Greetings from the show me state and the reason for joining was because I need a whole lot of things shown me. A little about myself, I have loved fabricating with metal all my life and self taught myself to weld at a young age. As well I love to work with metal working power tools even though most equipment I have is scrap pile salvage (like my 1890ish metal lathe).  But for some time now, I have had a itch to do some forging. Great great granddad was a life long blacksmith from the 1880s to the early 1900s and I figure it must be in my blood. Actually I have his original vise and petal powered sharpening stone. Again I joined to read up on the subject and maybe ask a few questions if I may. From looking around a bit, I see there will be a lot of reading to do for there is a bunch of content to glean from on the forum.

I did get a burner completed this evening, for I have to build a bigger casting forge for some aluminum fabricating I am backed up on. If they work out good, a couple for a forge will be in order. Enough chit chat for now back to reading and brainstorming. Again thames for letting me become a member.

READ THIS FIRST will explain how to get started on the site. 

Table of Contents will give you an idea of where to go to find things of interest to you.

We suggest that you pack a lunch and a  cold drink when you visit the site. 

Welcome to IForgeIron.

If you have not done so yet, please contact the Blacksmiths Association of Missouri, BAM.   www.bamsite.org.    They will be a invaluable source of help for you. Good luck. Al

Welcome!  Sounds like you have a good background and are off to a good start.  Don't forget to ask everyone around the Christmas tree if any of Granddad's tools are still around.  Even getting a hammer or a set of tongs would be a great addition to your smithing start!

You might check into The Blacksmiths of Newtonia on Facebook. A great bunch of folks with about 300 members across four states. We have been to some of their hammer-ins and have a great time.