C-1ToolSteel

Good to hear.

What I enjoy the most? Hmm, that's a tough one. For me, anything with upsetting or splitting.

...blacksmithing that is. Not relationships!

If you can't afford a belt grinder, an angle grinder is WAY better for bevels.

Very artistic. Great job!

You shouldn't be hammering on the anvil. You should be hammering on the project. As long as the anvil is as big as your hammer you should be OK.

Thomas, that is noble of you.

I had had to take a post vise to the machinist to get a repair done, and one of the first things he said was "and whatever you do, don't let go of the handle when your finger is in the way!".

Great job! Show us what u make on it. I'll be interested in seeing how mild steel works for you.

Good job. I'm happy for you!

I couldn't take it after 5 min.

I just emailed the company. Waiting for an answer. They wouldn't let me send a pic, so it was kinda awkward.

Just preference. Both would be fine if u don't abuse it. Under abuse, soft might bend and hard might break.

9 hours ago, Tubalcain2 said:

TubalCain2 once had a sister

Who disliked his blacksmithing blisters

But on I-Forge-Iron

There's less dangerous fire

So..shoot he's coming, better shish her!

Dassa

 

He draws and he shoots fast as lightning 

To Sister it seems rather fright'ning

But at the computer

In need of a tutor

He makes Sister do all the typing!

The Bowie knife snapped in a pinch.

Too bad he used water to quench.

In all of his toil 

If he had used oil

He'd find it was well worth the stench.

The blacksmith stayed up late at night 

Attempting a limerick to write

He said it's a pity

If I was more witty

I'd be in my bed of delight!

Some people make those and call them universal wrenches.

You know you have a big anvil when it sits on a horizontal stump!

I also would have left the horn soft.

I'd say he did a good job. Not so sure about 3 strikers though. The reason it doesn't ring is because of the U clamps he used in mounting it.

First attempt at writing a limerick.

There once was a fellow from Danville 

Who struggled to carry his anvil

It fell on his toe 

And made his toe grow

Until all that would fit was a sandal!

Praying for you and your family. Keep seeking! He who seeks Him will find Him. No one who does this is a "lost cause".

Spalted maple is slightly weaker than regular maple, but i think it should hold up fine. to get a piece that is both spalted and burled seems pretty difficult though.

Welcome NBarbarino! From reading your post I can tell you have a good head on your shoulders. It is nice to hear from someone who has a healthy approach to learning. Give us some more detail about the forge, and send a sketch of your plans, and we can help you get started. As for the anvil, railroad track is decent. That's what I learned on. Just be prepared to become an angle grinding expert. I put six hours of grinding into mine. Start small, and don't get ahead of yourself, and you will have a blast. You are also lucky because there are a lot of blacksmithing tools in PA. Good luck!

Just use a jig saw!

I'm impressed.