Philip Simmons Artist-Blacksmith Guild of South Carolina

Welcome to I Forge Iron. Please post your events, hammer-ins, announcments etc here so others can keep up with what you are doing. You are encouraged to use this forum to stay in touch with your membership and talk with them about blacksmithing related material. You can place photos into your posts on the forum. Please use the "attach photos" button under the text block where you enter your post. You have a "members" folder under your name for the general photos from your organization. Please contact me when you have photos from your events, and I can set up a folder for that event in the gallery so all photos from that event are in one place for easy viewing. …

2nd Saturdays Blacksmith demonstrations at Roper Mountain Science Center, Greenville, SC, Anthony Palacino. contact.864 386-5546 3rd Saturdays Blacksmith demonstrations at Hagood Mill, Pickens, SC. Often, our own Griz Hockwalt. October Meeting: October 6 Todd Elder at his Columbia (the city) shop. State Fair October 12, 13, 14 John Tanner Contact Autumn on the Ashley Craft Fair at Magnolia Gardens. October TBD, Contact Ray Pearre. Colonial Days, Living History Park, October 20– 21, Barry Myers demonstrating. Myrtle Beach Renaissance Fair, November 10 (Marine Corps Birthday) and 11, Contact Ray Pearre. December Meeting: December 1, Lexington County Museum, …

I live in Spartanburg, SC and am looking at doing some hobby work in forging and casting. I've had 42+ years in Foundry Metallurgy ... from Al to Steels and green sand , no-bake to permanent mold. However, I've done only a little smithing and just built a mini forge to get back into thing. Going to Osteen's in Grenville to buy some coal. Osteen Coal 402 N Markley St Greenville, SC 864-370-1150

August Meeting Saturday 15 August 2015, 10:00 Location : 222 Broad St, Camden, SC 29020

I have a collection of hand forged locks, and would like to know more about them. mostly their intended aplication. Are they door locks? Does the lock fit in to a door or is it recessed in the wall? Are the locks even antique?

Frank Turley will be the teacher/presenter for Phlip Simmons Guild in Westminster, SC, January 11-12-13, 2013

i was at an old tractor day in saluda SC. the first sat. of this month there were 2 smiths from this guild there one had made a rr spike head in the shape of a cows head. the senior smith gave a buddy of mine the split head so he could try it. i was wondering if there would be any pictures of one to be able to be posted here as an idea for others

Just a note that Philip Simmons member Barry Myers, popped into Turley Forge Blacksmithing School for a visit July 3rd. Nice time; Southeast meets Southwest.

Has anyone tried the coal from Stalite company in Gold Hill, NC? It is in the March/April newsletter. I called Lee Brawley and he said it is low sulphur stoker coal. It is 178.00 per ton plus tax cash only. He will give a bucket or two to try before you buy.They use it in their process and he sells it to some local blacksmiths. He is going to get an analysis done. I will post it when I get it if anyone is interested.

I am traveling to Charleston, South Carolina this May 1st. What are the blacksmithing sites I should she when I'm there? What should I see when it comes to Philip Simmons blacksmithing?

Hey all, For those that haven't heard, I figured I would post our new website address for the guild... http://philipsimmonsartistblacksmithguild.com/ They did a bang up job on the site!

Considering the cost of a new anvil, I'm thinking I'll have to make due with the small anvil that I have for the time being. Sadly, the anvil has seen better days and the face needs some serious repair if I want to work on a reasonably flat surface. There doesn't appear to be much of the face plate left (in terms of thickness), and all of the edges are chipped, so I'm curious to know if anyone in the SC area has repaired an anvil with the hard-facing technique. I'm willing to travel a good bit to learn/help/watch/photograph the process, and will provide the materials for the project. Question is, is anyone experienced at this? How much would it cost, round about, …

We had a great meeting down in Charleston, at the Magnolia Gardens Plantation, I had a lot of fun helping Ray demo how to make a hammer and a fool out of one's self, thought i would post a picture of Me and Ray using a cupping tool and a drift that i made... special thanks to Ray for setting up and helping organize! we also had a good demo about forge welding and I learned a few things for sure. I have a bad memory with names and can't remember the gentleman who did that demo. maybe one of the members can post it for us...

This site has been incredibly helpful in stoking the fire I thought long dormant. After HS, I spent a bit of time working with a blacksmith in Georgia and I miss it more than I thought. It's been more years than I care to count since I last cranked up a forge, and I've long since gotten rid of the small amount of tools I had. But, I'm certainly keen to get back into the game. I'm halfway down by Lake Greenwood and am currently in search for another anvil while I build a gas forge. Soon, very soon..... Thanks for the inspiration, gents!

I have been trying to get an old CECO (Chambersburg )hammer (BLOWMATIC) erected.I have been able to get the machine on its feet, but struggling to make it work.The solenoid controlled Pneumatic system was not effective and the valve was refusing to move and the hammer kept swinging with no controls.i decided to set up a lever system pedal operated to make the valve work.I have fabricated all the parts and put them in place.I am not sure it will work.Look forward to any tips on this.

Hello, I am fairly new to blacksmithing, I have been playing around with it for about a year. I have a few questions: First, are there any smiths close by to me? I am located in Little Mountain SC. Were do you get your coal and your steel from? I just recently sent in my application for the guild, so I should be a member soon. I suppose I should show you some of my work. The following pictures are of a few things that I have made. Except for the power drill, I didn't use any electricity in the making of these. Also you can check out the blog that I am keeping at http://becomingabladesmith.wordpress.com/ Thanks for looking, I am very interested in th…

In 1985, having read John Vlach's account of Philip Simmons the Charleston Blacksmith, and while on vacation with my wife in the south we went to Charleston, SC to see and photograph(not a trivial task) the ironwork of that famous city. I had Vlach's book with me as a reference but on a whim I said to my wife do you think we could meet Philip Simmons. We found his address and went to the house and his wife most graciously sent us to the small shed in the backyard. There was Philip and a couple helpers. He immediately focused on Marj and I and asked us what he could do for us. I explained that I was beginning in black smithing and wanted to meet him. What followe…

It may not be my place to mention this, but Mr. Simmons past away June 22, 2009 he will be missed... Philip Simmons June 9, 1912- June 22, 2009

hey guys, we had a great demo at hillbilly day , I look forward to this event every year... Johnny and Jerry did a great job making a firepoker with a twisted handle and among other things several hooks and cowheads, etc... all in all we drew a crowd and had alot of fun.

hope to see all you guys at the June meeting this weekend. its in westminster which is only 10 miles from the house, a nice change gas prices being what they are...

Web page has been updated for the augest meeting Philip Simmons Artist-Blacksmith Guild of South Carolina. make it if you can all meetings are open for non members to attend as well.

Afternoon everyone- I'm in the Charleston area and need to know if there is a closer source for smithing coal to home than Centaur Forge. I don't have a bad taste in my mouth from buying from them, it's just the cost. I spent more in shipping from Wisconson than the xxxx bag cost! Maybe a place in N. Carolina? Thanks and have a good day.

Hello, my name is Matt and I am a student at Clemson University and an aspiring metalworker. I have very limited experience, I attended the Fine Arts Center of Greenville SC back in 2002, but have a strong desire to learn old methods of smithing and metal shaping. The work I did at the Fine Arts Center was all small scale jewelry work but my aspirations where always to one day work metal as they did in times of old. I was hoping that someone on the forum may have some advice as to how to begin my journey as well as possible blacksmiths in the upstate that may be seeking an apprentice/gopher that may be willing to allow me to observe and learn. Thanks and any information i…

The PSABG April meeting is going to be held at Jimmy Suggs forge in Ravenel SC. I was told at the February meeeting that Jerry Darnell would be the demonstrator. I will post more info on a date and directions when recieve it.

hey guys , sorry i couldnt make it to the meeting , the power hammer class tapped me of funds! anyhoo, anything good happen ? how was the demo?