adambieber Posted September 24, 2013 Share Posted September 24, 2013 Hey all, As my name screen name says I'm Adam. I live in Ames, IA and recently left the military. and was active duty for 4 years. I've always had a fascination for using the elements and taming metal. My particular interest is weaponry (knives etc). I don't know much about this but I know I'd love to be called an ironmonger like you folks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmccustomknives Posted September 24, 2013 Share Posted September 24, 2013 Welcome aboard! Be prepaired for sweat, frustration and quite a few burns in the beginning. You'll work past the frustration but there's nothing you can do to get past the sweat and burns. :unsure: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted September 24, 2013 Share Posted September 24, 2013 actually most of us are blacksmiths and not ironmongers; shoot some of us are even bladesmiths! Anyway; Thank you for your Service and Welcome to the Dark Side; Bwahahahahahahahaha (The Emperor will be pleased!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adambieber Posted September 24, 2013 Author Share Posted September 24, 2013 Welcome aboard! Be prepaired for sweat, frustration and quite a few burns in the beginning. You'll work past the frustration but there's nothing you can do to get past the sweat and burns. :unsure: Not too worried about the heat! In iraq daily temps were anywhere between 130-160F with our gear on. I'm dyin to get started.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmccustomknives Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 Thank you sir for your service to our country. Your right, I think you'll enjoy the warmth of a forge over Iraq. It is after all a dry heat there. Post pics, we like to see the progress of new 'smiths. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adambieber Posted September 25, 2013 Author Share Posted September 25, 2013 Thank you sir for your service to our country. Your right, I think you'll enjoy the warmth of a forge over Iraq. It is after all a dry heat there. Post pics, we like to see the progress of new 'smiths. I'm nowhere near a smith though I'd love to be. I need to get my own place and gear as well. In the mean time I'm tryin' to learn as much as possible. I found a blacksmith about an hour away but he won't take apprentices unfortunately. So i hope to learn from everyone here as well as books and videos. But I know experience is the best teacher. I'm not even sure what kind of forge to make or use. All things I hope to answer soon enough. As for my service I'd happily serve if the US ever needs me again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmccustomknives Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 I'm sure you can find some one near by. A couple of hours with an experienced smith is worth a year without. In less than a hour I had my nephew forge up a cable damascus knife on his first try.. He'd never picked up a hammer before. It took months for me to figure it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Yates Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 Adam, Welcome to IFI . and Welcome Home, Thank you for your Service. there is a ton of reading on here for you to study and folks are always here to help if you need it . Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan C Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 Welcome to IFI, all the questions you will likely ask have probably been answered. Would expect your first questions to be setting up a forge and something to use as an anvil, those should be easy ones to find but holler if you need help finding something. Have you searched for a local ABANA (artist blacksmith association) group yet? That's probably the best way to get in touch with local blacksmiths who will know what resources are in your area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adambieber Posted September 25, 2013 Author Share Posted September 25, 2013 Adam, Welcome to IFI . and Welcome Home, Thank you for your Service. there is a ton of reading on here for you to study and folks are always here to help if you need it . Sams Thank you, Sam for both your service (I'm guessing that by your picture) and your welcoming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adambieber Posted September 25, 2013 Author Share Posted September 25, 2013 Welcome to IFI, all the questions you will likely ask have probably been answered. Would expect your first questions to be setting up a forge and something to use as an anvil, those should be easy ones to find but holler if you need help finding something. Have you searched for a local ABANA (artist blacksmith association) group yet? That's probably the best way to get in touch with local blacksmiths who will know what resources are in your area. Thank you for the welcome Dan. As for searching ABANA I actually have checked. It seems to be everywhere I'm not. And to be honest I have a flood of questions lol I'm trying to find the answers before I post and get replies like "I found it here: LINK" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adambieber Posted September 25, 2013 Author Share Posted September 25, 2013 I'm sure you can find some one near by. A couple of hours with an experienced smith is worth a year without. In less than a hour I had my nephew forge up a cable damascus knife on his first try.. He'd never picked up a hammer before. It took months for me to figure it out. That's impressive. And I do agree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan C Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 This is a good area to start reading in. http://www.iforgeiron.com/forum/6-blacksmithing-general-discussion/ I got started by reading stuff online, this site, anvilfire, purgatoryironworks. Got several books from amazon that are kindle friendly, picked up a used copy of the Backyard Blacksmith (really like), then just started with the basics. After getting a feel for how metal moves made a bunch of bottle openers as they seemed to sell well and eventually had enough to buy a used anvil. Forge is a homemade brake drum, welding is a good skill to have. Questions & answers on the various types of forges that you can make, recommended types of welders and alternatives to anvils & finding an anvil should be easy to find in the forum. When you do have a question try to provide as much information as possible, pictures are always good. Then put what you've read to practice and be safe. http://www.iforgeiron.com/forum/28-safety-discussions/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Yates Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 You are correct Adam, I hope you can get set up soon for some forging and a bit of Smithing work you will enjoy it it really takes your mind off the ol sand box and the things we went through over there . hit me up to chat anytime if you want /need too. Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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