John D. Harvey || Blacksmith

Artist blacksmith in Rhode Island

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Teaching Toolmaking

September 16, 2020 By John D. Harvey Leave a Comment

My 17-year-old solo student, John, learned the basics of tool making last night at @thesteelyard. He produced a round punch/drift and chisel that he’ll heat treat at home and via The Steel Yard’s open studios program. This was our last class. He’s a bright, focused young man. He’ll make a fine blacksmith.

Also pictured are a round punch/drift and chisel that I produced earlier in the week to demo hardening and tempering tool steel. We’ll see how they perform as I use them to make bottle openers and forged leaves. These were all made from scrap spring steel (meaning, mystery metal), so getting the heat treatment right is a process of experimentation, note-taking, and SWAGs.

Tool making is probably a thing I’ll do more in the future.

Filed Under: Featured, Teaching Tagged With: steel yard, tools

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John D. Harvey||JDH Metalcraft
Via a buddy, these came into my care today. Via a buddy, these came into my care today.
You know who's strong with the force when it comes You know who's strong with the force when it comes to Christmas cards? James at @maltandmake, that's who.

James has a vintage Heidelberg printing press that he restored and used to produce these absolutely stunning holiday greeting cards.

Thanks so much, James! I absolutely love the card.

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Join me for an OUTDOOR Holiday Art Market at @thes Join me for an OUTDOOR Holiday Art Market at @thesteelyard tomorrow (12/19) from 11 AM – 3 PM (rain date is Sunday 12/20; same time). 27 Sims Avenue, Providence, RI, 02909. Parking is on-street.

I'll be selling my work; and so will other jewelry, ceramic, and metal artists!

#takeitoutsideRI #thesteelyard #wickedrhody #oceanstate #rhodeislandartists #littlerhody #rhodeislandartist #401love #rhodeislandlife #artistheanchor #rhodeisland #rhodylife #ri #RIarts #lilrhody
This ancient image just popped up on my Facebook M This ancient image just popped up on my Facebook Memories. I'm not sure if I've very shared it on IG.

This is me and my sister Janine in Southern California, just after I graduated from Pepperdine University in 1991. Or, as my sister Sharon says "It's David Cassidy picking up Farrah Fawcett at the rehab clinic."

I still have the same amount of hair. It's just the location(s) that have changed.
Tonight's pre-nor'easter bottle openers. - - - - - Tonight's pre-nor'easter bottle openers.
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Yes, my maker's mark is on upside down. I could also unfuck that, but I've decided to quit while I'm ahead.
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If the term "Cthulhu" is new to you, it refers to a body of fantastical horror stories written by H.P. Lovecraft in the early 20th century (mostly in Providence, RI). If you're still not familiar, then Google will fill in the gaps ... there's a lot out there.

This piece combines traditional forging, MIG welding, filing, the liberal use of an angle grinder, as well as more liberal quantities of panic, frustration, and late nights. I'm going to say that about 80% of what you see here is stuff I've never done before, or not done in this context or quantity (hence, the frustration, etc.).

The coloring was achieved using metal patinas from Sculpt Nouveau (@sculptnouveau). It's a hair under a foot long, 6 inches tall, and about 5 inches deep.
 
I'm happy with it. But I think I'll go back to bottle openers and chopsticks for a while...
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New toys from @sculptnouveau. - - - - - - - - #pat New toys from @sculptnouveau.
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#patina #metalart #metaloil #metalrub #metalwax #SculptNouveau
My "tease" project is finished and going overseas My "tease" project is finished and going overseas to its recipient. It's a surprise gift, so I can't do the reveal on social media until that person receives it.

Hopefully, it won't be very long... but it is going overseas...
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This is part of a thing I did today... . . . . . . This is part of a thing I did today...
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For this year's Fools with Tools Treasure Trade (# For this year's Fools with Tools Treasure Trade (#FWTTT) I was lucky enough to have Jon Wills of Jon Wills Woodworking (IG: @jonwillswoodworking) out of Virginia as my secret Fool.

I got the package earlier this week, but have only just now had the chance to take pictures of the *amazing* contents of my holiday gift. I did let Jon know that it arrived and I loved it (I'm not a monster...).

Anyway, my gift items included a Viking-inspired treasure chest (with something very touching inside of the lid...). Also, a Serenity Christmas ornament and newborn Alien face-hugger (naawww...) done in wood and resin.

Thanks so much again, Jon! And many thanks to all awesome people in the Fools with Tools Podcast group (IG: @fwtpodcast)!
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Progress and shameless branding... . . . . . #Bla Progress and shameless branding...
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So, here's me... still teasing you. Getting close So, here's me... still teasing you.

Getting closer to assembly time.

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And then there were two. Still teasing... #Black And then there were two.

Still teasing...

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Last night's sunset went well with the autumn foli Last night's sunset went well with the autumn foliage.
This is also a tease. I am still teasing you. #JD This is also a tease. I am still teasing you.

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Autumn in Rhode Island. Autumn in Rhode Island.
This is a tease. I am teasing you. This is a tease. I am teasing you.
A few shots of Winter Autumn at the house and grou A few shots of Winter Autumn at the house and grounds.
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