MarcyOHH

For what everyone is saying getting it cast is the best idea. T. Powers, that would be a great idea to have it as a bacon press but I don't like my bacon super crispy, I will cook it the old fashioned way.

yes, the ones you would use for like ironing clothes. doesnt have to be anything super fancy.

So I need to make a hand shaped hand iron for my mom for a gag gift for Christmas next year and was wonder what the best way to tackle the project would be. I know I have a lot of work to do until then but I want to know the basic idea of where to start and what skills to work on now to build up to the project.

Hey Nate, let me be the first to say Welcome Aboard! I'm still new to blacksmithing as well but I've been on here for about and week and have learned so much. Everyone one here is very helpful. Make sure to update your profile to include your location. That will make it much easier to find people in your area who are more experienced smiths. Not everyone here is an expert, myself is included in that list, but if you ask the right questions someone will have an answer. Make sure to pack and lunch and a cold drink because this site is addicting and you will be here for a while. Happy hammering!

So my boyfriend and I use a coal forge, which is great, but the downfall is that there's black ash from smoke and what not in and on everything. Any ideas on the best way to get it out of clothes, hair, skin? I make my own shampoo so I don't know if that's why it is so hard to get out of my hair. And no this problem will not make me stop forging, but it may make me rethink fuel source.

I'm hoping to forge on Sunday, (I work a lot so I don't get to forge often) and I'm really looking forward to try out everything. The advice you all have given me so far has gotten me really excited about my future in blacksmithing. I appreciate all the tips and ideas everyone has given me. I leave for vacation on Monday, heading out to Michigan to see my family. I'm lucky enough to be meeting up with some local smiths while I'm out there. I'm hoping the experience of going to a real shop and working with professional smiths that it will jump start my skills a little more. Can't wait!

I understand that hooks teach you a lot of things, I will definitely continue to work on hooks as well. I would like to also work on candle holders. Pretty much I have only worked at making a round bar square, then pointing and tapering out the bar, rounding it out again and making scrolls/hooks. Nick and I together made a candle holder with a heart at the top.

I will keep that in mind if we are ever out your way. We would love to meet up at some point and check it out.

Hooks are all i have done so far, i have a few different styles and some that are the same.

I work outside so the ground is clear of sharp, pointy, hot things. Also makes it easier to catch bugs and chase leaves.

I ninja rolled out of the way, obviously. Yes, I realize I will get hurt at some point...maybe. I spend so much time telling nick to be careful and to stop hurting himself that I have to be extra careful, so you know I can set a good example.

I haven't injured myself in anyway yet but I have learned I have reflexes like a cat! I was heating up a piece of round bar that was just a little too long to be left without being held and I turned around. Next thing I know my boyfriend is yelling look out as a red hot piece of metal comes falling at me.

sm she gets way more stressed to not be touching me.

Since becoming a blacksmith I have tried to grow a beard. I have been cursed by the female body and therefore I cannot even will myself a beard. I thought about getting one of those beardo hats so I can fit in.

I will be sure to try to get my hands on the backyard blacksmith book. I would really like to meet up with some other blacksmiths and be a apart of a group. My problem is that I work most weekends which is when most people get together. Hopefully I will be able to work out sometime soon so I can meet other smiths and such.

VaughnT: That does make sense. I use to check out pintrest when I was trying be more of a girly girl (that didnt work out so well for me). I never even thought to look at it as a way to find ideas for forging. DSW: Thank you for the idea fo setting up folders. I was already talking to my boyfriend about how we need to invest in some books.

Where would you suggest would be a good place to start to look for some ideas? Usually when I am forging I will start with an idea but getting into the project it may evolve into something completely different. For instance the last time I forged, I started, thinking I was going to make a plant hook, ended up making a trivet for my kitchen. I suppose that may be part of my problem, I need to be more focused on the task at hand.

Well that is simple, I just make NickOHH do it. :D

I feel like roses would be really difficult right now, though maybe it just seems that way because I am looking at the finished product instead of looking at the steps that go into that final piece. I was thinking of trying my hand at some cool candle holders, I have a friend who blows glass and she was saying over the weekend that we should work together on projects. I thought it was a cool idea I just need start figuring out different ways to make unique holders for glass globes and other glass items.

I already requested off of work for that day so I can make it!

So I am still new at the blacksmithing game and I was wondering what are some good projects for a new smith. I have already made a lot of hooks and even worked my way up to weird hooks. I tried making a leaf but I'm still using a lighter hammer which makes leaf making really hard. I was able to get the leaf made but stepping down the stem is what got me. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Hey Guys, sorry I haven't responded back to anyone I have been having issues with my log in! My boyfriend has a forge and 2 anvils that I get to use. He is still relatively new to smithing, though not as new as I am, so I haven't had an experienced smith show me the ropes. I would like to be able to meet up with some other smiths at sometime but I work most weekends so I understand that makes it difficult. I wish I could go to the PABA meeting 2/7 but I will just be getting back from vacation in MI and won't be able to get off of work that day.