brianbrazealblacksmith

Thanks everyone. This is one of the best forging exercises that can help you understand the proper dies to choose when forging with a hand hammer and why to keep turning your metal so that it does not bare down on your anvil and wick the heat away. I encourage everyone to try this out until you can do it. This will reveal to you the how's and why's of forging.

You're very welcome. I did the video in response to 99pppo's post on how to forge farriers tongs.

This is a video of making a pair of tongs.

Thanks for having us up there! We had great time. It's nice to see the people behind the names on IForgeIron. That picture above shows Countryforge at the door, Sam Falzone striking, and joshua.M directing. I was pleased with the results of two days with 2 inch stock for making hammers. Ray, Countryforge, made several striking anvils that made quite a difference.

Like Thomas Powers said, it depends on what you are doing. You want the full throw of your hammer. I'd suggest under 30 inches.

The Iron Workshop is correct. To secure a weld and make it truly one piece, you need to be able to hammer the area more just like squeezing clay back together. If you don't, the pieces would rip apart if you pried on them. "Traditional" scarfs do not work very well for today's mild steel or A36. They simply do not afford enough material to truly secure the welds especially with most branch welding done today. You can prove this by testing the welds. I stopped using "traditional" scarfs a long time ago and developed the "blob weld" and "forge welded bundle" which allows me to forge the weld a lot more.

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The YS will be in Bryan Texas at the Lee Bros. shop, aug. 3&4! Check out the new thread by Alan Lee to get more information!

The YS demo today with Brian and Lyle was outstanding! They will demo again tomorrow morning for the last time at the conference and plan to wow everyone with more! You really should try to see them at the Lee Bros. it will be the last time these 4 will be together for a while. Alec must return home in the UK. We are working on next year already. These young Smiths have stood like men at the forge and Brian and I have been proud to be apart of this...Karen

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This is a fact of life. Handles are usually made of wood. Wood is not as strong as iron in its capacity as a handle for a hammer. Weather also influences wood quite a bit more than steel. People have soked handles in water, oil, and anti freeze for a quick fix, and I have, too. But if you want a proper hammer, install a proper handle in a proper hammer. Learning how to make, use, and maintain tools is one of the most rewarding things about being a blacksmith.

I agree with JNewman here. I have never broken an anvil that was not already broke. There are a lot of Hay Buddens out there that are already broke at the waist, and they are quite slight in the waist to begin with, so you should be careful with anvils like that. I hit as heavy of iron as should be hit with hammer or sledge, and I don't have any reservations about making hardy tools in a proper anvil. Just hit the iron while it is hot and not your anvil. The striking anvil that has been mentioned is a great tool for learning and safety.

Jana Gaddis sent David over with a delicious meal she prepared for the YS today. One of the best southern meals I have had! The YS have been working really hard today and ate big! I am not kidding.....There was a yummy pot roast with potatoes and carrots, seasoned green beans with ham, melt in your mouth butter beans, potato salad and rolls. This lovely woman knows how to cook! It was so great to have a break from the kitchen. Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Jana, we loved it!

More great photos from Lyle... https://picasaweb.google.com/106506050631612810521/Day5WithTheYoungSmiths?feat=content_notification

I haven't been able to upload photos today, they keep failing...sorry Karen

Hi Gaylan, Thanks very much! The YS are doing a practice demo for the Mississippi Forge council tomorrow and we leave on Sunday. Looking forward to seeing you too!

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So true he is the feather in the YS hat too....Karen

I personally prefer forged to finish, not ground to finish.

5 lb hammer for Robert Evans. Forged and signed by the Young Smiths 2012. Robert has been kind enough to let the YS display the hammer in the gallery at the conference.

Thank you Lyle for the GREAT photos! Really really good stuff. Look at Kainon's face when he's striking, he is smiling so big! Also a big thanks to Jeff Rice of North Carolina for a $ donation!

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Good morning! The early birds get the biscuits and gravy! Big day today, the YS will be forging a 5lb hammer purchased by Robert Evans. They will all sign it for him and are using the funds to help with expenses. Thank you Mr. Evans! Thomas Dean, Ted T and David Gaddis have all sent $ donations. Woody Woodard came by with eggs and honey and Russell Colvin sent all 4 YS a useful care package! Thank you all for the support of these hard working Young Smiths!...

You all knew! We are very happy to have Dave Custer join the Young Smiths!

Ok the suspense is over! The 4th smith has arrived!