bwoollcombe

Seems to have some of the same content as the 1901 book! The 1935 doesn't go in to general farm skills - it sticks to blacksmithing pretty tightly. The bits on specific technique seems greatly revised. Nice catch, and thankyou!

Also, were I to scan this, where should it be posted and archived?

I sometimes do work with accessibility (usually digital technology, but I can hum the tune for other aspects). I also, after much looking in an antique-poor area, found a leg vise. So here's my 2 cents: Cut it and mount it so it works. Whatever it takes. The long-dead makers, the blacksmiths before you- they would understand. That vise needs a smith as much as the smith needs a vise. I rip apart brand-new devices to make them accessible, and I'd rip apart antiques if that's what it takes.

It really is amazing. And he was a friend and fellow shop teacher with my late father - still waiting to find tools that my dad restored for him in the shop - I know he machined and welded some stuff for him over the years.

Not a review as much as an offer to scan and share if there's interest (and it's not available elsewhere... haven't found it with a search yet). This was gifted to me. It looks like a great curriculum Blacksmithing James M Drew Webb Book Publishing, Saint Paul Minnesota, 1935 Reprint 1975, 300 copies ISBN #0-8466-6037-7

I'll figure out pics in a bit, but I gotta brag! As I was hawking fire pokers and wall hooks at the Fair, a lady mentioned I should come look at her husband's tools. Next day I went over. This trip (there will be more) I loaded up a bunch of steel, fullers, ASOs, a coal forge, champion 400 blower, and a Lincoln 140 mig in the box. Oh, and a 5 3/4 Wright post vice in restored condition. I'm the happiest clam on the island. Some of it was a gift and some I paid decently for. I'll be giving her all my disposable income for the next while, picking up tools as I go.

+1 for knowing when to stop. Even at the anvil my hammer can suddenly gain weight and that's when the mis hits happen.

Re: holding between legs Make sure the struck piece is VERY flat on the anvil. That bounce can really ding you. When I messed up there were children about, and controlling my language was difficult! Now I have an adjustable work rest.

Howdy from the other corner (SW coast of Canada).

Thanks all! I've fixed my profile, read the newb posts, and am learning to navigate and find people. Strangely enough, I just found the only other active smith on Pender yesterday while flogging hooks at the market... I'll get her on this site to share the fun.

Hello! I've been muddling along for almost 2 years out in the Salish Sea, with the help of a lot of YouTube and ignorant optimism. It is certainly time for a bit more mentorship. I'm an experienced shop rat and woodwork/robotics teacher in junior high. I've started selling the usual hooks and fire pokers in a desperate attempt to pay for propane, while staying within my skills. The current setup, using a borrowed aircraft hangar through the fire season, is a 20kg acciao, teensy single burner propane forge, machinist vise on a stump, and whatever tools I can make. I'm hoping to find other local smiths, maybe arrange a meet-up, and glean as much as I can from this lovely forum. Cheers Bryce