I have been making a mess of perfectly good old Nicholson files on my hand-cranked charcoal forge for several years now, and decided it is time to improve my skills and equipment. My forge is a washtub style inspired by Tim Lively, and the blower is an old Lancaster No. 40 that wheezes and groans and still does good work. My charcoal is whatever I can gather at controlled burn and slash pile burns in the woods above my home. Works fine, and it is free.
I'm seriously looking into a propane forge and otherwise stepping up my game, however, because I got a nice old refaced Trenton anvil for my birthday to supplement my Harbor Freight cast steel Russian anvil. Look forward to learning from the craftsmen in this community.
Thank you all in advance!

Welcome Bill,

You've come to the right place - you'll find all sorts of great folk and good info here.

Check out the NWBA - Really active and dynamic group - super place to connect with smiths from all over the NW.

Here's their website: Home Page

Enjoy!

Welcome aboard Bill, glad to have ya.

If you decide to go gas we can provide evaluations on commercial forges and all sorts of help if you decide to build your own.

Frosty

Howdy Bill, I live over the hill in K.Falls. I'd be happy to have you stop by sometime if you need further confusing.. take care

Fellas, I appreciate your kind welcome, and will take you up on the propane forge advice. I've checked several brands and so far I like the Diamondback price, but the Chili designs. I don't have any welding tools or skills, so I think trying to build my own might not be the smart option just now. But I could be wrong. I will be spending some time here reading the forums and old posts to try to get up to speed.
Again, thank you all.
Bill

Buying is a good option if you don't have the tools or skills to build. Doesn't make a lot of sense to take up fabrication if you want to blacksmith. You'll end up teaching yourself to fabricate later on of course, it just shouldn't be a requirement to get started.

Diamond back and Chili are both top line forges, I haven't heard anything but good about them. I haven't tried either but I pay attention to gas forges.

Frosty

I meet a guy from Talent at the CBA conferance. He just picked up a power hammer to...
I like the chilie's as thats what I paturned my forge on but both are great.

Oh yah, Welcome!!!

Fe-Wood: Where is that lake you show in your avatar?
Talent guy with a power hammer, eh? Hope to meet him!

Welcome aboard Bill. I'm the "other Mike" from over the hill in Klamath Falls. There's a few of us that get together occasionally over here and have a little fun. CBA has a few hammer-in's etc. in N. Cal. that we frequent, and I recommend. Mike-HR and I are both instructors through the CBA. If you are interested in some instruction feel free to PM me.
Mike Limb