Harley

Last weekend we started Friday Night Forge Lite here at Black Dog Forge. An informal gathering for smiths of all skill levels from novice to pro.If there is enough interest and attendees we can make this a regular weekly event.

The idea is to learn , teach, exchange ideas and generally have a good time bashing hot iron. The forge is set up with an anvil station on either side so two smiths can work at the same time. There is also a portable forge that can be set up just outside the smithy door. If you are interested in joining in please call me to let me know you plan to attend. Mark 978-249-6404 call before 8:00PM please. or send me an email, blackdog.forge@verizon.net, There is no cost. Safety gear , particularly safety glasses , is required!

Black Dog Forge is located in N. Central Massachusetts in the town of Royalston.

Hello I'm interested in learning how to become a blacksmith. I have always loved to watch the blacksmiths at the fairs when i was growing up as a kid. Now that I'm almost 40 and dont really have a hobby other than reading and bushcrafting. I thought i might like to try blacksmithing out. I am planning on building the brake drum forge to start out with. Also was wondering if there are any blacksmiths in my area that i could meet with and get some pointers if needed... thanks

Hello,
I am in Royalston, Ma. In N. Worcester County.You are welcome to contact me , come by the shop and check things out. email is blackdog.forge@verizon.net I have a web site you can check out to see if my shop interests you.
http//:www.blackdogforge.net I run the shop Sat. and Sundays now.
Mark Suchocki

I just wait until my wife brings food to me in the smithy.

My understanding is that you "ring" the anvil once for each year of the life of the person who has passed. IN other words if he/she passed at the age of 80 then you would ring the anvil 80 times.

Very Nice ! I hope to someday have enough time to get serious about bladesmithing.

Here are couple benches I've been wanting to make for a while. I was hoping to make these as part of a job but the money.... you know, it ain't what is used to be....
The white in the finish is wax that still needs to be buffed out I will be using some slab Pine with blue stain in it for the seats.

Let me know what you think.....

Very nice work !

Cast iron is great for a door stop or a boat anchor, not so much as an anvil.

Real nice work

I also do the same as Dodge.

While you are waiting to "relite your fire" you are welcome to store all your smithing tools, amvil,forge,vice, and coal here in my smithy. It will be well cared for and then you may take all the time you need to get motivated again.......................

A scraped together forge from 1/2 in. plate, angle iron and plumbing fittings with a shop vac in blower mode for a blower. Used coal . With a Fisher Norris anvil I had found in scrap yard and a hammer I bought at the hardware store. Now ,11 yrs later I am so busy I don't have any free time anymore. Be careful what you wish for , you just might get it.

Merry christmas from the guys at Black Dog Forge.

Just my opinion, from here in the northeast. but depending on condition up to $3.00/ pound.

So after reading the responses to my question about lathes I went online and ordered "How to run a lathe" by South Bend. Then while working in the smithy this morning I remembered someone had given me an old benchtop lathe a few yrs ago. so I looked around , found it ! Now once the book gets here I will read it through and begin to try to get this oldie but goodie back to working order.
Harley

How many of you out there have a metal lathe? I have no training on one and have the chance to purchase one. Would this be a worthwile addition to a smithy? and what are the advantages to owning one. Those of you who do have one ...how often do you use it ? Any other input will be welcome?
Thanks,
Harley

IN addition to a 5 gal. bucket of water I would suggest a large fire extinguisher kept in a easilly accessable place. I have had two or three small fires start from grinder sparks and or welding and believe me fire can spread very rapidly (don't ask me how I know this). An old horse barn or stall is a tinder box waiting for an ignition source. in the attached photo , note the fire extinguisher on the wall at the end of the welding table. You can't imagine how bad it feels to say " I should have had a fire extinguisher "
Harley

There was a young fella who came by here with his Dad on a quest to purchase a hand crank blower. He was a metal arts student at the regional Vo Tech school, Dad was in the metal trades as well, machinest if I recall correctly. We takled for a long time as they made their way through my smithy. They looked at 4 different blowers I had for sale and from speaking with them the young fella seemed to be on the right track. I told them they were both welcome to come by from time to time and bash some iron with me . IN the end the youmg fella didn't want to spent the $ I was asking for a blower. We talked as we walked back to the roadside at which point I told the young fella that if he wanted to walk back to the smithy he could one particular blower for free and two 50# bags of coal. He took me up on the offer. I got a few emails from him with a question or two which I answered. Within a few short months I saw a posting by him on this forum I believe in which he stated " I have this blacksmithing thing down now". I chuckled. Some time later he asked if I was going to attend the Fitchburg "Forge in " competiton to which I replied " No, I would prefer to be working in my smithy making $ rather than taking part in a half hearted competiton. His response to me was sort of smart xxxx and I was somewhat offended. Apparently this young boy had mastered the art of blacksmithing and was going to set the world on fire.
people with that kind of attitude are NOT WELCOME in my smithy.

When I leave my shop ,a dirt floor unheated barn, I throw my leather apron over my 289# Peter Wright. Seems to keep it well protected from moisture.

my 2 cents. Ask a brick mason before you do dammage you will regret.

I have had an acute case of anvilitis for the past 11 yrs. Bad news: There is no cure. I once bid on an anvil on ebay. won the bid went to pick up the anvil and came home with 4 anvils............
Harley

Thank You

Does anyone know what year the last Peter Wright anvils were made?

I had some plans left on my welding/layut table one evening . Upon returning in the morning there were multiple racoon tracks on the plans.......no work done though .

First I did a coat of Cold galvanizing coumpound. Then primer and I am on the third coat of flat black paint.

Thats clean compaired to my smithy at times....but at least I know where every tool is when I need it ......