I just saw your comment. Thank you for kind words. Walter is drawn to nature elements in his work.

Most Welcome! Boy are we behind! Been a busy summer. Hoping to get some videos soon.

I agree!!

Its not rocket science but it does take some gumption and skill. To say Walter takes the practical common sense approach to things is an understatement. Quote from our son, "Let me talk to Dad, He thinks he knows everything and what makes me mad is He does!"

Understandable. Been studying up to become a professional Blacksmith, myself. Your video really introduced me to how a Propaine forge works, actually. Keeping the temp. at a constant rate to make sure carbon levels in all of the bars you're shaping the exact same rate.

Glad you are enjoying the video. We are uploading new ones on Walters you tube channel. One thing though. Walter doesn't forge with propane. He forges with foundry coke and has a special fire pot for the higher temps. You are correct about the temps. It makes all the difference in time and energy exerted as well as effecting the look of the final product.

I see. Apologies for mistaking the temperature adjustment. I've mostly seen a lot of people use Propaine. I myself, like to do things traditionally and use air flow. I'll be sure to check out and subscribe to the channel.

Walter uses a leaf blower and a dimmer switch for air control. He chose to retire the original hand blower while it was still working. Thanks!

Thank you. After the tornado cleared the property it just seemed the perfect time and reason to build a forge that looked like a forge. Lots of things had to line up to make it happen. Blessed to work in it every day.

Hello! Sorry to take so long responding! We are very lucky to be able to get coke here in Alabama. Its very cool to watch the process. Hope to have something new up soon.

Thank you. Working on more. We are new to this you tube thing also. I think when you love what you do it shows in the end.

Hello. Thank you for your compliments. This is Walters wife Rhonda, he doesn't do computer at all. Walters forge was originally deep on all 4 sides. He modified it by cutting a hole in either side to accommodate long stock. He replaced the original forge pot with a coke pot that is made for burning foundry coke. It is a hoss! The forge was given to him by a dear friend. It had been in his family for three generations. He rescued it from a collapsed building and refurbished it. The air supply is a light duty leaf blower, dryer hose and a light dimmer switch for regulation. He is good with simple solutions. We are working on more videos. Technology stays a step ahead of us. I would be glad to convey specific questions if you have them. Rhonda

+Walter Howell- Rhonda, thank you so much for your reply. I just subscribed to the Walter Howard Channel. I'm subscriber # 2. I would like very much to stay in touch Walter/ you. my email address is: surgeweldfab.brady@gmail.com. if you feel comfortable doing so. I live in California, I'm so new to Blacksmithing that I don't really have a lot of tools, but I beat on metal and try to mimic what some of the KZfaq smith's do. I sure would like to see as much information as Walter can share, I truly believe that there are hundreds of beginning Blacksmiths as well as the experienced veteran smith's that would thoroughly learn valuable information from Walter. if you are interested in corresponding, I would be honored. thank you again, Brady

+Walter Howell- Rhonda, thank you so much for your reply. I just subscribed to the Walter Howard Channel. I'm subscriber # 2. I would like very much to stay in touch Walter/ you. my email address is: surgeweldfab.brady@gmail.com. if you feel comfortable doing so. I live in California, I'm so new to Blacksmithing that I don't really have a lot of tools, but I beat on metal and try to mimic what some of the KZfaq smith's do. I sure would like to see as much information as Walter can share, I truly believe that there are hundreds of beginning Blacksmiths as well as the experienced veteran smith's that would thoroughly learn valuable information from Walter. if you are interested in corresponding, I would be honored. thank you again, Brady

HI Brady, Things have been crazy here. As you can see by my post Walter had to retire the 1890 and build a new forge. I will be posting video and pics here and on our blog soon. Hope you are enjoying your trip through the this craft. Its not something you do it takes over your life! Warning!

Hello, Hope you are doing well and have a wonderful Christmas. Walter had to retire his old forge and build a new one. I will post some photos and video soon. Been a crazy fall. Maybe Santa will bring you a sack of coal!

+arkomo54 Thank you! We are working on videos now. Some instructional and some about things folks just enjoy hearing. Hope to have something up very soon. We are WAY behind in the technology world. This is Rhonda by the way. Walter doesn't beat the keys at all. He held off on a power hammer until about 10 years ago. This one was made by a local who is a community treasure. Its one of the stories we will tell on video. These can be made for much less than a name hammer. There are other "country engineer designs" out there also. Please check out www.waltersforge.com. Its a project in progress.

hello Scott, This is Walter's wife Rhonda and I do all the finish work on Walter's iron. Our finishes have been a learning process that combines some "home spun" mixes and some products that are specifically made for outdoor sculptures. The commercial products are oxide and dye oxide patinas that stain or react with the iron. My home spun finishes come from all manner of crazy things learned from old blacksmiths. Yellow mustard has a rainbow effect. A fresh cut lemon rubbed on hot iron makes it look like pewter. Chemicals that change the PH in a pool will bring our reds, oranges and blues if applied to hot iron or torched as it is sprayed. It has been a trial and error experimentation. I was that kid who mixed everything in the chemistry set together just to see what will happen. It was necessary when Walter began forging botanical sculptures. We appreciate your comments about his rails. We live in an area where metal fabricators are a dime a dozen. Lots of related industry here. We can only compete by offering work a welder doesn't do. You are always speaking with me here, Walter isn't into technology beyond listening to killer music on You Tube! I try to let folks know its me! Thank you! Visit again soon!

Time Keeper thanks very much for the reply. That's amazing.

I am trying to translate your message so I can respond. I apologize for the delay. Thank you for your patience! Hope to take with you soon.

Thank you Sir! And you are right he is the real deal!

+Philo Sophia metal might bounce up if not carful and hit that hand possible?

Smart if he wants to make a living at it. The attitude that you aren't a blacksmith if you use electricity is ridiculous. Puffy shirts and three pointed hats do not a blacksmith make. You want to get to basics you have to forge in a hole in the ground. Walt doesn't role play. He works.

Tools are a totally personal preference kinda thing. They are like shoes. They have to fit.

Aye true

it came out great btw

+GunzRloaded Hello, Not sure what you mean exactly. Walters anvils are very old but there are good instructions on making your own from a variety of bases. Be glad to try to give more information if you can tell me a bit more.

+Walter Howell Hello,I was wondering who manufactures anvils here in the United States.Past or current.A large anvil looks like to be a pretty big project especially when they were made many years ago. Cheers !

+GunzRloaded Hello, I am sorry to take so long to respond. You are right making an anvil is a huge undertaking. New anvils are expensive and to tell you the truth no comparison in quality to the old ones. The ratio of iron and other elements is very different. It may take a while but search your local flea markets and be sure to check with your local scrap yard. Folks are inheriting these things that don't want them and they take them to be sold by the pound. You can also buy them by the pound. We have been very blessed to accumulate a wonderful collection of vintage equipment.

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+IronWhy Hello, We apologize for the delayed response. For some reason it was posted way down the time line. I appreciate your interest in our video. Walter and the videographer do own the rights along with Bama Bounce TV. We would have to have more information about your project to allow inclusion of Walters work. We work very hard to ensure that his work is represented in a manner of our choosing and that his designs and work are not associated with another smith and try to be diligent in protecting our reputation for integrity and quality. We are appreciative and grateful when folks share his video.

+Walter Howell the video copyright is set to, "Creative Commons Attribution license (reuse allowed)", if this is not the case, just set it so no one is allowed to reuse and you will not get this type of inquiry...great to see your shop, very nice workspace!

+Crossed Heart Forge Thank You. If Mic has it set as such then we have no problem either. We are always honored when someone thinks enough of what we do to want to share it in some way. We have gotten a lot of benefit from Mic Stowe's video. He does great work also. Wish you luck with work also. Rhonda

+Walter Howell thank you, keep it up!

Not here. Forging came to me as opposed to being sought.

Walter had no metallurgy training but he did have a lifetime of practical knowledge from 2 grandfathers who were "country" engineers.