New to Forum VERY OLD to making tools.

**Iron Wings** · Apr 8, 2015, 09:41 AM

Been at this for about 55 years. Worked in the oil field in Northern BC for 10 years, logging for 17 Ranching and on my own the rest of the time. Been so many places with so little I sometimes feel qualified "to do everything with nothing", as the old cliché goes. As long as you have iron, welder, torch, files, and a grinder you can almost always make something work.

Made needle bearings for a wore out U-joint one time because it was about 350 miles to town. Got us by until the plane could drop one in the snow. Built gear teeth for swing gears and bevel gears on cranes a time or two. Patience is a virtue when doing that. OH a lathe and a mill is nice too. Self taught with WWII lathes that came from aircraft carriers. Loggers are known for their innovation. Semi retired now. Pastoring Flathead Valley Cowboy Church and doing some on the side. Still like to hear the beller of a big Welder from under a hood.

**Jon** · Apr 8, 2015, 10:53 AM

Hi Iron Wings - welcome to HomemadeTools.net

Sounds like you have a wide range of experience that will come in handy around here. Any specific projects you're working on right now?

**kbalch** · Apr 8, 2015, 11:42 AM

Hi Iron Wings,

Welcome - glad to have you here!

What a long and interesting career! Of all the useful skills you've acquired, what's your favorite hands-on task?

Ken

**DIYer** · Apr 8, 2015, 08:48 PM

Hi Iron Wings, welcome to the forums. Your experience is definitely welcome here!

**Iron Wings** · Apr 9, 2015, 09:22 AM

So many Projects so little time. Currently working on a set of wine bottle candelabra for my daughter. Doing a Hydraulic switch from standard controls to pilot operated. Trying to work on my shop and my shop rig. I need to build a new forge. I also have a power hammer sitting that I need to finish. Not enough hours in the day.

**Iron Wings** · Apr 9, 2015, 09:30 AM

Pounding Iron is the way I relieve stress. Besides its neat to create something from junk. Have a number of chandeliers to make from old wheels. Building lites for the church and for a new restaurant in town.

**kbalch** · Apr 9, 2015, 09:32 AM

Well, that'll keep you busy for awhile!

We'd love to see pics of the forge and power hammer projects…and anything else you'd like to share.

Ken

**DIYer** · Apr 9, 2015, 09:05 PM

To each his own huh? With you, Iron Wings, it's pounding iron. That's creative of you, building chandeliers from surplus wheels.

**Iron Wings** · Apr 10, 2015, 08:42 AM

Got to get the time to figure out how to post pictures. Will get some up soon. Hammer is covered up right now with other stuff. But portable welding table is out. Single tree lites are hung. Stands are out. The loader man really needs his loader so That will take up the next week or so. I wish now I had taken pictures of everything I have built over the years. It is easy now with the camera ( a darn good one ) in the phone.