This is the kind of thing that really makes my day!
Last week I was perusing another forum when a gentleman asked about shaping steel into a bowl to make a ladle. I shared what I knew, including the Steel Puck of Awesomeness that my father made for me, and the guy was very kind in his thanks. End of story, right?!
Usually when you give advice about stuff on the internet, you never hear back about it. Or if you do, it’s weeks or months down the road.
Imagine my surprise when JW posted a picture the very next day to show off the Steel Puck of Awesomeness that he made for himself? Yea, just hours after talking about it, he actually made one and forged a dish on it!!
And if that wasn’t enough, as we were talking about hammers to use for shaping he steel, he mentioned how he didn’t want to buy an expensive doming or reppouse hammer for what would be rather limited use. Could he make a hammer out of some car half-shaft that he had?
After the appropriate encouragement, he was off to his shop to tinker and posted this picture of his happy family of tools!
I have to say, I couldn’t be more proud. JW showed initiative, which is a blessing, but also demonstrated great skill and a keen eye for design. He saw what he needed to accomplish, dishing the steel, and came up with a way to make it happen. And, be honest, isn’t his hammer is a real sight to behold? Great lines, lots of attention to detail, wholly functional while also being pleasing to the eye.... you truly couldn’t ask for more. That hammer is one of those tools that will be earning him accolades for years to come, and rightly so.
We can all learn from JW’s tale, and I hope we do. Grip the reins firmly in your hands and get the job done!
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