Question

[Drenched_in_flame]

Hi. I am new to the whole prospect of blacksmithing, infact, im still gathering materials and getting ready to put a forge together, and i was just wondering if anyone had any tips or "heads ups" for me before i get started.

[rmcpb]

Read all the Getting Started articles off the front page, check out the Blueprints and find a local group if there is one close.

Other than that, welcome to IFI

[Ratel10mm]

Welcome to IFI. I second what Rob says, but I'd also:

Look into weekend or short courses if you're an absolute beginner - I found doing a coiple of them gave me a real boost compared with trying to do it on my own.

[triw]

Drenched where are you located? If you would please go to your profile and update it with your location there might be some close by who could give you a hand.

[Aeneas]

See if there is a blacksmith association locally that you can join - like ABANA. It's a great place to meet other smiths, get pointers, courses, and maybe a good deal on some used equipment. You may even find someone to take you under their wing and show you some of the basics.

BTW - click on the "User CP" button at the top of your screen and fill in your location on your profile. That way we can see where you're from - someone online may be in your area.

Good luck - have fun - keep hammerin'.
Your gonna like it here.

Aeneas

[Drenched_in_flame]

thanks for the tips ill check in to it

[CurlyGeorge]

DIF, check out a book called DIY, Backyard Blacksmithing, by Lorelei Sims. The book can be found on ebay. I know the gal. She lives about 30 miles from me. My wife and I took a short road trip and saw her shop and got a copy of the book. It has a lot of good info in it. Also read any Blacksmithing books you can. Welcome to IFI. It's a GREAT community.

[civilwarblacksmith]

DIF, another great book for beginning smiths and a fairly easy read is The Blacksmith Primer. It is put in the format for a beginning smith. We highly recommend this book to our students.

[inazuma_x]

Originally Posted by CurlyGeorge

DIF, check out a book called DIY, Backyard Blacksmithing, by Lorelei Sims. The book can be found on ebay. I know the gal. She lives about 30 miles from me. My wife and I took a short road trip and saw her shop and got a copy of the book. It has a lot of good info in it. Also read any Blacksmithing books you can. Welcome to IFI. It's a GREAT community.

i 2nd that! is quite a good beginner's book...nice color pictures too...unlike all the black n white stuff in MOST blacksmithing manuals...i dunno...not a big thing but i did find it nice for a change...

one thing i did notice too...she's got some huge biceps on her :P

[CurlyGeorge]

inazuma, She does have that, and she is a very knowledgeable smith. Very friendly and polite.