oddtodd Posted April 27, 2013 Share Posted April 27, 2013 Hi All! Well I am the new blacksmith at my local historical museum. Only problem is, the forge hasn't been used since 1997 and the only thing I have as far as tools go is 3 anvils, one of which is so dead you couldn't bounce a spring off of it, a blue million tongs, and one single solitary four pound hammer. I dug that out of the garbage with a broken handle, found an old framing hammer handle, and shaved it down and wedged it to fit. No files, chisels, punches etc. Nothing. I do have a flatter I need to make a handle for though. My question is this: Are these purchases enough to get me started for school groups showing some blacksmithing? Hammers http://www.menards.com/main/tools-hardware/hand-tools/hammers/5-piece-ball-pein-hammer/p-1690668-c-9143.htm Chisels and punches http://www.menards.com/main/tools-hardware/hand-tools/chisels-files-punches/5-pc-punch-and-chisel-kit/p-1773302-c-9122.htm I don't even know where to start. I did school tours for 3 hours yesterday and my forearms feel like they are going to burst. I know the 4 lb is way too heavy, but I don't know what to buy. I just needs something NOW. I have more tours next week, and I literally have 2 tours a weekday for the next month. As my budget increases I will buy better tools as I know what I need. But since these are going to be my personal tools and not the museum's, I don't want to waste money. I know the hammers and chisels are cheap, but I just need them for a month or two. I do have a little experience working metal. My grandpa was a farrier and I helped him out when I was 16. I do at least know how to light the forge and get a good hot working heat going. I also know how to cook coke. See, here's the thing. I am disabled with a mental illness. Iraq really screwed me up.I am finally coming back with the new meds they have now and I want a real job. But it's been 7 years. Nobody will even give me an interview, not even wal-mart. I figure if I do this and facilities upkeep for a year,and do a good job, I will have a good reference. I may even keep doing the tours because i really enjoy talking to the kids. I love working with metal and wood, and I will even help build the new displays they have at the museum. I just need good advice and with what I have read here I know I will get it. Thanks in advance! OddTodd Out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tantofolder Posted April 27, 2013 Share Posted April 27, 2013 You should be able to find a basic blacksmith's hammer at any hardware store,even the big box ones.A crosspein is what is generally sought after.While ball peins can be used they are a bit limited for some smithing techniques. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Evans Posted April 27, 2013 Share Posted April 27, 2013 You may find a cross pein hammer more useful for forging, but in your circumstance, anything is better than nothing! I only used two 11/2lb ball pein hammers (just like my tutor did for all his eighteenth century style work) for my first four or five years. One hammer was flat and the other was full faced. In combination with the flat, the bick and the edge of the anvil you can get at most forms. The main specialist hammer was a long bodied narrow cross pein hammer for water leaf forming and crimping in a vee tool. Good luck! Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Olivo Posted April 27, 2013 Share Posted April 27, 2013 look for a ferriers rounding hammer. It and the horn will help you move metal effectivly. 1.5 lbs is what you will want to start out with and be ware of the death grip on the hammer. The hammer does the work you just direct it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Emig Posted April 27, 2013 Share Posted April 27, 2013 If money is a problem, just buy one hammer-I wouldn't go more than 2 pounds max. Get involved with your local blacksmithing group .After that, you can make almost anything you need. Chisels are very easy to make-tongs are not hard also. Check out youtube for how to stuff-Mark Aspery (and many ,many others) has some great how to stuff. There is a ton of how-to here also. Stick with it-don't worry about screwing up and making ugly stuff-that's where we all started. Pick a project from the bluprints section and just start. And, yes-what you have is enough to start. Make hooks and simple things. People just want to see you squish hot metal. Ask questions here-most blacksmiths are very willing to help you learn-myself included. Check this link-the ABANA controlled hand forging lessons are great-If you go through them in order you'll get a bunch of knowledge and experience. http://www.abana.org/resources/education/chf.shtml Have fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted April 27, 2013 Share Posted April 27, 2013 First thing to buy is a pair of safety glasses. Second keep the people at a safe distance from the anvil so they can not get injured in any way. Adjust your blacksmithing so they can not get hurt. Bending hot metal is just as exciting to a crowd as throwing sparks everywhere when forge welding. The real impact of blacksmithing is being sure the metal is COLD and passing it out thto the crowd for them to actually touch.. Any hammer 1-1/2 to 2 pounds will work for now, and give you time to find the hammer you like. With a hammer and anvil you cam make most of the other tools you will need. Tell them if they are interested in blacksmithing, they can find more information at IForgeIron.com. (grin) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted April 27, 2013 Share Posted April 27, 2013 Blacksmithing groups close to you Go to the meetings, You will learn more in a day then you can imagine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted April 27, 2013 Share Posted April 27, 2013 Todd: I'm not going to ask you what but I'm partiallly disabled myself, TBI survivor I almost lost a fight with a vegetable. A tree kicked back and put me in the hospital for about 3 months. Getting through it is basically a matter of just plugging away at it. React, Adapt, Overcome is a way of life, now more so than ever. Back to yur question. A ball pein is a blacksmith's hammer from WAY back but virtually any smooth faced hammer will work just fine. I hit yard/garage/etc. sales and keep my eyes open for hammers. Most expensive one so far was $1.00 but it was a honey. You have 3 anvils, fire, tongs and cover. The rest you can make with what you have, even a post vise though you'll want help for that one. I love doing demos and find I learn more from explaining the what and why of what I'm doing than just doing it. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Hale Posted April 27, 2013 Share Posted April 27, 2013 If yoiu were close to me I would likely be able to help out a bit,,,may wish to add that to your profile,,may be that others feel the same... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken G Posted April 28, 2013 Share Posted April 28, 2013 Todd, Thanks for your service. I see from previous post you are in Indiana. As Rich suggested, post your location. Maybe someone can help. Try some local antique shops. Most larger places will have at least one or two man booths. Some are treasure troves for old blacksmithing tools. Cheers, Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhettbarnhart Posted April 28, 2013 Share Posted April 28, 2013 here is a basic blacksmith hammer 40 oz blacksmithing hammer Find a spring or some other high carbon steel and use that hammer to make your chisels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck in Ms Posted April 28, 2013 Share Posted April 28, 2013 Hey Todd, glad to hear that you are getting well. Congratulations on the museum job it sounds great. As far as the chisel set, that is a good starter set. That brand is carried by local hardware stores here so you might be able to pick them up quicker than trying to order them, at a store near you. I suggest removing the paint prior to letting the kids see them. Not to intentionally mislead but for over all effect. It is a historical museum after all. For the hammer I agree with Mr Stephen above. Find a feed store type place that sells horse shoes and they will probably have a rounding hammer. You can do everything you need for a demo with it. It seems like we all have a favorite and the cross pein is more often assiocated with blacksmith work so you might want to go that route on second thought. Which ever you choose go with the wood handle if you can, again for the look. As to "where to start is that a question? If it is send me a PM and I will help as much as I can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oddtodd Posted April 28, 2013 Author Share Posted April 28, 2013 Okay Guys, You have given me a lot of info and I really appreciate the help. I've decided to buy one hammer and one chisel. I will make everything else. I am still learning the site, so if I ask a dumb question, just point me in the right direction. The reason I chose menards is I have a local store and they will help me out. I hope I am not going into to much detail here, but Life is pretty new for me right now. I lived in a group home for a long time to learn life skills. I can now clean my apartment, cook, drive, and do laundry. I have been out of there for 2 months. I have a car, furniture, cooking utensils and a toolbox. My case manager gave me this computer and even though it is 6 years old I can still listen to music and surf the net. I am taking classes on how to pay my bills even though I have a payee. I live in an apartment for the disabled and I am beginning to have some friends here. I even have my own telephone! All in all it's a lot better life than I had before I got into the system. I have help now. My case manager says it's her job to keep me from ending up on the street again. You guys have no idea what a luxury it is to be able to take a shower anytime you want! I can sleep on my schedule now which is going to bed about 8 and getting up at 4. THis blacksmithing job is part of my care plan. I am responsible for eveerything. I have to let the director know when I need coal and metal. I work with the administrative assistant to plan tours and demonstrations. I do have to supply my own tools though. That's why everything is price price price. Oh, I found two chisels in an old cabinet in the forge! They are pretty beat up but my dad is going to let me use his grinder to clean them up. One of them is pretty big, but I figure it's going to take me about an hour to get it in good shape. THe other one is weird looking, but I figure if I shape it right it will make a good hot chisel. Thanks for all the help guys! I really appreciate it. You are a godsend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Einhorn Posted April 29, 2013 Share Posted April 29, 2013 Todd, If you provide me with a name and a snail-mail address, using the Private Mail (PM) feature of this forum, I will send you this hammer as a gift. It does not need to be your name and address if that is not convienient, I can also send it to either your director or your case manager, if that works better for you. Dave E. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Borntoolate Posted April 29, 2013 Share Posted April 29, 2013 here is a basic blacksmith hammer 40 oz blacksmithing hammer Find a spring or some other high carbon steel and use that hammer to make your chisels. I still use my 3# cross pein that was box store bought. I mostly use it for hitting tools or for visitors. Initially it would wear me out but now it is the lighter hammers that are tiring. I would expect that if you have the steel that you could start making the tooling or have some students get discount training for making tools? This is not my hammer by the way. Just piggy backing on the response.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Emig Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 David, you're a generous man-Nice to see someone step up to help someone :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Emig Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 Sent that package out to you today. You'll see it soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oddtodd Posted April 30, 2013 Author Share Posted April 30, 2013 Thank you so much Mark. I will definitely use it. Guys, I just want you to know that the tools you are sending are not going to be the museum's they will be mine, locked up in a steel toolbox that only I have the key to. Not even the director has a key to this box. I oughta know. I bought the keyset myself. lol It was only 2 buck to have the cylinder rekeyed, and I can afford that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GNJC Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 Hello Todd, blacksmithing is pretty much unique among the crafts, since a blacksmith can make nearly all of the tools he will need - certainly all of those needed for everyday jobs. It's a bit far for me to help you out by sending tools from here in the UK, but at the end of this post is a link to a pdf (Acrobat) book for blacksmiths in the third world. You can download it to your computer or print it out. If you have a hammer and an anvil, this book will show you how to make all of the other basic tools. I found it very useful when I was starting out and I know that many others have too. Good luck with all and everything. http://www.bushcraftuk.com/downloads/pdf/blacksmithing.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francis Trez Cole Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 there are many smith on her from Indiana find those meeting's here is an other free book for you to read http://www.metalwebnews.org/ftp/blacksmith-practice.pdf it will help and keep at it when you get frustrated heat up a big piece of metal and get the 4# hammer out and beat it into shape. Wish I was closer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Einhorn Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 Todd, my gift to you should be arriving tomorrow, Wednesday, May 1st. The package will contain two hammers, one cross-peen and one straight-peen. It also contains a book that I feel will be useful to you in your new role as a smith at the museum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Emig Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 Good luck, and enjoy your time at the forge :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oddtodd Posted May 1, 2013 Author Share Posted May 1, 2013 Thank You so much David. I will read the book from cover to cover. I have been reading everything I can get my hands on. lol I will order your book next month when my rent goes down. THis is about the time of the forge. I will take pictures thursday of everything in the forge and how it is laid out, Have the admin assist. email them to me then post them on here. I will also have her take pictures of me using all the tools everybody has so gracioulsy given me. I won't be able to do that part till tuesday. That is when my tours start. WIsh me luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck in Ms Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 Mr David Einhorn, that was remarkable. Mr Todd, its not everyday you get a gift like this. Not only the hammer but an unselfish act of kindness. How cool is IFI and its members? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Einhorn Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 Todd, there is no need for you to order my book, because the book that I am sending you is the book that I wrote. So it is the same book, I doubt that you would need two copies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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