Rainmaker Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 I have been lurking as a non-member for some time now and suppose this is where I introduce myself. I am 37 years old and live about 50 miles west of Houston. I should say that the term “I forge Iron” should be used lightly. It’s more like “I have been tinkering with various metals in a small 2 brick gas forge and am doing my best not to butcher a trade that has been around since the dark ages”. I’ve always preferred to make something from scratch rather than buy it and I like learning new things in an attempt to become more self-sufficient. I recently bought a house on 5 acres that has a huge shop. Wanting to put the shop to use I just finished my first stock removal knife and in the process built a small forge to backyard heat treat. I couldn’t help putting a piece of scrap steel in the forge and then hitting it with a hammer. It was awesome. Although I built the small forge to assist me with the knife I am interested in the possibility of making a coal forge and making other usable items . Since I do not know any blacksmiths and really have never been in a blacksmith shop I got on line to find someone that would let me come check theirs out. This Sunday I have a 4 hour, one on one, hands on, basic blacksmithing class and am really looking forward to it. The works and the amount of knowledge that is found on the forum is amazing and I hope that eventually I will be making something as nice as what I see on here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 Welcome! (and welcome to a craft that predates the dark ages by a thousand years or two...) My best advise on getting started is to find the local ABANA affiliate and start attending meetings---a great way to meet local smiths, find out local sources of equipment, coal, etc. With you background I would suggest "The Complete Modern Blacksmith" as a good starter book for the "make it all yourself" folks. ILL it at the local library and see if his style works well with you and if so get your own copy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurlyGeorge Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 Welcome to IFI. You will certainly enjoy the craft/hobby. This site is chock full of info and great folks that are willing to share info and experience. If you have a question about something, do a search first and then if you haven't found the answer, ask away. Good luck getting your forge and equipment set up. That's part of the fun. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rainmaker Posted January 27, 2011 Author Share Posted January 27, 2011 Thomas- I will defiantly add that book to the collection of other blacksmith books I have already managed to gather. I know that the Blacksmith I will be working with on Sunday was a board member of the Houston Area Blacksmith Association and plan on attending there next gathering. CurlyGeorge- Thanks for the tip on getting questions answered. I am defiantly looking forward to getting me a forge set up and getting some equipment. I just recently moved and haven’t really done anything to the shop or lean too. It’s pretty much a blank canvas waiting for a little TLC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Dean Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 Howdy from East TEXAS!! and welcome to IFI! The next HABA meeting will be in Bryan, TX at Alan and Jeff Lee's shop. HABA and Balcones Forge ( http://balconesforge.org/ )are meeting the same day at their shop. I will be there, not that that's a big deal, and so will a ton of great smiths. I sent an invite to the NTBA (http://www.ntxba.org/) group and hopefully some of them will make it. I highly encourage you to make this meeting if at all possible. It will be all day of hammering hot metal! BTW, there will be tailgating at this meeting so you may be able to pick up some much needed toy, er I mean TOOLS!! yeah, TOOLS. I'm thinking about bring one of my small forges to sale along with a couple of leg vises. Once again, welcome and enjoy the site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old N Rusty Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 howdy tex best wishes from the bayou you got a good head start with having a shop building allready. looking foreward to seeing pics of your work. pax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Stubbs Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Rainmaker i am also new to this wonderous craft called blacksmithing. i have done a bunch of reading and watching Youtube video's. i just bought a book that is called The Backyard Blacksmith, Traditional Techniques for the Modern Smith. the author is Lorelei Sims. i just finished the book and i think it is a great book. she also has some very nice projects at the end of the book that goes from beginner to advanced. If you can get your hands on this book i think it would be worth the money. I was able to find it at Half Price Books. not sure if you have one of those around you or not. but i do know you can go to her website and buy it also. not trying to promote her book or anything here. just think it is good for a beginner/newbie in my opinion. her website is www.blacksmithchic.com . good luck with your smithing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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