newbie blacksmith needs help

[wrenzac]

hi im a 16 year old wannabe blacksmith i recently watched videos on youtube about blacksmithing like knives and cool stuff like that i need help can someone give me some ideas about prices for safety gear or smithin' equipment thanks. ps my price range can vary due to the fact i earn 30 pounds a week roughly 60 usd thanks and im in england so aquireing the materials may be a little more difficlt.

[philip in china]

Where are you in England? You migt find a member here quite close to you.

If you really are interested you will find a lot of us will do what we can to help you.

[wrenzac]

im currently in the town of slough about a 1hour drive to london and a 5 min drive to windsor

[John B]

Hi, welcome to the world family of blacksmithing, be a little careful of what you see on you tube as there are some dangerous practices going on by so called blacksmiths out there.

I would suggest you need safety glasses, and a leather apron to protect you and your clothing from the heat and hot metal, a leather welders apron is adequate and can be purchased reasonably from a welding suppliers as can the safety glasses, wear stout leather shoes/boots (with steel toecaps preferably) and non flammable clothing.

Look on Blacksmiths Guild Home for some ideas on what we suggest people wear on courses,( or in there own workshops) bare legs, trainers and fleeces are not a good idea.

You should be able to find local blacksmiths around Slough that may be able to help you, if you look at the IForgeIron website gallery it will give you some ideas as to what useful tools look like, and then you can look for tools like them at bootsales etc.

If you contact Vaughns by email and request a catalogue and price list, they will send you a cd with all their items on, then you will start to recognise useful blacksmithing tools, you can make all your own tools when you are started, so don't think you have to buy tools their email is sales@anvils.co.uk

Don't be afraid to ask questions, the people on this site have a wealth of experience, and are very willing to help.

Good luck with the future, and enjoy yourself.

[longhunter]

Hopefully someone here that is close to you will give you some help and may let you visit and teach you. A local blacksmith group if there is one around you would be a good place to make some contacts and maybe there will be some good used tools and gear you can start out with.

[ThomasPowers]

Don't forget to check out BABA, British Artist Blacksmith Association, Welcome to the British Artist Blacksmiths Association

[Glenn]

IForgeIron.com > Lessons in Metalworking > Blacksmithing > LB0002 Safety

Make a list of all the body parts you can do without. It is up to you to protect everything not on the list. Personal Safety is just that ---> your personal dedication to YOUR personal safety.

[wrenzac]

cool thanks very much guys got alot of planning and saving to do

zac

[Sam Thompson]

Hi Wrenzac,

At your age there are all kinds of training grants etc. available. You will probably be able to find funding for full or part-time courses and may be able to get a modern apprenticeship; try pestering local small firms for a job.
Although you can make most of your tools you will need a decent anvil, and somewhere to work. It would be advisable to find someone to let you 'have a go' so that you can get an idea of what suits you and come to understand how a forge works. You will then be able to build your own.
If you're really serious try: Hereford College of Art and Design - Artist Blacksmithing BA(Hons)

Regards, Sam

[wrenzac]

cool thanks for all the tips guys but because im in full time education i dont have the time for courses. Ive looked for local blacksmiths but ive currently had no joy. so, what im going to do is keep my eyes open on the forums for resonably local blacksmiths who may be willing to show a newbie blacksmith the ropes and start purchasing equipment .

Zac