Iron Striker

That's kind of what I had in mind. Fillet I mean. I think once I get a good belt grinder I can put an edge on it. I made the knife by the stock removal method. The steel from the saw blade is very durable. I'm going to have to do some experimenting before I make another that way. Thanks for the reply.

Jamie

Hello to John in Robinson Texas! I sent you a message. Yes we need to talk! I live in Riesel and work in Waco.

Jamie

Very good! Looks like it could have been at the Alamo!

Thanks! The horn was an old piece. That discoloration was there when I started. It seemed as if it was weatherd more than the other side.

Thanks Again.

I started making this "knife" on the spur of the moment. My thoughts were that I would make a small knife just to practice on and that is what it has turned out to be. It was a lot of fun and I did learn a great deal in the process. The blade is from a 14" concrete saw blade, the handel is made from Texas Mesquite and Deer Horn (because the wood was to short), the guard is made from a piece of brass I had on hand. The blade looks like it does because I couldn't sharpen the edge after I put it all together (yes another beginner mistake) and I scratched it up while trying. I call it a "dremel tool" finish.

I have since bought a gas forge and I am in the process of getting things set up in my shop. I've seen a lot of great stuff come through this forum and I look forward to learning more. Oh it does make a dandy letter opener!

Any comments are appreciated.

Thanks,

Jamie Herring

Very Nice! I have been seaching for a place to buy a tomahawk drift. Where did you get yours?

I done pretty much the same thing last year when I got started and im by no means an expert, but Ive built two coal and one gas forge now, and all work well, so if you have any questions feel free to ask me anything, the builds are all fresh on my mind, and I have the list of all the places I went too study other designs and such, A side note here, the reason I have I built two coal froges is my first one was a breakdrum rig, and although it will make metal glow, it is not a very nice forge, my second was built after having used a couple at a local hammer-in and realizing the importance of a large area to lay steel, and such, not to mention green coal to be raked and added to fire as you go. If you will mainly be doing blade work, then take a good look at gas forges too. I had about fifty bucks in mine and pretty much went step for step with Ron Reils's freon design, although I did use a empty propane tank instead of freon tank. If you just want to test drive it then there are some other really cheap opotions. In regards to making a forge though, remember this........... they were making them thousands of years before they had anything like the stuff we have today, Im sure you will do a fine job with what ever you decide to go with.
If you would like pics of any of mine just email me, I havent been able to post to a gallery yet, but I do have them photoed pretty well

For my money I would go with option 3 but add a hearth to make your fire and projects easier to manage. I've attached a photo I found online, but essentially drop that pot into a steel tabletop. The hole should be big enough that the pot can drop in and hang by its flange. That's what I'm doing next time.

Hey Jamie,
Glad to see you want to start blacksmithing. It might help us(me)a little if we knew the dimensions of the materials in the pictures. Is the air supply pipe 3/4" BIP? What size is the firepot? I have learned that the more info you can supply the more advice you will get in return. If you are specific, then the answers will also be specific. People here are most gracious when it comes to helping a budding blacksmith.
Go to the 55 forge thread at the top of the solid fuel forges topic. That will give you some good ideas.
You mentioned that funds were tight, welcome to my world, the brake drum can be made for little to no funds. Depends on what you can scavenge.

Good luck and welcome to IFI.
Mark<><

I've gotten into smithing very recently (a few weeks or so), and here's my setup. I'd like to hear comments, things I'm missing, not thinking of, etc. I'm lucky enough to be in the acquaintance of a couple experienced smiths, but I don't see them regularly, and neither have seen my actual set up. So far I've only made a few coat hooks and nails, and poker for my forge, and some other small projects. So I guess my other question is, what are some good starting projects? I have the Complete Modern Blacksmith, and Plain and Ornamental Forging, but my ADD kicks in, and I can't shoulder a rod just to shoulder a rod, though I do my best to work through some of the exercises. Anyways, here's a pic that shows my forge and "anvil" setup. I have a post drill (found in my basement!) and a treadle grinder as well, and I've been surprised at how much I've used the grinder since I dressed the stone.

Edit: The flap seen on the hood has since been cut off, that picture was taken when I was still adjusting my opening size. It drafts well now, though I get an occasional puff of smoke when something flares up on the outer edge of the firepot, or when I heap it too high.

Thomas, thanks for clearing that up. It's been a long day. I went back and read the OP and I had it "bass ackwards". Sorry for that, Iron Striker.

Don't know what the #s at the back of the anvil are but if you are reading the SN# under the horn on the left side and that # is 3917 then the birthday is 1893. I can't make out all of the # in your 3rd pic. which you are saying is the 3917 and is under the horn...right?

After rechecking your pictures, it appears that what you called a T could actually be a #1. If that is the case, the anvil was made in 1907, according to AIA.

My answer depends on your finances and degree of seriousness in doing blacksmithing. If you are serious and have the money, then I suggest purchasing a really nice firepot to make a nice forge. Those firepots are designed to create a nice *neutral* area to forge in.

If you are short of money then whatever you have on hand will work sort of ok.

Hello All,

I'm another newbie with some questions. What do you think of using these cast iron pieces as my forge. Should I combine them, use one or the other or scrap them both? I also have a break drum that I was thinking about using. Seen lots of videos on youtube about them. I was thinking about stacking them and using the plate to hold the coal. Not sure about the air flow mechanic of this set up. Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Jamie

Best bet is post pics both sides and front foot. Numbres on the oppsite side high up and back near the hardy hloe
(3 digits) may be batch #s for a late model tool steel top 1908 and later.
Ken.

Checked AinA and could not find this number. Take a wire wheel and clean the area good. HB did not have a the letters J or S prefixing the SN. The letter A was introduced as a prefix in 1918. But whatever the date of birth you have a great anvil. The # 15 is most likely the inspector's #.

I have a Hay Budden 190# anvil. The serial # appears to be J or S 3917. It has the number 15 stamped on the opposite side from the name. Any ideas on the date made or on the number 15?
Thanks.

Howdy from East TEXAS!! and welcome to IFI! I'm 120miles east of Dallas on I-20, realitivly speaking not too far from you. There is going to be a GREAT little "mini conference" in Bryan, TX on Feb 19. Not too far from you and well worth the trip. It is being hosted by brothers Jeff and Alan Lee. Here is their web site with more info; http://www.steephollowforgeworks.com I plan to be there as well as a few other IFI members. Tailgating and just some all round good blacksmithin' fun! Oh yeah, it's FREE!! This will be the Feb meeting for both the HABA (habairon.org) group and the Balcones Forge (balconesforge.org) groups. Balcones is the Central Texas group. I know that a few of the North Texas Blacksmith Assoc. folks will be there also. (ntxba.org) They are from the Dallas metroplex area and may be a good group for you to check out also. Whew! sorry so long winded. Anyway, welcome and enjoy your stay. Hope to see you in Bryan!

Hey there Waco,

North Carolina here, welcome to IFI. Pull up a stump and stay a while. Lots of good info here.

Mark<><

Hello All,

I was so glad to find this site. I'm still wading through it all. Is there anyone out there near Waco, Texas?