Valth

Here's the lil stand I built today

So I think I've decided to go the gas route. From my research I hear it has benefits and cons. But I read somewhere gas can be good for a beginner because of all the tending to the fire with coal etc takes allot of learning time away. I may not have weirded that right but I still want to make a coal forge, but for now I think I'm gonna go propane. I think it will be better for the area I live in. I would kind of like buy my first one to get acquainted with working with gas(no pun intended lol) then I want to build one.I found these called wilders gas forges in eBay for a decent looking price abd all the reviews are really good, two burner forges ready to hook up,I was wondering if I got one would it be good to line the wool with that plistix or similar product or will be fine just the wool? I heard the particles can blue around in the air is why I was curious. ebay link removed

Nah I haven't received it yet, our work schedules dont always work together but I should get it this week sometime.

Dang excellent first pieces, can't wait to get my setup going.

Here's the anvil my buddy's dad has for me, any idea what kind it may be?

So I have another question about my drum I was just thinking about. It's very deep maybe around 8 inches give or take. I've been trying to read how I can do it to have proper air flow etc. I was thinking maybe I could use the plate we discussed but instead of putting it over the hub and lug holes I could make s bigger plate and set it on the landing inside where it gets larger make a hole and put the flange on that cause the tuyere pipe will fit through the hub hole, I think gravity would hold it in place with the pipe hanging on it. Then pile the coals up from there? It's still probably 5 inches or so after that

Just talked to my buddy he's going to Lubbock this weekend to pick up that anvil I mentioned earlier. he said its 60-75lbs, can't wait to get my hands on it

Excellent advice, I think I can definitely lay some plate down in it and just downsize the center and build my tuyere from there. Oh and yes I can get rods easily, matter fact I have small rod sub right next to my front door that I got when I worked in the oilfield. It's everywhere

So came across a brake drum from a local business today but I'm not sure how to make it work. The center hole is pretty big like 5-6 inches across, and it has like 8 large holes around it. Any tips how to make it work as efficiently as possibly? I'll post a pic of it later.

I studied tukong which is developed for Korean special forces it has a mixture of taekwondo and shaolin styles. Then from there it was xma, mainly weapons not so much flipping but I learned my share,then jiujitsu then they talked my big self into being thrown in judo. Broke both thumbs first couple weeks of that lol. Now I'm gonna have to watch my thumbs and hammers haha.

I've never really been a big fan of it, but I do like training. My teacher tried to get me to start amateur fighting but I'm not really into the competing side of it. I like the discipline and art behind martial arts and a sick workout lol.

Haha yes there is, I worked my way up to be one of the administrators on it. It's all about freestyle chucking. People look at me funny or in awe lol cause I'm 6'1" about 275lbs and I can do spin kick tricks and xtreme martial arts too.on top of learning traditional martial arts, judo and jiu jitsu.

ha i like those titles, and your right that is a good idea, i can record my progress here for review/opinions/tips/banter and a personal journal as well i can sketch and plan ideas to, and things i learn. Every forum ive been on ive kept a record(truck forum-nunchaku forum-bass player forum) hopefully people will be interested in my story.

I want to visit some blacksmiths, but i can only find one close by one town over. Ive tried calling and emailing but no response. It says on their sote they do seminars and host classes every now and then, but no dates for classes, they arent open when im off the clock. They do horseshoes etc. but based on some of the pics i saw they have a very nice looking smithy, husband and wife smiths, its pretty awesome. If anyone has contact with the Flatland Forge in midland texas please let me know how to get ahold of them. I love tools, i cant wait to start my collection of handmade tools and gadgets. I taught myself when i was prbably 15 how to make rings and weave chainmail, now maybe i can get back on that and make some things to go with that type of work once im more proficient with working metal.

I hope this is the right forum to post this, but I wanted to make a progression page to keep everyone updated on my road to smithing and keep a record for myself as well. So right now I'm in the process of gathering some parts and drawing out ideas how I want to make my forge. I'm thinking of getting a metal utility cart and putting a brake drum in it, and have a place to put tools etc.on bottom until I learn to make some hooks for it :). And notch the sides for longer pieces abd the tray could help hold more coal as I needit. Ijust talked to a friend that recently moved back, he said his dad has several anvils and he has a 60lb one he's willing to part with but he's looking to find me a heavier one though if not I can take the 60lb one which is awesome just coming across an anvil to start with. So I'll update that if that goes through, hope it pans out. I will keep posting as I gather and build and start learning on this page.so stay tuned.

Im in odessa tx, i forever have sand and caliche embedded in my pores living here and working in the oilfield for a few years ha. I wont lie im interested in sword making but its not currently on my mind, its a plan for the future maybe. But for now its basics for this guy. Thanks for the welcomes.

I think i messed up my intro sorry. I put newb from texas....well actually alabama, meaning om from alabama but i reside in texas. Im looking to find some teachers or people into smithing in west texas. Thanks for the info though, when o go back home to visit again hopefully i can time it around the time of the conference.

Well i am pretty good with my hand eye coordination, im proficient in martial arts, nunchaku, bass player for 12 years, i work at a lube supercenter in town(hot cars and big rigs and tight spots for my large hands lol), juggling, art school allthroughout school. I love showing off my hand skills lol so hopefully i can add one more skill to my resume. Oh yea im pretty wierd to, you may have noticed.

Well actually alabama lol but im a texan i guess haha. My name is alex im 23 married with twins, and im a huge fan of blacksmithing. The art, skill, and history makes it so appealing and im finally at a point where i can start persuing this dream of learning to smith on my own. If someone could send me some links to some newb topics and beginner stuff that would be great. Ive been doing alot of reading on safety and beginner forges and alt of good stuff. Obviously i have alottttt more to research, learn, and experience, i hope yall will welcome me to the ifi family im looking foward to this journey. Any questions please ask away.

Hey thanks for the tips, I actually have an old grill, I've been considering using that just needs a new base. Also I didn't mean to come off as one of those guys that just wants to buy all his equipment,I was just looking for some answers, I'm very excited to go and make my own tools the way I want. I've always loved watching people work at this craft even as a young kid it's something I've always wanted to do, just need some guidance now is all.I can't wait to explore this craft and join the ifi family. Maybe take this further than a hobby only time will tell I'm just ready to enjoy being part of this world of shaping with my own hands, and making something purely my own.

thank you, I'm doing it at my pops house so I didn't wanna tear up his yard with one in the ground, and odessa it's desert lol grass is all dead don't want to start a fire as easy. I work 14hr days. It's hard to go to meet ups and stuff for me personally. I would love to, I'm going to Dallas soon to the heritage center to take a2 day class. I got a piece of I beam today for free touse as an anvil.I'll check out the Texas section when I'm at home and not in the phone ha

Thank you for all the answers, I have been considering the brake drum to, but o was concerned about the pipe on the bottom cause I didn't know about the type of metal for the connections if there were safe ones to use cause I heard the galvanized stuff was a no no

Thank you for the reply, I ordered me a few books that being one of them. I thought about using a wheelbarrow but I wasn't sure if the metal was safe to use, I've been reading about the metal fumes and what not.it'll be used outside, but I have two children so I wasn't too be safe doing this hobby you know? I watched one guy forge some cool things in a wheelbarrow, any plans on a wheelbarrow forge in here?I haven't had much time to really look on the site yet

Hi I'm new here and I've been doing a lot of research on getting started blacksmithing. I've got minimal resources in this area on blacksmithing or forging. I recently came across this and would like some opinions on this forge, price, abd what should I look for when going to check them out? If there is a introduction section I'll introduce myself, my name is Alex I live in west Texas, thanks for all the help,u can't wait to get started. http://odessa.craigslist.org/grd/4398785351.html