rich_c

Hello, HojPoj! Any additional feedback on this anvil? I've got the 66-pounder saved to my "wishlist" at the moment.

Thanks, Frosty! I figured that for some things in blacksmithing there isn't a "one and only way" to do them. The quantifiable knowledge is established and easily accessible: steel types, forging temperatures, etc. I am working on building a base of qualitative knowledge so that I can build my experience on it. From reading through posts here on the forums (and advice from experienced blacksmiths like you and others), books, and quality YT videos from reputable blacksmiths, I'm trying to get those bits of knowledge and lessons learned moments so I can apply them myself when I move metal for the first time.

Since I’m going to do some practicing before I take a class, I decided to get an Acciaio anvil — I read HojPoj’s post on them — and a Mr. Volcano single burner gas forge. I watched a few YouTube videos of a class that Uri Hofi gave, so I’ve been getting a feel for my hammer, a 2 lbs. “Czech” pattern from Blacksmith Depot, by doing some “striking drills” on a 2x4 to develop technique. I’m going to sand the handle down a little bit, more to get the sealant off the handle than anything else. I read through Lorelei Sims’ book, which is a great addition to the first of Mark Aspery’s book. And I recently added GSTongs to my YT subscription list. I find toolmaking very interesting. Okay… time to walk the boys around the neighborhood and collect some candy!

Thank you for the feedback, gentlemen! I think I’ll take a pass on this.

I happened upon this “anvil like object”, CF Rail Road Track anvil, while looking up prices on anvils on the CF website. It looks neat and may be good enough to mess around with in the back yard, but I wanted to see what the general opinion was on it. I attached a photo and the description below is from the CF website. The Track Anvil is made from a 12” long piece of 115 RE Relay rail. The good news is that this steel is hard as hard could be. You can hammer away and the surface will endure incredibly well. The bad news is that machining the top surface flat is very costly. Hence the price charged. In addition there is a hardie hole, a pritchel hole and four anchoring holes added. Weighs 37 lbs. Overall length: 13-3/4" Flat Face Dimensions: 6-3/4" x 2-7/8" Bowed Face Dimensions: 5-1/4" x 2-7/8" Anvil Face is 1-1/4" thick by 12" long Base (footprint): 12" x 5-1/4" Overall Height" 6-5/8" Hardie Hole: 7/8" 3/8" Pritchel Hole 1-1/4" Extension for the Hardie Hole Note: the Hardie Hole Extension is not heat treated The Hardie Hole Extension is welded on and should not be used as part of the striking surface. Because the Track Anvils are made from used railroad tracks, the non-machined faces will vary. Forging your future, from America's past.

I don't have a shop, yet, but I've started the building process. I ordered the small starter kit from Blacksmith's Depot and "The Backyard Blacksmith" by Lorelei Sims to go along with the first volume of Mark Aspery's book. I'm still leaning towards the Mr. Volcano gas forge and I'm researching anvils. I'm also working on where my "shop" will be set up in my back yard. All this and I have The CFO's approval! Hahahaha!

There is a hammer in set to take place on Sunday, 6 November. According to the NJBA's latest newsletter, it will be at the Blacksmith of Trenton and run by Daniel Lapidow. The newsletter doesn't give a time, just to look up the times from the previous event (Jan 2022?), so I'm guessing it will be happening between 10:00AM and 4:00PM. Is there anyone that can confirm this? I sent out a few emails a week ago but haven't received any responses. If anyone can help with additional information or can confirm the time, I would appreciate it. Thank you!

Hi, Thomas! There are still some areas with tight zoning laws in NJ. When I lived in VA, one county passed a zoning regulation that forbid lots to be subdivided in parcels less than five acres. It had a lot of support from the residents, too, because they didn't want to become a suburb of DC. But that's a digression... Everyone, I'm starting to get a better feel for what I need to do to start blacksmithing. It looks like I may have to wait until the spring to take a class, though, based on my schedule and what I'm seeing available online from those who offer the classes. I think at this point, I'm going to start asking questions under the various forums based on topics. Thank you all for the "Welcome Aboard" messages.

Hi, ThomasPowers and BillyBones! I'm not quite sure what you mean about trying the Pine Barrens, but I don't own land down there and I'm not inclined to do so. I'll just leave it at this: New Jersey is an expensive state to live in, and I'd argue that I'm not getting a good return from my tax dollars. Yes, Morse code is still in use. There's some commentary in the ham radio community that it has been having a resurgence in use in the US. I have an old AT&T Telegraph straight key at my home radio station. Outside the US, Morse code is used because you can have a full conversation with someone many miles away while using simple equipment and low power.

Hi, George N.M. and Frosty! I will admit to definitely being a lucky man with having found my wife... or her having found me. Whichever way you put it, I'm lucky. I did spend some time last night reading through the JABOD threads again. I may build one and try my hand at using it. As for a gas forge, I'm leaning towards the Mr. Volcano. I think that will be a great "starter" forge, too. I do have a few other hobbies. I enjoy the outdoors: hunting, fishing, hiking. Anything away from the noise so I can decompress. We lived in rural Virginia (near Front Royal) for several years and I miss the space and quiet, especially when compared to living in New Jersey. I'm also an amateur radio operator with a preference for using Morse code.

Good morning, George N.M., Frosty, Latticino, and JHCC! Thank you for the welcome messages and the advice. It is much appreciated. I looked at the NJBA website this morning. I'm going to send out an email or two to make some local contacts. I noticed that one of the smith's mentioned on their website, Daniel Lapidow, works locally to me. I'll check out the PA ABA website later today, when I get a break from work. As for winning over my wife (aka "The CFO"), she's onboard. She does arts and crafts as a side business: sewing, cross stitch, etc., including going to shows and selling things. She did like the Brian Brazeal video where he forges a leaf-shaped key chain from copper stock and I showed her some of the examples in Mark Aspery's book. I'm going to start with a propane forge, and have seen a few reviews of the Mr. Volcano. I'd like to get a coal forge at some point, too, and I did read about the JABOD. It looks like that would be easy to construct but I have to be careful of some of my neighbors who I know will complain about smoke. For other tools, I've been looking at some of the anvils by Kanca or the Bulgar style offered by Old World Anvils. I have also been looking at the smithing starter kits or piecing out a few of the basic tools offered by Blacksmith Depot (Kayne and Son): a hammer in the 800 to 1000 gram range, a pair or two of tongs, a punch or chisel (or two)... something to hold me over until I can comfortably make my own tools. Safety gear is also on the list: while my military service was not in a combat zone, I do have enough bumps, dents, and scars as is; I'd like to avoid collecting any more, if possible. Hahaha! I grew up in Philly and agree that there is a lot of interesting architectural work in the area. A trip to a museum might be good, especially if my sons come along. I'll check to see if it's open. I have the Peter Valley school saved to my favorites list. It's a 2.5 hour drive north of me. They have two intro classes on the schedule at the moment but both are wait listed. There's also a smith afffiliated with ABANA, Dave Collier, who offers classes on weekends. He's located on the Eastern Shore area of Maryland, about a three hour drive south of me. Again, thank you for the welcome aboard messages. I'm looking forward to this journey and from learning from the more experienced smiths.

Thank you, sir! And will do!

Hello, everyone! My name is Rich. I live in Bordentown, NJ... a few miles south of Trenton, NJ or about 35 miles from Philadelphia, PA. Just to be clear from the beginning: I own no tools for blacksmithing, yet. I got interested in blacksmithing and metalworking while I was in the Marine Corps. I took a welding course where the instructor talked about blacksmithing, and I visited his forge -- a small set up where he did a mix of blacksmithing and farrier work, and I thought it was neat. However, I had neither the time, space, or money to start forging back then... obviously. Fast forward many years into the future -- I've put myself through college, started a career, got married, have a family, etc., etc., and that "bug" is still there bothering me. I've gone to blacksmithing demonstrations over the years where I've asked questions and picked brains. Now, I have some time, space, and money to try to get involved in this craft. I've lurked through these forums for a bit and recently joined them. I have read through the first book Mark Aspery and will probably buy the other two before the year is out. I've watched videos recommended here: Mark Aspery, Black Bear Forge/John Switzer, Brian Brazeal, Alec Steele, etc. I also got permission from "The CFO" to invest in taking some classes and to buy the tools needed to get started. My goal is for this to be a source of creativity and smith part-time/as a hobby. I'm interested in the creation of something from metal: bottle openers, scroll worked items, tools, etc. So that's me. I'm going to go back to reading and researching.