Jealdi Posted July 12, 2020 Share Posted July 12, 2020 Hey everyone, new guy here. Looking to get started soon and just wanted to say Hi! Located in central Illinois. Always been interested, finally starting to work on collecting some equipment to get started and super excited to be here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted July 13, 2020 Share Posted July 13, 2020 Welcome aboard... grab a cold drink and a sandwich and start reading the sticky's. If you haven't read it yet, the Read This First thread up in the blue banner will help in getting the best out of the forum with lots of tips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schmidlapper Posted July 13, 2020 Share Posted July 13, 2020 Welcome from me as well. The forum is certainly a treasure trove of valuable information on the subject, especially for us just starting out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted July 13, 2020 Share Posted July 13, 2020 Welcome; what sorts of things are you interested in making? What's your set up look like? Have you gotten in touch with your local ABANA Affiliate? Learning in person usually trumps leaning over the net! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted July 13, 2020 Share Posted July 13, 2020 Welcome from the hot (122) dry (8% humidity) desert outside of Fabulous Las Vegas NV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jealdi Posted July 21, 2020 Author Share Posted July 21, 2020 On 7/13/2020 at 10:08 AM, ThomasPowers said: Welcome; what sorts of things are you interested in making? What's your set up look like? Have you gotten in touch with your local ABANA Affiliate? Learning in person usually trumps leaning over the net! I'll have to look into ABANA. My setup is currently me deciding if it's worth fighting the wife over being able to use the garage/driveway, or trying to make something work on the little patio out behind the house! I'm interesting in making anything I can learn how to make. My plan is to start with making whatever tools I'll need and going from there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 I'm a fan of repurposing propane grill carts for forges---either propane forges or JABOD type as they can generally "hide in plain site" and protect the forge from inclement weather. Running a forge in suburbia or in a city reminds me a bit of a bagpiping society I used to know---their guiding maxim was "be inconspicuous!" I find flea market and garage sale tools to be good for starting as you do need to know a bit more than just getting started to make decent versions yourself. Hard to work more recalcitrant alloys when you are still learning temperature control for mild steel! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheWanderingLlama Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 I face the same suburban (and wife...) issue as you do. I have taken to making things portable and finding ways to quiet whatever you are using for an anvil. When I forge at home, I set the forge up on the back patio and then just carry the steel three paces into the garage where I have anvil/vice/etc. I make the forge inaccessible via making a bit of a barrier of sawhorses. I have talked to my neighbors and they are cool with it - so that is good. I just am respectful about time of day. I also pack my stuff up when we visit my folks or my in-laws. They live in rural areas so much easier. I also use charcoal - I would not be able to do coal where I am at. Propane would work, but just starting out charcoal is cheaper. If the hobby sticks I will consider a propane or NG forge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jealdi Posted July 22, 2020 Author Share Posted July 22, 2020 21 hours ago, ThomasPowers said: I'm a fan of repurposing propane grill carts for forges---either propane forges or JABOD type Currently the wife has said that if I can come up with an anvil and some tools... Santa might be willing to bring me a nice Forge. Maybe even before Christmas. So I wasn't going to argue with her on that one. Especially since she is a little reluctant to try to let me build my own forge. Got a neighbor that works for a welding/gas supply company, so chatting with him about getting a propane tank for the forge once I figure out what I'm getting and what size tank I'll need. 18 hours ago, TheWanderingLlama said: I have talked to my neighbors and they are cool with it - so that is good. I just am respectful about time of day. I also pack my stuff up when we visit my folks or my in-laws. They live in rural areas so much easier. I've chatted with the younger neighbors to one side of me, they are on board with the noise. I haven't noticed the older neighbors outside to have a chance to speak with them yet, but do plan to keep my hours at a reasonable time to try to limit upsetting anyone. I've got a lead on a RR track anvil for $20 that I'm picking up tonight. I figure for that price.. I can make it work somehow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted July 22, 2020 Share Posted July 22, 2020 A collection of improvised anvils will give you some ideas on what can work as an anvil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jealdi Posted July 22, 2020 Author Share Posted July 22, 2020 Glenn, I read through that one last night! The guy I'm getting the RR track from today has it horizontal... my first task will be to build something to hold it vertically! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted July 22, 2020 Share Posted July 22, 2020 Depending on the length of the track, you may want to build a stand to hold it vertically and also so the track can be removed and used in a horizontal position to make use of the inside and outside curves of the track. Think swage. teenylittlemetalguy came up with a vise for the rail road track you may want to look into. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jealdi Posted July 22, 2020 Author Share Posted July 22, 2020 I believe the guy has two pieces. Said I could choose. Almost 16" and almost 18" for the lengths. I'll check out that link when I get a chance today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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