[ Home ] [ Toad Hall Rifleshop ] [ Apprentices ] [ Henrik's Page ] [ Book #1 ] [ Book #2 ] [ DVD by APV ] [ Dansk  Side ] [ Rifling ] [ Over The Log ] [ Sighting In ] [ Hammering Iron ] [ Barrel Welding ] [ Tools & Aids ] [ Springs ] [ "Durty Nelly" ] [ Iowa Rifle ] [ Photos ] [ Odds 'n Ends ] [ Modify Siler Lock ] [ Boring/Reaming Bench ] [ The "Long Bit" ] [ Barrel Seminar '06 ] [ Wheellock ] [ Golden Means Book ] [ Project Page ] [ An Award ] [ Ye Purveyors ] [ Links ] [ Southern Album ] [ Ken's Page ]

 

Welcome to the Yeller Tomcat Forge!

     My Yeller Tomcat Forge is kinda like my books....It ain't big and it ain't fancy, but this place is smokin'!!  At one time 'er other, ever piece of gun furniture from locks, barrels, trigger guards an' such has been hammered out in here.  This page may take a while to download as there are beau coup photos posted here.  I wanted to show a little bit what of goes on inside the blacksmith shop so you can see some of the things that get whomped up on rainy days or whenever we get bored and crave excitement.  You know, like breathin' coal smoke, gettin' blisters on yer hands an' arms, or perhaps ketchin' yer clothes on fire!  If this is yer kind of fun, like it is mine, set back and scroll down through the gallery.  Some of these photos have been on earlier editions of this web site, but others have never been published before.  Click on the pictures to enlarge them.  Enjoy!

2 Butt Plate 1.jpg (33216 bytes) 3 Butt Pieces.jpg (47274 bytes) 4 Butt Brazed.jpg (72813 bytes)

A hand forged, copper brazed, 2 piece butt plate.

6 Early Butt 1.jpg (45694 bytes)

An early 1 piece butt plate.

5 Barrels.jpg (36762 bytes)

2 barrels.  One finished all bright and shiny.  The other, scaly & ugly lookin'.

7 Bookout Triggers.jpg (22326 bytes) 12 Patch Knife.jpg (14941 bytes)

Some of my hand made double sett triggers and a little pattern welded patch knife.

8 Thimbles.jpg (49006 bytes)

"Thimbles R Us"

9 Hand Forged V Gouge.jpg (26663 bytes)

"V" gouge made from an old bastard file.  Dr. Andrey Lebed turned the handle for me.

10 Blacksmith Henrik.jpg (39381 bytes) 11Tongs.jpg (45747 bytes) 13 Heating Parts.jpg (41198 bytes)

Henrik tending the forge and some of the tongs used in the shop.  'Spose Henrik's smoking too much lately?  The last shot is a close up of kasenit being applied to a set of triggers to case harden them.  A scrap steel "hood" covers the triggers to keep the heat in better.

14 Hammer Trigger Bow.jpg (37393 bytes).15 T Guard Bow.jpg (35454 bytes) 16 Grip Rail.jpg (29664 bytes)

Hammering out the components for an iron trigger guard and what they look like before assembly .

17 T Guard.jpg (21449 bytes)

The end result.

     A closing note about clinkers:  Learn to HATE clinkers!!  They can prevent you from welding.  They get on your metal and cause all sorts of mischief.  They slow the flow of blast to the fire pot.  So, it's like I said, learn to HATE clinkers! It really takes skill, but a good blacksmith can remove clinkers without disturbing the fire. 

Copy of Clinker.jpg (108973 bytes)

This clinker was on top of the tuyre iron after a barrel welding session.  It came out in one piece and it's been saved for "show & tell".