Royal Rangers Outpost 227

Wednesday night had one young man show up and we worked on making a outdoor lantern holder. We later did a double twist on the folded over section. Used 3/8 inch stock. He did a great job. Almost completed the project. Next week a little more smithing and then some paint.

The outpost blacksmith setup. There is a candle lantern holder in the foreground of the second picture. Our project tonight was to make another one.

Last Wednesday was a class on different tools for sharpening, including files, stones, grinding wheels and metalwork belt sanders. One young man had fun making sparks.

Blacksmithing again tonight with one of the students becoming a mentor to one of the younger boys. Worked on heavier stock making tent pegs, learning bending and drawing. Used a regular anvil and a railroad rail anvil. Next week we will try punching and drifting holes, shouldering, and using a blacksmith's "flatter" hammer.

Tonight we worked on the chess merit, specifically how to castle and how to put a king in checkmate. Also discussed methods of shaping a tomahawk handle to fit the head, including use of a wood rasp, use of a knife, and use of spoke shaves.