Lonny

Hello Tbonnes, see you there

Hey Tristan

That is exactly my plan to hold off on the forge build until after the meeting. I realize due to my inexperience I am very susceptible of falling victim to building/buying what I think I need VS knowing what I actually need. I am going to focus on reading up on and researching all I can on metal work, forging, and gas burners. Plus I am going to tinker around with building some T-burners.  I have a woodworking project I need to complete also before I jump on the forge/ blacksmithing band wagon.

Another bonus is that I have my wife all mentally prepared and received approval to drop several hundred dollars on a forge. You gentlemen have now shown me a more realistic cheaper way, in regards to forges. However I need to capitalize on this rare occasion and strike while the iron is hot on this approval. …I am thinking a good ol leg vise would prove useful. Even if it turns out I absolutely hate blacksmithing (which I highly doubt will happen) I can always use a good solid vise in the shop. If you know on any lying around someplace for sale, let me know.

Looking forward to meeting you guys

Take care

Lonny

Hey Frosty

You have definitely enlightened me with the brick forge. I have been rolling  around the possibilities in my  head all day. Looking forward to attending the upcoming meeting (weather permitting) I think in the meantime I will buy the required parts and start tinkering around in the garage with the T-burner.. Maybe build a couple just to get the hang of I. Looking forward to checking out your new forge

Thanks again, I really appreciate it.

Lonny

That is a great idea! Is that standard cinder block, or fire brick?

Thank you Frosty, I appreciate the offer and will definitely take you up on any help your willing to lend. I was (some what grudgingly) planning on purchasing my own. I was looking at the 3 burner blacksmith forge built by Diamondback  Iron works. It looks like a fine forge however at a cost upwards of  $600  not including shipping  from NC it was definitely a jagged pill to swallow. I recently found your paper on the T-burner, it definitely got be thinking about building my own. I don't own a welder or really have the proper skill to fab up my own forge body quite yet. I suspect I could gather up and prep all the parts  myself, have a weld shop put it together and still come in way under $600.

I realize a 3 burner forge may be  a bit overkill for a rookie building a chisel, Kind of like killing a fly with a sledge hammer!  My thoughts were I would  eventually grow into it. If one burner is good three's got to be better right? Do you suggest I keep it simple and build a single burner to fit my skill level or proceed with my original plan?

Take care Frosty

Lonny

Hello Teeny

I am very interested in attending on the 12th. What is the address and time of the meeting?

Lonny

Hello

I am a newbie to the site and to the craft. After many years i have recently decided to quit day dreaming and procrastinating about blacksmithing and give it an honest try. I have secured a little 70 pound anvil and should hopfully have a forge in place by December. In the meantime i figure it would be wise to reach out and try and meet some other folks who also have interest and possibly experence blacksmithing. I enjoy carving and wood working, so i figure a good place to start would be to make my own chisels and gouges,work my way up to knifes, maybe an Axe one day.  If anybody can point me to local groups or indiviguals who dont mind giving a new guy a few pointers once in a while, i would deffinately appreciate it. I live in Kenai Alaska.

Thanks, and take care

Lonny