplier, but I'm not worried about the exact specs. I'll try to find an old invoice and mention the details in an upcoming Q&A video. As far as press vs power hammer goes, its really up to the kind of work You're doing. each has its own strengths and weaknesses. Of course the noise and vibration from a power hammer is also a factor if you have neighbors.
She's beautiful, your helper not the shear 🙂
I enjoy your content!!
I mean, if the business isn't there, back to the drawing board. I wasn't completely right about this before it all started?
John, is your Edward Shears a #10?
Have you ever tried to make a die that would make the points on your stakes? It seems it wouldn't be too hard to do and could make them faster
I have it really wasn’t any better than working under the open dies.
Hello Black Bear Forge, Just wondering do you still agree with 20 bucks an hour rule that you’ve said in a later video (I’m forgetting the name of the video at the moment) and does the 20 bucks an hour also include carving and fitting a handle?
Does the heater use much electricity?
About what an electric welder uses.
Could an arbor press be used instead of a flypress for smaller jobs? Flypress looks handy but impossible to find and at a good price.
Nice to
What size if your flypress John?
#6
@@BlackBearForge anything in particular with it that you are happy /not so, about it? Any limitations?
Wouldnt it be more efficient to just use a bending jig at the anvil than having to turn and use the fly press? Youre already knocking corners down.
Good job,i am pakistani black smith
👍
Will you be bringing hook of the week back or doing something else like that
I will do some similar projects. But probably not a weekly series. To many thing on my list to just do one thing.
Your glasses make your eyeballs big!
Dude circular saws do suck.
Good stuff. Looks like ⅜?
The tent stake probably 1/2
And the jig in the press looks like a combination of 1 inch for the stop and 3/4 for the bend