How to get started black smithing ?

[Jacob1]

Interested in starting black smithing but am unsure as how to start and came across this site and wanted to ask not try to be rude or asking to divulge secrets 

[Glenn]

Add your location to your profile.  That way we can recommend groups in or near your area.

The more you read the less you will need to spend in order to get started. You will need something to hit with (hammer), something to hit on (an anvil of sorts), and something to hit (metal).  You will also need a source of heat in order to make the metal soft so you can move it around with a hammer.

A hammer that weighs about 2 pounds is good. You can find them used at flea markets, boot sales, etc.

A collection of improvised anvils

TPAAAT - Applied Anvil Acquisition Technique

Forges  

JABOD - Just A Box Of Dirt is a cheap, solid fuel, forge that works.

Welcome to the addiction.

 

 

[Jacob1]

Thank you very much Glenn for your recommendations  and in your opinion would a harbor freight anvil be good as a first anvil

[Irondragon Forge ClayWorks]

The HF anvils are made from cast iron in China, without a hardened face. They are only good for the lightest work and damage easily, so I never recommend them. We love to divulge secrets.

[Jacob1]

Ok thank you for telling me that 

[Frosty]

Welcome aboard Jacob, glad to have you. What IDF&C didn't mention is we love to divulge other people's secrets. We don't really have any, not about blacksmithing anyway Iforge is ABOUT the free exchange of information.

To add to what Glenn said, don't get caught on the idea an anvil has to look like anything in particular. Any hard object you use to back the work while you hammer on it IS an anvil. PERIOD. Cast iron anvils are called ASOs (Anvil Shaped Objects) as they only look like a London pattern anvil, they're not hard enough to make much of a real anvil.

A sledge hammer head mounted on end in a block of wood or a made up stand from screwed and glued lumber makes an excellent anvil. A piece of steel shaft or a truck axle on end make excellent anvils. Even a smooth boulder makes a nice anvil. The world is littered with potential anvils everywhere you look.

Frosty The Lucky.

[Jacob1]

Cool thanks for all the information 

[arftist]

Start by reading the whole forum,

[Glenn]

A collection of improvised anvils 

and I did not see a Harbor Freight anvil in the bunch.  You would be better served by finding a sledge hammer head, or piece of heavy metal and beating on that.  Use the TPAAAT - Applied Anvil Acquisition Technique and be patient.  It works and at some good prices.

[Rojo Pedro]

Then look up a JABOD forge. They can be built for almost nothing and some of the big boys on this site use them everyday

my first setup was a washtub forge and piece of RR track

It took but one smash of red hot metal to hook me deep. Good luck and have fun

[pnut]

I posted a topic at some point titled, getting started on the cheap. https://www.iforgeiron.com/topic/65352-getting-started-on-the-cheap/?tab=comments#comment-687106

It has all the links I found helpful in the beginning. Welcome aboard, good luck, be safe, and remember it's supposed to be fun. 

Pnut

 

[Jacob1]

will definitely check out all the links and recommendations thanks

[ThomasPowers]

Unfortunately the current situation really impacts you getting to meet the other smiths near you who generally will share where to get stuff in the local area.  Do find a couple of ABANA affiliates near you and try to attend some meetings when things start happening again.

[BillyBones]

With the current situation, like Thomas said, it will be hard to find groups meeting. I would suggest going to the top up there and looking under the section "reference material" then go to the link that has a list of Youtube channels of different smiths.(still can not figure out how to do links) Youtube can be quite misleading and show things that are down right dangerous, these links have been vetted by the whole community here and are good quality smiths who show there technique and explain really well the how and why of doing things. 

Also take a day, pack a lunch and  cold pop and start reading the forum. The people here are a great bunch and will inspire you to do better and reach beyond your comfort zone. 

Welcome aboard.

[Jealdi]

I think this is the one Billy is referencing for the youtube links.

 

 

[BillyBones]

Yes that is the one.

[Jacob1]

Would it be possible to make a scaled down version of the box of dirt forges ?

[Frazer]

That's probably the the most easily scale-able forge design! Just make the box smaller! It's also pretty easy to play around with the size until you find what works for you.

It is Just A Box Of Dirt after all...

[Jacob1]

ok cool wanted to ask before I went ahead and built something 

[Frazer]

Asking is always worthwhile, but experimentation is the best way to learn. Good luck, looking forward to seeing your progress.

[Jacob1]

Thanks 

[JHCC]

The most important thing about a JABOD it to make sure that you have at least 2" of dirt on all sides of the firebowl. Any less than that will not provide enough insulation for the wooden boards that make up the box.

[Irondragon Forge ClayWorks]

Or use a steel box like the one Charles made.

[Donovan Young]

Not to hijack the topic, but is there any concern with accidentally striking a sledge hammer head (which I presume is hardened) with a hammer (which I KNOW is hardened?)

 

[BIGGUNDOCTOR]

Donovan, you mean like a missed hit on a hardened anvil face?  Yes, there is concern for chipping just like with an anvil. You can draw some hardness out of the hammer face so it is softer than the anvil too, if you are prone to missing the piece you are working on.