Gents,
I am starting a Blacksmithing program to teach metal working merit badge at our local BSA camp. With little to no money (Accept my own) i am trying to start the program and am planning to start with RR iron anvli's until we can buy better ones. I know they are light weight and need mass under them to be effective. Which material should i mount them on

1) Pine Log burried in the ground
2) Sono tube filled with concrete
3) another piece of rail or I-Beam

Thanks for you help
Harold

Elm log burried in the ground. Many folks here will tell you though that a rr track should be used vertical, so a 3' chunk or so, set into a bucket of concrete will yeild a small surface but far more mass under the hammer.

Harold, as an Eagle Scout and former scout camp staff member I applaud you!

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX is a good place to start.

I recently helped out with some boys trying to get their metalworking badge. Between a meat hook and a pair of easy tongs they cover their requirements. If you have time (in a camp setting you would) it would be really nice to give them options.

Sooo, maybe
Meat Hook
Tongs
Flag Holder
Flint Striker
Candle Sconce
Candle Stand
Wall Hook (hammer in or hanging)
belt buckle (could maybe be tied into leather working badge)
Java Monkey (add a twist and this covers everything except that they have to make 2 items)

I'm not sure of the camp environment really, week long etc, and how much they're going to have to pay in order to take the class. If its enough, it would be really nice if each boy got their own set of cooking ironsthat combined with a java monkey has them covered.

Good luck with it.. PM me if I can be of any assistance.

Edited February 5, 201214 yr by Moderator54
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