Tomsdad Posted December 16, 2010 Share Posted December 16, 2010 Hello, I am new to blacksmithing, I am a Welding inspector, and non destructive tech specialising in radiography, ultrasonics, magnetic particle and penetrant testing. And served my time as a plater sheet metal worker and then a coded pipe welder, but have always suffered from asthma therefore a change was on the cards, hence the move to inspection. I am also a collector of vintage tractors I live in west Cumbria in the lake district in the UK It was 25 years since I was at school making a toasting fork on the school forge, I enjoyed it then and would like to take this up as a hobby - I have bought an anvil but it's only a small one measuring about 18" long therefore I am looking for a larger one. I am also intending fabricating my own forge and as Much of the equipment as possible. Any pointers appreciated. regards Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Waite Posted December 17, 2010 Share Posted December 17, 2010 Hello, I am new to blacksmithing, I am a Welding inspector, and non destructive tech specialising in radiography, ultrasonics, magnetic particle and penetrant testing. And served my time as a plater sheet metal worker and then a coded pipe welder, but have always suffered from asthma therefore a change was on the cards, hence the move to inspection. I am also a collector of vintage tractors I live in west Cumbria in the lake district in the UK It was 25 years since I was at school making a toasting fork on the school forge, I enjoyed it then and would like to take this up as a hobby - I have bought an anvil but it's only a small one measuring about 18" long therefore I am looking for a larger one. I am also intending fabricating my own forge and as Much of the equipment as possible. Any pointers appreciated. regards Dave Hi Dave and welcome to IFI. My history is almost the same as yours only I spent my time in Inspection over here in Canada where I have lived for the past 7 years. Your find tons of information on here and great helpful people too Goatee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robodog Posted December 17, 2010 Share Posted December 17, 2010 Welcome Dave, From another newbie. You're gonna love this forum. Lots of good info and an extremely helpful bunch. Roger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted December 17, 2010 Share Posted December 17, 2010 Hi Dave, Welcome to the site, if you go to the groups section on this forum you can see what we are doing as a guild in the UK, or check out our website www.blacksmithsguild.com Although we are based at the other end of the country to you, if we can help then feel free to ask. Good luck in your new venture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beslagsmed Posted December 17, 2010 Share Posted December 17, 2010 Hi Dave, Welcome to the site, if you go to the groups section on this forum you can see what we are doing as a guild in the UK, or check out our website www.blacksmithsguild.com Although we are based at the other end of the country to you, if we can help then feel free to ask. Good luck in your new venture. Hi Dave, I am new here as well. Looks like some very good info from what I have been glancing at. I think we will have a good time here and learn a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted December 17, 2010 Share Posted December 17, 2010 My smithing friends with asthma seem to have trouble with coal smoke; but do very well with gas forges. (I don't have enough info on their reactions to coke). May want to keep that in mind when you go to build a forge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomsdad Posted December 18, 2010 Author Share Posted December 18, 2010 Thanks guys for the replies, you all seem a very friendly crowd! A couple of questions, when would you use old leaf springs or other hardened metals For some jobs such as knives but normal S275 - S355 (43A - 50D) for other jobs, will the softer carbon steel grades be easier to work, but only used for decorative work? Also, what design of forge should I be thinking of, as I dont have the room for a full traditional jobby, Would clamping on a basic hairdryer really be very effective as a form of air flow? If I should have filed this post elsewhere, please let me know Cheers Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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