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Volume 6 - AFC Edition - Page 15
Learning Young
Vol. 1 (May June JYH)
Vol. 2 ABANA - Vol. 4 ABANA Late Edition
Vol. 3 Camp Fenby Edition   Vol. 5 PABA Edition  
Young Master Todd claims to have inherited his Grandfather's blacksmithing equipment and plans to make good use of it. He was one of several hanger oners after the Nail Forging Contest and was using the last of the fire until there was none left!

Here he is forging a pair of tongs. The bits were a little small but the joint and the reins were well forged. A lot of work for a young man just learing the trade.
The previous night after the Nail Making Contest this young fellow wanted to try his hand at it. He was working at an adult height anvil and obviously strugling (note his pretty NEW French pattern hammer). I found a plastic bucket set the anvil just right for him. After a couple heats it was time to put the fire out. Oh the dissapointment!

The following day he still wanted to make a nail so I lent him my safety glasses (welders flash glasses). He ran off to get his hammer and brought back his buddy below.

Not wishing to ding the Montgomery Group's hardy I held a piece of half inch square on the diagonal while he cut the nail. He had to stand in the trailer to head the nail in the vise! The finished nail would have easily passed Big Bob's inspection.
NOW it is time to help this young fellow.
He was having a little trouble deciding which hand to hold his hammer in and I asked if he were right or left handed. The shrug of his shoulders told me he wasn't sure about the question. I asked which hand he wrote with and he held up his right hand.

OK, lets try again. First right handed then left. . .

So, I asked what grade he was in and if he could write his name (2nd grade). Well, write in my book for me. In clear block letters he writes

Wilson

I ask him to write his last name.

Harris

I had been giving Tal Harris' son nail making lessons while Tal is doing his demonstration!
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September 15th, 1998 - AFC Edition.
Copyright ©1998 Jock Dempsey