Viking on board

[ericthered]

Hi Guys, I'm from Tennessee and am getting back into blacksmithing. Anyone know where I can get some good coal in the Memphis area? I have a ratchet style forge I made some parts for and got it running again. I just need some coal. Also am interested in purchasing a reasonably priced swage block. I mainly need one with smaller half rounds so I can tap threads.

[DrgnHammer]

Ericthered,

Welcome back to the world of smash make flat. I just ordered some coal from Penn Keystone Coal Company, LLC they ship any sized order right to your door. They sell pocahontas #3 blacksmithing coal for about $15 a 50lb bag plus shipping. Welcome to IFI I look forward to seeing some of your work.

[ericthered]

Thank you for the hearty welcome! Also thanks for the info on the coal. When I started way back in the day it was either find someone in your own area that knew or figure it your self. The forum concept is definitely awesome. Guys imparting their knowledge for no other reason than to keep the art alive is very cool.

[rmcpb]

Welcome to IFI. How about some photos of your forge??

[NOS]

Welcome. I hope you enjoy your stay here at IFI. Everyone is very helpful here, and we're all willing to suggest 50 different ways to do something.
I agree with rmcpb, show us a few pics of this forge of yours. We love pics around here.
Take care and stay safe

[JosephPrivott]

to answer your question about the swage, look for the saltfork craftsmen swage block, and if you need one even smaller check blacksmith's depot or centaur etc. for their smallest block. These would provide you with baby half rounds

[cheftjcook]

Welcome Eric, The guys and gals here are the best. They really care about the passing on of knowledge in a very open and easy way. Very rare you find such a great place!
Again welcome and post some pics!
Tim

[ericthered]

The forge is still in the mini storage. I promise I'll get down there soon and post some photos. I rebuilt it while I was in college about 20 years ago. The fan was rattling because it was so worn out. The leather strap that turned the fan was toast. The handle was rotted from being left to the elements. I have no idea why I even bought the thing other than it seemed a shame that after serving its owner so well it should be left in a heap to rust into oblivion. I drilled out the fan bushings and turned some brass to fit the holes. The fan casting seemed really brittle when I was drilling it. So if any of you choose to repair one of these old gals be careful not to break it. Tight new bushings ensued. I fashioned a new oak handle, again with a brass bushing, so the rod for the ratchet is threaded into the bushing through a mortise I cut in the handle. The rod locates the brass so it doesn't fall out but yet it is able to ratchet smoothly. Those are a few of the mods I made to the forge. I have a hand crank blower that I picked up and am going to mount either on the forge or on a separate stand,(now that I have the ratchet repaired:-) haven't decided which yet. I may make a collapsible stand with wheels for more efficient storage. I am getting some great ideas for portable forges from the guys on the forum. It would be nice to have enough room for a permanent forge. But alas, My shop goes from cabinet shop to body shop and back again. I'm currently restoring a 1971 Nova SS car. That will be done soon and then I'm setting up the forge to make some of the tools I'll need for the Windsor chairs I'm making for the wife.

[ericthered]

Thanks for the info on the swage. I noticed the plans for the drawknife in the blueprint section. It looks like a good one. I would like to draw out the handle for the drawknife I plan to make and swage the handles so I can thread them and use lathe turned wood handles. It sounds like a grand plan for a relative newbie but I hope it works out. The steel is the thing I wonder about though. I' like to use tool steel for the heat treating properties but not sure about what to get. Any suggestions?

[Thomas Dean]

Howdy from East TEXAS!! and welcome to IFI! Sounds like you have some interesting ideas. I also restored one of the ratchet type forges (check out my gallery for pictures) and I love using it. I can get a forge welding heat easily in her. As for the coal you are looking for, check the NOMM there in Memphis. My brother bought some a couple of months ago from them, although it is pretty expensive. IMO. He lives in Halls, 75miles north of Memphis, and is just getting starting in this wonderful craft. At least this coal can get you a fire until you can find a better source. Glad to have you join us and we do like pictures! Once again, welcome.