Ignatius

Thanks for the info. Are there any magazines about blacksmithing?

Thanks everyone. I'm definatly more optimistic about doing this now. Where would you suggest finding a reasonably priced gas forge, preferrably used? And why would a fisher anvil make any difference in noise compared to any other anvil? Speaking of anvils, I managed to find a 100lb anvil real cheap, dated 1843 and made...somewhere in new york if I remember correctly. It's a bit rusted now. How would I go about refinishing it?

What laws would I be looking up anyway? I'm trying to find laws about open flames, but I really can't find anything except that you can't burn garbage... I am not even sure if a forge would be considered an open flame. As for noise ordinance, I wouldn't be out there early in the morning or late at night so that wouldn't be a problem. I live on the end of a dead end street and we are friendly with the neighors. It's kind of a grey area because I technically live in a city so I am subject to different ordinances...but I'm in the suburban area which is about 200 feet from the rural area in a surounding town where blacksmithing wouldn't be a problem. I can understand they don't want people downtown burning coal in front of city hall..seems to make sense

I'm planning on mounting the anvil on a good size piece of log so I can drag it around easier. As for the silicone, you put it on the bottom of the anvil? And is it silicone spray or silicone putty?

I am new to this forum, and to blacksmithing. I am starting to buy everything I need, and I lucked out by finding an anvil in Maine for a great deal. Then I thought of something that could get in the way... I live in Worcester, MA and I was planning on buying a "portable" forge and forging outside and then disassembling everything when I am done and keeping it in the shed or under the deck. Does anyone know if it is legal to have a forge outside in Massachusetts? This will obviously be on my property, and is in a suburban area. Anyone have any information on this? -Justin