Bit of a curates egg.
Had to tell boy we wouldn't be able to help fund a trip to USA
but did manage to get him the following:
a portable cavalry forge,
an anvil,
an anvil stand,
various swages and
5 pairs of blacksmiths tongs.
For about £300.
Personally, Stella Cidre at £1 per bottle helped things along.
(porkylips looks better as the sun goes down., Mon 18 Apr 2011, 10:28, 2 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

You see, if you had a job, instead of being a retired sponger
you could have helped him out.
(Bazongaloid, Mon 18 Apr 2011, 10:30, Reply)

Sponger?
I fucking wish. I receive no benefits or pensioners discounts or anything.
We get no assistance for his education and so far this year has cost about £6k.
With next year promising to be a lot more expensive and wife's job in particular very precarious, I don't think I'm being unreasonable.
That said, job? Fuck right off.
There's a settee needs guarding and who else would care for the internet as I do?
(porkylips looks better as the sun goes down., Mon 18 Apr 2011, 10:39, Reply)

I'd love to get into ironworking, making fancy gates and stuff like that looks like proper good work.

( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Mon 18 Apr 2011, 10:37, Reply)

same here
some day....
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Mon 18 Apr 2011, 10:38, Reply)

Did you see the episode of Mastercrafts with blacksmithing on?
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00qvrcj
In fact, I'd happily do most of those jobs as an apprentice, except probably the weaving, although the guy who used computers to do his designs piqued my interest a little.
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Mon 18 Apr 2011, 10:40, Reply)

not heard of that
may watch it tonight.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Mon 18 Apr 2011, 10:43, Reply)

I can guarantee you'll dig most of them.
Good tv.
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Mon 18 Apr 2011, 10:43, Reply)

Not available on iplayer, no obvious torrents either, shame.

( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Mon 18 Apr 2011, 10:46, Reply)

arse

( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Mon 18 Apr 2011, 10:47, Reply)

An old chum of mine did a blacksmithing degree (I think it was a degree)
specialising in sword-making. He makes them for re-enactments and films. Lucky fucking cunt.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Mon 18 Apr 2011, 10:44, Reply)

That's what boy wants to do.
At Hereford. No lack of ambition there.
(porkylips looks better as the sun goes down., Mon 18 Apr 2011, 10:45, Reply)

Go for it.
If you can get an apprenticeship there are all sorts of grants and bursaries you can qualify for.
My boy decided to go the 2 year preparatory course route at Warwick.
Why not try a weekend taster course? Good fun they are.
(porkylips looks better as the sun goes down., Mon 18 Apr 2011, 10:44, Reply)

I fully intend to try a weekend course at some point

( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Mon 18 Apr 2011, 10:47, Reply)

I'd love to, no car though you see.
I'm a little held back by this, in honesty.
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Mon 18 Apr 2011, 10:47, Reply)