GPRussellJ Posted March 24, 2017 Share Posted March 24, 2017 First and foremost, i would like to thank everybody for the vast amount of knowledge that i have already obtained just by reading these forums. I don't know why I was drawn to this craft but it has a very strong grip on me. I am from the Nashville area and have seen a couple other Tennessee folk on here. I have already a few times heated up some metal and started banging away. Didn't make anything, just mesmerized by moving metal and trying out different hammers and techniques to find what works best for me. Don't really have a direction YET as to decorative or blade smith or whatever type of work, but just want to obtain a practical skill of any sort, and why not start with historically (i am a history nerd) the most important skill that helped civilizations evolve. I started messing about and getting my gear about a year ago. I came across someone getting out of the game and got me a bunch of hammers, tongs, railroad anvil and steel for a very good price. A couple of weeks ago I fortunate enough to come across an anvil. Correct me if i am wrong please, from what I have researched here is that I have me an Arm and Hammer from Ohio, no idea on a date. There is some slight damage on one side of the top but there is still enough room for me to work on the other side. Has decent rebound on the non damaged side. From what i can make out the serial number is 15046. Thank you again, all of you, for what you have already taught me and for whatever other knowledge that might eventually come my way. Russell J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C-1ToolSteel Posted March 24, 2017 Share Posted March 24, 2017 Greetings Russel! Glad to have you. Maybe we will cross paths some day, as I ain't all that far from ya. Yep, that is an Arm and Hammer. Very nice anvil! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted March 25, 2017 Share Posted March 25, 2017 Welcome aboard Russell glad to have you. Nice anvil she looks to be in darned good condition. Do you know what you want to make? Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Stephens Posted March 25, 2017 Share Posted March 25, 2017 Welcome Russel. If you ever feel like a short drive, visit the monthly meetings of the Athens Forge. Athens forge.com, or on FB at Athens Forge. We have members of all levels, and we all learn from each other. Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave51B Posted March 25, 2017 Share Posted March 25, 2017 Hey Russell...good to see ya. Do you know how much she weighs? My A&H anvil #32086 weighs 100lbs. She is a bit noisy, even with chain tie downs and a couple of magnets stuck to her. But I do like that thin heel. That anvil will serve you well for years to come. As stated, try to hook up with a local group if you can. Maybe just to watch others work, perhaps you will see something that touches your creative nerve and help lead you into a direction of creativity. Life is Good Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GPRussellJ Posted March 28, 2017 Author Share Posted March 28, 2017 On 3/24/2017 at 11:29 PM, Frosty said: Welcome aboard Russell glad to have you. Nice anvil she looks to be in darned good condition. Do you know what you want to make? Frosty The Lucky. Frosty, I ended up making a nail header and some nails this weekend. I also took an old file and made a 7 inch chopper. Only got a little pitting and a small warp in the tang during the quinch, no cracks and the blade held up hitting it against a aluminum fence post. I probably will try and make some fuller tools and maybe a spring hardy next time I get out. On 3/25/2017 at 6:04 AM, PVF Al said: Welcome Russel. If you ever feel like a short drive, visit the monthly meetings of the Athens Forge. Athens forge.com, or on FB at Athens Forge. We have members of all levels, and we all learn from each other. Al Yes that sounds like a very real possibility. Went to college at Montevallo and spend a lot of free time in Madison/Huntsville/Decatur area visiting college friends so I could make that work is schedules match up On 3/25/2017 at 7:26 AM, Dave51B said: Hey Russell...good to see ya. Do you know how much she weighs? My A&H anvil #32086 weighs 100lbs. She is a bit noisy, even with chain tie downs and a couple of magnets stuck to her. But I do like that thin heel. That anvil will serve you well for years to come. As stated, try to hook up with a local group if you can. Maybe just to watch others work, perhaps you will see something that touches your creative nerve and help lead you into a direction of creativity. Life is Good Dave I was told she was 100 lbs. Feels about like that. I didn't really notice the how loud she was until you mentioned it. I was messing about with it and using tarp bungee cords, the harder to stretch ones, then wrapped a chain and it absorbed quite a bit of the noise. But other than my own ears, i really dont have to worry about bothering anybody with noise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted March 28, 2017 Share Posted March 28, 2017 I positively enjoy being able to hear my grandkids and good hearing aids cost more than my pickup did. (My wife wears them.) I strongly suggest you take precautions now as hearing loss is a progressive thing! Lovely A&H from Columbus OH, you could weigh it on a bathroom scale if you wanted to. The attenuated heel is a great thing for ornamental work; but train yourself to do your heavy hitting over the sweet spot. I have a 91# A&H that has been my main travel anvil for about 34 years now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted March 28, 2017 Share Posted March 28, 2017 Nails are a good place to start and make good warm up exercises for forge sessions. Wall, S and drive hooks are good exercises as well. Forging leaves is a good exercises for making blades. Garden tools are excellent beginner projects, make nice gifts and are marketable once you gain proficiency. There's a planetful of cool stuff a person can make from squishy HOT steel and a hammer. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnBello Posted March 28, 2017 Share Posted March 28, 2017 Welcome! As someone who thoroughly enjoys playing with sound, after losing a tiny bit of my hearing to loud music in my teenager days (not really noticeable in normal situations, but slightly annoying sometimes and worrying when thinking that it only gets worse), I will strongly suggest wearing ear muffs or whatever hearing protection you find most comfortable! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C-1ToolSteel Posted March 28, 2017 Share Posted March 28, 2017 2 hours ago, Andres Bello said: Welcome! As someone who thoroughly enjoys playing with sound, after losing a tiny bit of my hearing to loud music in my teenager days (not really noticeable in normal situations, but slightly annoying sometimes and worrying when thinking that it only gets worse), I will strongly suggest wearing ear muffs or whatever hearing protection you find most comfortable! Or turn the volume down... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GPRussellJ Posted March 30, 2017 Author Share Posted March 30, 2017 Thank you for the concern about keeping me safe and healthy. Ear protection has been borrowed from work and will be used whenever i get out and make noise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Alchemist Posted April 2, 2017 Share Posted April 2, 2017 Hey Russell, My name is Josh and I live in Columbia. I too am very new to forging. We should totally be friends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GPRussellJ Posted April 4, 2017 Author Share Posted April 4, 2017 On 4/2/2017 at 8:39 AM, The Alchemist said: Hey Russell, My name is Josh and I live in Columbia. I too am very new to forging. We should totally be friends. Yeah i am down for meeting up sometime and hanging out and exchanging ideas and what we have learned. ill send you a pm here shortly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneCoeArtistBlacksmith Posted April 5, 2017 Share Posted April 5, 2017 There are monthly meetings at Fiddler's Grove at the fair grounds in Lebanon and at Canonsboro in Murphysboro. Check out the aacb website for contact info. Let me know if I can help you. Wayne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricky Lee Posted February 15, 2019 Share Posted February 15, 2019 Sup Russ!I live in East Nashville and I am also new to forging.So far ive made a round punch,a spring fuller and im currently working on a hot cut hardy.Im already addicted to it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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