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I Forge Iron

Fafnir

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    Hello from Ireland (for now)

    in Introduce Yourself

    Posted · Edited by Fafnir

    When I first became interested in blacksmithing, I asked a local blacksmith for advice. He pointed me to Perun website and said that I can get needed tools there. What he didn't tell me was that I can start practicing with a 3,5" wide piece of rail, two firebricks, plumber's torch and a hammer.

    I used the TPAAAT for the first time and I gotta say it works. My novice skill shows though. I searched for a scrap heap in my town, after asking few people all I found was a car scrapyard. There they told me there is a scrap heap in nearby town, five miles away. A friendly taxi driver pointed the exact way. At the place a secretary told me they have a contract and can't sell me a single piece of steel. What kind of scrap heap is that? In my country there are at least two in every town and they buy/sell as you please. It seems I am going to have a problem with acquiring materials for practice. Then TPAAAT made me go to the other side of the road where I found Coen Steel warehouse. There a kind old man gave me a piece of rail they put under their rebar piles and told me to walk away. I thanked him and walked away with a big smile on my face. It weghts around 5kg and I don't even know what kind of steel it is, but it'll do for now.

    I also acquired two heavy firebricks and I'm trying to figure out what to do with them. The "heavy" part makes me wonder if I made a mistake.

    Hello from Ireland (for now)

    in Introduce Yourself

    Posted

     Wow, you guys are really supportive. Thank you. ^_^

    I will say you can set up a small forge and your compleat set up will comprise of 2-4 5 gallon (20L) buckets. That my friend will fit in the trunk (boot) of your car. If you have bike thats ok, paniers or a bike trailer will hook you up

    ​Now you are tempting me to merge my two obsessions - motorbikes and blacksmithing. Even a custom made trailer would probably cost less than a VAN and would be much cheaper to maintain. What about the capacity and weight though? Workbench, forge, anvil, vise and other tools take a lot of space. ...unless I use the trailer as a workbench, as well as use a small gas forge and a lighter anvil. :huh: This idea sounds so crazy I'm probably gonna go for it.

    Do you have any specific advice for setting up a compact blacksmithing tool set?

     

     

    What skills do you bring to the table? Do you have metal shop skills, welding? fabrication, bending, sheet metal, machining? How about finishing, polishing, painting, etc.? Do you have computer skills? Cadd? Can you draw or read a blueprint? Cut and layout projects? I'm just running some basics out here. What can you bring to the deal, something an employer would find attractive in an employee. It doesn't have to be at a journeyman level even, just a familiarity with a shop's work can make you valuable on an entry level.

    ​I grew up on a farm with workshops and a lot of tools to play with - I can build a well hatch or shape a steel wedge to fix a loose hatchet. Aside from that I know a bit about programming and I think I could handle milling machines (is this how they are called in english?) after some quick study, but that's not really something I'd be happy to do. Call me crazy, but I prefer engaging, physical work. Drawing is something I'm trying to learn, with little success so far.

    As for now, I'm planning to take a leap of faith in a month or two, quit my job, move to Cork and try to find any job in the steel industry. Then I may look into doing some welding courses and go that route until I'll be experienced enough with a hammer to set up a real workshop.

     

     

    Network by introducing yourself to others through groups, organizations, clubs, church, etc. Use the TPAAAT technique by contacting everyone you can and be genuinely interested in them, their work, their hobbies, etc. Become a social animal. People will recommend those they know for a job, or pass the word that a job is available if they know you.

    ​This is something I know I really need to work on. Aside from poor social skills, I find it hard to talk to people about blacksmithing, because I haven't even started practicing it yet.

    Hello from Ireland (for now)

    in Introduce Yourself

    Posted

    Hello,

    I just wanted to introduce myself and to ask question. My name is Jacob and really want to get into blacksmithing. I'm from Poland, currently living in Ireland and I have no space to set up a workshop. I'm going to buy a VAN and slowly turn it into a mobile workshop or at least storage for tools I could deploy somewhere and lit a fire.

    I know it is going to take MANY years until I'll be able to earn living from blacksmithing. Until then I need a job. Currently I work at a fast-food restaurant and for some reason :ph34r: I don't like it. I would rather work in anything related to shaping steel. I'm thinking about moving to Cork (where factories are), but honestly I have no clue what kind of a job could I get with no experience.

    So, my question is:

    What kind of job can I do with no experience that is at least loosely related to blacksmithing? Money is not a problem, it can only go up from my current wage.

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