firestarter246

Unfortunatly the anvil I hace come into pozetion of has the back end broke off so there is no hardy hole. Do you think a few plates from cross ties welded together and then to a metal table would do?

Must be lucky, thanks for the information about the drill hammer and the meetings. I don't know anyone with an anvil in their yard, couldn't have been town and well with all the back roads there is no telling where he might have found it or who you might see. If I had to guess, the only person I know who might have that would be Junkman(yes that's actually what we call him and with good reason)

Well in ALabama I know of a scrap yard in Fayette with plenty of stuff as well as the local junkman. He has plenty of stuff, ( last time I was there I think I saw 5 maybe 7 buses as well as several different types of metal you literally can't walk in his yard without stepping on metal ) there is no telling what you might find.

I bounce back and forth from Mobile and Fayette Al ( most of my work is done in Fayette )

Thank you all for the tips and information, I forgot to mention I have an anvil ( the back end is broken off but it still has the horn and a flat surface ) and I will try to find a lighter hammer. Unfortunately I have no teacher other than demonstrations on youtube and what ever I find with diagrams to make sure I understand. I am already looking for tools at yard sales and various other secondhand places. presently I am using railroad spikes to learn to shape the metal because I could pull about thirty out of cross ties around the house and they can be acquired cheep and in abundance. once I have improved my skill I plan to move onto quality metal.

Hello I am a beginner bladesmith and am asking if anyone knows where to find good tools, and what tools are recommended as well as any advice anyone might have for a beginner like myself. I currently have two 3 lb hammers(cross pein) and a 4 lb hammer I also have a pair of flat nib tongs that close to about 1/4 in. I am starting out working with 3/8 railroad spikes. Any information , advice, or help is greatly appreciated.

Thank you for the information

I'll keep that in mind. Bham is a ways farther than I'd like to go, but if the TS coal doesn't work out you just work with what you've got I guess. AS far as the anthracite coal is, I've heard it is hard to get going, and stay going, also that it doesn't coke well and is terrible for smithing. Thankyou for the information though

Hello, I am just starting out as a bladesmith and am in need of a steady supply of coal. So far I have only been able to find coal at about $1 per lb with shipping. I am located in the mobile area and am looking to get about three months worth of coal at a time. I have seen that tractor supply sells anthracite coal at about $6 per 50 lb bag but I have mixed feelings on anthracite coal because from everything I have read some people love it and others hate it. any information would be helpful thank you for your help and time