Vincent.DeVito

I have a great little hand cranked forge and a terrific anvil, but sadly I don't have a place to set them up. I've done a few very basic projects at a friends house and really enjoyed the experience and immediately decided this is something I want to do. Right now Im at the point of gathering what I need to start at home as well as looking for classes in the area but need a little guidance.

Thank you everyone for your response, I guess the only way to know for sure is to try. I will ask around and see where other local smiths get their coal from. Thanks again.

I was wondering what type of coal is the best to forge with. We heat my house with a coal stove and buy coal in bulk for that purpose. I was told that coal comes in 3 sizes and that there are different types of coal with their own properties. I want to know if the coal we order for our stove is good to use in a forge or just generally what coal is preferred by blacksmiths. We get chestnut sized pieces and they are smooth in texture and shiny in appearance, Im not sure if that helps but thats all I know about it. Im sure the coal we get would be able heat the material but I don't want to use an inferior type that could cause problems with my forge or my work piece. Any advice or explanation on what coal to use and how to identify it would be very appreciated. Thank you very much.

Thanks guys, is there anyway outside of weighing it, that I can tell how heavy it is? And I sure will, I never realized it was that rusty. I assumed from the finish that it was cast but now I can tell you are quite right, I can't wait to see it all cleaned up!

I have recently gotten my hands on an Anvil that has been passed down through my family for years by non-blacksmiths. The last guy who had it spray painted it blue and there are 1 or 2 chips on it by the hardy hole but apart from that its in excellent condition. Can anyone give me any information about it?

Thanks a lot everyone, I will definitely do everything I can. I found a few places that teach beginners that are a little close to me [http://www.touchstonecrafts.com/] and [http://www.petersvalley.org].

thats awesome! thank you very much, I will definitely check that out!

thank you very much, will do!

Thank you very much, I will be sure to read it

Hello everyone, I am eagerly starting my explorations into the exciting world of blacksmithing, but admit that I feel kind of lost haha. I would be very appreciative to anyone who would grace me with some advice or tips. I am currently being given a free coal forge and anvil from a friend and family member so Im pretty excited right now, even if all I can make is a hook haha. Any advice on where to acquire more tools such as tongs or hardy attachments or anything I might need but do not know about would be very helpful. Thank you very much!:)