Volundir

Thanks for all the help! I finally got fed up with trying to make my own belt grinder so I bought one and got it all setup. Now I'm looking at some small projects to work towards like kitchen knives and maybe a straight razor. So hopefully before long I'll have some pictures coming up of some projects!

Hey all! I've been looking locally for some metal stock and unfortunately of the numerous places I've called here in Fort Smith, Arkansas none of them have tool steels or I'm ignorant as to what I should be asking for. So I'm not turning to online sources and to purchase some online. Does anyone have experience with online ordering or recommendations for good companies? Thanks, Jacob

Once I draw it out will it be manageable to work? Or will it be the same struggle from start to finish?

I think my Anvil is 125# (It came mounted to a heavy duty iron pole welded to a truck wheel and all the writing has rubbed off) so it is mounted securely. I could probably grab some one and get a sledge, but at the moment it would probably just be easier to get the metal I can solo work. (Small world! I know there is a lot of smiths up in NWA but I haven't run into any here in the Fort yet)

Greetings IForgeIron friends. I'm new to blacksmithing and but I've been lurking on the forums here for about a year now and learned a lot from you guys, so thanks! But I've come across an issue and I'm not sure what is wrong. So I found it is time for me to join in, and hopefully some one will impart their wisdom upon me. I've got most of my shop put together, I built myself a propane forge, I've got a decent starting anvil. I've managed to do several small projects with smaller metals and things like RR spikes. Recently though I acquired a leaf spring from a semi trailer. I cut a few pieces off with torch. My main goal was to just draw the pieces out first into something of workable size. But much to my chagrin they are incredibly resistant to my attempts. I'm using a 2.5lb hammer (which my only guess is I might just need to get a bigger one) but after heating it to white hot and pounding on it I'm barely putting a dent in it. Am I just a wimp and need to grow my beard out more? Thanks again for any advice!