billp

That really looks great I would say you did OK on the price.

Which brings up a question, does anyone have a pattern on how to build a bellows? Size of the bellows does not matter as I can adjust for that.
I really would like to build one to use at domestications as I get better. I would like to portray a 1800's to maybe early 1900's blacksmith. I know I could use a hand cranked blower but I can't build that, not yet anyway.
Just all in my plain as I hope I progress.
Bill P.

I know, I know, forgive me but I'm new at this and have no one else to brag to who understands but!
I just made my first set of tongs yesterday and THEY WORK!!!
Showed them to my wife and even she was impressed (some what). I'm not sure though if it was because of the skill it took to make them or the fact I could make something that worked. No matter why I'm all jazzes and planning to make another this time for round stock as these have flat jaws and don't do well on the round stuff (found out the hard way). I also made 2 handles to attach to my home made rail road anvil stand so I can move it easier, which is another story. I did learned a number of lessons though on how not to do something so the next time will be better.
But, all in all it's still a blast to be banging metal and making something from nothing and I'm loving it.

By the way my charcoal making is a bust, tried using it and would not burn well or as hot as the store bought. But at $5:00 or $6:00 a bag I can afford that and give up charcoal making till I can start buying coal.

I don't know but sounds like a good time to get the heck out of town.
I know to many disaster movies butttttttt !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bill P

PS
The radio station I leason to hear in Tenn. was talking about your volcano best keep an eye out. Don't want to read about you in the news.
BP

Red
I tend to agree with HWooldridge I think the doo-rag might be the thing. Working you would worry more with sweat then sun or looking proper. Back then you always wore a jacket or vest to hide your braces to be dressed right but, when working a smithy I'm almost certain they didn't. Then again with a doo-rag you would be more practical and less likely to catch sparks then with a brimmed hat of that day. Nothing else you can't go wrong with the tricorn. We even had a Miss. unit go into battle at the start of the war waring tricorns. So they lasted a long time into the 1800's.

By the way I will be more then proud to look you up if we get up your way and you can show me a thing or two I'm sure as I'm still green as grass.
Thanks
BP

Sorry Reb
Thought you maybe new and was just trying to help.
I have been trying to get up to Gettysburg for sometime but never seem to have the money or time when ever something is going on. My old unit the 5th Kentucky Co. E has been several times even taking part in the movie but I was never able to join them. Maybe my wife and I will travel up that way as she loves New York so may I'll get there after all.

As for being a blacksmith re-enactor you sound like your doing just as I would like to do. I would not be doing it for a living just to help and be a part of the group. After all it's about tell history as it really was and not how some want it to be. I commend you on trying to look as period as possible too, most would just give a weak try and let it go at that. That was one thing about my old group we all tried to look as real as possible on and off the field. I think I have as many civilian clothing as I do military for that reason.
Sorry I could not help keep up the good work.
BP

Wow
Didn't think It would get into all this when I started the question but it does give me answers. Being new I'm just not to sure with what is what so I ask. I have noticed that on some rebar I have cleaned up some have letters and or numbers on them maybe this can identify strength but then again maybe just the maker. But then again the maker can also indicate how good or bad the steel is. Anyway it something I use when I don't worry about what I'm using it for. Making holders for tools, racks, I even used 1" stock for legs but for tools themselves I need to count on, that's when I raised the question. I really thank you all for the input on rebar as well as charcoal. By the way my first batch ended up being no more then 3 or 4 handfuls of charcoal that was still slightly burning when I took it out. I doused it as little as needed with water and set it out to dry, then started my next batch. This one acted different then the first and I think may work out better but then again we'll see.
Thanks again guys I'm glad to have someone to go to for this stuff.
Bill P.

Reb
I was a Civil War Re-enactor for about 12 years and may still show up form time to time if the event is close enough. I do or did a Confederate Doctor but have seen a number of blacksmith in my time as well. In fact I though about after I get more experience maybe going back and setting up at events as a blacksmith. Only problem no one wants to pay much for your work.

One good souse of information are two magazines called Camp Chase Gazette or the Citizen's Companion both printed by Camp Chase Publishing (800) 449-1865. They have all types of articles and adds of people and places you might be able to get supplies from as well as events. For hats I recommend Clear Water Hats, WWW.clearwaterhats.com (870) 746-4324. They are not cheap but are really good I have three and love them all. As for clothing Fall Creek Suttlery (765) 482-1861 FCSutler@aol.com., Regimental Quartermaster www.regtqm.com. will help for a start. I would stay away from one called The Blockade Runner though had a very bad experience with them in a uniform they made for me it just was not good. If you can go to a good size to large reenactment that would be your best source. As a number of these and other sutlers set up to sell to reenactors and the public and you would be able to pick and chose better.

I hope all this is helpful and not to overwhelming. If there is anything else you may want to know ask as I do tend to run on to much when talking re-enacting. In any case keep your look simple in clothing cotton shirts, in pants, jackets and coats wool, and tools used and hard worked and you will do OK.
Good luck
Bill P

I'm using a 32 or 35 gal barrel with 3 1" holes at the bottom. I put a larger metal plate that can close the bottom holes as needed. I half filled it with 2 x 4 pieces (I kept all my scrap wood from my wood shop in dog food bags for camping fire wood till I found out about making charcoal) lit a fire but only let it burn for 10 or 15 minutes then put a metal plate on top of the barrel. I had a lot of smoke that kept coming for over 4 or 5 hours. So I'm not to sure if what I'm doing is right or not. I'm kind of use to trial and error in working things out so we will see. But what you have told me will help for the next batch no matter how this one turns out.
thanks
BP

No Pault17 that's funny while waiting for my frist batch of charcoal to cook at home, I went by our Kroger and picked upped a half gal. of milk and a 5lb. bag of lump charcoal and used it today for a small project. As for my wife she wants a metal candle chandelier for the patio. Kind of big for a beginner I know but I came up with a design that I can handle and that she likes. May have to wait for a regular anvil first though.
BP

OK I'll give it a shot, I just picked some flat 1" x 3/16" to see what I can do with that for tongs.
Thanks guys

Oh! has anyone ever tried to make charcoal using a barrel? If so I got a few questions on that as well. 1# just how long does it keep smoking when you put a loose fitting lid on with only 1, 1" air hole open at the bottom?
BP

I was wondering has anyone ever try using rebar to make tongs? I have several sizes of rebar rods and need a couple of sets of tongs. Can it be done and if so is it worth it? I know grinding or beating the ribs off is a job in itself but is the rebar a good material for tongs?
After getting several different drawings and instructions on making tongs I thought about trying to make my own.

Plus I found a way to make my own charcoal as I have a lot of wood scraps from my wood shop and a small metal barrel why not, anything to save money.

Again any input will be more then welcome.
Bill P

I like it really like it, I needed a good laugh and you just gave it to me thanks.
BP:D

No, he is my wifes 100lb baby (5yr old lab), he was just pouting because he was not the center of attention. I only run him off when I'm welding and when I'm hammering the noise makes him keep his distence. Any other time he is under foot and topping out around 100 lbs. that's alot under your feet. And no he does not hunt or retreve duck only snacks.

Here are the picitures of my new forge and my welding table also made from scrap metal from the junk yard. Or at least I think I got them loaded.
BP

OKkkkkkk I'll give the pic post at try thanks for the help.
BP

Thanks, I do hope to grow as you have as time goes by and skill grows. For now my wife wants me to make an outdoor candle chandelier. Will be looking for advice and instruction when the time comes. Want to try and get a real anvil first even if it's a cheaper china made make do.

:D Will I'm as proud as a new Poppa as I just finighed my new forge.
It's made from a car wheel rim where I added 5/16" plate to the bottom, with an old metal hair dryer as a blower. I know to many of you more experenced hands this may sound silly but for me, Wow. I fired it up with charcoal (all I had) and made a small tool to help manage the movement of fuel plus a small bracket to help hold my blower/dryer in place. As for the hair dryer it's an old one I had stored away in my parents things (there both gone now). It blows kind of slow to dry hair and has a switch to cut off the heat so it blows regular air without over heating the dryer. It's not strong or fast but did OK on the charcoal. I just can't wait to be able to get enough money up to order my first bag of coal and try it out and a better blower. If I knew how I would post a photo but!
Like I said before I know it sounds silly but, beating out those parts on my railroad anvil using my tire rim forge I almost felt a little like my GreatGrandDad who was a blacksmith (also the black sheep of the family, but not because he was a smith ). ;)

Thanks guys I appreciate all the advice.
Your right WagonMaster not to far from me in Memphis we have the Metal Museum and they teach classes but want start back up till Sept. and end in Jan. (just missed them). They are 2 day classes on the weekend and are progressive type classes if you didn't go to the first you can't do the second and so on. As for the equipment I'll have to keep a look out for the junk shops I all ready have a scrap yard close by where I can pick different metal pices to work with. Only problem is there may not be enough or may not be just the right thing. Like now I'm trying to get only a few feet off a coil of steel wire but they are not to willing to cut it, just to much trouble. But so far I make do I was able to make a work table to cut and weld on, holders for my welding rods, and now working on my car wheel forge. Thinking about it I may have a fan from an old heater if I can build a housing for it might work for a blower if not I'll try the blow dryer. Right now all I need is for the money fairy to drop a cool $1000.00 in my lap for an anvil and if lucky a few extras, but I want hold my breath.
Again thanks to all, looking forward to getting to know you all better as time goes by.
Bill P

Just want to say hi, I'm trying to get started into blacksmithing and I'm very new to it all. I have some experence stick welding but that is about the extent of my metal experence. I''m trying to start my forge with a tire rim a design I got off line. So far my biggest problem is finding blowers not costing an arm and a leg. Right now I have a man at a hardware store looking to pull a blower from a dishwasher when they get a used one in for me. Not sure how I rig it up but I'll come up with something. Plus I'm finding good anvils are not cheep either, right now I'm using a piece of railroad railing welded to a steel plate. I know it all sounds so pitiful but with money tight you got to start somewhere.

So if anyone has any advice on places to buy equipment or on what or how to do something I'm all ears. I never turn down advice but to claim the right to chose whether or not I will follow it.

Thanks to all and Hello again.
Bill P