tomcellwheel

any chance of getting some pictures of that forge?

Mrs. Karen's post is 100% true, I couldn't agree more. I always wanted to learn blacksmithing, but I could never have imagined learning so much (and this is only a very very very small fraction) from one person in a week. Had I tried to learn blacksmithing on my own, it may have (I like to think it wouldn't have been, but could have possibly) been something I'd do for a while, and get tired/frustrated with and quit sometime later. Working with Mr. Brian and getting to experience blacksmithing through his ways, I was blown away. I'm a slow learner, but I (eventually) got everything to my liking with some time. He told me many a times that by helping me, he is helping himself. I didn't really get what he meant by it until a week or so later after working with him. I believe thats what he is doing here. He definitely is not someone to advertise himself/his products (You'd know that just by meeting him). Keep up the great work Brian, I do hope to see you and Mrs. Karen again! -Joseph

Well, I've been lurking around and I'm surprised I haven't come across this thread earlier. (Guess I've been stuck looking at everyeone's anvils on the anvil topic haha) Brian's Hardie tools do indeed work wonders. He gave me a few before my departure of working with him, and (sadly) I've been able to use them a few times with a friend who has a forge and anvil. An update to Brian: My father goes to court this month to see if we can keep the house. I have not been allowed to purchase/set up anything to do with blacksmithing until he knows if we can stay. If we can stay, I'll be contacting Mr. Jerry about getting a forge made, and I'll try and find someone who will let me borrow his truck for a weekend to see if I can get up there to get that stump from you! I miss swinging my hammer terribly, but I know everyday that goes by is just another day closer to being able to do so.

Brian: Thank you, I had remembered about the vice the morning after I returned. Perhaps I can get Mr. Jerry to let me borrow one until next time Mike: I know exactly what you mean. I too am happy to have started early, and am eager to keep practicing. I know its going to be a bit slow going with all the events (graduation/college) coming up, but once I get settled I'll really start cracking down on it I think the funniest thing is when I show friends what I made, they respond "Ohh, make me a sword!" I find it quite funny.

Thanks Phil! I'll be sure to do that! I'll let you know if I have any luck :D

Myloh- Definitely! Bentiron- Well almost every guy loves fire and banging with hammers....I suppose mine is just a stronger love is all Frosty- On my way to town today I actually saw several houses with stumps, I may go stop by a few and see if they would let me have it if I find a way to remove it. My only problem would be is they appear to be short somewhat.

No doubt Sam! I'm trying to find someone who may have a stump I can use, and looks like I may have found it. I'll find out more tomorrow; then its just to get a forge set up.

Hey everyone, you guys may remember me from a little while back. Well, I have been on spring break this past week; and as stated in the last thread, I'd rather be forging than be on a beach. And I did just that. I took classes from Monday-Friday with Mr. Brian Brazeal, as I'm sure you all know him by now. He is a great instructor (I learned to not use the word "Teacher", right Brian?) and I strongly recommend anyone wanting to take classes with him to do so. You will not be disappointed. Brian helped me make a hammer at the LAMA event in Louisiana...Prior to that I had never done any blacksmithing at all; so basically I still had no experience on arrival. I got to his home around noon Monday, and after a quick bite to eat we set out immediately to start forging. After alot of clay time/horse head practicing/ and pine tar, I learned more than I could have ever imagined. Leaves (my current favorite), flowers (Not at all good with those haha), horse heads, trivots (my second favorite), and even started learning how to make a pair of tongs (that was a doozy). Mr. Lyle came by every day, and gave me a few tips/tricks as well, which helped my horse heads actually look more like horse heads, haha. Brian also made many tools (including one I can use as an anvil, as soon as I find a tree stump) for me which I am very grateful for. I will be trying to upload pictures soon, but Lyle may beat me to it. This has definitely been one of my best (if not the best) spring breaks I've had. Thank you again Mr. Brian, I greatly appreciate all the help you gave a young beginner.

I'd really appreciate that Brian! I'll put in the days for work today. Would arriving Sunday evening be alright?

Haha, Frosty, that is a great (and fun) idea! I'll have to remember that! So, about the LAMA event....basically, it was a blast. My roomate thought I'd give out after being there a few hours, but I must say; even after the 13 hour day, I was still craving more. In all, I made 2 steak-flips, and of course the hammer with Brian's help. I am still checking craigslist for possible anvil postings, and still waiting on news to get back in my house so I can start forging. General things of what I learned at LAMA event: 1) Hot metal = burned finger. 2) Copper is good conductor of heat. 3) Tongs take practice. 4) Blacksmiths are the best group of people I've ever met. 5) Its harder than it looks. 6) Hammer control requires alot of practice. 7) Just have fun. 8) Much, much more. Spring break is next week, and I am hoping to get in contact with one of our local blacksmiths who seems to be willing to help me learn some more. As I said earlier, I'd choose a day/week of blacksmithing over a day/week on the beach.

brian: figured out why you didnt get my mail... your mailbox appears to be full if its not against the rules, ill put address here (if it is glenn, just please edit, but get it to Mr. Brian if you don't mind) 3835 Webby Road Abbeville Louisiana, 70510

hey everyone, im sorry i havent been able to update you guys. We have had some trouble with our internet provider as of late, so i have not been able to have any internet access at all (im actually on my phone at the moment)...my apologies to everyone, hopefully ill be able to get it back up soon. brian: if i were on spring break id rather be swinging a hammer than being on a beach . i also tried sending you a mail a day or so ago, but im not certain if it went through? the hammr looks great! thanks again for all the help, couldnt have had a better time/start. ill try re-sending my address, sorry for making you wait so long! its been killing me not to talk to all of you guys, and of course not being able to try out my hammer! ill talk to you all soon!

Well if I can Frosty, it will be a phone video, but I guess thats still better than nothing eh? ;)

Well guys, I got out to the LAMA event at 7:45 this morning. It is 10:30 at night now. And I absolutely loved every minute of it. Brian is a great demonstrator, and though I didn't get to make a hammer with him today (Perhaps tomorrow ) I did get to make two steak-flips (I'll try and get some pictures up within the next couple of days) which I had a blast making. I started off a bit slow, but I think I'm getting the hang of it...and even if I'm not that great, its still something I definitely want to do. I do hope I'm able to scrounge up another $150 or so for this blacksmith set someone is selling, then I can get right into it! I'll blog either tomorrow or Monday, I would do it now but its been a long day and another early start tomorrow...and I can't wait.

Thanks Sam! I must agree with you, it almost seems like to much good to just be a coincidence. I can't wait for Saturday, since that will be my real first experience. I will definitely update you guys on how much I like it. Grant: Hold it in my friend! haha Frosty: Indeed, the universe is quite wondrous.

Everyone has their days Frosty! Haha And thank you, good to hear that I fit in!

Thank you Kevan, I appreciate the compliment. I always try to be kind and humble, since (even though it may seem silly) the golden rule really applies to me. I'd like everyone to treat me kindly, so thats how I try to treat others. Again, thank you!

Heya Matt, thanks for the idea! I may very well try that out if I can...and if not I may still try the cart idea. I need to talk to the landlord again and see if I can convince him (or maybe a neighbor) to allow me to start forging.

Hey Brian, what time are those classes? I can't seem to find the times on the LAMA site. I may have work Friday, and depending on the time Thursday, I should be able to make it out to that one. No matter what though, I'll definitely be there Saturday and Sunday.

Dave: Looks like I missed the blower, but I can't be to bummed considering it was pick-up only. I'll keep my eyes open though, thanks! I'll also contact some of the scrapyards around here (There are about 5 or 6 in Lafayette, so maybe I'll have some luck. NakedAnvil: You would think I'd be able to find a place quite easily huh?!?! Haha, thats what I thought too. No, no girlfriend at the moment. Perhaps if I learn enough to make some "pretty" items, I can find one eh? Yes, coffee here is something special! And have not started the blog yet, but definitely will this Saturday! Bill: I'm excited that another member is coming to the event! I look forward to meeting you!

Well, I haven't even started forging; so my input may not be of value to you. I do do alot of reading however, and I hear to AVOID AVOID AVOID centaur forge. Now, I don't have any experience with them, but just about every article I've read is that its either very cheaply made (A few missed hammer blows apparently cracks the surface of the anvil) and there have been a few articles that say the advertised make of the anvil was not true (Such as a wrought iron anvil being cast). Plus a 35 lb. is pretty light if you plan on heavy use, don't you think? I too am looking for my first anvil, but I'd rather save the $160 you have and get a 100# plus for $300 or more. Better to get you a good anvil for a bit higher price than something you may need to get rid of in a couple years. Good luck to us both in our anvil finding! Joseph

Indeed it is Frosty! I didn't know what to call it myself haha. I usually always have something to write on, so I'll be sure to do so while learning. I'll have to look around the few close towns and see if they have anything like that, would be nice if I could learn that way too. I'll keep my eyes open. Dave, I sure wish I could learn blacksmithing as my life's work. Unfortunately, my family would more than likely disown me if I would do such a thing...but I have a feeling I'll be doing something like that one day in the future. Also, yes, a good friend of mine works as a Welder, so if I can't get it done free I can definitely get it done cheap. Would the steel need to be ordered, or would a run to the junkyard provide me with what I need? Any recommended plans? I was looking at the "Cart Setup" which a simple travel to Lowes would set me up. Only problem would be a good air source, considering I don't have one of those nice air blowers like on your trailer haha.

Thanks Nakedanvil, I didn't even notice. Still looks like I have a little to learn about the site as well! I'll definitely will do that!

Haha, thanks Dave! You could have fooled me about only having 4 years experience; your past video seemed to prove otherwise anyway. I still have to get my "shop" up and running somewhere before I can even begin, but I guess I can say I'm getting a good push with the meeting with Brian this coming up weekend. Its unfortunate my "landlord" won't allow me to make a forge on the property. Just gotta keep my fingers crossed about this house ma pa is looking at. Also guys, this may seem a tad nerdy of me, but I think I'm going to get my a type of journal to write down everything I do in blacksmithing starting this weekend with my first experience. That way, I can always recall the little mistakes, and keep myself motivated for the next project. Also, it never hurts to see how much I progress, eh?

Thanks for the encouragement Rokshasa! Definitely alot of encouragement on the site, and I'm sure I'll receive more out side of it once I am able to start practicing the art. (People at school tend to think I'm crazy for wanting to do such a thing, but I guess you just really have a love/respect for blacksmithing to appreciate it). I'm checking craigslist everyday in hopes of finding an anvil, and once I have a place to put a forge, I'll start on building one. I will definitely try and take a class or two from Brian if I can get enough work in these next few weeks to afford it. I've got alot to learn, and I can't wait to be able to start practicing. Thanks for the books too!