Brian Hibbert

Hooks are a good place to start, and there is enough variety that you won't get bored.  Black Bear Forge has a series of you tube videos he called "Hook of the Week" that can give you some ideas.  He also had a series of videos on Beginning blacksmithing for under $500 to give you an idea of the basic tools and some initial projects you can do to get started.  He used a Vevor anvil and small gas forge.  They are one of his sponsors but I don't think he distorts his reviews much, it did influence his choice of starting tools.  I'd prefer the Mr. Volcano  forge which you can find on Amazon and a Harbor Freight STEEL anvil (the red one, not the blue cast iron one) but there are many other options too. You can use a large piece of steel or an old sledge hammer head as your anvil (which was my first anvil) and a box of dirt coal forge for heat instead. 

I don't know any tricks to make the two metals stick better, but I really like the effect of the brushing you did.  If you're making more candle holders, I'd do the same thing again.

If you really want a more even appearance, you could do some experimenting with some scrap pieces of steel.  Try using soldering flux (carefully in melted aluminum, not sure if it would boil like water) and maybe different temperatures of the steel.  

Maybe make decorative birdhouse or feeder hangers rather than the birdhouse?  Something similar to a plant hanger only with a more avian decoration.   I've got a shepherd's hook with a sheet metal bird silhouette welded to it.  Perhaps something like that would sell to bird watchers for a feeder hanger. 

 But what kind of Bird Shop is it?  Is it for people with pet birds like parakeets or is it for wild bird watchers?  The target market changes what you'd want to make.

On 2/21/2024 at 9:10 AM, Scott NC said:

 I wonder what Johhny Cash would think?

I think he'd have bee OK with that.  After all, he took a Nine Inch Nails song and made it his own.  I think it fits his life.

It was there, just farther back. 

Someone had a recent post about finishing a rose for it and posted a picture, but I don't  remember who and it's not in the what did you do in the shop thread.  It looked nicely made.

I'm not a welder, and would make a mess of that.  A good welder might be able to do it cleanly but an armature like me.

Could you drill a hole, and use a tap and die set to cut threads for the 3/8 inch rod?  You might want to reduce the end of the rod to a smaller size and use a smaller hole if you try this.  I think it would end up cleaner than a weld on it. 

No. I've never been to the hammer ins.

Hi Deacon, 

Welcome aboard!  We're nearly neighbors.  I'm in central Illinois,  as is Buzzkill.   

That zip lock  bag of powder in your friend's carry on might cause a little ruckus at the airport.  Make sure it's labeled well and it might avoid some lab testing delays. 

Well George, even if the person you were replying to knew the information you were posting, some of us didn't.  It was informative.

My brother in law was in a private group that got bought by a one of the local hospital chains.  He was glad about it and said they made a lot of things easier since he only had to worry about the actual doctor stuff and they dealt with all the non-doctor things (insurance billing, hiring staff, etc.). 

I'm sure there were things he didn't like too (time per visit and the like), but he really didn't go into that. 

He's just retired so he also doesn't have to deal with business succession.

Looks like he has [deleted].

Wish I could make it there, but 1000 miles is a little too far for an estate sale.

Welcome aboard Bill! 

Glad to have you.  I'm not a metal caster (I prefer to beat my steel into submission rather than pouring it)  or in the land of Dorothy, but there are people here who are.  

Welcome aboard!

Please edit your profile to provide your general location.  Anvil value depends a great deal upon where you are located and this is a worldwide forum.

The links to the pictures you provided are broken.  I just get 404 not found errors on them.

And provide whatever other information you have on the anvil, manufacturer, weight, condition, etc.  Every bit of info helps. 

It's not a peom, but I found this on on Anvilfire  

Anvilfire owners had requested that live links to their site not be included on IFI... A search on their site for The King of the Craftsmen will bring it up in the Story Page button.

Welcome aboard!

That's some very nice work.  

Welcome aboard!  I don't do melting, but there are many on this forum who do.  BUT, this is a world wide forum.

It would be helpful to know where you are for a question like this.  Please edit your profile and put the general location in it.

Merry Christmas to ALL!!!!

Yes, it's great fun, isn't it?  Now MAKE something.  Anything.  And use what you make.  That's even better fun.  

If you're not sure what to make, try a plain hook with a scroll on the end.  A leaf hook is good too.  Then mount it to your wall and hang your coat on it! Keep that first item as a reminder of where you started.

Then make another...

The story to go with that Rockwell is narrated here:

Just Pickin's and Grinnin'  

(Dating myself too)

I saw that same one yesterday.  I've been looking at getting a cheap welder just for tacking things together.  I had already ordered a cheap welder which will be here Monday.  So I was very interested in their take.  Basically, it's not as good as a professional quality welder, but for less than $100 it will do what I want it to do.  I ordered a different brand, so I can only hope it fares as well.  

4 hours ago, Buzzkill said:

Although there seems to be less than cyclonic enthusiasm for this topic, I did a few more experiments, so I'll post a more summarized version.

Don't think that no one is reading or interested.  I don't comment on this post or most of Mikey's because I don't know enough to even ask good questions, but I do read these "basic research" posts with interest.  Please keep us informed of your progress.  When I start thinking of a forge build, I'll be looking at experiments like yours to see if I want to go that route or stick with the more traditional Frosty burner...

And some unsolicited advice.... 

You don't say what you intend to make. If it's knives, I'd suggest you ALSO make some more mundane items.  You mentioned needing dad's permission for the type of forge. SO...Make some coat hooks, key chains, fireplace tools, etc.  along with your knives. Your parents will be a little more supportive of a wide ranging hobby than with JR. making weapons and you'll learn some useful skills while making those other things.  

Above all, keep safety in mind.  Nothing will have your parents shutting down your hobby as fast as an injury or uncontrolled fire.