parrish654

Hey fella's I am new to the art and would appreciate any coaching you would be able and willing to share. First, I need to know just what coke is and what is it for? also I need to understand what, if any, are the differences between fluxes. any help is greatly appreciated and if you would like to talk personally I would be willing to share my personal e-mail and or phone number. Thanx, Robert P.

hadn't thought of it that was as i am just starting out. perhaps i didn't understand. sorry if i misled anyone. thank you Thomas. Robert.

sounds like a very good collection of books. would you recommend them to a starter or is it more for the advanced?

The blacksmith by Aldren A. Watson 1977 (A. K. A.) The villiage blacksmith original printing 1917 ISBN 0-393-32057-X 171 pages of most informative writing. It was a pleasure to read, and easy too, considering it was written first in 1917. This was the first book I tried to find after reading The blacksmith's craft and couldn't figure out why I could not find it. Little did I know it had been published under a different name. So if you have tried to find it and couldn't, this is probably why. I highly recommend it.::D

I'm writing this thread because I found one on his complete modern blacksmith but not the old one from 1974.Pretty good book by Alexander G. Weygers. it is 96 pages of informative writing, however, a little boring. I found myself trying to read ahead so I could keep from getting tired of it. I persavered and was glad I did. Oh, by the way, the ISBN of this book is 0-442-29636-1

My VERY first book. It was knowing that it was written by a fellow Hollister Missourian that first drew me to it. As I sat and read it I was unsure that this would be a move that I would like. I had been a welder for 17 years and just was tired of it. This book changed my mind, and my life.

my copy is only 203 pages. It is his 1977 edition, with a good look at the artistic artwork of Samuel Yellin, which I found a little profound. one of my first books as well. If you are interested in the '77' edition it's ISBN is 0-87857-186-8 and 0-87857-195-7 paperback.

53 pages of great information. good for someone who wants to get started, as well as advanced, I would think.

couldn't agree more, I myself am a budding new artist and found my copy on fetchbook.com for about $7.00 and found that had I had this book first, I may not have purchased my other books. It is concise and crystal clear as well as very attention holding. I am on my 3rd day of reading and am just about 1/2 way through it, I steal away at work and at home just to have a few more moments with it, I can't put it down. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT to any one who has ever entertained the thought of getting involved with the art.

Practical Blacksmithing By- M. T. Richardson ISBN: 0-517-25025x 5 volumes in one cover volume 1-224 pages volume 2-262 pages volume 3-307 pages volume 4-306 pages volume 5-276 pages This is a very informative book, if you want to build and lay out complete buggy manufacturing shops and want to read some VERY articulate descriptions on the subject. It does get better as you read further into the 2nd thru the 5th volumes, but still rather dry, as it was written originally in parts starting in 1889, 1890 and 1891 and was edited by the author himself. It has many illustrations and could be helpful to someone who isn't just starting out as myself. My problem was that I was a welder for 18 years and still couldn't follow his train of thought on how to manipulate the iron. :confused:

Hello, my name is Robert and I am in northeastern Arkansas. I am not as yet active in the art of blacksmithing, however, I am hoping to have my smithy up and running by late spring in "10" if all goes well. I have recently made my first 2 purchases of a 10# anvil I bought on e-bay and a 55#er which came from Harbour freight, it is made in china. But anyway, I am planning on a 20x30 shop with a permanent forge built of rock and fire-brick. I have recently bought a book on how to build a bellows, so if anyone has any helpful info, I would be much appreciative. I am trying to go as primitive as possible. I also need a good source of bitumous coal of a good grade that can be had in north-eastern Ark. and south-eastern Mo. if any-one can help. Thanx and looking forward to meeting some of you online and in person as well, I hope. your comrade Robert P.