carlp

Thanks Neil. I turned the gas on full, opened the ball valve, and then gradually adjusted the gas flow at the regulator until the roar was as loud as I could get it. I could see the hot spots in the forge, but not the flames because I'm set up outside in full sunlight. It was hotter than yesterday, though. I'll also fire it up tonight when it gets darker so I can see the flames. I might just need to get a new hose assembly with a pressure gauge.

There is not a pressure gauge. The only adjustments I have control over are the ball valve, regulator, and tank.

I'm a noob. I recently got a used Whisper Deluxe that needs to be relined. I put some new fire bricks in the the floor until I get a reline kit. Today, I used a new propane tank and tried to heat some horseshoes and rebar to practice with. There was no power in the flames and it just didn't get hot enough. I cleaned the jets (I think they are brass) and made sure they were centered with the burner tubes. It was windy outside (where I'm trying to work) today, but calm tonight. It is like there is not enough pressure in the system. My question is, if I reline the forge, might the pressure from the burners increase? Or, should I get a new regulator, hose, and ball valve? Thanks in advance.

Here's my anvil's new home. My little monkey came home from baseball practice and went straight to the anvil. She's as interested in blacksmithing as I am. I'm not sure about the pose, though.

Keep your eyes open and when you least expect it, expect it. I lucked out on a cool anvil last week. Last Sunday, my wife came home and told me there was a rummage sale at a farm up the street. I saw a scrap pile out back and bought a 4 ft piece of railroad track for $10. I spent an extra 10 and got an old wagon wheel, some rebar, some cable, and various other pieces of scrap metal. I'll use that track at a friend's house since I have an anvil at home.

Mine must be old, modified, or something. It has the back door, but the front door is not insulated. I tried it a few times the last couple days and it just didn't get hot enough. The flames were wispy and only once did it get loud and blow flames out the doors. I was using 1/4 full tanks, and I was advised that's not full enough.

Thanks. I'll email them today. I was wondering about the insulated door.

Thanks. That makes a lot of sense. I'm going to start using it today and then touch up the gouges in the near future.

Thomas- I was fortunate to see Brian forge a knife. Booking time with him is a great idea and I'll look into that. The first couple pics are of the brake drum forge I made and the first things I used to beat on stuff (I can't really call it forging, but it was fun). The next pic shows the Mouse Hole anvil and gas forge I picked up two days ago. I'll post pics when I'm up and running, too.

I'm a noob. Yesterday I scored this forge. I can't identify the model. It just says NC Tool Model 2 #784. Is it a Whisper Mama with a back door? Also, I have no idea if it needs to be relined or if it's ok to use as is. The sides and top seem to be original material, but the floor has bricks on one side and rocks on the other. Any advice?

Here are a few more pics to see the face...

I know which book is on deck on my reading list. Yours just leapfrogged four others. It looks awesome and I can't wait to read it!

Great pics, Lyle. Guess which one is me (hint.. Go Vols). I really enjoyed the meeting. It's a great bunch of people. I wish I could go to Pontotoc, but alas. At least I'll have something to do here.

Thanks, Frosty. I agree with you on starting simply. My plan this weekend is to practice basic hammer strikes on some rebar lying around and see what happens. I want to see how good I can get at drawing, tapering, squaring, rounding, etc. I'll try a leaf. It might not be pretty, but I'm sure it will be fun. I agree about the metallurgy, too. It fascinates me, but right now I'm doing well to figure out if something should be quenched in water or oil. Are horseshoes good to practice with? I have several of them.

I've always thought blacksmithing was cool, but I never tried it. About a year ago I saw a few impressive knives and tools a friend made and decided I was going to give it a shot. A month ago I watched some youtube videos. One morning I woke up and decided to make a brake drum forge. The next day I fired it up with charcoal and made a fire poker out of a steel rod with a claw hammer on a piece of steel sitting on a stump. It was simple, but I was hooked. The next week I went to a Mississippi Forge Council meeting and had a blast. Great people, great demonstration, and I got to make real fire poker! I've been gathering equipment since the first day, so I've kept my eyes open. Yesterday I scored a M & H Armitage Mousehole anvil and I believe a NC tools gas forge! I can't wait to build a stand for the anvil and use my equipment the first time. I've studied lots of science, but never metallurgy. It fascinates me. I can't believe I'm just now beginning. My first interests are knives and tools, but who knows where it will lead as I'm exposed to more. Anyway, this site is an outstanding resource and I enjoy learning here. Carl

It has both a pritchel hole and a hardy hole. You live in a wonderful part of the world, by the way. I lived in Knoxville 10 years and I miss it.

Great thread. I got a new (to me) anvil yesterday and now I have lots of ideas for a stand from things around the house. I can't wait to get home tonight to start.

Thanks for the comments, guys. I'll probably not try to resurface it. My initial interests are knives, primitive tools, and other small stuff. If my interests change as I'm exposed to more, then I'll buy another anvil. I just wish this thing could talk. It was sitting in front of a barn not being used. The previous owner has several others and hasn't used it in years. I'm going to try to find out some history on it. This came from an area in Mississippi that saw lots of action in the Civil War, so who knows? It might be interesting. This anvil is painted black. While I was admiring it last night, I wondered if I could see better detail if I sanded the paint off. Montana7- I'd like to see those pics.

I'm a blacksmithing noob. I lucked across an anvil and a gas forge and I can't wait to try them out. I think the anvil is about an 1830 model and is definitely well-seasoned. It still has a nice ring, though. The face dips a little in the middle and is beaten up. The condition of the face doesn't matter much to me at this point as it's much better than what I've been using. However, I'm guessing the face will leave impressions in the steel. At some point, I'll consider resurfacing the face, but I don't want to ruin the anvil. Any opinions?