Brian G. Shacklett

Just to clarify, my question was in response to jmccustomknives' comment, asking where "the rest of the stuff" is. As a newbie, I think "what am I missing" is a pretty reasonable follow-up question. As for what I'm planning to do, my reading has lead me to believe that making nails is a good place to learn proper hammer control, drawing skills, and heat management. Also, I expect I'll be making a pair of tongs at some point. After I get comfortable, I'd like to get some shelf brackets made, and eventually learn to make hinges. After that, I guess I'll just see where it takes me. Anyway, thank you very much for the book suggestions (they're on their way), and the recommendations for building an anvil stand. I truly wish I'd seen your post before building this one, as I was planning to do vertical supports originally, but went with horizontal due to a video I found while researching the subject. Also, I'll take your advice on the quench bucket to heart, and refrain from any such activity until I truly know what I'm doing. George, yes, you're absolutely right. I could tell that the hammer was going to be a poor substitute for a proper hammer when I bought it, but I have a bad habit of waiting until things are perfect before I get started on anything, which usually ends with me never getting started in the first place. I may try to re-hang it, or, more likely, just purchase a proper hammer shortly.

My forge is indoors until I can actually start working. Everything else will probably grow organically as I find things that I need. I guess a quench bucket is another thing I should have. What else am I missing?

It took me all day, and I'm drop dead tired, but I've finally got my anvil mounted up, and a spot cleared around it. The stand is made out of 4x4s cut to 9.5 inches in length. It's buried about 6 inches in the ground. I was hoping for more like two feet, but I ran out of 4x4 material. This seems to do the trick, though. It's pretty stable, and the anvil doesn't ring at all when struck. I'll be swapping the tarp out for canvas, or maybe a pre-made canvas tent of some kind. I think the last thing I need now is a hot cut tool, and I'll be ready to start getting to work.