schilpr Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 Exciting day today, I get to visie the local OLD blacksmith shop (pre 1630) and get my pick of the tools as they don't do blacksmithing anymore. I know I'll get a nice solid (but not too big) anvil and possibly a swage block, but he said he had lots of thongs and hardies and other handtools I could have. Earlier this week someone else gave me a very nice post vice, it is now mounted to an old oak stand, works very well and is portable. We moved about a month ago and couldn't take much of our blacksmith gear, so we are rebuilding our shop, the burner for the forge is almost done and is just waiting a 12-24 tap so I can thread the gas nozzle, at that point we are up and running. I'm so excited I just had to share :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewOC Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 hi schilpr, is there a helve or tilt hammer in the old shop you are going to visit? Many photos would be wonderful! AndrewOC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 Some guys have all the luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaughnT Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 A blacksmith shop that dates back to 1630? That has got to be a sight to see! Given half the chance, I would try to see if they would let me rent the space so I could use the entire blacksmithing area and all those tools. Bring some life back to the shop and make them some money in the process! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 It's great that they are going to a good new home! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWHII Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 Good luck to you! Make sure when your smithy is up and running make sure you pass your good luck along by sharing your knowledge to others and gifts of your craft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimsShip Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 Sounds great! Try and score a swage block for me! (P.S. I didn't know blacksmiths used thongs way back then!). :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schilpr Posted July 30, 2013 Author Share Posted July 30, 2013 Sorry to say, the visit didn't happen today, going to try again later this week. While the shop has been in operation since 1630s the original building is long gone, the tools are now stored in the hobby barn at the house of the new owner of the business (still a steel business, but no blacksmithing), the place was a working blacksmith shop until the late 1970s, I remember hanging out there as a kid. I'll post some pictures when I get out there, the collection of tools; anvils, swage blocks, blowers and so on is staggering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schilpr Posted July 30, 2013 Author Share Posted July 30, 2013 Good luck to you! Make sure when your smithy is up and running make sure you pass your good luck along by sharing your knowledge to others and gifts of your craft. Harold, most of these tools will be used by my son Sam, he is the gifted blacksmith in the family, he took some classes from a blacksmith you may know, Gordon Williams, I think he lives somewhere close to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donnie Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 Sounds like Christmas in July. Pictures please! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 Schilpr: Your fortune leaves me breathless, to get a chance to rescue an entire or most of a historical artifact of a blacksmith shop gives me chills. Heck, I get giddy just being asked to help organize the smithing tools at the local museum. to have the chance to rescue almost 400 years of history is a privilege and honor. I'm glad you and your son are undertaking the challenge. I tip my hat to you. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWHII Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 Harold, most of these tools will be used by my son Sam, he is the gifted blacksmith in the family, he took some classes from a blacksmith you may know, Gordon Williams, I think he lives somewhere close to you. Yes I do know Gordon! Good guy and one hell of a blacksmith. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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