Curtis565

What are the benefits of getting a Leg vise over a Bench vise? The Only difference I'm seeing is price so far, as local prices for a bench vise are around 60-100 dollars vs $300+ for Leg vise!

Don't think I have met/heard of him? Any info about the "Art on fire" event?

Mark, definitely no place like Alaska and enjoy living up here. Hopefully all goes well with getting my equipment together so I can start forging ASAP. Bryan, I signed up to the group, hopefully I'll get connected with some local blacksmiths. Hope to see you around at one of the events if I do attend.

Was talking to a good friend of mine about my adventures so far with creating a forge to start my blacksmithing journey. I mentioned that I'd be using coal for the heat. He stated that coal can "contaminate" the metal, and to use charcoal (not your wallmart brand X of course) instead for crafting blades. I was just curious if there was any truth behind this? Is that what coating your metal with borax is suppose to prevent, contaminates from using coal to forge? Hopefully someone can shine a little insight into the subject.

Well thought I would introduce myself to your forums. 10 minutes of browsing around, and am almost overwhelmed by the wealth of knowledge and quality work you guys have done. I defiantly have plenty to learn from here! I've just recently gotten into metal working. It started off with "just by chance" getting into a welding class, which I found my true love (or so to speak)...working with metal. By no means fancy, I've almost completed building my basic coal forge out of some 8 inch diameter pipe and welding up a stand for it to sit on. The good news is I've found a local guy that sells 50lb bags and up to a ton of coal ($150 for the ton). Bad news is no anvil yet, but hopefully with some more searching around locally that will change.