freezinvt Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 Hey, my story is probably similar in some ways to many but I figured I'd share. After being fascinated by blacksmithing since I was a kid my wife signed me up for a workshop a few weeks ago on knife making, less because I'm big into knives and more because it worked out timing wise. Had a great experience and started researching and building a small gas forge almost immediately after that. I'm a chimney sweep by trade so I have a lot of left over materials kicking around that made the build more economical. After looking at building an anvil from odd ball pieces of steel it turned out the guy who ran the workshop was looking to move one of his anvils so I was able to pick that up for a reasonable price. Added a picture with my first few projects at home. Started with the hook, then made some tongs followed by a pendent for my wife that my daughter designed. The tongs were made from 1 1/4" x 1/4" flat stock, the jaws could definitely be a little straighter and the rein are only about 12" long but should work to get me started. Having a blast and my son and daughter have been busy "helping out". I've been reading lots of posts and love all the info provided here. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hans Richter Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 Welcome Free, nice to have you here. The stuff looks very good, and the approach of a ‘ family business’ sound familiar to me. Even I’m not on the right continent I took/take a lot of advantage on the fact to be part of the IFI community. So see and share with all your smith brothers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou L Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 Hey, welcome aboard! Nice job on your first projects. The nibs on those tongs are a little bent but, guess what...you are now a blacksmith and can shape them to suit your needs! It looks like you have enough meat on them to add grooves for holding square or round stock. I say it like it’s nothing but, in reality, I seem to have a harder time doing that than making the rest of a tong.... Also, look up NEB (New England Blacksmiths chapter of ABANA). I’ll beat Judson to the punch and suggest you join us. The organization has been growing a lot lately. http://www.newenglandblacksmiths.org/ Bonus for you: You are much closer to the Brentwood Teaching Facility and can go there for monthly hammer-ins and basically get free lessons/experience I dream of. Lou Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 Greetings from a Vermonter in exile! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freezinvt Posted February 20, 2018 Author Share Posted February 20, 2018 23 hours ago, Lou L said: Hey, welcome aboard! Nice job on your first projects. The nibs on those tongs are a little bent but, guess what...you are now a blacksmith and can shape them to suit your needs! It looks like you have enough meat on them to add grooves for holding square or round stock. I say it like it’s nothing but, in reality, I seem to have a harder time doing that than making the rest of a tong.... Also, look up NEB (New England Blacksmiths chapter of ABANA). I’ll beat Judson to the punch and suggest you join us. The organization has been growing a lot lately. http://www.newenglandblacksmiths.org/ Bonus for you: You are much closer to the Brentwood Teaching Facility and can go there for monthly hammer-ins and basically get free lessons/experience I dream of. Lou I'll have to check NEB out, thanks! 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.