Just wanted to check in and say hi. I'm just starting down this path and, as my first blog entry says, I have yet to hit hot metal with a hammer. I am, however, 'packing for the trip' as they say.
Got a great deal on a forge table with fire brick/clay and heavy duty tuyere, and a Buffalo 200 14in blower. Also, set up a small forge in an old bbq lined with firebrick, with plumber's pipe for the tuyere. Grabbed some basic hammers from the TSC (3lb cross peen and sledge), and picked up a 1(+?)lb hammer head at a local auction for $2. Scrap steel/metal (ensuring none galvanized)..check. Pliers and vise grips until I make my tongs (or acquire cheaply at auction..)..check. Safety gear..check. Big ol' tub for quenching..check.
Several pieces of industrial rail line for my anvil(s)..but need to get the top(s) milled and a horn shaped. And that's about all my budget is going to allow this month (or so!) Have to grab some coal yet(though some of my research tells me that pure hardwood lump charcoal will do..if a little 'sparky'). (oh..got a great big 20 year old hardwood stump for my anvil, some asbestos board, old rail spikes all thrown in to the blower/forge table deal for free too!!)
I'm armed with (and have read some of) the soft copies of:
Farm Blacksmithing
Basic Blacksmithing - Local Materials
Blacksmiths Manual Illustrated
The Blacksmiths Craft - 1952
and of course The Modern Blacksmith - Alexander G. Weygers
Made contact with 2 local smiths personally and will be looking to get involved in any hammer-ins, monthly meetings etc. that I can find.
Excited, obsessed, and raring to go!
Can't wait to dig in to all this site has to offer...and someday perhaps add something to the deep pool of knowledge already here.
Thanks for letting me in! (ok..I was going to elbow my way in anyway..)
Looking forward to sharing this passion with you all.
Cheers!
Matt