Howdy,

I'm a new/aspiring blacksmith from central MD (in the sticks between Baltimore and Fredrick). I already do a bit of "cold" metal work but I am taking a blacksmithing class in October and working on acquiring the tools to start doing things the proper way with a forge and anvil.

I'm not sure what you'd want to know about me? I'm 27, I live with my wife of 5 years. No kids or pets. I have an insanely wide variety of interests and hobbies. When I say variety I mean it- bee keeping, fiberglass/composites fabrication, sewing, small engine and automotive repair, gardening, food preservation, a little bit of wood working, bicycling, just to name a few. I am a professional horticulturist by trade and I manage a research greenhouse and plant transformation lab. Outside of work I enjoy playing in my backyard workshop. Mostly I make what could best be described as "functional art" pieces for myself or my family and friends. I am hoping to get the equipment to do proper blacksmithing and maybe sell some of my work to help defray the cost of the hobby.

Anything else you want to know, just ask. Below are some pictures of a few of the [pre-blacksmithing] metal art projects I have made.


This is a wine bottle oil lamp/torch that I am making as a wedding present for two friends who are getting married. I don't have a current pic but it has since been cleaned up and painted. No idea why the little end of the & looks like it is bent at a weird angle, it looks fine IRL.


This is a front hall table I made for my brother and his girlfriend for their new condo. The base is 3/4" square tube with 3/4" angle supports for both shelves. The X's are 1/2" solid bar. The wood is 1.5" thick hard oak butcher block I got from a local building salvage place for not a lot of money. The table weighs a ton and is very sturdy.


This is a prototype for a wine chiller/glasses spike for, well, getting drunk in the back yard. It works well and other than the loops I bent to retain the ceramic ice bucket not being terribly attractive I am very happy with how it came out. After I get a forge I plan to re-do them with some scroll work or something else more decorative. [i didn't make the chairs]

Howdy Ryan,

Glad to have you onboard. There is plenty to learn here. Lots of people from all walks of life and all levels of competency. Tonight at 10pm eastern we will have what is called BP's. BP's are blueprints that an admin type or their minion post in the chat room for all to see, talk about and learn from. Show up in the chat prior to 10 and there will be people from all over the planet. Good chance to make some friends. Hope to see you there.

Mark <><

Tonight at 10pm eastern we will have what is called BP's. BP's are blueprints that an admin type or their minion post in the chat room for all to see, talk about and learn from. Show up in the chat prior to 10 and there will be people from all over the planet. Good chance to make some friends. Hope to see you there.

Thanks for the invite. I'll try to check that out.