January 15, 201313 yr Hello, my name is Ben Mitchell. I live on Lookout Mountain in NW GA, very near Chattanooga TN. I 'inherited' a railroad track anvil a few years ago from my grandfather's estate and got to thinking. After a little research I welded a little forge out of a car rim, some rebar, and plumbing pipe. It is now powered by a hair dryer since the old leaf blower died. I use lump charcoal since I don't have a local supply of coal at hand. Made only a couple of useful things before I lost steam when I had to move. I now have a nice stump for the anvil and hope to be making some stuff soon. I went to one of the Choo Choo Forge open nights with a buddy, but haven't been back since. I need to clear some time to go again.
January 17, 201313 yr Welcome Ben, This is a great place to learn. You can talk with the smith at the Choo Choo Forge and probably find a better source for coal. Try to find a blacksmith association in your area to visit soon. They will help you a lot and most of them sell coal at least to members. You are not far from John Campbell Folk school. It is just across the North Carolina line. That is a great place for classes from weekend to week long depending on what you are looking for. Hope to see some of your work on here soon.
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