Bare minimum

[ThomasPowers]

Another is a BBQ grill and a blowdrier.

[Nick]

I just realized something that seems to have been overlooked: eye and ear protection!

[son_of_bluegrass]

I haven't seen some way to put out the fire if need be. That may be a fire extinguisher or a hose (turned on with nozzel)

ron

[cheftjcook]

Hey Rusty, I'm in Northern New Jersey and there is a great blacksmith organization that covers NJ/NY. You can see there site at www.njba.abana-chapter.com
A great bunch of fun people and always willing to help or teach you something. The meetings a bit scattered over the area they cover but it is worth making it if you can.
There is also Peters Valley in Northern New Jersey where you can take a variety of blacksmithing classes. They also have a Blacksmithing Pig roast comming up on September 1st. There is always a few guys selling assorted stuff plus an auction of tools and wares at the end of the day. You can check them out at Blacksmithing2007_WorkshopSchedule
index
Have a good one
Tim

[Strine]

Enthusiasm, an openness to suggestions and a preparedness to pass on the skills you learn.

[Jmercier]

Is your move to worcester permanant? if so, check into the New England Blacksmiths. I'm 30 mins from worcester down 146 in Woonsocket RI myself. The NEB is a great group, has a lot of members all around new england, and has great get togethers.

The New England Blacksmiths' Spring Meet, Lincoln RI June 1-3 2007

Those are my pictures from the NEB Spring Meet 2 weeks ago in Lincoln RI (also a straight trip down 146 from worcester, 45 mins to an hour, and there are classes taught at the Hannaway shop there every weekend)

As for getting started, if youv'e got a scrap yard near you in NJ try to find a 50-75lb chunk of 4140 cutoff or something and that will make a great starter anvil. As for tools and material, there are plenty of thigns available even if you're not good at scrounging. If you cant find a crosspien at a flea market or the like, sears sells them new for 15$ for a 2.5lb one, and I use a craftsman 2.5lb cross pien for the vast majority of my work. If you cant find any scrap steel to use for stock to make your first pair of tongs or such, pick up a 4 foot section of 1/2" rebar at lowes or home depot for a $1.75 and that will forge into a pair of tongs easy enough, and leave enough steel for a few hooks and other projects.

[Rusty]

It's not permanent, it's for five years or so only, and I'll probably not have my own property (renting an apartment or something)- one of my reasons for getting on this board is to find a place around or outside Worcester where I can rent a space to set up a shop. That NEB event looks pretty great, I'll have to get in touch with you after I get myself moved.

[Michael]

http://hometown.aol.com/nicknaylo/images/forge2.jpg

Here's all I started with, 1 hammer, 75 # chunk of I beam for an anvil, brake drum forge, blower, water bucket, some coal.

[Jmercier]

Just to point out an anvil shaped object doesnt need to be anvil shaped at all.

http://www.tharkis.com/images/4140anvil1.jpg
http://www.tharkis.com/images/4140anvil2.jpg

That was a cutoff of 4140 which got some feet welded to it, and makes a great anvil, very very good rebound, and rings louder than my peter wright. Only 75lbs, but still great