raserei777 Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 My name is Anthony. I reciently started getting into blacksmithing. Always wanted to try it out. I built my own forge and have a 200+lb anvil on Loan. Ive read a few of the threads on here lot of good information. I have a few different sized ball peen hammers laying around the house. Will probably buy a 2-2.5 lb German or Sweedish hammer. I do have a quick question I read lot of people recommend building tongs. Which pair should I BUY to start off with since there are so many sized, shapes and styles? Id like 1 pair that would be good to start off with. After I practice a bit I will start building my own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
781 Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 Welcome to the group Tongs need to fit the material you will be working so there is no easy answer Many started with a vise grip or use a piece long enough you dont need tongs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aljeter Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 What part of Texas are you from? Im near FTW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry W. Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 raserei, Let us know where in Texas you are. There are several very active groups around the state and we may be able to get you hooked up with one of them. I live in Devine, about 30 minutes south of San Antonio. Yesterday I got to open Stroud's Blacksmith Shop. It has been many, many years since that forge has seen a fire. We ended up with seven of us in the fire and had about 20 visitors to the shop. It was a very interesting day. We have been invited to come again so, we will probably be helping get it into shape. If you are close, let us know and we will get you in there too. Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raserei777 Posted February 25, 2013 Author Share Posted February 25, 2013 Didn't expect this many replys this quick LoL. I live about an hour north of Dallas. In a little tiny town called Farmersville. lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry W. Posted February 26, 2013 Share Posted February 26, 2013 Last weekend three Texas blacksmith groups got together at Steephollow Forge Works in Bryan, Texas. They are Balcones Forge, Houston Area Blacksmith Association and the North Texas Blacksmith Association. We had a great turnout. I am much more familiar with Balcones and HABA but, you should get in touch with North Texas Blacksmith Association http://www.ntxba.org/. Good luck, Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aljeter Posted February 26, 2013 Share Posted February 26, 2013 Well you are not very far from the NTXBA headquarters. It is based out of Princeton, Tx. I live west of FTW and make it up there ever now and then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raserei777 Posted February 26, 2013 Author Share Posted February 26, 2013 Oh nice, I messaged them on their site. I would like to attend one of their meetings in the near future. Learn as much as possible from them. Thanks for the info everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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