Okay, While asking around about anvils at a recent flea Market, I ran in to an older gentleman who overheard me ask very amateur questions about anvils. He kinda chuckled and told me to not spend too much money all at once or in one place. He told me that since I am rather short and compact (bit of a smaller feller ain't you?), what I need to use will be different than most other folks. He said just to get an old piece of scrap rail, some tongs, a ball peen hammer and some scrap brass. He told me to practice moving metal with the brass. He said Brass is easy to practice with, doesn't need to be heated and if you can shape cold brass, you can shape hot steel. He said it would be a good way to figure out anvil height, how heavy a hammer I am good with, and lay out an idea of a shop. Then I'll know enough to start getting equipment. He said years ago he would have recommended a coal forge because material was easy to come by. Now, he said that most neighborhoods won't tolerate coal and to consider gas. It's easier to get gas, and there is less smoke to offend the neighbors. It sounds like good advice, but I would like some other thoughts as well. Anyone else start with Brass?
