New from Oklahoma

[zcr07]

Howdy all! I am Zech, a 29 year old hobbyist who's extremely interested in getting into blacksmithing. I've always wanted to do it in the past, but only recently do I have the time and space to really get into it. I just this forum about a week ago and have been reading here and there, among other readings, and I'm hoping to get started on building a forge in the next week or two. I've always been a natural tinkerer and handyman as well as a fast learner, so I'm trying to pace myself a little here too. 

I did have several questions about some specifics on burners and forges but I don't necessarily want to ask them here if it's recommended that I ask them in the Burners or Forges threads.

Anyway, I hope to learn more from here as well as others in the area. I've already read about a couple smiths near me in addition to some beginning courses. If there's anything else I should know right off the bat, please let me know!

[Glenn]

Pack a lunch, a cold drink, and READ THIS FIRST  It should introduce you to the site and be a guide.

Read the Burners or Forges threads as most of your questions have been answered already. Choose ONE burner or forge and build it exactly as it is described, no changes, because it is a proven design that works. Then build a second burner or forge and compare the two, side by side, with a fire in both. You will be able to tell very quickly what works for you. 

Blacksmithing is not a sprint, but a lifelong learning experience. Welcome to the site.

[zcr07]

I've poked around a lot of the Forges threads including Forges 101, and likewise with the Burners and Burners 101. I just had a couple questions, more out of curiosity than anything else, but I'll probably post them over there after I do some more reading. I'll leave the math and fluid thermodynamics to the experts. lol

Thanks for the welcome.

[SLAG]

cr07,

Welcome to the site.

I suggest that check out Mr. Charles R. Stevens, on this site. He is in Oklahoma and he is very knowledgeable about your state, blacksmithing and divers other subjects.

Also, the Saltfork blacksmith group may be near you.

SLAG.

[ThomasPowers]

They are active all over the place in OK "The club is very active and sets aside a different Saturday for up to four meetings per month in four different regions of the state."

The North East Regional group is closest and there is a conference in October! 

http://www.saltforkcraftsmen.org

[zcr07]

SLAG and ThomasPowers,

Yes! I've checked them out already and was hoping I could get into one of the beginners courses next year, but in the mean time I definitely plan on checking out one of the regional meetings. I did read about the conference as well but unfortunately I don't believe I will make it to that one. I'll just have to keep an eye out for others in the future. I've also read a little about Billy Helton and TTown's Metal Men, here in Claremore and Tulsa. Billy offers his own beginning knife forging classes and I believe one of the last SCABA meetings was at TTown's Metal Mens' shop. 

Thanks for the info though!

[Charles R. Stevens]

You would be welcome at any of the meetings (classes are usually schedualed in months with 5 Saturday’s). Just show up and introduce yourself. You will generaly find some one who will invite you to their shop for som hands on and advice. Otherwise look at the low buck options we have offered here on IFI and start mangling steel.