Ridgewayforge Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 I was reading some old blueprints and pages late one night recently, and I thought that this would be good advice to share, as I learned it from the page on newbie tips. Make a tool everytime you start up the forge. Then, before long you'll have a great many tools! I know I have found this to be a great excercise in creativity and forging ability, as I have had to muster the motivation to begin with making a tool, then thinking about what tool to make and making it. Since starting doing this, I have made two tongs, a square punch, and a stump anvil (light duty stump anvil) So, if you're short on tools, ONE A DAY! It works, trust me. You'll be a full shop in no time this way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MOblacksmith0530 Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 Ah, it is good advice. Even if you have a shop full of tools you will learn that you need more. I hardly seem to spend the day in the forge without either making or repairing a tool. Making or repairing tools is a great learning experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judson Yaggy Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 A corollary: Before the internet forums became the primary information exchanges for blacksmiths we had the print and snail mail Hammer's Blow, Anvil's Ring, and Blacksmith's Journal monthly publications. For years I attempted to make one item inspired from each publication each month (a minimum of 3 non-paying interesting and challenging items per month). Made a lot of crummy tools, non working hardware and ugly sculpture for the first few years. But I learned how to forge metal. When I stacked the experimental/learning projects on top of the paying jobs my learning curve took off. Make something every day, every week, every month. Practice, practice, practice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wroughton Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 I try to make a trinket every time I fire up the forge.....my way of crossing off the cost of propane even if it's already paid for by the job. And, it helps me keep the touch. Go Judson! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridgewayforge Posted January 17, 2013 Author Share Posted January 17, 2013 All good practice. I would add that even though metal prices can be frustrating if you can't find scrap, use it for experiements still. I find myself wanting not to mess up becuase I paid so much, and I don't give myself time to practice or the chance to fail. So, make sure you make something to hone your skills, be it trinket or tool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 I generally make tools as they are needed, no need to waste time making tools that sit around for years without being used. I'm like Wroughton, I tend to make an item to "Pay for the Propane" (or coal) each session even if it's a simple tentstake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaughnT Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 Flint strikers are a very good way of honing your skills and turning out a marketable project. There are dozens of variations and levels of quality. I have a bit of 1/4" thick golf cart leaf spring (iirc) that I hot-cut a 1/2" wide piece off of, and by the time you hammer it a bit thinner and draw a taper and curl for the C-shape.... well, that's a good bit of practice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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