VashTheStampede

thanks guys. will definitely see what i can dig up for free/cheap. :)

OK guys, i have one more quick question! It was suggested that i stay away from cast iron. How about cast steel, especially for a little 15lb anvil for the kind of little tool work i will be dong? Found some on Ebay and i will continue looking for others. I am new to my area so im not sure what machine shops there are. but im going to try to see if i cant just get a nice chunk of steel instead. will see but i need a plan b. Thanks!

oh, if thats all then its old news. thanks for all the help guys. i'm getting quite excited. now i gotta go gather everything up.

Thanks for the feedback guys. I will see what's in my area as far as machine shops. And i will be sure to post some pictures once i have some new tools made. (if you are lucky, i will even post the flops. )

while i am on the subject of newb qustions, does anyone have an entry level anvil they would suggest? i found this one: Northern Industrial Tools Cast Iron Anvil 55-Lb. |Anvils | Northern Tool + Equipment and it seems it would work for what i will be doing but i am more than open to any suggestions.

super. Thanks. In all honesty i like just making things. Blacksmithing may end up being another tool to do just that. but i have to be honest... i dont get the bit about the marble. (I'm at the younger end of the specturm, would that be the reason?)

Wow, thanks guys. i have some reading to do. the "bean can" forge is similar to what is used for Raku pottery. very intersting. i KNOW i could make that one. will have to read up on the others. Thanks for responding to my question so... nicely. Always been intersted in blacksmithing, but at this point I'm trying hard to keep from adding it to my rather long list of hobbies. Hoping to keep it simply to tool making... :)

Howdy guys and gals~ I am looking to do a bit of "blacksmithing" to support another hobby and I have a real quick question for you all. First, the other hobby: I sculpt with polymer clays. I would like to design/create more tools, as those I have don't always meet my needs. I could go and buy some nice sets but again, I'm not guaranteed to have what I want/need. So why not have some fun making my own? (I am prepared for failures and doing things over a few times ) I would like to make these tools using steel rod. My question is this: if I am using 1/8 inch