Aljeter

I will admit the reason I wanted to start smithing is to learn how to make knives. But after reading and reading and then taking a beginners blacksmithing class I decided to just stay away from blades for a while. That is until I get the basics down and can do some of the more advanced smithing stuff.

Thomas it was in Princeton texas north of Dallas. Had a blast came home with new swedge block and 150 lbs. of coal. The smith was really good.

Going to my first HammerFest this weekend with the local blacksmith club. I can't wait to meet some of the blacksmiths in the north texas area.

Thats looking really good.

Got my blower! Its a Dayton Shaded Pole Blower model # 4c941 For the amazing price of FREE!

I will finish the 2nd one and then we can talk. Nice, I hope it works well.

I used the cut out piece from the bottom of the firepot which is 3/8 plate. I welded it on a piece of 1/2 square stock on the bottom and then welded it to the round stock, to give it some room to turn.

Got the clinker breaker done.

Congrats!

Would a electric leaf blower work as an air supply for a coal forge? Or would it be to much?

Thanks. Hopefully I will be able to start beating some metal soon. After I help my father in law finish building his shop. I am going to see if he will let me use a corner of it to set up my smithy. Now I just need to find the metal to make my anvil stand. Maybe enough to make 2 of them since my father in law has a "im guessing" 200+ pound anvil collecting dust in his old barn.

Ok got the table mostly done. It is 34" tall 46" long and 28" wide.

Glad someone is trying to get them. I would hate to see them go to the scrap yard.

3 post vises. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Set-3-Vintage-Antique-Blacksmith-Post-Vises-/350487514305?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item519aaf0cc1

Thanks. I used to weld for a living until about 6 years ago. Welding on foundation drilling rigs, building heavy duty dirt and rock augers from scratch. They were 12" and up to 36". I started building this fire pot and thought I will put a nice 7018 cap on the welds just for looks. Set the machine up laid a bead and the slag came right off with not chipping. I thought yeah I still got it until I seen what was under it lol. The welds are good they just arent as pretty as I would like them to be. Every weld I do I try and make it better than the last one.

I have actually built 2 of them. The other one still needs some more work done on it. I have not put holes in the bottom yet because im not sure how i want to build the clinker breaker yet. Any one have any good ideas throw them my way please.

Well I started my fire pot! I had some 6 x 4 heavy angle iron and cut the pieces from that. It is 11" x 9" x 5". Its been around 6 years since I have done any welding with 7018 rods, and boy could I tell! I will add more pictures as I get the whole forge finished.

Finished the DVD. It was excellent! I think it is a must have for any begginer smith.

Finished the first disk and started watching the 2nd. I find Randy a very good teacher who explains everything very well. Its almost like having him there with you. It makes you feel like your in a 1 on 1 training session.

I just got A Blacksmithing Primer by Randy McDaniel. I have not got the book yet, but I got the DVD. I haven't got to start watching it yet, but will soon. I will let y'all know what I t hink about it.

I have no idea. I figured I could find a use for it so it got loaded in my truck.

That is absolutley amazing!

Not real sure yet! I was thinking the rounded edges might be good for beveling edges on a knife. Any thoughts on what you would use it for?

Went to the local scrapyard and this stuff followed me home. The big chunk of steel is 24 inches long by 5 3/4 inches tall. I got all of it for 0.20 a pound. Total cost was $60

Pretty much nothing around here for me. I have started looking in craigslist in the states that boarder Texas. Figure if I find something for a good deal I would spend the fuel to go and get it.