George Geist

According to their website it appears to be just a time based deal http://www.doleta.gov/OA/occupations.cfm However, it appears that they do accept the ABANA curriculum. http://www.abana.org/resources/journeyman/index.shtml They have a 26 point list of what they require to define a Journeyman. I like it. Looks real good to me :) George

Just found this one from the City of Chicago. Might be a pretty good job for any guys living out there: http://chicago-il.geebo.com/jobs-online/view/directory/118/listing/62/id/203669666-blacksmith/?account=premium7 This job requires having served a US Dept of Labor approved apprenticeship. I'll look into it in that area and see what I can find out. George

It's deliberate that I didn't put this in the anvil section. We pretty much all know what a plowmakers anvil looks like. It has a characteristic angled table. The question I have for you guys is how is that used? Any of you ever sharpen or redress a plowshare? Am assuming the angled table makes it more conducive to that type of work but never having seen it done am kinda curious about it. George

For something that big prefab would probably be best way if possible however.... If you really need to make them yourself and have plenty of time to do something so tedious. Used horseshoe nails hammered flat then slightly curved welded onto a rod comes out looking pretty sharp. Use bigger ones on bottom progressing to smaller ones up top. George

Word above that is "wrought" Good score! Hope it found a good home with you ;) George

I was thinking that as well but even if not is still a nice anvil. Go ahead and buy it. Is a good one. George

Nice anvil. Would kinda like to chain, beat and torture the fool that didn't use a chisel plate on it :angry: George

I'd certainly agree about random internet opinions. I'd absolutely trust the London and Birmingham proof houses though. As I said if they give any firearm the ok it can be trusted. George

I'd be inclined to agree with those who advise against shooting it-especially if it's one you like. Let it be a retired wall hangar. However........ There is one exception to that. If the gun has recent proof marks from either the London or Birmingham proof house. Any weapon that passes muster there go right ahead and do whatever you want with it. ;) George

For easy portability or work of a mobile nature gas might have a bit of an edge. For a stationary shop coal or coke is the hands down winner in all areas. Is quieter, makes for a hotter fire, welding is easy, is safer, more versatile. Less likely to burn yourself as fire goes up and out as it should instead of down and out and in your face. Pleasant vs unpleasant smell. If after learning and developing proficiency with coal if you'd like to add a gas forge to your collection of stuff, the two best ones out there right now are the Forgemaster Blacksmith model and the Hypona. I'd give no consideration to anything other than those. Glad to hear you're going with coal. Good choice :) George

Is definitely a horseshoers anvil. Is no writing of any kind on it anywhere? George

Phil, I like it. Wish we had something like that here. Do you still have any of your old textbooks? If so could you post the title, author, publisher etc? Looks like an excellent program. George

At your service sir, http://www.flatlandforge.com/ Have a look at some of their you tube vids also. Real good people. George

Guys, Before making a firm decision on anything I'd suggest checking out these people as well: http://www.penncoal.com/ They'll ship anywhere as much or as little as you want. Give them a call and see what kind of deal you can get. Knowing a bit about the area it's being mined from I can tell you it's the best quality smithing coal you're going to find ;)

I'd agree that the appreticeship sounds ok but if that's all there is to the Railroad Blacksmith test I think is safe to say maybe the old Boy Scout Blacksmith Merit Badge test might have been a better measurement of training and ability. George

Was hoping some of the overseas guys would have chimed in by now. Problem is how does one define a trade consisting of many specialties, often fragmented, often knowing little or nothing about the other aspects. By this article we see the railroad uses the term for a weldor: http://www.nscorp.com/content/dam/nscorp/bizns/archive/BizNS_Vol2_Issue4.pdf Industrial forging shops oftentimes have a guy on a huge many ton power hammer banging out things on an assembly line. This guy will be called a blacksmith even though he'll know nothing of the trade beyond operating the machine. This gives the title to what could be argued is a semi or unskilled factory worker. Many horseshoers know little to nothing about smithing and care even less, and likewise, majority of general smiths have no interest in horses. At least unlike Railroads and Forging factories guys in those trades know what an anvil is for. Shipbuilders still use Blacksmiths. BAE Systems in Norfolk VA has an apprenticeship program with Tidewater Community College. Again though, obviously this training is strongly focused on the needs of the company but I can't help but wonder what must this guy be able to accomplish before earning his Journeyman's Card? (Certainly hope proper way to wear a hard hat maybe?) I've been thusfar unable to find out if the Boilermakers have a Blacksmith test or not. George Ok cool, this is what I'm looking for. Can you tell what the testing consisted of? What did you all have to do? George

Looks and sounds ok to me, if you need an anvil and vise go ahead and buy them ;) George

This would probably be the best course of action. Like I said before with the demand I see out there I think maybe opening a coal yard on the west coast might be in my retirement plans :) George

Real nice setup. Good job! B) On mine I use a chain for a hold down. Not only does it fasten it down well but also quiets it down a lot too. Your setup looks real good though, I like it. George

Good score! Looks like you got a nice one :) Glad it worked out good for you ;) George

Agree with both. Not sure what that number tag means but it sure looks like an arm and hammer. George

Hmmm, not sure. If I remember correctly I believe Peter Wright was an ex employee of Mousehole who went off and formed his own company. By that you might think of them as kinda semi-related. Hay-Budden was an American company unrelated to the other British firms. George

Hmmm, not sure. If I remember correctly I believe Peter Wright was an ex employee of Mousehole who went off and formed his own company. By that you might think of them as kinda semi-related. Hay-Budden was an American company unrelated to the other British firms. George

I'd lean towards the Peter Wright, then the mousehole, then the vulcan in that order. Matter of fact I probably wouldn't even be interested in the vulcan as I just never liked them. The horseshoers anvils there's nothing wrong with for general smithing except they're usually a little lighter than you'd like for a shop anvil. Nonetheless they work just as good. As far as they go keep away from anything with turning cams, heel hooking holes, or any other such gimmicks intended to cater to the least common denominator. Most contemporary shoeing anvils are unsatisfactory for this reason so I'd look for something a little older. They can often be found on ebay or craigs list or other such places. If free of such things I'd go with the Emerson. Cliff Carroll and TFS I'd pass on. Hope you go home with something good :) George

Soderfors maybe? Is hard to make out the writing from the picture. Clean it up best you can with a wire brush then rub some talcum powder into the writing. That should help it show up a lot better. George