Newest video

Running the Sawmill for the First Time

Well today was a exciting day.

This morning Dad and I got up early so that we could move the sawmill up to the building site, and skid a log up there while the ground was still frozen.

Moving the mill was easy, since it's a portable mill, but moving the log took a little more planning.

 Since we don't have a tractor, or any heavy equipment to skid logs with, I figured my truck would be able to pull them. My truck is a Dodge 1500 4x4 with a 5.2 V8, so I figured that it would have more than enough power to pull the logs, but Dad wasn't all to sure.

 Thankfully though, with the truck in 4 wheel drive low lock, it was able to skid the 10 foot log easily enough. I'm not sure though how many more logs we will skid like that, since it really tears up the ground. I am thinking of building a skid to set the front end of the log on so that it doesn't tear up the ground so bad.

Enough said, here's some pics of today's work.

Yes, I'm still here

Hey there everyone. 
I'm sorry about not posting anything for a long time, but life has thrown a few curve balls at me.
Not sure if I have told yall here on my blog, but about 7 months ago, I quit my job working at the boat shop, and started my own online business. My business name is "Ky Homestead Supply", I have both a eBay and Amazon store, but eBay is where I sell most of my products.
 I know that I posted a video about Quad State, but here are a few photo's I took while there. 

Our Selling Booth

The Camp site

This Dragon was set up next to our booth. It was a amazing piece of work.

I really enjoyed the demonstrations by Brian Brazeal.

Now our camp site was about 100 feet from a vet clinic, where there must have been 20 dogs that wouldn't ever shut up.  After a night of 1 hour sleep, I drank a lot of coffee that day, and then slept in my truck the next night.

You might be a Kentucky red neck if.....

 The next morning, a few men from surrounding camp sites asked me if I was from Kentucky or Tennessee LOL.
Over all I had a great time at Quad State, and hope to go back next year.
 When we got home though, my friend, Dave Custer and I parted way's, after a severe disagreement on how business between us in making hammers should be conducted, but I couldn't agree with the way he conducted his business. It ended in loosing a friend, this saddens me, as I have never lost a friend. 
 In a way though, parting way's with Dave, has been a good thing. It has made me learn more about what a real friend is, and made me a better blacksmith.

Also I ask that you please keep my Dad in your prayers, 2 weeks ago, he suffered a mini stroke behind his left eye, and has lost a good bit of sight. He will go back for a check up on the 31st, and will find out if he can start driving again or not.

SOFA Quadstate

About 2 weeks ago, my good friend Dave Custer, and I went to a blacksmithing conference called Quadstate, in Troy Ohio.
We had a awesome time, and while there, Dave and I competed in a blacksmithing competition.
Here is a video that I just uploaded about the event, and of use competing.

Technology a thief

Please share this with your friends.

Technology a thief?

 This past weekend I have been thinking about how much time I spend on the computer and/or on my phone, and I didn't like the answer I came up with.

Now, I'm not a couch potato by any means, but most of my "off time" (coffee before work, lunch, afternoon coffee break, and at night after supper) I spend on the computer. Mostly on Netflix, youtube, facebook, and a couple of online forums I enjoy.

So technology can be a thief of your time, and talents that take time to practice. I used to be pretty good on the guitar, and could pick a little on the banjo.

Now the other day I decided I wanted to learn how to play a new country song that I had heard on the radio. So after supper, I got on the laptop and found the chords and lyrics on a website. I tried playing along with the song off my phone, but playing chords that I once found easy to play were now almost impossible!!!!

So not only have I allowed technology to steel my time, but also a talent that is somewhat important to me.

I realized all this on thursday evening, so on friday morning I had to go to town to get some cat litter from the store (I had stepped in a bread pan full of used motor oil that I use for tempering knives... what a mess), and while I was in town I decided that it has been far to long since I had read a book cover to cover. So when I got to the library I picked up a book that I have been wanting to read for quite a while. It was "Walden, By Henry David Thoreau", and after reading just a few chapters I realized that I didn't get this book just by chance at this time.

In "Walden" Mr.Thoreau talks about how little a person actually "NEEDS", and how petty technology really is.

I know that some of yall have heard me say this, but for everyone elses benefit, I'm gonna say it again. If most modern day technology is supposed to be "time saving devices", then why don't we have more time to spend with our family and friends?

Please give this some serious thought and share it with your friends.

As for me, well I'm still enjoying the writing of Mr. Thoreau, plan on spending more time with the people I care about, and reacquainting myself with the guitar and banjo.

New Improvement

A "Little" Surprise

Jeep Stories & Makin Hay

Hey yall,

I know I have't been on here much, but I  been SOOOOOO busy with the new construction business!!!! It seams that my life right now is, get up at 4:30-5:00, work on the house at 7:00 to 3:30, go home and work till dark on the farm, go to bed, and do it all again. But I am thankful for the work!!!!!!!!!

Also the jeep is at the repair shop...................... That didn't take long did it?  LOL  So far it's broken down on me twic, once on Saturday down on the low water bridge and another time on the highway on my way to the construction site.

At the low water bridge, the jeep was running GREAT one second, and the next, it just died and wouldn't start back, so me and three friends (who had walked down there earlier) pushed it off the side of the road. One of them said "I think it's the injectors", when she said that I about died laughing. Oh well, she won't be a mechanic. LOL Then a cop pulls up and asks if I'm broke down................ Thought about sayin, "naw man, I'm just sitting here tryin to start my jeep for no reason", I didn't say it, but I was temped!!!!! ;)  After he found out that we all had phones, he went on a call with the promise of coming back. And he did about an hour later (we were still sittin there tryin to figure out what was wrong with it), he just sat there in his car watching me work on the jeep with make-shift tools. Finally I asked him if he had a tool kit in his car, and he did, so while I worked on it some more, he looked through my jeep, and ran my license plate!!!!! That kinda irked me and my friends, but I didn't really care. Then after trying to start it again, he say's "I think your battery is dead".................. ok, it doesn't take a mechanic to know that if your engine is turning over, that the battery isn't dead!!!!..... It was all I could do to keep from laughing. By this point, I gave the took kit back to the cop, and told him that I would get my dad to come and tow me home, so he just said "ok" and left. After that one of the girls walked up the road to get her dad and a tool kit, and after he and I worked on if for about a hour, all it turned out to be was a blown fuse!!!!!!! I think he and I both were frustrated with ourselves for not checking that first!!! LOL oh well.

Unfortunately the second time it broke down, it wasn't such a easy fix. I was on my way to the job site going as fast as the jeep would go (50mph), when it started making a bad clicking sound, and by the time I was 1/2 mile down the road the clicking was a LOUD rattling shaking the whole jeep. That time Dad did have to come get me, and I think it was a throw out bearing going out. So right now it is in the repair shop getting a new clutch, pressure plate, slave cylinder, and throw out bearing.

Also, dad finally broke down and bought a square hay baler!!!!!!  Since all the roads to all our fields need seriously needs repair, so thankfully our neighbor gave us the hay in his field. So we paid a gentleman to cut and rake the hay, since we don't have a mowing machine, and rake. The hay we got is good quality, and we put up 180 in the 4 acre field.

A Perfect Moment in Time

OH how I love spring time in Kentucky (except the allergies).  I know it is here to stay now.
I know this because on my way home driving in the truck down are little one lane road, I stopped next to a neighbors cow pasture and saw fire flies for the first time, I then I listened to the bull frogs in the distant pond, then  just as I was about to drive away, I heard the call of a Wiper Will far off in the woods.
It's moments like these that I forget about how troubled the world is, and wish that time could stand still in that moment.

Just a little "down" time on the farm

Talk about some kind of tired!!!!   Finally with some "down" time from carpentry work, I was able to get some much needed work done around here.  With my weather channel app saying that it was going to rain around 1:00, I figured I best work in the garden. So I tilled the whole garden (most of which hasn't been planted yet), then planted some green beans. By that time it started raining, so I headed into my shop to do some MUCH needed organizing and cleaning. By about 3:00 the rain had passed, so I planted   some Beets, Lettuce, Lima beans, and 5 rows of corn. All of which was heirloom seeds (non GMO). By the time I called it quits it was 8:00...... Talk about a full day!!!!! After this little "break", I'm ready to get back to WORK!!!!!!!!!! LOL

First Vehicle, and a new chapter in my life

Hey yall,

I know it's been a while since I have posted on here, but life has been crazy.

Last week, and this week was a big week for me.  Last week, I bought my first my vehicle!!!!!! I got a 1986 Jeep CJ7, it has a 4cyl engine, 4spd transmission. When I bought it, I knew it needed a little work, and so far I have changed the oil, oil filter, spark plugs, plug wires, wipers, and wiper arms. I still have to rebuild the carb, fix the rear spring shackle, install a new driver side seat belt assembly, install a new radio, speakers, and clutch master cylinder.  I plan on fixing it up to where it is a dependable daily driver, and then try to sell it, and maybe make some $$$.  :)

Also, this past week, I quit my job at the boat shop. I felt that it was time for me to move on from there, and get my own business up and going.  I still have my ebay store that produces some income, but on the evening that I quit, I was asked to quote some custom hand forged strap hinges for a local log home company. While at the log home company, my dad and I were asked if we would be interested in building a log house!!!!!  I'm not sure if that will work out, but if not, we got some other potential construction jobs.

It feels good to be working for myself in a way, but at the same time it's kinda nerve racking, after getting used to a steady pay check. I can see now why some people are scared to quit their jobs and work for them selves, but I will never have a better time in my life to do this than now.

Heirloom Seed Storage tips

Hey yall

Oh my poor neglected blog......  I know I said I would try to post more often, but things have been rather hecktic around here lately.

First of all, I would like to ask for prayer for our family, as my grandmother (my Mom's Mom) passed away last week, and we held what is called a "Celebration of Life" at our house yesterday.

Also, I am "rebuilding" my business. Instead of just selling blacksmithing tools, and hand forged iron work, I am also going to sell homesteading & prepping supplies (gardening tools, wood working tools, heirloom seeds, water filters, out doors equipment, sporting equipment, ect). The name of my new business is "Ky Homestead Supply".

Along with getting all this together, building my house, and getting the garden ready, I am now working a full time job in town, I am working at Marine Parts Warehouse.  Getting this job has been a real blessing, and will help get the house under roof sooner.

OH well got to go for now, supper just got out of the oven!!!!!!

see yall later,

           Chase

Feels more like a homestead around here!!!!

Surprise Horse for Mom.

I think Mom was surprised. :)

Invite to a Hammer-in at my shop

Addition to the farm & Fencing

Well we are now starting to get some more livestock for the farm.  2 Weeks ago, dad found 2 pigs (a guilt and a boar), since the boar wasn't able to breed the guilt, we went ahead and took him to the local Menonite butcher, and that's a story in it'self.

Now, this boar weighed 400 Lbs, after we unloaded it, we wanted to weigh him, to get a idea of how much meat we would get, but that boar had other idea's. That boar WAS NOT going on that scale, out of the blue, that big rascal climbed OVER a 5 foot metal gate!!!!!!!! Puts a whole new meaning to the saying "When pigs fly",  I knew that a pig was fast (that's another story for another blog post), but I had NO idea that a pig was that agile. Now we have around 200 Lbs of local raised pork in the freezer, at a cost of, less than a dollar per pound!!!!!!!

Here are some photo's of the boar.

Now, we still have the guilt to worry about, and we don't have a placed to properly keep a pig, so today dad and I put up a temporary pen to keep her in, until we build a lot that is properly fenced. So that called for a trip to the TSC in Bowling Green. Since we need some fencing for some other pastures, and chicken run, we went ahead and got fencing for all that to, and in doing so, we kinda over loaded our F150.

So all that fencing should keep me busy for a little while :)  

This is why I am trying to grow almost all of my food

When I came in for lunch this afternoon, I clicked on Netflix, and found this documentary, and I felt that I should share it.

Instead of having the ham sandwich from the local market, I made myself a salad, and didn't add any of the dressing, after reading the ingredients.

 This revived my goal of trying to "eat what I grow& grow what I eat."

Spring hammer-in

Greetings to all blacksmith's located in and around the Comonwealth of Kentucky.

This letter is to inform you that Chase Saxton of "Blacksmith of the Bluegrass" is holding a "hammer-in" at his shop in Scottsville Ky, on the third Saturday of March at 9:00 am. Scottsville is a short drive off of the I-65 exit #2 for those coming from Northern Ky, or Tn

 We will have demo's by Chase Saxton, & Dave Custer of "Fiery Furnace Forge LLC", and after which we will have lunch, and then just some good ol'e forging and talking.  We will have several forges, but we encourage smith's, who have a small portable forge/work station of their own, to please bring it, also if anyone has a shade tent, please bring that as well. Thank you.

For lunch, we will be serving pizza, Coke, and good ole southern sweet tea, but if you would like something besides pizza, you are welcome to bring your own lunch. For those who will be having pizza, the cost is $6.00, and please let Chase know, so that we know how many pizza's to get.

 If you plan on attending, please email me back, let me know if you will be having pizza, and if you have your own portable forge/work station.

Hope to see you soon!!!!!

Forging a memory

Just did something fun this evening.

I made some modifications to my forge hood to make it draw better, and after that, I had to do some forging. you know, gotta make sure the forge hood works better. ;)
But by that time, it was getting dark, and my shop doesn't have any electric lighting in it since we had to take it down when we put up the ceiling insulation.

So I worked by the firelight of the forge, and when it got REALLY dark, I lit a candle and set it on the far side of my anvil.  It was a humble reminder of how this craft hasn't changed much over the course of time, and of my humble beginnings in my small log blacksmith shop.

Made a nice leaf key fob/ necklace pendant too, but more importantly, I forged a memory that will last a life time.

Hammer pics

Here are just a few photo's of the hammers Dave Custer, and I made yesterday. Video coming soon!!!!!!!!!!!!! So stay tuned!!!!!

This is what 13 hours of hard work looks like!!!!

Dave, looking over the day's (and night's) work

Hammer waiting to be tempered.

TEMPERING!!!!!!!!!!!!

Making more hammers

Well I made it over to Fiery Furnace Forge Blacksmith shop, in Columbia Ky, where my good friend Dave Custer lives.
After work at my part time job in town, I headed over here so that we could forge more "Brian Brazeal" style rounding hammers, and hot cuts.
After eating a WONDERFUL supper made by his Mom, we headed down to the shop, hoping to make 2 hammers before 10:00 pm. We got off to a good start on one, but about 45 minutes into the hammer, the drift got stuck in the eye of the hammer after forging the "cheeks". After 40 minutes of trial, error and a LOT of hammering, we finally got the drift out!!!!!! So unfortunately we only got one hammer made by 10, so  that means a LOT more forging tomorrow.
Hopefully that won't happen again!!!!!

The loss of an old friend

Well yall, last week was a sad week here on the farm, as the large maple tree in our front yard was severly damaged by straight line winds. The damage was so bad that we had to have it cut down. :(   We are guessing that it was about 350 + years old.
 I did how ever manage to save 3 pieces, 2 for large butcher blocks, and the main trunk for a large work bench for my shop.
  We were also able to cut all the limbs up for firewood, so that it wasn't a total loss, it made about 8 ricks (4 cords) of fire wood. More than enough to last the rest of this winter, and a good start for next winters wood supply.
 Today, Dad and I moved some of the other large chunk of wood that were to big for firewood, and to awkward to use for workbenches (or any thing else for that matter). To do this, we used our New Holland TT60A (figured we better move those chunks before we sell the tractor, since we are getting a smaller one), and let me tell you, the last chunk was a real CHUNK!!!!!!! We guessed it weighed around 4,000 lbs, and in moving it, Dad almost rolled the tractor over, but I jumped over on the wheel that was rising, and he was able to lower the front end loader at about the same time, so all ended well.
Here are some photo's of cutting the tree down and moving the CHUNK.

The CHUNK!!!!!

The welds on that hook is holding all the weight of that CHUNK. So I guess I am a good welder.

Tractor for sale

We are selling our New Holland TT60A 4x4 tractor with front end loader.

Here is a video of it running

And here is our craigslist add http://bgky.craigslist.org/grd/3606314605.html

Let me know if yall are interested, contact info is on the craigslist add.

Snow Photo's

Last night we got about 1.5 inches of snow, so this mornin, I could stop myself from going out and taking some photo's around the farm.

Hammer and Forge

Hey yall,

Just wanted to share some photo's of a forge I just finished fabricating, and a hammer that Dave and I forged, with a handle that I custom fitted for it.

Side view showing the tong rack.

Instead of making a clinker breaker, I installed a cast iron grate.

when I first got back from Dave's, I invested in a new tool for the wood working shop, a RIGID belt sander. It has saved me a LOT of time and effort, in making the handles for the hammers.

Here are some photo's of the hammers we made, with a handle I made using the belt sander.

I currently have the forge and hammer seen in this blog post for sale on my ebay store. If you are interested, or know some one who maybe interested in purchasing one, or both of them, just email me at kyblacksmith@gmail.com

Been gone, but not on vacation.

Hey yall,

Well last Tuesday morning I hit the road for Columbia, Ky, where my good friend Dave Custer's blacksmith shop is located.

 The plan was for me to come over to his shop, and forge as many "Brian Brazeal" style rounding hammers as we could, so that we can sell them on my eBay store. Also we were able to get some coal out of an old school basement (it's where Dave gets his coal), and get some steel for some forges that I plan on making for my eBay store.

So here are some photo's of our weeks work. I don't have many photo's of us working on the hammers, but a lot of video that I have to edit.

Tempering one of the hammers.

Hardening one of the hammers

A hammer tempering, and in the background is Dave putting a ruff polish on another hammer

Well that's all the photo's I have of us making the hammers, but here are some photo's of us getting some coal.

Dave sitting on top of  large pile of coal.

We hauled out the coal via 2 5 gallon buckets at a time.

Here are the old coal boilers that used to heat the school. 

All in all, we got about 3,600 Lbs of coal, so that gave Dave and I a good coal supply that should last us for a good while.

In 4 day's we were able to make 6 hammers, get steel, and do a full day of "coal mining", so a good day's rest was welcome this Saturday.

Many thanks to Dave and his family for having me over, and as always it was a pleasure to work with Dave.