Newbie Set Up In NJ

[LibrariaNPC]

Hello everyone!

 

My name is Anthony, and I'm a beginner blacksmith setting up in Pennsauken, NJ (near Camden and across the bridge from Philadelphia). I started by taking a bladesmithing class with j.w.s. in November and have been working on getting my own gear set up for the basics. I am a librarian by profession and have found a lot of ideas to work on, but it never hurts to ask for input from people directly instead of what is written.

 

Right now I'm looking for a few basic projects to get into the swing of things to learn how metal shapes and moves (working on a practice blade, tongs, hooks, and candle sticks are next), but I'd love suggestions for a beginner to work on, especially with making tools for the trade.

 

My setup is rather small due to space limitations (I set up in the shared yard), so larger projects are out of the question at the moment.

 

Currently, my goal is to get a bit more experience under my belt before this spring hits, as I have three classes I am attending at Peter's Valley School of Craft in order to increase my knowledge of blacksmithing. 

 

I look forward with working with you all here on the forums!

[njanvilman]

NPC  Welcome to IFI and the wonderful world of blacksmithing.  New Jersey Blacksmith Association has an open forge in Howell Tnsp most Monday nights, free to members.  PM for more information.

 

Peters Valley has good facilities and you will have a great time.  Spend as much time as you have the energy for in practicing while you are there.

 

Welcome.

[j.w.s.]

Anthony! Great to have you on board! Welcome to the greatest resource available to blacksmiths everywhere! You've shared your pictures and progress with me already so I know you're off to a good start! One of these days I'll have to make the run down to your area and look at your setup.. I'm sure there's one or two "apartment blacksmiths" here that can give you pointers on how to do things small and portable. Lol.. We should try to find you a small farrier trailer setup to tow behind that little sports car of yours! In the meantime, enjoy browsing! Again, great to see you on ifi!

J

[DSW]

23f74e42a7f7c2f1c6eb8fc71b66f940

[njanvilman]

 

 

Oh if you have never been over to Joseph Finkels in Glassboro Nj, you owe yourself a trip. The "new" store has all sorts of stuff and sells steel by the foot. The old store is a real treat. It's full of all sorts of surplus "stuff". Hardware, tools, equipment and so on. I can spend hours browsing the isles and the selection changes all the time. They may not have a lot of blacksmithing gear, but there's always something you can repurpose hiding there and the prices are really good on most stuff.

 

Just a quick correction:  It is Joseph FAZZIO's, near Glassboro, NJ.  A great place to go to.  A candy store for us creators.

[DSW]

Thanks Josh. I guess I got distracted while typing. You are correct about Fazzio's. I must have accidentally deleted part of my post without realizing it when doing spell checking. I'll see if it will still let me edit the original post. ( looks like I still could)

 

 

I  meant to add that Finkels Hardware up in Lambertville Nj and is another good place to buy short lengths of material. I often get a lot of my steel from them since they aren't all that far from my place.

[ThomasPowers]

I'd look over the blueprints on this site and the iforge section of anvilfire; hundreds of possible projects!

Thomas who graduated from Holmdel High, Holmdel NJ, (between mile 114 and 117 on the GSP)

[LibrariaNPC]

Thanks for all of the input already, everyone! Glad to see that this is as welcoming of a community as I've heard!

 

 

NPC  Welcome to IFI and the wonderful world of blacksmithing.  New Jersey Blacksmith Association has an open forge in Howell Tnsp most Monday nights, free to members.  PM for more information.

 

Peters Valley has good facilities and you will have a great time.  Spend as much time as you have the energy for in practicing while you are there.

 

Welcome.

 

Thanks! I will be sending you a PM about NJBA as I've attempted to reach out but haven't heard anything back. I did hear about the open forge nights in Howell Township, and I had a chat with Mike, the blacksmith at Howell Living Farm about seeing how things are done at the farm when the weather is nicer. Any other suggestions of what to look into?

 

I've heard REALLY good things about Peter's Valley, and I've decided to stay there overnight so I can use the facilities during studio time. Really looking forward to it!

 

 

Anthony! Great to have you on board! Welcome to the greatest resource available to blacksmiths everywhere! You've shared your pictures and progress with me already so I know you're off to a good start! One of these days I'll have to make the run down to your area and look at your setup.. I'm sure there's one or two "apartment blacksmiths" here that can give you pointers on how to do things small and portable. Lol.. We should try to find you a small farrier trailer setup to tow behind that little sports car of yours! In the meantime, enjoy browsing! Again, great to see you on ifi!

J

 

Thanks! I've been finding a lot of fun posts here even before I signed up, which is why I wanted to join up! By the by, my setup is changing a bit (my forge sort of exploded), but I'll be working on it all again soon enough.

 

If you do even make it into the Philly area and are up for crossing over here, let me know! I can use any input you'd be willing to offer, as you already know that I'm always up for learning.

 

I was tempted to get a small trailer setup (something like this), but it may not work well in my township (as they have ordinances for things like that, and they aren't pretty). I've learned this as my wife was considering a tiny house until she realized the ordinances (and how both of our crafts need a LOT of space for materials). Still, it's something I've been considering!

 

 

Another possible option for classes is Bryn Athyn College in July. They are probably about an hour to an hour and a half away from where you are at in Lower Bucks. I can let you know more if you want, shoot me a PM. Bryn Athyn Cathedral also has some amazing forged "iron" work all over the place.

 

Pennsylvania Artist Blacksmith Assn would be another possibility of a group to look into. The meetings are every other month and vary depending whose shop is holding them. The next one is Sat Feb 7th. There's usually some one there who is selling something if you are looking for items.

 

Thanks for the input on the college! I'll add it to the list and see what my schedule is like. My current classes at Peter's Valley are taking a good chunk of my vacation time (12 days of classes, a number of which are vacation days), and cost is also an issue, but I'll keep it on the docket just in case.

 

As for PABA, I took a suggestion of a blacksmith I spoke to and signed up. They have me on file (I assume so as they've cashed my check), but I haven't really seen or heard anything since. I am hoping that the weather is nice enough and finances balance out enough to take that hike out to Mount Joy. Care to give any input as to what to expect?

 

 

Beginner projects. Depends a lot what you want to work on. Hooks are always a good warm up. Practice tapering, bending, twisting and doing it repeatably. Same goes for scrolls. If you want to add maybe doing some collars or rivets, you can torn those scrolls into shelf brackets. Tools, hot cut, bending forks, top/bottom tools, tongs, bending or scroll jigs, spring swages or guillotine tools  are just a few possibilities. Some can simply be forged, others need a bit more fab work and possibly welding.

 

Right now I'm working on a few towel bars for a friend. Tapering, dishing, slit and drifting, riveting the ends, possibly some bends or twists depending what she decides she wants. A good all around project to keep me in practice. I'll probably do at least 3 of what ever one she decides she likes after I make up 3 or 4 test samples.

 

Honestly, I'm up for just learning as much as possible and finding a niche. My first class was on blades (which I know I need more practice with), so more of the mundane things are on the list. I have some family nearby that are really big into the colonial era, so they've been asking me for things like hooks and candle holders, specifically a courting candle.

 

Tool-wise, I need an idea of how to make some of these tools. The list you mentioned all sound great and are actually on my list, but I'm not sure how to make them (or know what top/bottom tools are). One thing I've been trying to do is turning a broken railroad spike I have into a hardy tool or two, one of them being a cutter and another being a swaging tool. The Guillotine tool looks like a good investment as well, but I do lack the means for welding, both in tools (which are out of the price range at the moment with the smithing tools) and skill.

 

That reminds me: if you (or anyone else here) has a good suggestion for a stay, I'm all ears!

 

Any tips on riveting? This is another skill I believe I lack, so. . .

 

 

Oh if you have never been over to Joseph Fazzio's in Glassboro Nj, you owe yourself a trip. The "new" store has all sorts of stuff and sells steel by the foot. The old store is a real treat. It's full of all sorts of surplus "stuff". Hardware, tools, equipment and so on. I can spend hours browsing the isles and the selection changes all the time. They may not have a lot of blacksmithing gear, but there's always something you can repurpose hiding there and the prices are really good on most stuff.

 

Just a quick correction:  It is Joseph FAZZIO's, near Glassboro, NJ.  A great place to go to.  A candy store for us creators.

 

I meant to add that Finkels Hardware up in Lambertville Nj and is another good place to buy short lengths of material. I often get a lot of my steel from them since they aren't all that far from my place.

 

 

Thanks for the note about Fazzio's! That's not too far away and is new a few places my wife wants to visit, so it could be a good road trip! I have to ask: what do you mean by the "new" and "old" store? Are the in the same area?

I'm always up for re-purposing things, so this should be fun!

Finkels is a bit more of a hike, but it's a plausible road trip. Thanks again for that!

 

 

I'd look over the blueprints on this site and the iforge section of anvilfire; hundreds of possible projects!

Thomas who graduated from Holmdel High, Holmdel NJ, (between mile 114 and 117 on the GSP)

 

I've actually been looking over the blueprints over at anvilfire due to being blocked here until my account was squared away. A few of the topics caught my eye as I know my family would be interested in them (and they have offered to pay for materials to practice with), but some of the tool instructions seem a bit off. I'll go digging again and see if I can find something useful.

 

 

Thank you all for the input and the warm welcome!

[njanvilman]

Howell Living History Farm near Lambertville and Howell Tnsp, NJ are two different places.  NJBA has an open forge most Monday nights on Casino Dr., 1/4 mile East of Rt 9, Howell Tnsp, Monmouth County, NJ.   And if you are into a bit of history, come earlier and stop by my Fisher & Norris Factory Museum, just down the road.  PM for details.

 

Going to Fazzios is an adventure.  The new store is like a Grainger catalog IRL! plus steel and aluminum stock.  The old store directly next door has both new and old stock of hardware, machines, and who knows what else.  I go there a couple of times a year to buy rope, bolts, and to see what is in stock.  Its an fun trip every time I go.

[DSW]

Thanks for the NJBA address Josh. I'll have to try and make it later this spring as well as try and make it over to your place. Looks like I've got a job down at the shore again come end of Feb, or early March so I may try to to get over there then.

 

Fazzio's also has a surplus store just outside of Wilmington De, IIRC. Not as nice as the old store in Glassboro but worth a stop in if you are in the area with time to kill. The selection isn't as big, but like the old store you never know what you will find as you wander the isles.

 

 

I've been to Howell Living History Farm near Lambertville in the past. Blacksmith shop is open Wednesdays in the summer from what I remember. Can't say much more than that as I don't get off weekdays as often as I'd like. The shop looked fairly well equipped when I was there last time, but the guy running things that day was still learning.

 

 

Finkels is a good old fashioned hardware store that stocks steel as well as a bit of alum and stainless. Not really worth a special trip, but useful to remember if you need material and are near the area, say going to Howell Living History Farm. Unlike some places, they are used to guys who just need a few feet of steel, and don't give you the brushoff. I'll often go and wander the isle looking at the steel trying to determine what stock best suits my project and they don't care. Something other places don't like.

 

 

I can't remember the trip to the shop in Mt Joy last year, though I'm pretty sure I went. maybe Stash or Josh can remember more and make some comments. I've learned something at almost every PABA  meeting I'm been to, so it makes the drive worth while even though the work truck isn't the most fuel efficient vehicle to drive long distances.

 

 

Plenty of info here on making all sorts of tools. 1st come up with what you want/need then take a look to see if it's covered already. Then if you still have questions, feel free to ask. welders aren't all that expensive. A used AC stick machine can do a lot of things and you can find them for as little as $50-150 on CL in our area fairly regularly. I've seen them even less at yard sales. Avoid welders that run on 110v power or come from Harbor freight. They are just a waste of money most times. If you see something and don't know, Pm me and I can tell you if it's worth looking at or not. Good thing about the old 230v transformer stick machines are they are usually built like tanks. There's seldom much to go wrong with them, especially the tapped or plug style machines.

 

Push comes to shove and you need something welded, let me know. Biggest killer for me is fuel cost and bridge tolls for the truck to get in and out of Jersey.

[Charles R. Stevens]

Dont forget the Abana controled handforging coriculum. Even if all you do is read it over, it will open your eyes as to the basic skills that a project breakes down into.

[njanvilman]

DSW, Anthony, and any others near the NJ/Pa turnpike link:  If any of you want to carpool to Mt Joy or any of the other PABA events, let me know.  I have a 4 dr pickup and do not mind driving.  We could meet somewhere near Columbus NJ and go in one vehicle.

[NickOHH]

Welcome aboard! I'm not terribly far from your neck of the woods just a little outside of philly the other direction. Still pretty new to this wonderful world of blacksmithing as well but have a little out door forge and some basic tools and making more all the time your more than welcome to come by or meet up somewhere and talk , swing some hammers build you a forge whatever let me know just send me a pm

[NickOHH]

DSW, Anthony, and any others near the NJ/Pa turnpike link:  If any of you want to carpool to Mt Joy or any of the other PABA events, let me know.  I have a 4 dr pickup and do not mind driving.  We could meet somewhere near Columbus NJ and go in one vehicle.

I may need a ride up there and have gas money!

[LibrariaNPC]

DSW, Anthony, and any others near the NJ/Pa turnpike link:  If any of you want to carpool to Mt Joy or any of the other PABA events, let me know.  I have a 4 dr pickup and do not mind driving.  We could meet somewhere near Columbus NJ and go in one vehicle.

 

If you're willing to drive and split the gas/tolls (so I don't feel like a freeloader), I'm game! 

 

I drive a small Veloster (3 door hatchback), so it's not great for many people, but I can get my entire shop (tools, gas, forge, table and anvil) and still have room for a passenger, so I'll take that as a win if I ever need to haul everything somewhere!

[j.w.s.]

DSW, Anthony, and any others near the NJ/Pa turnpike link: If any of you want to carpool to Mt Joy or any of the other PABA events, let me know. I have a 4 dr pickup and do not mind driving. We could meet somewhere near Columbus NJ and go in one vehicle.

I might make it over to Stans this year if that weekend is free. Perhaps I'll see some of you there!

-J

[LibrariaNPC]

I might make it over to Stans this year if that weekend is free. Perhaps I'll see some of you there!

-J

 

Would be great to see you there if it's possible on all sides!

[LibrariaNPC]

Sorry for the sudden silence; my wife and I caught the plague and I've been rather limited in my ability to be online any longer than a few minutes (as is obvious by my last post being so short).

 

 

Dont forget the Abana controled handforging coriculum. Even if all you do is read it over, it will open your eyes as to the basic skills that a project breakes down into.

 

Do you mean the notes in the newsletters, or something entirely different? If it's elsewhere online, care to share a direct link so I know I'm looking at the right thing?

 

 

Welcome aboard! I'm not terribly far from your neck of the woods just a little outside of philly the other direction. Still pretty new to this wonderful world of blacksmithing as well but have a little out door forge and some basic tools and making more all the time your more than welcome to come by or meet up somewhere and talk , swing some hammers build you a forge whatever let me know just send me a pm

 

Thanks for that info, Nick! I'm still getting things settled with getting my forge set up, but once that's settled it'd be great to start working with others that are in the general area, even if it is just meeting up to compare ideas and get input on work.

 

 

Fazzio's also has a surplus store just outside of Wilmington De, IIRC. Not as nice as the old store in Glassboro but worth a stop in if you are in the area with time to kill. The selection isn't as big, but like the old store you never know what you will find as you wander the isles.

 

I think you are right about the store in DE. I'm adding the shop in Glassboro to my "Must Visit" places in the near future; I might have to convince my uncle to come with in his truck just in case. Heh.

 

 

Finkels is a good old fashioned hardware store that stocks steel as well as a bit of alum and stainless. Not really worth a special trip, but useful to remember if you need material and are near the area, say going to Howell Living History Farm. Unlike some places, they are used to guys who just need a few feet of steel, and don't give you the brushoff. I'll often go and wander the isle looking at the steel trying to determine what stock best suits my project and they don't care. Something other places don't like.

 

Thanks for that input as well! I'll keep it in mind whenever I am out in that direction, as I have been given a number of invititations to see the farm between my coworkers and the one smith out that.

 

 

Plenty of info here on making all sorts of tools. 1st come up with what you want/need then take a look to see if it's covered already. Then if you still have questions, feel free to ask. welders aren't all that expensive. A used AC stick machine can do a lot of things and you can find them for as little as $50-150 on CL in our area fairly regularly. I've seen them even less at yard sales. Avoid welders that run on 110v power or come from Harbor freight. They are just a waste of money most times. If you see something and don't know, Pm me and I can tell you if it's worth looking at or not. Good thing about the old 230v transformer stick machines are they are usually built like tanks. There's seldom much to go wrong with them, especially the tapped or plug style machines.

 

When it comes to tools, I'm really just looking at starting with the basics (tongs) and moving up the bigger things that will actually fit in my forge (a small forge, but still a forge!). I'll keep the welding notes in mind; space is at a premium, especially since my wife just started getting into making her own corsets, so I can't really invest into TOO many big tools without penalty of death (or cutting down my personal library even more; really hard for a librarian to do).

 

 

 

Thanks again for making me feel welcome, everyone!