Vincent.DeVito Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 Hello everyone, I am eagerly starting my explorations into the exciting world of blacksmithing, but admit that I feel kind of lost haha. I would be very appreciative to anyone who would grace me with some advice or tips. I am currently being given a free coal forge and anvil from a friend and family member so Im pretty excited right now, even if all I can make is a hook haha. Any advice on where to acquire more tools such as tongs or hardy attachments or anything I might need but do not know about would be very helpful. Thank you very much!:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Browne Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 Welcome to IFI Now get a comfy chair, some food and your favourite beverage and go to the font page of IFI then take the Metalworking Lessons link then the Lessons in Blacksmithing link and start reading. You will be there a while so make sure you have laid in a good supply of time and sustenance. After all that reading you will be a bit less lost till you try to light and maintain the fire and discover that even that is a skill that needs to be mastered. Take it one step at a time, enjoy and keep safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincent.DeVito Posted November 3, 2009 Author Share Posted November 3, 2009 Thank you very much, I will be sure to read it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Dean Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 Howdy from East TEXAS!! and welcome to IFI! While you are at the front page be sure to check out the blacksmith groups in your area. Meetings are held regularly with special attention given to newbies. You can get some good, hands on help from members. There is nothing like having someone knowledgable watching you and pointing out ways to help, something you just can't get from reading any materials. Good luck and enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincent.DeVito Posted November 3, 2009 Author Share Posted November 3, 2009 thank you very much, will do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fat pete Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 welcome to the forum...i live on the other side of Reading...you should go here....> you will see you live in a good area for smithing...go down to bethlehem they have a forge right on main street....there are all kinds of sales to find things all around you....have fun!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincent.DeVito Posted November 5, 2009 Author Share Posted November 5, 2009 thats awesome! thank you very much, I will definitely check that out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Einhorn Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 I highly recommend taking an introductory blacksmithing course. The closest blacksmith guilds to South Central Pennsylania are Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland and Pennsylvania Artist Blacksmith Association with introductory courses (click on Link to BGCM Classes) offered by the Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland at the Carroll County Farm Museum in Westminster, Maryland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avadon Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 My advice is to check this website as often as you check your email. There is a ton of experts on here who can steer you in the right direction when books, reading, and courses may leave you with some additional questions. There is a decent learning curve, but don't be discouraged, stick with it and it will all make much more sense the more time that passes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkC Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 (edited) Remember that there are as many ways to get hurt as there are to make beautiful work. Be mindful of your safety, wear eye and hearing protection, and get a good leather apron and sturdy boots. Keep a water barrel or bucket handy at all times and a filled garden hose or fire extinguisher nearby. A wise man once said somewhere in this forum, "a splash from the quench bucket now will keep the big red trucks from coming later". I do not light my forge until I turn on the water to my shop hose. First the water, then the forge. No exceptions. This is an awesome hobby, extremely rewarding. But never forget that you can be seriously injured or killed if you don't keep safety in mind at all times. The coolest hobby in the world is no use if you have a broken hand or a sliver of iron in your eyeball. Read, and then go do what you read! No substitute for going out and trying things. For tongs, go into every antique shop you can find. they always have a few pairs of blacksmithing tongs around. Edited November 5, 2009 by MarkC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincent.DeVito Posted November 5, 2009 Author Share Posted November 5, 2009 Thanks a lot everyone, I will definitely do everything I can. I found a few places that teach beginners that are a little close to me [http://www.touchstonecrafts.com/] and [http://www.petersvalley.org]. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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