Newtotheforge Posted January 30, 2016 Share Posted January 30, 2016 I am completely new to smithing, (is that the correct term?) anyway, I was wondering a way to practice without a forge or heat source. I was thinking making a tight packed aluminum mild of some sort and using this for hammering. My mom has a kiln that she doesn't use anymore, but she will never let me use this. I have a soldering iron, could this help somehow? The Kiln reaches 1700' so it wouldn't be of much use anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Ivan Posted January 30, 2016 Share Posted January 30, 2016 Modeling Clay.I do test runs with it when I'm not sure how to work a project to figure it out. It works great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beammeupscotty Posted January 30, 2016 Share Posted January 30, 2016 Bottom line is no, there is no real substitute for forging. You could drive a lot of 16d nails to help your hammer accuracy but that's about it. You need a forge to learn to forge. A teacher helps alot too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted January 30, 2016 Share Posted January 30, 2016 Find a blacksmithing group or organization near you and go to the meetings. You will be exposed to and learn more in a day than you can ever imagine. Those are also the folks that have the tools you need to get started. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newtotheforge Posted January 30, 2016 Author Share Posted January 30, 2016 I live in an extremely small town, and the only blacksmiths are professionals that do private apprenticeships Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSW Posted January 30, 2016 Share Posted January 30, 2016 Take a minute and add your location to your profile. You might be amazed how many members are near by. Building a forge isn't all that hard to do. All you really need are some basic tools like a drill and a wrench and you can get started. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobody Special Posted January 30, 2016 Share Posted January 30, 2016 Heck, use of a shovel and a large hammer or block of iron for an anvil would get ya started. A lot of third world forges are made out of clay hearths or trenches with a way to get air in it. They're not nearly as fun to use, but they work. I started a few years ago, using a small trench in the ground, between a couple of cinderblocks with dirt piled over it and a hairdryer blowing air through a bit of pipe, duct taped to the dryer. First brake rotor forge was a big upgrade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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