Tap Tap Bang

Thanks Frosty for the insight into how it was done back in the day. I often think of how people had to make do with what was available at the time. We get a bit tied up in needing this and that to do a job that simple tools will do. This is the fire pit where I am camped now. It's 2mx2m and if I added a blower I reckon it would heat up 5'' stock no worries In Tasmania where I am it is rare to be able to have a fire as there is a lot of Forrest here so in Summer they are on edge as it's very dry. I am inspired to try and forge something on a campfire just to test it out so I will set myself a challenge to do it over the next few months. Using the kids on the blower is a good idea. I have an 18v Makita blower which will work for the job.

Thanks for the suggestion Paul TIKI. We are traveling with our 2 kids and with all the usual stuff that comes with kids we are at our weight limit. I have pushed the limits already by picking up a few railway spikes and other bits of metal that I have found on walks. I used one to make the hatchet. I have read on this site about the JABOD and it's different forms and I plan to set one up when I visit my Inlaws at Easter time for a few days. I have my anvil in a shipping container there and my previously made tongs, chisels, drifts and tongs that I made on my first day Blacksmithing at a workshop. I will post up what I make.

Thank you for the encouraging words Davor. I am currently traveling around Australia in a caravan so don't have a day job to quit It also means I cannot set up a shop. When we go back to a normal life at the end of the year I am looking forward to setting up a shed so I can tinker and develop my skills. I really do love Blacksmithing but will keep it as a hobby. Unfortunately my body wouldn't hold up to doing it full time. A car accident 23 years ago took its toll on me. As I travel around the country I hope to find a few more people that will let me into their Smiths so I can keep learning. Having Phil teach me how to do the dragon Hatchet has really boosted my confidence.

I spent an afternoon making a hatchet with a dragons head from a railway spike. This was my 2nd go at Blacksmithing so happy with the results. I feel very privileged that an experienced blacksmith gave his time to teach a complete beginner a few skills & invited me into his Smith. Here are a few pics I enjoyed it so much especially knowing how much room there is for improvement, there will never be another one made just like it! Once I make up a handle it will be a gift for a friend to put on the mantle piece.

A bit off topic but it sure fits the title of Random thought with a question... As it's Christmas Eve...... I keep hearing that if you have been naughty Santa will give you a lump of coal. I am assuming that there are many on here that would be trying to be extra naughty so they get an extra big lump of coal for Christmas. How naughty would I have to be to get a years supply of coal for a forge? If I buy a new power hammer without asking my wife I'm sure I would be deep in the bad books and then Santa would give me loads of coal. A win win situation! Have a happy & safe Christmas

Apologies Frosty I thought I filled in all the info lines ( new to the forum). I looked and searched for an existing thread but couldn't find a relevant one. Do you know of one that would be relevant? As I'm sure I will find more tools along the way. The surface rust is the main thing I want to improve on the hammer so I can preserve it. The faces are actually pretty smooth. I read old posts suggesting that the copper inserts eventually wrap around the head which protects it. Replacing the inserts is a pain from what I read and it's recommended to just buy a new hammer. As it seems like it's very old I would have a go at replacing them but that is a long way off. Having one end as rawhide would be ideal. With the bolt cutters I did find old posts regarding replacement jaws on other sites but not sure if they are still available. I will do some more searching. Im sure they will still cut, it may just take a few goes. Otherwise they may just end up on the wall as a decoration.

I was looking through my father's shed today and found this hammer. From what I could find it may be pre 1970 as they changed the stamp to just be 'Size 3' in 1970. Any advice on the best way to spruice this one up as I think it will be a handy hammer. I was thinking of using a wire wheel then put on some linseed oil. Also found these bolt cutters. Made in the USA so must be good quality hey? Is there a way to improve the cutting jaws as they are a bit rough?

George your spot on saying there is something special about using things that have been in your family. I see it in all shapes and sizes. It could be a boat, a car, a tool or even an old chair. There is something about it.

This is my anvil that has been passed down by my grandfather on my dad's side and the stump it lived on below it. It has had a hard life on a dairy farm with plenty of dings as it has manly been used for cold work and maybe occasionally used with metal that has been heated with an oxy. There are no markings on it so I don't know what brand ect it is but it doesn't matter anyway. It is sitting in my shipping container waiting for me to set up a work shop which is 12+ months away. One of my uncles on mum's side has an anvil from my other grandfather which is in way better shape. He was a sheep farmer who loved tinkering and metal work. Unfortunately he passed before I could be taught by him. My brother had put his name on that anvil but I have recently been talking to him and he said if I set up a work shop then I may a well have it and he will come visit it

Hello Jono It would be great to carry around an anvil but weight wise we are already on the limit. The workshop was fantastic. It was a full day do I am a bit puffed and sore now. I mainly wanted to make tools that I could use when I set up my own hobby shop one day. First off we made a hammer from a blank using the power hammer. I had never used a power hammer before so took a bit of getting used to. Tom the instructor then put a handle on it while I forged out some coil spring steel into some punches, chisels and drifts. By the last couple I was able to use the hammer we made first up which was pretty cool. Then we made some tongs. I much preferred hammering out by hand as I was learning where to hit and how to correct when I hit the wrong place. This was slow going but I learnt a hell of a lot. Tom would then use the power hammer to tidy things up. We used the punch made earlier to make the holes for the rivets then set them with the hammer we made. I am truly hooked now!! I have an even bigger respect now for people that are good at it because it takes a lot to get right. All the stuff that we made is rough but I love it because it shows my skill level when I started and now I have a yard stick to improve on.

Carl here currently of no fixed address as traveling around the county with my wife and 2 kids in a caravan. Originally from Warrnambool Vic and will end up somewhere in SA in 12 months when we finish our 3 years of travel. I have always had an interest in Blacksmithing and will be doing my first Workshop at Pt Elliot SA in 3 days so can't wait. Looking forward to heating up some metal then bending, twisting and banging it into something useful.