Newbie questions

[Mr. Smith]

Hello

I'm a 13 year old boy embarking on the exciting adventure of blacksmithing. I have read many articles and a few books on this interesting craft so I know the basics. Naturally, I still have a few questions. It would be greatly appreciated if you answer some.

Thanks, Mike

1. Will it be ok if I use an open-air shop? I'm planning on making it roughly 15ft x 20ft with only a roof overhead.

2. What kind of anvil should I get?

3. For some reason I can't wrap my head around quenching. Could somebody explain it?

4. Any tips you want to tell a begginer like me :)

[ThomasPowers]

1 An open air shop is preferred most places except in winter.

 

2 remember that a big hunk of metal has been used for anvils over 10 times longer than the "london pattern" anvil has been.  I'd advise  spending very little and getting a chunk of used forklift tine and use it for an anvil while waiting for a great deal on a london pattern anvil.  (See "Living Treasures of Japan"  National Geographic Society program, the sword smithing scene for a good example of what a simple anvil can look like)

 

3 It's simple!  Steel at room temperature has a Body Centered Cubic crystalline form, when you heat it over the austenitizing temperature it switches to Face Centered Cubic allowing Carbon atoms to move to different places in the crystal lattice.  If you then cool it fast the carbon atoms get trapped "out of place" in the crystalline lattice and so form "speed bumps" not allowing atoms to slide past one another, (which is called deformation), this equates to greater hardness.

SO 1 You must have enough carbon in the alloy; 2 You must heat it to the correct temperature; 3 You must cool it fast enough to trap the carbon atoms out of place. 4: It gets hard!  Now Hard == Brittle so you then want to heat it to a lower temp, (usually 1000 degF lower!), to trade a bit of the hardness for toughness. This is call Tempering or "drawing temper" on a piece.  Note you shouldn't worry about this till you get a handle on basic smithing of low carbon steels.

 

4  Smithing is definitely something that you learn through PRACTICE!  Get a 20' stick of hot rolled 1/4" mild steel or A-36 and make the entire thing into S hooks and drive hooks; then you should have more hammer control and stamina and have more questions to ask...

[JimsShip]

Hello there Mr. Smith.

If you take a moment and read the "sticky" on getting started, you will find most questions have been answered for you right there!

Having an open air shop is not a problem unless you leave all your equipment out in the rain. (I drag all my stuff out and tuck it back into my garage when I forge.)

 

As far as the anvil, you can use any hard surface, a rock, an upended railroad tie, or any other hard surface you can think of. as long as the metal is hot and soft, it will yeild to the blow of the hammer.

 

Quenching-, well that's a bit more complicated and has also been covered to some extent.
Use the search bar, and you'll find all sorts of answers!

 

Have fun!

 

How do you use wood for an anvil? please explain

[Mr. Smith]

Thank you. I didn't notice the search bar haha!

[njanvilman]

The above answered quenching as it pertains to heat treating higher carbon steel.  Quenching is also as simple as cooling all or part of the steel that you have heated up.  You will have to figure out what kind of forge you will use....coal/gas/ torch?  

 

Spend a rainy day or week reading all you can on this site, and find some good books about blacksmithing.  NJBA runs an open forge for members in Howell Tnsp. most Monday nights.  If you can get a ride down here, we usually have some member present who can start you on the basics.  You will have to join $20/year) to work and be covered by insurance.  Its a long learning curve.  Most of us that do not forge for a living are continually learning new things no matter how long we have been at it.

 

Also, one of the posts above refereed to using a railroad tie for an anvil.  A railroad tie is the wood part under the track.  You want a piece of railroad rail.  If you make it down to an open forge, let me know.  I have a piece of track I will lend you or sell to you for scrap price.  But remember, you will still need tongs, hammers, a forge and fuel, and metal stock to practice with. 

[Mr. Smith]

I'm going to be using a coal forge. And that open forge sounds really cool! I live near Howell so I may take a ride up there soon. Thanks for the offer of the rail, I'll let you know when I go.