Tom Coles

There are a lot more books about blacksmithing available these days. ABANA offers quite a selection to its members. One of the best new books I've come across recently is 'Backyard Blacksmithing ' available at most bookstores or at Lorelei Sims - Artist Blacksmith / Welcome to the Vortex of Hot Metal

I recently made a great gas forge for knife making based upon the designs by Larry Zoeller. His web site includes all the necessary information for constructing a few forges from coffee can size and up along with all the specs and measurements you'll need and its all free on the internet. He also supplies pre made burners (in whole or part) that work on a venturi principal requiring no added air supply along with all the other components short of the metal forge body. For mine I used a piece of twelve inch diameter half inch pipe which I believe was a well casing and about eighteen inches long and welded up the door,hinges, back and base from some scrap plate steel that I had lying around. I purchased the complete burner kit and tank hook up kit from Larrys web site all the rest cost me was time and welding rods. Google 'zoeller gas forges' and good luck. Tom Coles

I'm not sure of the weight you are hoping to support on your table but a trick I learned from some carvers was to use the hydraulic base of an old dentists chair with a table attached where the chair was. They raise to considerable height, will support a couple of hundred pounds, rotate 180 or 360 and have a break to lock them in position. Some are electrically equipped. I've had a few of them and have purchased them for a couple of hundred bucks. Phone around to dentisis or check dental supply shops.

I've had success using a geologist style picking hammer. They're those ones with a fairly long square head with a a pick opposite. Undoubtedly they have another name. I believe I picked it up for pennies at a yard sale. You can cut off the pick or forge it to a point. It forged easily with no problems (as it is not cast) and is a great first hawk project as it doesn't require forge welding or drifting a hole for the handle.You will however have to shape the hole into an oval over a preshaped form (or the head will spin on the handle) or alternatively leave it round and drill through the hawk and handle and rivet with a piece of 1/4" brass or copper.

Hi folks. I'm new to this forum and admitably not very computer savy but Id like to take this opportunity to say hi. I am a hobby blacksmith/knife maker living in the interior of British Columbia and welcome any correspondance from other smiths particularily any from the region. I look forward to hearing from you. Tom