Hawgdirt

Newest pair of flat tongs, kind messed up the boss. I've been plating stuff with a brass brush, I really like how it looks.

I don't know what the permissions are, but ill click on one of the BP links and I get an Error code: 1F176/3 and it says I don't have permission to view the article. But I'm not sure if the brick forge that is on there is right for me. Looks like a real big fire pot. I'm buying the firepot kit from blacksmith depot. It would be nice to be able to access those Bps though.

I know there is a blueprint for a brick forge, but I don't have permissions to view the Bp 100 series. Not looking for anything fancy. I'd like to build a forge like the one I've attached minus the chimney. Basically a brick table with a firepot. I'm just not sure how to build the table part, I assume you got to have a metal top and put the brick on top of that. I know where I'm getting my firepot just not real sure how to go about making it.

Well I do appreciate all the responses as it helped me make a very good informed decision. Three months of blacksmithing experience and I love it. It truly is satisfying to forge a piece of art or a useable tool. I know nothing about horses and got interested in it because of blacksmithing. From what I've seen and read I would be getting into it for the wrong reason and just end up frustrated and quit anyway. So I'm just going to focus on blacksmithing and maybe set up a booth at a fair one day or an etsy shop. Don't think I'd make a very good farrier if my sole reason for doing it is blacksmithing. I appreciate the eye opener as it has saved me a lot of time and money.

It was definitely a good feeling having a decent looking useable tool. This is my second pair, but I have a lot of attempts in the scrap pile. I think what really helped me this time is I finally found an edge on my anvil that isn't so radiused so I was able to set it down fairly well. The other day I tried to make those fancy shoulders on tongs, definitely don't have the skill for that quite yet. And I know what you mean needing a thicker boss and that was my intention. I think I need 3/4 stock because those were forged from 5/8 and I still didn't have enough material.

Thanks for the advice, I just ordered me a v jaw swage block so that should make it easy. I also tried my hand at using a brass brush and I really liked the finish it left.

Figured I could just post pictures of my attempt at v jaw tongs instead of making a new thread. For the time being ill just make this style tong instead of the bolt tong with the curve in them until I get more experience. This is meant to pick up rr spikes or larger stock. I'll be making a hardy hot cut soon dunno if these will work for holding large stock or not. Everything went great until I put in the rivet. I'm in desparate need of a bolster plate. I also don't have a tool for making a nice v in my tongs so I just used edge of my anvil for now. Is there a tool for making the v part in the jaws of the tongs?

I understand that someone with no experience should not be learning on a 100k+ horse. My point is if he had no interest in teaching me then a phone call would've been just fine. I didn't know he only shod race horses. It's not that big of a deal I was just saying it was a little aggravating as soon as I get there he tells me he can't train me. But it's alright I'm not dependent on getting a job so it's really not an issue.

It definitely looks like something I'd enjoy doing part time. Seems like it'd be easier to make a little income on the side from farrier work then blacksmithing. Just gonna go with the flow, stop trying to force things and learn all I can about blacksmithing.

I reckon for the time being I'm just gonna focus on blacksmithing and learning the trade. I'm rather exhausted from tracking down farriers. Meet with one today, after telling him I have 0 experience over the phone. I drive 45 minutes to meet up with him. After I get there we chatted for a bit and said he can't really teach me on racing horses. He recommends I go to a school then call him. Watched him shoe a horse, sorta felt like I was wasting my time since he ain't gonna teach me anything, so I left. It's possible maybe I missed something but I figured, maybe you could've told me over the phone that you can't teach someone with no experience? So with that being said gonna put farrier work on the back burner and just focus on blacksmithing.

It was very neat to watch the color run and to see that it was hard, did a file test and didn't really cut like it did before had. Was able to hear and feel the metal crack being put in water so that was good learning material. As far as ambient light goes, my forging area is outside under a lean to and sun was shining. I reckon if I ever start forging quality items ill have to heat treat at night. I know it's frowned upon by some people, I've read mixed reviews about using motor oil but that's what I have on hand right now.

I read that off, and while I was able to harden and get the colors to run, I was a little confused on the critical temperature. I was using a welders magnet and tested it before going in the fire to make sure the magnet stuck well. After putting the metal in the forge I tested it at different stages. Either I'm doing something wrong or the metal im using has a very low critical temperature. It wasn't even glowing dull red and it wouldn't stick to the magnet. I thought metal had to be very hot to become non magnetic.

I appreciate all the responses, good thing I was trying my hand at heat treating or I wouldn't have learned anything.

Thanks for the replies, guess I need to look up some information, I don't even know what tempering is.

Just wondering where I might have gone wrong. I was punch a hole and it just snapped in 2. Third picture is what I made out from, looks like pto shaft which I thought was hard metal. When I hear treated it I got it to a dull red and stuck about an inch of the tip in water.