keykeeper

People just ADORE hand forged knives.

Many smiths like to ADORN their work with decoration of some sort.

First off, let me say Welcome to IFI from another Mountaineer.

Ok, that said, here's what you do:

Read, Read, Read. Period. This website is full of good information for beginners. From finding the tools, making the tools, using the tools, or selling the tools, it can be done or found on here. Read all the blueprints you can on here, very helpful info there.

Hook up with a local association or guild. Blacksmiths Guild of Virginia may be close for you or Appalachian Blacksmith's Association here in WV. Do a search on google for them. There are some fine, helpful folks in these organizations that can help you find or even loan you tools until you do find or make them.

Come on down/over to Ripley for the ABA fall conference (check the calender on their website for date). Always someone tailgating there with anvils, tools, forges, etc. (I live local, so I'm there already!) Bring that block, someone may trade you something for it. Personally, if its steel, would make a decent starter anvil IMHO.

OK, I'll shut up now.

aaron c.

Fuller?
Hotpunch?(Good pun on the boxer theme!)
Trenton?
Nimba?
Budden? (as in Hey, Budden, get outta that!)
Pounder?

or Hephaestus (and call it Festus for short!)

I once DREW my pistol on a skunk.

(Real story,don't ask!)

Last time I gave blood for a test, they used a contraption to put it straight into the VIAL.

How's that Rich?

Nice score, but I would dull the tines a bit. Someone may get hurt, just by accidently running into the tines. Should be a tilling monster, though.

On second thought, with tines that sharp, may make one fine stump grinder!

Anyone ever build a lance, so they could go JOUST?

Congrats! Became a first-time father myself 2 1/2 years ago. Time flies, make the most of it. You won't regret it. My daughter already has her own hammer and anvil, but not hitting hot metal yet, just the anvil. She's already showing an interest! Maybe you will be so lucky, and get to smith and spend time with him. Best of both worlds, IMHO!!!

I like leaving my forgings ROUGH!

I see a lot of value in your wisdom, Rich. Thank you, you have just provided some inspiration to me to re-arrange my workspace and make it more user friendly and get around to getting everything in line that needs to be done.

Thanks again,

Aaron C.

Several years ago, I was setting up an email address at yahoo. At the time, I was a Correctional Officer at the local stoney lonesome. Thus, I came up with the keykeeper23 name, since I carried a big ring of keys (Large Brass ones!) on my side, and my unit number was 23 at the time.

I still use it in just about everything on the web that I do, although I dropped the unit number for use here on IFI.

aaron c.

Yeah, that was a steal, alright. Too bad I am on the wrong side of the continent. LOL

Looked like a farrier setup, by the anvil, rasps, and shoes, but I could be wrong. Still would have liked to had that setup, though.

Someone got a good deal, I think the anvil is a Hay Budden.

That pig sure liked that SLOP.

Sparky,

Tell us about your forge ie: air supply, air grate size, firepot type, etc.

That way we can help solve your problem by looking at possible glitches you may have.

Pictures are great for helping us to know your setup.

Also, refer in the Blueprint sections to the Following BP numbers:

BP0037,BP0042,BP0045, and BP0046

Aaron C.

My neighbor has a NEED to WEED his garden, in order to FEED his family, so all you other gardeners take HEED before you plant the SEED.

I need to buy a new TOOL. (couldn't resist):D

I do not think a marble will explode, unless maybe one that was hollow or filled with some sort of liquid. I have watched several glass blowers in action, and the wares they make have to be treated or annealed sort of. What happens is if the piece cools too quickly in the open air, it will contract and break. The glass blower at the state arts and crafts fair make things through the day, and places each in some sort of oven/container that holds the temp. and gradually lets it cool, I think.

Besides, why would glass explode? It is in a molten state when they work it by blowing, or mold it by pouring, much like metal.

As an aside, the same mentioned glass blower had a really cool kiln, fired by blown natural gas, I was sure to make some notes after looking at the setup. He came over when he saw me checking it out, so I explained the blacksmithing obsession to him, thus the examination of the burner. Turns out he and his father do some smithing too. Go figure! Needless to say, I told em all about our state association, and will be forwarding info about it to them!!!

Check this link, scroll down the page, there is a marble inlay that explains it somewhat. If the hole is round, this should work.

Techniques and Projects

aaron

I haven't really done a whole lot of punching/drifting yet, but so far coal dust works fine for me.

Oh yeah, and the punch lube that Glenn sells through Iforgeiron works pretty darn good, from what I've done so far with it. Thanks Glenn.

This word game horse is getting along at a pretty good LOPE.:D

Flexible dryer vent hose, salvaged blower from a wood stove, duct tape=working forge

In my case anyway, YMMV.

In the Lessons page from the home page of this site, look at the forges section. The potty chair forge would be mine!

Sam, your talents are progressing with every project you do. What kind of handle willl this have?

Now, as for the last picture.......lets just say that I've met a few people that would identify with that look, in my line of work......of course, they were on their way to the state hospital to hang with the guys in white suits for some r&r:D.......you are such a ham for the camera. Oh well, as long as you are having fun doing what you do, who cares, right?


Keep up the good work.

aaron

Ok, so who's trying to gain some FAME from this ever-rambling word GAME?

I don't know if I get the GIST of this!