December 1, 201213 yr ... and Hello from Northern Virginia. :) I've always been fascinated by blacksmithing, but never had the chance/tools to try it. On a whim, I broke out my MAPP plumbing torch, stuck a small sledgehammer head into a stump, and grabbed my grandad's big old Ball Pein hammer. It's nothing special, but for my first whack (haha) at hammer and fire, I was both suprised and pleased. :) Needless today, I now have the bug and need tools! Any active Blacksmithing Groups in Northern VA? Anyone near Virginia have advice on obtaining an actual anvil? Seems hard to find... Thanks! Jeremy
December 1, 201213 yr Pretty darn good for a first try! Finding an anvil is interesting. The best way is to ask everybody if they have leads. EVERYBODY! The grocery clerk, the mail carrier, your preacher, the people at work, the neighbors, aunts, uncles, cousins... you never know someone might have a sweet Hay Budden or Mousehole sitting in the garage or basement that they are tired of moving or banging their leg on that you can have for the effort to remove it! More likely you will pay $1-$2 per pound for a decent anvil, $3-$4 for a very nice or nearly new anvil. Learn about ASO's (cast iron anvils, Anvil Shaped Objects) and avoid them unless free. (they have utility as tool holders and glue weights) Check the prices on NEW anvils as a reference. If the scrap yards sell you can look for an ALO (Anvil Like Object) which is a lump of steel, preferably alloy or tool but mild is acceptable, that weighs about 100# with a flat surface and fair edges...not necessarily on the same surface! Examples are RR couplers, press dies, some tractor weights (most are cast iron, some are mild steel), large truck axles, the hammer head you are using right now... check out thishttp://www.iforgeiro...etting-started/ not just for knifemaking. Don't neglect Craigslist and ebay. Ebay will only have deals for local pickup as shipping makes the price increase by more than shipping costs. Good deals on Craigslist don't last long so have cash in hand and check at least daily if not several times a day. Welcome aboard! Phil
December 1, 201213 yr Author Thanks guys- I really appreciate both your efforts to point me in the right direction. While I can make do with the sledge/stump anvil while I search for a real one, I immediately realized the open MAPP torch was not going to cut it. So, I started another project today: =)
December 4, 201213 yr Nice first whack Jeremy, looks like you have a feel for it. Judging by your second pic I'd have to surmise you're going to build a propane forge. Yes? Have you decided on burner type? Let me know if you have questions, I've played with burners a bit. <winnk> Frosty The Lucky.
December 29, 201213 yr Author Thanks Frosty! And yes- I built a propane forge. Burner design I used is similar to this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxzdqcPzXj8 ...except I used a compression fitting to hold the mig tip, which is a .030, I believe. I didn't use a flare on the end, and I think the hole cut in forge is a bit large. Also, I put the burner at an angle to 'swirl' the flame, but doesn't seem to do the trick, so I may cut the welds and have the flame jet more straight to the floor to create one nice hot spot. Anyhoo- it 'worked' well enough to get my Christmas projects done, but I think it's time to dismantle and 'tweak' the burner a bit. I want to add a flare and get the burner running well outside the forge, and then re-install. What do you think? I started making a flare yesterday, but the pipe was too thin and cracked, so I'll have to try again with larger/thicker pipe... Thanks for any advice you can offer!
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