Hello from Tipton UK

[Syd Partridge]

Hello,
I am the last in our family to work with a forge. Two years ago my Father retired and closed the business but I was lucky enough to be offered the Blacksmiths’ shop (for a fee!).
I had been forging copper soldering irons and bits for them during the last 12 years and this is what I continue to do now.
I now want to learn blacksmithing not just because it’s fascinating but because I need to - my tools are beginning to wear!
This is a great site. I’ve already had some really good suggestions.

[John B]

Hi Syd Welcome to the site. Check out our website www.blacksmithsguild.com and in the groups section on this forum, if we can help we will

[beth]

hi syd, welcome from me too - where is tipton? this is indeed a fab site :)

[basher]

welcome Syd,
I found the info on this site has changed the way I work . so dive in and ask away and make sure you post any good projects or hints you have.
All the best Owen

[Syd Partridge]

Thank you for the welcome. I look forward to learning here and will give back what I can.
Beth - Tipton is in the heart of the Black Country not far from Cradley where all the chains were made. These days we are just a part of the West Midlands.

[beth]

fabulous! great heritage - so sad its nearly all gone... we must bring back the skills in our own small ways :)

[Frosty]

Welcome aboard Syd, glad to have you.

Needing to make a special tool or two seems to be one of the most common gateways to becoming a proper blacksmith addict. I'm sure I'm not the only one looking forward to seeing some pics from you, especially of the tools you need to make and your progress doing so.

Frosty The Lucky.