Thomas Ironworks

Here is the latest on the 18th Century SpitJack Restoration
– The pulleys and chain

18th Century SpitJack Restoration – The pulleys and chain 18th Century SpitJack Restoration – The pulleys and chainFollow me as I restore, to working order this beautiful 18th century spitjack from England. A spitja...

Here is the latest video on the spitjack project.
“Taking a good look at the parts.”

18th Century SpitJack Restoration – A close look at the parts 18th Century SpitJack Restoration – A close look at the partsLet’s take a close look at the parts as I reassemble this SpitjackFollow me as I restore, to wor...

I’m working on a new screen to keep the cats from using the forge as a litter box in this cold weather…… Nasty….

The latest video of the 18th Century SpitJack Restoration is now up on YouTube

18th Century SpitJack Restoration – Repair work And Cleaning 18th Century SpitJack Restoration – Repair work And Cleaning Follow me as I restore, to working order this beautiful 18th century spitjack from England. A sp...

Sneak Preview!
Here is the first video on the spitjack restoration. Taking it apart.
I will release this video publicly on Youtube Thursday.

18th Century Spit Jack Restoration

I’ve just started the restoration of an 18th century spit jack made in England. I have begun video documenting the work and will be posting it on my Youtube channel.

As we come to the end of the year I would like to showcase the two pieces that I created this year. Both of these fire screens are of Yellin designs adapted to the client’s fireplaces.
Log Cabin sports shop in Lodi Ohio was gracious enough to allow me to photograph the second screen in their large fireplace.
Thank you

Doug MacQueen showing us a salesman sample of a Mosler Manganese Steel Bank safe.

Doug MacQueen showing salesman sample of a Mosler Manganese Steel Bank safe. #shorts Doug MacQueen showing us a salesman sample of a Mosler Manganese Steel Bank safe.

Save the Date!

Yesterday going thru books with Drew Alexander at Quad State Roundup in Troy ohio

Blacksmithing books recommended by Kim Thomas part 1 #artist #blacksmith #books #anvil #craftsman

Latest Youtube short.

Side Panels Complete Samuel Yellin design #shorts Side Panels Complete. Samuel Yellin design

Good morning from inside the shop looking out.

I’ve been posting on Youtube throughout this project.

Part 2 of A Decorative Bolt #shorts Part 2 of A Decorative Bolt Finishing the Decorative bolt Just like that

That moment when you see it assembled for the first time.
I’ve been working on this for so long I wasn’t sure if I would ever see this.
It is not finished – far from it – there is still much to do but we can now see what I am working toward.

I am about to assemble.

Setting in.

Forging the square bars into round ends.

A nice stretch of the legs so to speak.
10 more hearts made.

The size of the hearts are identical
Done freehand with the hammer
No jigs used

Starting to develope the pattern.

Slow progress……. but moving ahead.

A full picket completed. Six are called for on this project.

I am saddened by the news of Nols passing. He was a dear friend that always had kind and encouraging words for me. He inspired me to do the ornamental ironwork that I do today and he set the bar that I measure my work by. His was the first demonstration I sat in on at the first ABANA conference I attended. This was when he had just finished the gates for the tombs of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan at the National Cathedral in Washington DC. I will miss him...............a lot........😢

28 more to make.

It’s that time in a project where I take the elements and reconfigure them in various ways to see what other (perhaps unsuspected) designs they might make.
Always a fun experiment.

Off to a good start on this next project.

I like this second test piece better. All material size is the same. I used the same process I just handled the design a little different. This is a much better look for the project I am working on.

Test piece for a new project.