Jerry V

Mr. Crabtree I fully realize that this isn't what you want to hear. Leave the money in your college fund. Yes, there's a metalworking program at SIU-Edwardsville. You might also want to look at the Ornamental Ironworking program at the American College of the Building Arts in Charleston, SC. Pretty amazing program there, taught by many full time smiths, including Philip Simmons (talk about a living connection to our trade's past) and Jay Close, as well as others whose names escape me. I'd give my eye teeth to teach there -- and tried -- but couldn't even get past the door for an interview. Because even though I've got many years experience in the trade, most of it full time, most of it teaching the public, plus additional experience teaching other subjects, as well as gigs as a guest speaker in a couple colleges -- I don't have a degree. DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU. You mentioned wanting to maybe take a business course to teach you how to effectively run a business. There is no such course. You need to take several courses...and find a mentor, and still stumble and make mistakes and learn from them. You'll need to take courses that you don't want to -- trust me, I did not want to take macroeconomics or art history. Both have had positive impacts on my careers (though I have to think hard about the positive impacts of macroecon...they're there, don't get me wrong, just have to think what they are :mrgreen: ) Please don't misunderstand, I fully support your goal of becoming a full time professional blacksmith. There's no reason that getting a degree will stand in the way of that goal. Getting the education can only make your life easier. There are other ways to get money for tools. You've got a pretty decent set up now. Gas forges can be helpful for production -- you can work multiple pieces in the fire with less concern about burning them up. But they aren't essential. A power hammer -- air or mechanical would be a good addition -- you'll also need a compressor if you go with a utility air hammer. I'd also add a drill press to your list. Depending on what you want to focus on, an ironworker might come in handy.

The Great Chain was stretched across the Hudson River from West Point to Constitution Island. I don't know if Benedict Arnold was in command of West Point when it was installed; however, apparently a description of it was included with the information he leaked to the British at the time of the Betrayal. Reportedly, some of it is either displayed or stored today at the US Military Academy in West Point. Cool idea.

Look for a section of crane rail, if you can find it. "Face" is generally flatter, its harder and stouter than RR rail. I've used a chunk for a few years when teaching as an "extra" student anvil...had more than 1 real blacksmith like it well enough to offer to trade a "real" anvil for it. One of these lifetimes, I'll agree to the swap.

Southern Illinois University -- Carbondale comes to mind quickly. The Crucible in San Francisco (?). Virginia Commonwealth University has forging as part of their metals and sculpture programs (plus its in Richmond, within very easy reach of all of the really cool smithing of all stripes in Virginia, and easy reach of everything East Coast). The American College of the Building Arts in Charleston, SC has a very interesting ornamental ironworking program (even if they didn't hire me...hmmph :wink: ) There are others... Obviously, I'm in the "save your money/get an education" camp. But not just a smithing education. If you're going to be self-employed, remember...you're running a business. You need to know HOW to run a business. Seems obvious, yes? Yet it's something we see time and again...artisans and artists who are very good at their craft...yet don't know how to run a business, and fall on their face as a result. You need to get an education in business....not necessarily as a major, could be a minor or you could just take courses and workshops. As a foundation, I'd recommend -- Principles of Accounting (both semesters) Principles of Marketing Small Business Management Business Law Principles of Federal Taxation Can you fail even with the education? Yes, but you improve your chances of succeeding with it. Just my 2 pesos...

Hi! Welcome!

Sweat is my friend. Cotton clothing is good...linen and hemp are even better, though pricier. After blacksmithing for a third of my life, mostly in the South, my body's conditioned itself to pump out a LOT of sweat whenever I start doing most any manual labor, thereby saturating my clothes, turning them into basically an air conditioner. Which isn't that great during the winter...but makes summer a lot more bearable. I find that a cotton or linen do-rag or bandana does a good job of keeping the sweat out of my eyes without trapping too much heat in (they don't tend to get as sweat soaked on the top of my head...maybe after I lose a little more hair that'll change).

Ah ha! So THAT'S why you sold me your small MIG welder! As someone with no welding experience when I acquired it, I still make lousy welds with it. But they stick, and are getting better. Sort of. As much as I hate to do it :wink: I have to agree with Ed, a torch would be a good first choice, if only because of it's versatility. Not that I followed the advice, please understand, just agree with it. Of course, most of the times, a good forge weld is just as effective and much less expensive. Also easier to learn, in my opinion (but I'm crazy, just ask me). Most of the time. And of course there are also many, many other forms of joinery that can be used instead of welding, be it with a machine or forge. But I'll leave that to others to discuss.