Another newbie in Central Illinois

[Brian Hibbert]

Hello everyone!

I'm Brian Hibbert and am a beginner located in Central Illinois.  

I've been playing with blacksmithing, but have not yet purchased a real anvil or forge.  I've been building a makeshift wood fired forge in my backyard fire pit using a couple of hardy boards in a V shape, with a 3/4" pipe and a hand pumped bed inflator for side blast just to see what I can do.  I haven't been able to get to welding temp but have been able to heat to bright orange and can beat out simple tapers and a crude scroll.  My current "anvil" is an old sledge hammer head strapped to a 4 x 4.   It's ugly but the exhilaration of heating it and beating it!  I can JUST about see what I can turn this into...

 I didn't expect much with my setup (I actually exceeded expectations).  I was mostly trying to see if this is a path I want to pursue (it is).   My ideal is to make functional art (like most of you do already), useful items that have some artistic qualities as well.    Strange thing is, as I've been playing with this I've learned to appreciate the artistry in a simple bend.  I've always been fascinated by blacksmiths and glass blowers I've seen at fairs, etc and wanted to try my hand someday. Someday is here.  Glass is too fragile for me to play with, but steel...

I've been a member here for a few weeks and have been reading what I can of the postings and have learned MUCH from the reading.  I learned enough to even attempt to use a makeshift setup until I can get something better....  I learned that there are better ways to heat metal (a couple of hours of hand pumping is OK for trial, but I'll need to upgrade to do anything serious).  I'll see where this goes from here.  I've also learned that you don't need complex tooling to get started.  Primitive works even if it's not as easy.

[JHCC]

Welcome! Sounds like you're on the right track with reading and trying things out, so keep at it!

[ThomasPowers]

You are using a forge much like blacksmiths have been using for over 2000 years; why is it not "real"?

You are using an anvil much like blacksmiths have been using for over 1000 years; why is it not "real"?

As handy as a modern forge and london pattern anvil are; they are no more real than what you are working with.

[Brian Hibbert]

Thanks JHCC and Thomas. 

Yes it's real.  Like I said I was able to heat up some steel and beat it into a shape I almost liked.   I just need some improvements.

But more specifically about the improvements....  For the work I have in my head:

1. I need an air supply that will provide a bit more volume with a little less physical effort so I can get a bit better heat and more consistency. 

2.  I need a better forge design or at least better material since the hardy board scraps I used were intended to support tile rather than the heat of a fire and have started to crumble. The Whitlox forge looks great if I stick with wood as a fuel.  But what I've learned from reading here is that there are many good ways to heat steel.  I may still go propane. 

3. My "anvil" is acceptable for a LOT of work.  It actually has some nice radii and flat places on it that I can use well.  But at some point I will replace it with something else and probably put a handle on it to return it to it's original purpose.

 

I'm having a blast with it. 

P.S. I just discovered the prayer request section of this forum.  Another reason to love this place.

[JHCC]

I like this guy. Good attitude.

[Frosty]

Welcome aboard Brian, glad to have you. You are soooo going to fit in here.

Not getting enough heat from a fire is less about the forge than it is about fire management, even with one of those funky little bellows mattress inflaters. My preference is a 12v blower type inflater, I pick them up for cheap at garage, yard, etc. sales but you can find them in the sporting goods section of a big box store. Moving air is easy though some methods take more planning and set up, say a hill furnace.

Do you have a copy of "The Complete Modern Blacksmith" by Alexander Weygers? There is an illustration of a self drafting wood/charcoal forge made from a coffee or something can and a few feet of stove pipe hanging from a branch at a convenient height.

Bellows are very easy to make, a pillow case makes excellent bellows as does a cardboard box, piece of pipe and feathers, leaves, grass, etc. and a stick, a pond and a bucket or better yet a 55gl. drum. Duct tape makes it duck walk easy. Heck in all but the pond and drum you don't even need a hose or pipe to aim the air blast.

You have the right idea about the anvil and I agree you can do more, more easily on something a little heavier and more stable. I like pickup truck axles on end flange up. Marvelously handy things, everything a person really needs.

Frosty The Lucky.

[Brian Hibbert]

Thanks Frosty!  I've been thinking about equipment upgrades and considered building a better bellows.   I may also wire up an old PC fan or similar and box that in with some air flow directors for control.  I've got a couple days off work next week so I plan to make some better equipment.

I got a copy of Weygers' book on order along with Lorelie Sims'  book.  They should show up in the next few days. I found out that the company I work for printed "The New Edge of the Anvil", but that was a year or so ago and I didn't get to grab a sample copy.   I'll have to order a copy of that one too...

I'll have to check out that self drafting coffee can.   Sounds interesting.  One of the things I'm finding very appealing about this pursuit is the attitude of "if you don't have the right tools, use what you have to make the right tools."  Or to make the tools to make the right tools to make the tools you really want.  

 

 

[Frosty]

It's a common trap finding, getting, making tools before long you discover you need a bigger shop which never has enough lights outlets doors and storage.

A trap I find myself painting myself into is thinking production methods for one off pieces. It's often faster and certainly more economical to just make A thing than it is to make all the "right" tools.

Regardless it's a fun pursuit.

Frosty The Lucky.