Matt - Eastern Ontario

Roger that on the asbestos!! I'd like to be doing this for a looong while! Thanks for the tip on the charcoal too. Lucked in to a ton (literally I think!) of hardwood too..as the top of a neighbor's oak came down in a windstorm. There'll be enough there for 3xanvil stumps and a cord of hard wood..could come in handy even *after* lots of marshmallow roasting is done. Cheers!

Thanks!

Hey I'm from Eastern Ontario..and I realize that doesn't necessarily help..BUT.. I did run in to a post earlier today that mentions you NY folks have a group called: New York State Designer Blacksmiths. check out their website (google that phrase)..they have monthly meetings in several areas as well as events etc. Cheers!

Just wanted to check in and say hi. I'm just starting down this path and, as my first blog entry says, I have yet to hit hot metal with a hammer. I am, however, 'packing for the trip' as they say. Got a great deal on a forge table with fire brick/clay and heavy duty tuyere, and a Buffalo 200 14in blower. Also, set up a small forge in an old bbq lined with firebrick, with plumber's pipe for the tuyere. Grabbed some basic hammers from the TSC (3lb cross peen and sledge), and picked up a 1(+?)lb hammer head at a local auction for $2. Scrap steel/metal (ensuring none galvanized)..check. Pliers and vise grips until I make my tongs (or acquire cheaply at auction..)..check. Safety gear..check. Big ol' tub for quenching..check. Several pieces of industrial rail line for my anvil(s)..but need to get the top(s) milled and a horn shaped. And that's about all my budget is going to allow this month (or so!) Have to grab some coal yet(though some of my research tells me that pure hardwood lump charcoal will do..if a little 'sparky'). (oh..got a great big 20 year old hardwood stump for my anvil, some asbestos board, old rail spikes all thrown in to the blower/forge table deal for free too!!) I'm armed with (and have read some of) the soft copies of: Farm Blacksmithing Basic Blacksmithing - Local Materials Blacksmiths Manual Illustrated The Blacksmiths Craft - 1952 and of course The Modern Blacksmith - Alexander G. Weygers Made contact with 2 local smiths personally and will be looking to get involved in any hammer-ins, monthly meetings etc. that I can find. Excited, obsessed, and raring to go! Can't wait to dig in to all this site has to offer...and someday perhaps add something to the deep pool of knowledge already here. Thanks for letting me in! (ok..I was going to elbow my way in anyway..) Looking forward to sharing this passion with you all. Cheers! Matt

I am entering in to the world of blacksmithing, setting up my own forge/shop at this time, and would love to connect with other Eastern Ontario smiths! Not sure if this thread is completely dead, or active in the background..but I'm all for pushing more eastern Ontario stuff. Seems like all the resources/smiths' activities are a way down south. Cheers!