newbiesmith

Man I'll have to try all that you guys recommended. The viniger solution sounds interesting. I wouldn't have thought about that. My next question is, for the actual striking surface will that need to be completely smooth and flat? There are some bumps, divets, etc. on all sides. Should I smooth, out the face or should I just beat around with it the way it is. If I need to do this how best should it be done. Since it is more than just surface rust would the viniger solution still work? No doubt after I get this block laid out the way I want it I'll find an honest to goodness anvil. But like I said earlier I've been learning a ton just working with junk, and this is something I've never put much worth in, in the past. But every little bit helps from what people have told me. The festival is located in Springs Pennsylvania. The site for the festival and organization is Springs Historical Society and if I remember correctly there is a smith or two present with their wares. One I believe is a knife smith. As far as market items, with me not knowing what to look for before, everything seemed like rusted junk tools and devices that I had no idea what their purpose was. But it's a fun festival and if you go there, just go down to the food stand at the bottom of the hill and get yourself a half dozen of their home made doughnuts and then some apple cider from another vendor. Dress in layers cuz I've never been there when the weather was 100% pleasant all day. I'll stop now because I'm starting to get a little homesick ;-). Take care and I hope to see you there. -Dan P.S. As with everything it's "feast or famine". This is another festival right up the road from us that has a huge flea market which I remember had smithing tools Burlington United Methodist Family Services, Inc. . But the springs festival is a family tradition.

Thanks a ton and I mean a ton. I've gotten one of the books recommended on line "The Art of Blacksmithing" and am awaiting it's arrival. In the mean time I've been reading, piddling and gathering. Not having access to a welder I didn't know if I had an option to attach angle irons to it. I'm truely a newbie as far as metal goes and had overlooked the possibility of bolting a piece of angle iron to it. I'll give it a once over again tomorrow after I've slept on it. Thanks a ton. I guess the only other thing would be to resurface this beast which I'm assuming would best be done with file and elbow grease. Once again if there's a better let me know. There's a festival coming up that my wife and I always go to in Pennsylvania so it may yield an "actual" anvil. But in the mean time I'm learning so I don't mind screwing around with a block of steel. I've at least learned a couple things today: that is I have so underestimated the weight of steel, and it's hardness. Thanks again guys and good talkin to ya. -Dan

Well I'm living in northeastern West Virginia. So as far as coal goes there's lots but I haven't hooked up much with smiths in the area. New news.... I did find a pretty interesting block of steel/iron at the local salvage yard. It doesn't have a "tinny" ring to it so I'm thinking thats a good thing. Now the interesting part. How to carve out some feet for it so I can mount it on a block. The thing is heavy as xxxx so removing a little of the weight would be nice. Below are two pics of the block and the last one is after about an hour with a cutoff wheel. Thats when I knew I should post for ideas/recommendations on what best to do without a cutting torch. Thanks guys. -Dan

Thank you gents for all your help and wisdom. As far as Dale's question for what am I looking to do..... Well to be honest with you the thought of making a sword is a project that I have in mind. However it is a project for way down the road. I'd like to eventually be able to craft a family sword that would be worthy enough to pass down from generation to generation. That being said it is not the only reason I am looking to get into smithing. I've always been drawn to the blacksmith forges at local festivals. The fire, the smell of coal smoke and the glow of a heated metal has always been beckoning. So I'm not looking to start with a grandious project. I'd be simply tickled to follow the guide on how to make my first set of tongs and then use those on other projects as I learn the trade. The self sufficiency and recycling nature of the trade is another big lure. Forgive me if I ramble for we have just finished entertaining guests, it is late and I've had one too many beers. But thanks guys for welcoming me in with open arms and hopefully I'll be able to contribute to the community one day down the road. -Dan

I just recently got bit with the desire to start smithing. I wanted to start out cheap so that I could see if it is something that I wanted to do long term. So I've been reading and trolling the internet looking for information. Today when I was out and about I happened upon an old flea market and there I found about a two foot long piece of 'I' Beam and an older push mower deck. I bought both for $10. My plan for the 'I' Beam is to turn it into a makeshift Anvil if possible. If not I'm sure I'll find some use for it down the road. Does anyone here know of any good references for using an 'I' Beam as an anvil? I've seen a ton of documentation for old rail road rails, but haven't stumbled upon anything for an 'I' Beam yet. The old mower deck will end up being a component in my first cook book coal forge. I am thinking of inverting it and (if I can snag one from the dump) mounting it on an old gas grill stand. I am thinking I may need to have something heavier for where the fire pot will be but have also seen designs for brake drum forges and will probably make a hybrid of that. Likewise with above if anyone has any recommendations I'd appreciate them. That's pretty much the nuts and bolts of my question. I'm looking to start out cheap and hopefully sponge up as much information about the trade in the process. I've just found this site and am looking forward to reading your posts on the forums and learning from all of you. -Dan