Any blacksmiths out there?

VVulfe · 05-12-2008, 08:02 PM

So, having wanted to do it for a long time, I finally got myself into an introduction to blacksmithing class this June. I'm curious - does anyone else here on MCB practice this craft, and do you have any advice for a beginner?

Thanks guys!

Painthappy · 05-12-2008, 08:31 PM

Going along with my never ending A.D.D. that people are sure that I have by now... This is another thing I've done (nothing professional, just to goof off I suppose). I have a bunch of stuff I made. Now, I don't have a blacksmith shop, but my Uncle built one. And I get to mess around there whenever I feel like it. Best in the winter as you will burn your hands over and over. And yes, with welding gloves on. This stuff gets silly hot.

A propane oven (nice small one to start) works just fine. Get a big and good anvil. That will be the key. Otherwise, patience. Welding gloves, a bunch of tongs, and a few good hammers.

If you want, I can get the specific names of these tools and where he got them all. I know my father plans on building one (or at least he did) once the barn is up.

I'll see what I can find out tomorrow.

ravenlord · 05-12-2008, 09:40 PM

Been trying to get into blacksmithing myself for a little while now. I just don't have the time or the money to do it.

Heebs · 05-12-2008, 09:54 PM

I read a lot about it but then I realized unless I get outta the city there is no way I can actually do anything. Anvils are pretty pricey too.

VVulfe · 05-13-2008, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Painthappy

Going along with my never ending A.D.D. that people are sure that I have by now... This is another thing I've done (nothing professional, just to goof off I suppose). I have a bunch of stuff I made. Now, I don't have a blacksmith shop, but my Uncle built one. And I get to mess around there whenever I feel like it. Best in the winter as you will burn your hands over and over. And yes, with welding gloves on. This stuff gets silly hot.

A propane oven (nice small one to start) works just fine. Get a big and good anvil. That will be the key. Otherwise, patience. Welding gloves, a bunch of tongs, and a few good hammers.

If you want, I can get the specific names of these tools and where he got them all. I know my father plans on building one (or at least he did) once the barn is up.

I'll see what I can find out tomorrow.

Hm. Class will be providing tool and materials while I'm in it, but if it's not that prohibitive to build a forge at home, that'd be fantastic.

If you don't mind looking up those sources, I'd love to start looking into them.

Schmitti · 05-13-2008, 10:24 AM

When I first looked into it I found that Centaur Forge has very good prices on equipment. They also hold classes/seminars throughout the country.

Your best resource for farrier and blacksmith supplies

For an anvil, go around to farms and see if they have an old one they want to get rid of.

I used to work with a guy that had his eye on one at a farm where he stored wood that was drying after he'd milled it. The farmer told him he could have the anvil if he could get it into the back of his pickup truck without using a crane. He said he couldn't even tip the pedestal the anvil was on because it was so heavy.

for less expensive anvils for small work you can always ask around and see about getting a section of rail road track. That is plenty hard for smith work.

E

VVulfe · 05-13-2008, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmitti

For an anvil, go around to farms and see if they have an old one they want to get rid of.

Hmm..time for a trip to Sussex.

DarkArmorPB · 05-13-2008, 12:20 PM

Theres a place here local that sells used anvils.St Louis area. Shipping would be horrible though.

DA

Walking_Target · 05-13-2008, 12:36 PM

If you really want to build your own (cheap) forge, you need some fire brick, a blower fan (something that moves a bit more air than a bathroom fan, but not much more) Some regular brick, some high-temp grating (alternatively, a good masonry bit in the drill...)

Basically, it's easy to do, but a major PITA... a charcoal fired forge is pretty easy to maintain though.

Schmitti · 05-13-2008, 12:41 PM

Your blower fan also has to be heat rated to several hundred degrees (yes even though it is moving cool air to the flame) or it will be part of the fire.

E

05-12-2008, 08:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
Painthappy I Am The Admin Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: New Boston, NH Posts: 4,955	Going along with my never ending A.D.D. that people are sure that I have by now... This is another thing I've done (nothing professional, just to goof off I suppose). I have a bunch of stuff I made. Now, I don't have a blacksmith shop, but my Uncle built one. And I get to mess around there whenever I feel like it. Best in the winter as you will burn your hands over and over. And yes, with welding gloves on. This stuff gets silly hot. A propane oven (nice small one to start) works just fine. Get a big and good anvil. That will be the key. Otherwise, patience. Welding gloves, a bunch of tongs, and a few good hammers. If you want, I can get the specific names of these tools and where he got them all. I know my father plans on building one (or at least he did) once the barn is up. I'll see what I can find out tomorrow. __________________ If I cannot smoke cigars in Heaven, I shall not go. MCB Rules - Please Read them MySpace.com/painthappy - MySpace Blog Twitter.com/mcarterbrown - Twitter Updates

05-12-2008, 09:54 PM	#4 (permalink)
Heebs MCB Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,671	I read a lot about it but then I realized unless I get outta the city there is no way I can actually do anything. Anvils are pretty pricey too. __________________ Heebs Feedback

05-13-2008, 12:20 PM	#8 (permalink)
DarkArmorPB VampiresTasteLikeChicken Join Date: May 2006 Location: St Louis area Posts: 801	Theres a place here local that sells used anvils.St Louis area. Shipping would be horrible though. DA __________________ How They Make Paintballs. Total Grief Xtreme Paintball park / Milstadt Il. MCBrown Feedback PBNation Feedback

05-12-2008, 09:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
ravenlord Rec Poster Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 74	Been trying to get into blacksmithing myself for a little while now. I just don't have the time or the money to do it.