Arkham

I'm impressed!

So if there is anyone in the Blacksmith Association of Missouri maybe you can help me out. I sent an application and a check out to Bruce Herzog as per the application instructions on March 7, and haven't had any response back yet. I was not a member of ABANA at the time so I went ahead and sent membership fees and application there as well, they have sent me documentation along with a membership number. I don't know if membership in one organization has bearing on the other, but I would love to get in contact with local smiths.

Kevin-Thanks for the advice about the extended pipe on the ash dump, I hadn't thought of it that way, and I probably would have gotten burned. (pun intended) Frosty-I agree, there needs to be more stability in the legs. My final design will have wheels on it so I have decided to wait and see exactly where/how I will install them. Thomas-My blower is pretty smooth as is, but I will be restoring it anyway. Thanks for your advice on the forge. I have read a lot of posts on this forum, I figured if two more curmudgeons answer my post I will get those 13 well reasoned and experienced answers. By the way that Swallow you guys are always asking about, is it European or South American.

I think I will probably let someone that is a better welder than I am do the tig weld on it. Until then I will start working with another vise or insert the angle iron jaw liners as mentioned by JHCC. Thanks for all the input.

So I have been lurking on this site for awhile and finally subscribed a few weeks ago. I've been reading all I can and YouTubeing hundreds of hours of blacksmith videos. I have been real fortunate to have picked up three nice anvils a couple of post vises and a hand crank blower. I stopped by the scrap yard and purchased some plate steel and angle iron a few weeks ago and today I started building my forge. The blower is not permanently fixed yet, I was not sure if this is the proper location, I was hoping for some input. The fire pot is constructed of 7/8 inch steel with 3/8 inch flange around it, I welded it a few months ago and it's been sitting next to my shed, it measures 8x10 inches at the top and 3x5 at the bottom, the 2 inch pipe nipple that is sitting in it is 4 inches long.

So I have this vise, and the jaws are kind of rough. Is it okay to weld on them and then grind them down smooth, or is this a bad idea? If thee is a better way to repair the jaws, I would love some feed back.

I would love to see more pictures of the forge with the hood.

Great looking build. I hope to be building one soon.

I am very fond of the Fleur De Lys, it is a significant symbol to my family. I do think that the first one is much more traditional, but I also agree with previous comments, that the scroll work on the second is much better. I read somewhere that when you try new things in blacksmithing, you learn to do something, then do it ten more times before you have mastered it. Maybe a few more tries and some configuration of the previous two and you will have what you are looking for. Keep hammering.

So I got this vise today at auction. 5-1/2" jaws. $45.00. Can't wait to get it cleaned up.

I picked up a vise just like that here for $100, a year ago.

Crytin, I have looked at the BAM calendar, and am aware that the conference was just around the corner. As I have just sent in my membership application and have not received any correspondence back, I have not made any definite plans. I do hope to attend and meet several local Smiths in the area.

So the anvil weighs 199.8 lbs., it has a clear makers mark along with the serial # 201925. I had borrowed Richard Postmans AIA from the library sometime ago, and if I recall there may have been a chart with serial #'s from Columbus Forge and Iron that would indicate about when this anvil was forged. If anyone has access to this, I would love to know the date or any other information about it. So I have a couple of anvils, leg vise, some hammers. I plan on building my forge soon. I am looking for tongs now, I have seen on this forum the value of being able to hold your work safely. I think I'm being realistic about my expectations. I plan on starting out just tapering, bending, twisting, upsetting some metal. Do simple shapes and scrolls. Once I figure out something, I'll do it 10 more times, then move on to the next challenge. I looking forward right now to just getting coal to burn.

Tools and equipment primarily. I have been picking up scrap metal as I come across it. I have a couple buckets full of metal to use. I went by a scrap yard the other day to purchase some metal to build a forge. While there I passively asked if they ever come across anvils. To my astonishment they said they had one sitting in a shed, if I was interested they would weigh it. Story short I got some angle iron and some plate to build a hearth for a fire pot that I had previously welded up from 7/8" steal. Along with a Trenton Anvil and all metal stand that had combined weight of 502 lbs.

Hello all, So I have been interested in blacksmithing as long as I can remember. About 18 months ago I decided that I would take action and give it a try. I have been reading several books and watching every video I can find that has any relationship to the art. I have also been searching for items to get started. I have applied for membership in the local abana affiliate near me and just signed up to this forum.