November 25, 201312 yr Always been interested in manipulating metal and I've been a welder/fabricator and heavy equipment field mechanic for 24 years. I have NO experience with blacksmithing other than making brackets and such using an oxy/acetylene torch and a big vise. I'm starting completely from scratch. I've gotten an anvil, I own more hammers than I can stand, I have access to virtually form of iron/steel in small quantities, and have been burned enough for this not to scare me. Unfortunately, I know no one around here who I can observe in person so I'm completely winging it. See y'all around and wish me luck. Matt
November 25, 201312 yr Gulf Coast Blacksmiths meets in Covington La.I get my coal from Mr. Leonard, check out their web site.Hope this helps!
November 25, 201312 yr Greetings and Welcome Matt, Some of my best students are fabricators with a few years under there belt.. The only problem I have is getting them to go home at night.. Blacksmithing opens up a whole new twist on what you have been doing.. You will find some local blacksmiths to learn from and progress will come fast with your background. I wish you well Forge on and make beautiful things Jim
November 26, 201312 yr Cajun, find someone in your area that you can visit. There are those in BR and your local area you just have to hunt them up. While doing that, read IForgeIron cover to cover. It will answer many of your questions, give you ideas where to start, and is a wonderful data base. Think of a forge as a 12 in diameter rosebud torch. (grin). You will need to learn that more heat gets more metal hot, so be very careful as the heat can travel a good distance up the pipe, bar, or stock you are working. I suggest NO GLOVES when forging. This way you fan feel the heat and turn it loose when it gets too hot to hold. With gloves, when it gets to hot to hold, there is a large reserve of heat is still coming through the glove even though you dropped the metal. There is no way to stop the additional heat coming through the glove except remove the glove. That said, there are times when gloves are needed for protection against sharp edges, abrasion, or when working with larger stock. YMMV. Welcome to IForgeIron. Pack a lunch and a cold drink when you visit. You will understand why later.
November 26, 201312 yr Author Covington isn't so far that it'd keep me away. I'll contact em as soon as I'm not working 70+ hour anymore.
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