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Buy a copy of Randy McDanie's "Blacksmithing Primer" You have time to read it two or three times before your class starts. Randy will guide you thru some basic tool making. There are many other fine beginner's books out there and some of our posters will no doubt prefer one of them but for your first book, this is my reccommendation. You also have time to check in with some local smiths who can steer you to some meetings in you area. Welcome aboard and good luck.

Pits, Pits, Pits

Cows, Cows, Cows

Bowl, Bowl, Bowl

Toil, Toil, Toil

Some people consider a pickup truck as a "tool", others consider it a status symbol. Guess which one is likely to pay more for their "ride". If you want a servicable tool to get to work with, check out some of the more modern versions of anvils from one of the vendors that are easy to find on the web. If you buy a new anvil, you don't have to worry about condition, past abuse, or current value. If you want to be a collector (and there's certainly nothing wrong with being a collector), then be prepare to do your homework and compete with those who are prepare to pay unrealistic prices for their purchases.

Wail, Wail, Wail

Pain, Pain, Pain

hems, hems, hems

Leap, Leap, Leap

Welcome Amy. Thanks for joining in.

Deal, Deal, Deal

Neap, as in neap tide.

Tell, Tell, Tell

Bale, Bale, Bale

Welcome, Travis. Good to have you aboard.

Bend, Bend, Bend

Mind, Mind, Mind

Mint, Mint, Mint

Thanks, John, for the review. I've seen this book before but don't have it. You have gotten me into gear so I can add it to my library next week.

OK, John, once more....go to [ABANA] The Artist Blacksmith's Association of North America, Inc. and click on the affiliates button. They are listed in alphabetical order AND the ones close to you may not start with "N" (for New Jersey). Look thru the affiliates, jot down a list of those that you think may be close to you, and contact them (there will be contact info in the listing for the affiliate).

Pint, Pint, Pint

Want, Want, Want

What did I learn the hard way? That a length of pipe that has been torch cut will shrink as it cools (I knew that). If you cut the saddles so that they are tight against the pipes that they fit between, they should hold the horizontal pipe long enough for you to get the ends welded (I knew that). If you have them tight enough so that you have to use a good sized hammer to get them level, they are tight enough (I knew that). If you hammer one in position late in the afternoon (but don't weld it) and then come back the next morning, it turns into a guillotine that can get you a new thumbnail (I didn't know that, but now I do).

Pain, Pain, Pain