Abeaty1387

Yea I gave that up frosty. And I wasn't looking for anyone to feel bad for me. Was only posting so that someone may see it and avoid making my mistake. Other than that it's a lesson learned. I'd rather waste time trying to make leafs or flower hangers than fight with HF.

Talked to them in person before and they didn't seem to care much. It was blue when I first bought it and I painted it black. I will get a pic up ASAP just been busy with work. Thanks for all the replies

I've called about 3 times now talking to different people. But they keep saying because I painted it they won't return it. I'm from Toledo Ohio I think the closest smithing group to me is in ft Wayne with Steve sells I think. First lesson learned I guess

So I didn't want to post this but maybe some other green horn can learn from it. When I decided to take on the hobby of smithing me and my wife had one rule. I was only allowed to fund my new hobby by selling stuff from another hobby (hand gun collection) so I did. I sold a Springfield range officer 1911 for 550$ and used that money to buy some basic tools and about 200$ worth of lump charcoal. With the money I had left over I bought a anvil from HF(your allowed to laugh at me now) well I had the anvil for a total of 3 hours I got it home gave it a nice flat black paint job let it dry and started the forge. My metal was hot and I was happy to have what I thought was a anvil insted of a block of cement i was using before. Three strikes in with a 2# hammer and the front of the anvil cracks off. I was a little more than furious when I returned to HF to return it the same day and they refused me because I had painted it black. Moral of the story. Don't buy your anvil from HF. Will post a pic of the anvil later today

Thanks everyone I have tried to contact NOB before with no luck. But guess I'll keep trying. I'm using pliers now not that fond of them.

Maybe this is just me. Your idea of smithing is making beautiful things by hand and hard work. Your wifes idea of smithing is your and your friends playing with fire.

Thanks for the welcome and info I prolly won't make it tomorrow got work but hopefully I can make the next meeting. Quick question where's the best place to buy tongs and such at?

Hello everyone, new to IFI and was wondering if anyone is in or near Toledo Ohio. Was hoping to watch or talk with a few local smiths

I got it working by starting a bed of charcoal and getting it warm then dropping my steel in and adding coal on top of that. Was able to bring a rail road stake to yellow heat in about 3 minutes. Thanks for the replys everyone. How's the forge look for it being a first time build?

The brake drum is about 5 inches deep. After playing around with the charcoal for a little while today I found that I needed smaller pieces. The forge is built from some angle iron for the base, the outer ring is 3/8 inch plate steel that was bent into a ring with a plate welded to the bottom and a brake drum for the fire

Built this forge over the weekend with some stuff laying around a friends body shop. I've always loved medieval crafts and wanted to start small blade smithing. I'm using all natural lump charcoal and a hair dryer for Air supply. The forge. I'm using it outside but my anvil is in the. Garage so I can see the metal better.

Made this forge a few days ago to start blade smithing. Using a hair dryer has air supply and lump charcoal has fuel (can't find any coal in toledo ohio) I hues can't seem to get it hot enough no matter what I try. Any advice?