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Post by ohiodreamer on Apr 2, 2015 13:34:21 GMT
I was so excited when I saw this board a few days back. DH and DS are interested in blacksmithing (I am too...and look forward to learning some myself). They are signed up for classes at one of the historical villages locally this fall. I was hoping there would be more activity here so they could find some virtual mentors. IF you do this kind of thing could you chime in? Any skill level is a better then what we have currently
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2015 14:22:59 GMT
Hi, welcome aboard! Give it a little time and more people will be on here. This whole site is so new many are just arriving. I have a small "blacksmith shop" set up on my place. Made an anvil from a piece of RR track and a forge from an old grill. I have plans to make a new forge just haven't had time. Was using a "squirrel cage" blower for a long time but then found an old hand crank forge blower so I don't have to have electricity to run it. I like doing it the "old way". The best way to learn is get some old pieces of iron and start heating and hammering. I've made some hooks for my campfire cook set and made the wife some flower pot holders that hang on the fence. Also made a triangle dinner bell for our chuckwagon. These are all simple items that can be made from small round stock. Remember, if you mess it up just reheat and do it over. I am far from an expert or pro, have never made anything to sell, just for fun and my on use. I am sure some others that have more experience and are better at it than me will show up here soon. The main thing is, just have fun with it!
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Post by ohiodreamer on Apr 2, 2015 16:25:20 GMT
Fun is the main goal for us....well, that and some things I'd like. I love iron work - but simple stuff, not the overly ornate or complicated. My husband has a high stress job.....I think heating up a piece of iron and banging on it in his down time could add years to his life Both he and DS are very hands on do-it kind of guys.....so it seems like a great avenue for a 16 yr old boy to "play" with.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2015 18:52:00 GMT
I am same as Hank. Just a little here and there. I built my horse equipment when I was a kid. Learned to weld with an old Forney welder. It had the carbon tips to cut and heat metal. Got an oxy/acc torch at 12, made a railroad anvil and put together a forge from a disk blade, old wood spoke wagon tire and bellows. I built a small chuck wagon and made all the irons. I assembled and built a lot of farm equipment and farm trucks. Had a wire feed welder. Buy a little square, round and flat bar stock and play around. Hooks, hinges and latches. Can do a lot with a torch, welding tips and rosebud tip, coat hangers, mild steel and brazing rod. Even light hammer welds. I don't have AC power anymore so no welder. Just a small Oxy/acc torch and the old forge. Lots of fun. Wood working, iron bending and wood burning takes up a lot of my "wasted" time....James
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2015 22:57:37 GMT
That's scary jwal10, our stories are almost the same, right down to the chuck wagon. My new forge will be an old disk blade, I also use them for cooking tables for my dutch ovens. Ohiodreamer, sounds like you guys have the right ideas. As you get more into it keep posting here and we'll all learn together.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2015 2:00:33 GMT
I had a JD disk that had cone blades. When I put new blades on it I used a bunch of them make great fire pits, woks (weld the center hole closed) and shop stands (weld a piece of pipe and a flat plate on the top). mount grinders, vices and other tools....James
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2015 2:07:46 GMT
Back when I lived in paradise (the mountains of western North Carolina), there was a school nearby that offered blacksmithing classes. I was excited to take some classes there until I discovered that their blacksmithing classes were geared more toward making ornate finials for railings and gates and artworks for the wealthy.
IIRC it was called Penland School. I have not seen another similar place to take blacksmithing classes since.
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Post by graywolf on Apr 3, 2015 2:29:09 GMT
I've got a question for you blacksmiths.
Is it true that wrought iron isn't really wrought iron anymore? I've heard that you cann't get it anymore and all the fancy / twisty iron work is with steel these days.
On the off chance I'm right, what keeps it from rusting?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2015 13:47:12 GMT
I've got a question for you blacksmiths. Is it true that wrought iron isn't really wrought iron anymore? I've heard that you cann't get it anymore and all the fancy / twisty iron work is with steel these days. On the off chance I'm right, what keeps it from rusting? I've heard it can still be had but is very expensive. I guess the "pros" doing it for profit are using as cheap a stock as they can. As for the rusting, lots of paint. For my small projects I usually use what I can find on scrap piles. If I have to buy I go to a local iron shop and get 'cold rolled' rods. They sell them by the foot.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2015 16:31:27 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2015 23:00:14 GMT
You can get that nice black finish by coating it with bees wax while it's still hot. Not sure about the rust preventative tho. Sure looks nice. Just something my FIL taught me.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2015 0:02:56 GMT
You can get that nice black finish by coating it with bees wax while it's still hot. Not sure about the rust preventative tho. Sure looks nice. Just something my FIL taught me. Yea, I do that with anything I don't want painted. Gives it a great finish shine.
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Post by graywolf on Apr 4, 2015 3:35:13 GMT
Don't you have to clean the mill scale and slag off before the bee's wax?
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Post by Wind in Her Hair on Apr 4, 2015 12:30:04 GMT
I am following this forum since I HOPE my husband, Cabin Fever, will get the smithing bug soon and start enjoying the forge and anvils we bought. I "need" a couple of things forged- including a footman rod for an antique spinning wheel.
I know of a smith in the area where we can get "coke" ? but I also know he needs tongs, and hammers and the like. We just haven't had much time to pursue acquiring more tools of the trade.
Any suggestions for a beginner in the way of what tools to get?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2015 16:14:29 GMT
Good question gray. The stuff my FIL worked with was just store bought square steel. I don't recall there being a lot of scale. He only dabbled, but he produced some nice things. Hooks, rings, hinges. He was a woodwright by 're-enacter' trade so the smithing thing was just a side interest for him. WIHH A post vice is a good tool to have too. chicago.craigslist.org/nwi/tls/4962262740.htmlSomeone is selling lessons! Got a phone number too! This guy might know about what basics to have. MAybe even how you can 'encourage' Mr. cabin fever to get busy hammerin'! swmi.craigslist.org/for/4941300836.html
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Post by graywolf on Apr 4, 2015 16:16:49 GMT
Gloves. Really good gloves.
And a fire extinguisher. Lots of fire extinguishers.
And a plastic face shield.
And a leather apron.
And leather boots. (Take it from me, tennis shoes melt a whole lot faster than you can untie them)
And socks that burn instead of melting. (See above)
i don't have a proper forge but have found that a rosebut tip on a O/A torch can get things pretty darn hot. The fun begins when you hit the white hot with that big hammer you just got. I gave up on blacksmithing after burning through a few tanks of gas and the wounds healed. This is one more thing where trying to teach yourself something new and dangerous probably isn't the smartest thing to do.
have fun and post pictures!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2015 17:06:04 GMT
And a big tub of water with a fire bucket. Metal tub is best. I melted a hole in my half plastic barrel under the eaves trough and the water ran out.
My blacksmith shop looks like the little blacksmith shop on Main St. in Monmouth Oregon in 1974. It is only 4'deep x8'wide, 2 big swinging doors on the front. All the work is done out front. I used to haul it around to Cowboy shooting weekends and Trapper days.
I spent a lot of time looking in as a kid. I would walk to town to trade whatever bottles or cans I found for .22 shells and stop by. Mr. Anderson was a tall man, thin and liked to talk. He had a pop cooler out front .5 cents for the little bottle. When I got bigger, I would help if he needed any. I was intrigued....James
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Post by farmchix on Apr 5, 2015 12:23:51 GMT
I'm following this one as well. Hubs is a blacksmith. Once his work slows down, I will try to get him on here and post.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2015 20:26:04 GMT
Hey WIHH, I've gotten most of my "stuff" at estate sales and antique stores. Got my hand crank blower from a guy who sells tractors. I tripped over it in his shop. He said "Give me 20 bucks and you can have it!". My 'post vice' was a gift from my wife's step father. He said it had been in his family for generations and he was tired of it being in his way. Funny, it ain't in my way one bit.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2015 20:28:23 GMT
Don't you have to clean the mill scale and slag off before the bee's wax? Yea, but use a wire brush. That stuff burns!!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2015 20:41:26 GMT
Get the big thick, long, leather welders gloves. I have a pair of tongs but only use for short pieces or when cooling in water or tempering in oil. I like a good grip on the tail, trim to length when done. Might have something to do with my bum hand tho. I have been known to weld a tail on my work piece....James
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Post by beowoulf90 on Apr 22, 2015 11:26:47 GMT
For those who haven't done so already. Find an organization in your State. For example many years ago I used to belong to PABA (Pennsylvania Artist Blacksmith Association). They would gather about once a month at someone's shop and do demos and such. It was a wealth of information for a novice like me. There are plenty of other organizations around the country to meet and learn. My wife and I always learned something new every time we went to a demo. There was always plenty of good food, good people and good fun at these events.. I look forward to rejoining their ranks again now that other commitments have waned and I'll have some leisure time.. www.pabasite.org/www.abana.org/
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2015 23:09:14 GMT
For those who haven't done so already. Find an organization in your State. For example many years ago I used to belong to PABA (Pennsylvania Artist Blacksmith Association). They would gather about once a month at someone's shop and do demos and such. It was a wealth of information for a novice like me. There are plenty of other organizations around the country to meet and learn. My wife and I always learned something new every time we went to a demo. There was always plenty of good food, good people and good fun at these events.. I look forward to rejoining their ranks again now that other commitments have waned and I'll have some leisure time.. www.pabasite.org/www.abana.org/ Leisure time.......er.....ah.......what's that?
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Post by beowoulf90 on Apr 23, 2015 11:20:45 GMT
For those who haven't done so already. Find an organization in your State. For example many years ago I used to belong to PABA (Pennsylvania Artist Blacksmith Association). They would gather about once a month at someone's shop and do demos and such. It was a wealth of information for a novice like me. There are plenty of other organizations around the country to meet and learn. My wife and I always learned something new every time we went to a demo. There was always plenty of good food, good people and good fun at these events.. I look forward to rejoining their ranks again now that other commitments have waned and I'll have some leisure time.. www.pabasite.org/www.abana.org/ Leisure time.......er.....ah.......what's that? Leisure time - Noun - the few seconds between the wife saying "do this" and you saying "dang the pump broke again"..
alternate meaning - the time spent at the forge while banging on a piece of stock saying "I love my job, I love my job" with gritted teeth..
It seems I may finally have time to do things around the house and tinker some more. I may even get back into building some tables and I have a working wagon wheel pattern I want to try, plus some playing with the forge..
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Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2015 14:17:32 GMT
beowoulf90 New Member * LOVE your moniker! Says it all.
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Post by beowoulf90 on Jun 25, 2015 12:24:48 GMT
beowoulf90 New Member * LOVE your moniker! Says it all. Unfortunately it is an "old time" repair kit that no one uses anymore... It would require old school wood working, old school blacksmithing and old school rope/knot tying. None of which are taught anymore except by a few
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Post by copperkid3 on Jun 30, 2015 20:27:05 GMT
beowoulf90 New Member * LOVE your moniker! Says it all. Unfortunately it is an "old time" repair kit that no one uses anymore... It would require old school wood working, old school blacksmithing and old school rope/knot tying. None of which are taught anymore except by a few ****************************************** According to the Congressional Research Service 170 members of the House and 60 Senators are lawyers. There are 81 Republican lawyers in Congress who list "lawyer" as their profession. There are 123 Democrat lawyers in Congress that list "lawyer" as their profession. Out of a total of 435 U.S. Representatives and 100 Senators (535 total in Congress), lawyers comprise the biggest voting block of one type, making up 43% of Congress. 60% of the U.S. Senate is lawyers while 37.2% of the House of Representatives are lawyers. Enough said. ''The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers,'' stated by Dick the Butcher in Shakespeare's ''Henry VI,'' Part II, act IV, Scene II, Line 73. I'd be willing to 'volunteer' and 'practice' until I get the 'procedure' done right!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2015 17:46:15 GMT
I am following this forum since I HOPE my husband, Cabin Fever, will get the smithing bug soon and start enjoying the forge and anvils we bought. I "need" a couple of things forged- including a footman rod for an antique spinning wheel. I know of a smith in the area where we can get "coke" ? but I also know he needs tongs, and hammers and the like. We just haven't had much time to pursue acquiring more tools of the trade. Any suggestions for a beginner in the way of what tools to get? Can I offer some advice? Most of yor tools will be made by yourself, making tongs, pliers, your forge tools ect... are excellent practice. Most schools taught this way for many years, many schools now are eager to sell you a "set" of tools as part of your enrollment. The hammers are available everywhere at farm sale, just get two or three to start with they will be your go to hammers for many years, a vertical peen and a horizonal peen on the backside of the flat head is mostly all you will need for years. Maybe a ball peen for doing advanced concave work later. You can fashion patterning heads from old hammers found at garage sales and the like. You can find a Swage Block which is the Black Smiths multitoold for making leaves, spoons, ladles, or for forming plate armour for a knights suit of armour!!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2015 17:54:52 GMT
Mostly just go slow, have fun, buy low, sell high, not likely to get rich doing BS work but it has its own rewards! Also check into usig charcoal as your heating fuel, coal is fine but close neighbors will complain. I know guys that use an LP forge exclusively very effectively as well. An industrial blowdrier (paint stripper without the heat on) could get you started with you homemade forge, there is no need to spend a lot of $$$$$$ or this endevour, honestly cheaper stuff is the norm. Roses, skulls, bottle openers, cowboy cooking sets, and utensils all sell OK. Just don't be hurt when you realize few will pay for your skill. Generally those days are over, BUT.... ocassionally someone will commission you to do a batch of hinges, door handles, or cabniet handles! Flower hooks, hat racks, coat hangers of railroad spikes all are fun easy and pay OK as well. GOod luck with your new hobby!!!!
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Post by beowoulf90 on Sept 10, 2015 11:41:47 GMT
I am following this forum since I HOPE my husband, Cabin Fever, will get the smithing bug soon and start enjoying the forge and anvils we bought. I "need" a couple of things forged- including a footman rod for an antique spinning wheel. I know of a smith in the area where we can get "coke" ? but I also know he needs tongs, and hammers and the like. We just haven't had much time to pursue acquiring more tools of the trade. Any suggestions for a beginner in the way of what tools to get? Can I offer some advice? Most of yor tools will be made by yourself, making tongs, pliers, your forge tools ect... are excellent practice. Most schools taught this way for many years, many schools now are eager to sell you a "set" of tools as part of your enrollment. The hammers are available everywhere at farm sale, just get two or three to start with they will be your go to hammers for many years, a vertical peen and a horizonal peen on the backside of the flat head is mostly all you will need for years. Maybe a ball peen for doing advanced concave work later. You can fashion patterning heads from old hammers found at garage sales and the like. You can find a Swage Block which is the Black Smiths multitoold for making leaves, spoons, ladles, or for forming plate armour for a knights suit of armour!! Knights suit of armor? I don't think that will be enough to buy a Swage Block.. My dad and I were at an auction a week or two ago on a Tuesday evening. We spotted an anvil, guessing from the late 1890's early 1900's. It was in fair to good shape. I couldn't make out the makers mark without wetting or cleaning it and didn't want to spit on it. Anyway my dad asked what i thought it would sell for and I told him: Minimum $2 a pound and this was roughly 70 to 75 lbs, but more than likely between $4 - $5 /lbs It sold for $340 Swage Blocks are just as expensive, but once you have one (and actually use it) you will never regret it..
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