Because I wanted to

[CrafterJohn]

I started blacksmithing as a hobby a couply years ago
It had been something I had wanted to do for years and finally I decided to do it

I got some old gear from an even older smith I knew
My first time I used it was at a rendezvous where I had my anvil on the ground and metal in a fire pit dug into the ground. I used a blow tube and wood from our camp to heat the metal. Learned a LOT. 1 thing was how to take the hot metal from the fire and get it to the anvil without flashing the audience since I was in a kilt. I still have my first 1/8" square stock S-Hook. Ugly little piece but you can still use it if you needed to.

I built a portable forge after that from old wood and firebrick I bought.
I had a small hand bellows and my blow tube still.
That lasted me for 1 1/2 years until I had a metal box built over this last winter. I am now building a good size stand bellows for it.

I do this as a hobby and to help with my groups education events that we do
Since I won't pay off my mortgage until after I can collect social security I am not sure I will ever be able to do this as a job. Right now, a hobby that pays for itself is good.

Hope to learn a lot from reading other posts
Techniques, ideas, people, stock and inspiration

Have a good one

John Debnam
≈≈Crafter John≈≈
≡≡Ian Stewart≡≡
Smith to Recruiting Company of Col. Gaffneys Regiment of Pike and Shot
Contracted to Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden
1630

[Bentiron1946]

Well I'm glad you wanted to do it. Most of us here do it because we wanted to do it too, so welcome to the clan of the anvil:cool:

[Frosty]

Welcome aboard John, glad to have you.

Do you know Gene Olsen up around Elk River? A really amazing artist and one of the finest people I know.

Frosty