Hello from mid Michigan!

[twandawg85]

I am new to kilts, but doing what I always do and diving in head first!

So how did I get on a kilt forum?
Story time!

Last August I decided I was a Blacksmith. Never done any metal work before, but I didn't let that stop me! Got my first forge set up outside. Made stuff, sweated in the sun. All was good! Winter came and snow covered my forge. I made a new bigger forge and set up an indoor shop. I soon found out that with the forge going strong I was working in a t-shirt when it was 5 degrees outside. And the forge was the only heat in the shop. I knew I was going to be in trouble when summer hit. So I started looking for ways to keep cool. This is when a kilt first crossed my mind.
Now it's spring and the heat is already starting to get to me.

I'm a 6'6" 330 lb man. I have a hard time finding clothes. And as I started to look for kilts I found for my price range there wasn't much I could find. I used to be active on hammockforums.net Over there I learned how to sew hammocks. So I decided I could sew a hammock so I could sew a kilt! And went about purchasing materials.

And here we are now. I am 3/4 of the way through making a utility kilt. It's at a point now where it's wearable, but there are no pockets.

I think I saw a DIY section here. I'll post some pictures over there when I get some. I'll bring you guys along for the rest of the build! (I've got lots of video, but no pics yet)

I also run a youtube channel called Warped Legacy. Mostly about my blacksmithing, but really whatever I want it to be. I'm making a video about the kilt build. If I can find the appropriate forum section I'll post a link to that as well (I'm guessing also in the DIY section).

Alright. I should be sleeping. Not playing online (just got the kilt to a wearable state, so I'm pretty excited!)

I already want another one.... What have I gotten myself into?

Anybody else from Mid Michigan?

[Nomad]

Welcome, an interesting first post and I look forwarding to seeing your pictures, kilted and smithing, gotta be the manliest look going.

[Arnot]

Welcome from Lancashire, UK. I live here, but I'm from Belding, MI.

[Tarheel]

Well met new friend. There are former discussions about working while kilting that include running a forge, shoeing horses, etc. I have cut posts using a chainsaw while building a fence for my brother in law and had little trouble. "Vent the heat and mind the sparks" would be my motto if I were you. Welcome to the boards.

[Tomak]

Hello and welcome from Southern California.

[Father Bill]

Welcome to the "Great Rabble"!

[JohntheBiker]

Hello and welcome from Toronto.

[pbutts]

Greetings from Kalamazoo!

BTW, you won't be the only kilted blacksmith in Michigan...

[bdkilted]

Welcome from Waco, TX. I was raised in Marshall and Battle Creek, MI so know the area well. I left for Texas 38 years ago during the big recession and have not missed shoveling snow since.

[twandawg85]

Pbutts, Are you said kilted Michigan blacksmith? If not might you point me in the right direction??
My mother in law lives in Kalamazoo. We are down there a few times a year. Might have to try and connect sometime, I currently don't personally know anyone who wears or has interest in wearing a kilt. I know a few people who wear them for the highland festival in Alma. And some people who wear them for Alma college functions (they are the Scots). But even some of them that I know complain about it because its part of their uniform and they have to wear it. With the Alma being so close I'm guessing It wouldn't be too hard to find someone, but I don't know any at the moment.


I could do without shoveling snow, but that's about the only thing I don't like about this area. I even like the snow, just don't like having to move it! Doing donuts in an empty parking lot with just a inch or two of snow is OH SO FUN!!

Looking forward to interacting on here more!