New in Pa

[MetalMedic]

Just getting into this after a lot of reading and tinkering. Fashioned a forge from a semi brake drum and a rotor off an f250 with some iron pipe and a bathroom vent fan and since then I haven't been able to put the hammer down. I figured it was worth saying hello and seeing who is around the area to network with. 

[Frosty]

Welcome aboard, glad to have you. If you scroll almost to the bottom of the Iforge home page you'll find the regional organizations section, fine one close to you and go meet the guys. You'll learn more in a couple hours with an experienced smith than days or weeks trying to figure it out yourself.

You also have literally thousands of pages of shared information, experiences, tricks, mistakes, problems and solutions, etc. etc. on IFI. I highly recommend a comfy chair, lunch and something to drink, there's a LOT of reading, just skimming.

Frosty The Lucky.

[MetalMedic]

Thanks Frosty, I've been skimming and will continue to do so wish I had the comfy chair part covered....but at least the beverages are flavorful. 

Looks like Maryland is the closest group of folks to me per the regional section. Seems like the meet somewhere within an hour or so from me so I'll have to check that out. Thanks again

Edited July 15, 2015 by MetalMedic

[DSW]

Check out Pennsylvania Artist Blacksmith Assn. (PABA) Next meeting is in Wernersville PA Aug 1st. That shouldn't be too far from you. The meeting locations change depending on who's shop is hosting the event. There's usually a few guys tailgating with stuff to sell if you are looking for tools.

[David Einhorn]

 

Welcome from York County Pennsylvania.  Depending on how far you wish to drive, some guilds that may be within driving distance include:

- Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland http://www.bgcmonline.org/

I highly recommend taking a course or two at the Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland, you can find further information about beginner and intermediate courses on their website.

- Pennsylvania Artist Blacksmith Guild: http://www.pabasite.org/

- Philadelphia Blacksmiths Guild https://sites.google.com/site/stuarttheblacksmith/home/hammertymephilly-the-philadelpia-blacksmiths-guild

- New Jersey Blacksmith Association: http://njba.abana-chapter.com/

- Central Virginia Blacksmith Guild http://cvbg.org/
- Blacksmith Guild of the Potomac  http://www.bgop.org/
- Mid-Atlantic Smiths Association http://masametalsmiths.org/
- Tidewater Blacksmith Guild  http://tidewaterblac....com/index.html

- Chesapeake Forge Guild meets at the Kinder Farm Park in Millersville http://www.chesapeakeforge.org/

-

For a more complete list visit: http://www.abana-chapter.com/

 

Edited July 15, 2015 by David Einhorn

[Grundsau]

 

Hey MetalMedic, welcome.
Check out this notice on PABA's facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/PABlacksmiths/photos/a.189053231192598.39078.140639222700666/804529076311674/?type=1&theater

PABA has their Blacksmith Day just north of Wernersville on the Blue Marsh Lake property at the Old Dry Road Farm.
http://www.dryroadfarm.net/index.html
Numerous forges and anvils will be available for you to get in some hammer time and is also a great time to ask questions.
Allen

Edited July 15, 2015 by Grundsau

[Frosty]

Well, there you go seems blacksmiths are coming out of the woodwork. It's good company, a little face to face should put you in touch with more tools and equipment than a boy could want. If you don't have a comfy chair string a hammock just remember to forge good strong hooks to hang it from.

Few problems in life can't be solved with a hot enough fire and big enough hammer.

Frosty The Lucky.

 

[MetalMedic]

Thanks everyone for the welcomes and the information on local and semi local places to meet up with others. I'll be looking into some of those shortly for sure.