Darling Daggers Posted August 18, 2015 Share Posted August 18, 2015 Hello all,I'm a newbie here and I am dreadfully interested in setting up my own forge and getting started in smithing,first as a hobby but preferably more in the future. The first of many questions I have, I'm sorry in advance if I ask questions that have been asked many times, is where did you start? Should I build an entire forge, buy a burner and build the rest, or buy the whole darn thing? After doing a plethora of internet research I have come to the conclusion that I am interested in setting up a gas forge to start with, nothing too large and preferably something that I could do a majority of forging on. Basically just asking advice based off of where you all started. Did you start as a hobby and grew from there? Did you start with a coal or gas forge? Did you go too big too soon, or was your's too small to do what you were looking for? Did you have trouble finding materials to work with? I'm primarily interested in bladesmithing but metalworking in general is sounds glorious. I am glad I found such an active community of like minded individuals with knowledge to assist in such a fabulous craft, especially local!Thank you in advance for your assistance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John on Fishhook Posted August 18, 2015 Share Posted August 18, 2015 Are you out in the valley? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darling Daggers Posted August 18, 2015 Author Share Posted August 18, 2015 Yes, I'm out in Wasilla. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted August 22, 2015 Share Posted August 22, 2015 Welcome aboard, glad to have you. I'm on Vine Rd and can show you the ropes, I do some teaching. PM me if you'd like to meet up.I can't believe I missed your post, I need to check my notifications settings. Give me a shout.Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 I would say your off to a good start now! Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 Start with a visit to Frosty. Take lunch for both of you, and a cold drink or two. You will learn and see more in one visit than you can imagine. From there you will have a data base for which to ask questions. Find when the AK blacksmiths are meeting and go to the meetings. They have the knowledge you seek and are willing to share. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Cochran Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 I'd love the opportunity to spend timeline person with someone like Frosty. You should definitely take advantage of that gold mine down the street. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 You and me both... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Oh come on guys, you live within reasonable visiting distance of some blacksmithing greats and confabs to die for. I'm just a hobbyist who spends time reading and playing with fire and hammers.On the other hand I'd dearly love to spend some time with any of you lugs let alone at the anvil. A boy can dream. On that topic, my shop is open to visitors with a day's lead time. Can't be surprising Deb you know. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Cochran Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 (edited) If I ever make it that far north I'll definitely have to drop by and see the legendary Frosty in person. I'll even bring some of my wife's apple dessert that isn't a pie but isn't quite a cobbler either lol. Of course that goes for a few other places like New Mexico, Oklahoma, Indiana, and West Virginia to name a few. Edited August 25, 2015 by M Cochran Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Cool I'll wash some plates. It's going to take some extraordinary coordination to visit me in NM, IN, OK, WV, etc. though, It's a bit out of my neighborhood. Sounds like fun though, are you going to bring apple desert for everybody?Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Cochran Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Lol I meant I'd have to stop and visit some others here if I managed to make it close to them. If I was able to get up that way I'd bring enough for several people. My wife has a way of cookin for an army even though it's just two adults and a two year old at the house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Oh, I was hoping you were offering to buy tickets. <sigh> We'll get some of the guys together if any of the gang make it this far. I understand, it's MUCH easier to cook a batch than just for two people. I made a "small" meatloaf a while back and it was making sandwiches for a week. Wrapped it in pizza dough and popped it back in the oven for about 20 minutes to bake it. Meatloaf Wellington heals with meatloaf gravy make for squabbles over who gets one. Fortunately two heals is perfect for Deb and I.Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 My standard crock pot stew is based on a 5 quart crock pot, I end up eating it for a while down here by myself. Funny thing though when I take it to church potlucks I usually don't have any leftovers... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpankySmith Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 I grew up with 8 brothers and sisters and to this day am simply incapable of cooking a dish for one. So anything I cook ends up in the freezer for lunches for like a MONTH. LUCKY you to live so close to Frosty! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Cochran Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 I love leftovers and meatloaf sammiches. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 I can't crock pot a roast or soup for the two of us anymore, Deb just isn't into leftovers past once. Church pot lucks on the other hand almost never send us home with leftovers. I made ox tail soup for Lenten service, soup and bread suppers two Lents back and I discovered folk wiping the inside of the crock pot with bread to get it all. Boy did THAT make me feel good! When I was living alone I did a lot of minute steaks and frozen veggies. 1 can of tuna and a little minute rice is pretty darned tasty and small enough for one person. I also lived about half a mile from a good cafe and ate a LOT of cafe food, it's a lot less waste than trying to cook for myself. But OH I LOVE meatloaf sammiches, hot or better, cold!! Heck, that's why I make meatloaf anymore, for lunches.Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 We once served a medieval venison recipe to our church at a potluck and like yours the pot came back *shiny*! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 I LOVE Lenten services, eating someone else's cooking is a real treat. I'd do moose soup or roast but half the soups are game or local fish. I had to come up with a different strategy for Lenten soup and bread suppers. I only take a dab and come back for another dab down the line. There have been a couple where I'd take a dab and just bet back in line and eat as I waited another turn.A couple years ago someone brought a cured, smoked black bear roast. It didn't last the whole line once through. I'm not a huge fan of bear but done right and it's 4 star goooood. They brought cured and smoked caribou once too and it was almost as good. I keep telling Deb we need to get on their dinner guest list.Being a Lutheran Church pot lucks and bake sales are favorites for fund raisers. The youth groups have chili cook offs for the summer camp fund. Chili cook offs are always accompanied with really good corn breads.Darn I'm getting hungry!Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GottMitUns Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 Well since Frosty and Thomas jacked this post I will add the following 3-3-15 1204.MOV Our Church stew, chili, chicken and dumplings pot. We did have leftovers on this cook but a local shelter took them off our hands. Russell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 Now THAT'S a pot of soup! I'll bet come Halloween time a little apple bobbing might happen in it.Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K. Bryan Morgan Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 Hanging out with Frosty is some of the most fun I've had. He has a great shop and I wish I could go down and hang out with him and Deb more often. You won't go wrong and the few times I was able to go I learned so much. Thank you Jerry for your hospitality and friendship. You're a great guy and I am proud to count you among my friends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.