Hey all, I apprenticed under a blacksmith named Dan Cochran for a year back in high school and have been blacksmithing off and on for the past seven years or so.

I'm in law school so I live in town, but my family has a ranch which is a veritable treasure trove of scrap steel.

Every since I worked with Dan I have alwayse wanted to have my own blacksmithing set up. So lately I've been looking at all sorts of things that I would like to try to make, and am tired of seeing junk lying around. I figure I might take some of that junk, turn it into something useful, enjoy myself and learn in the process, and maybee generate a little income off the hobby.

So here's where I ask for some advice from the veterans.

What I'm looking to get into a compact, mobile set up with just the basics that will allow me to expand from there by building my own tools. So please point me in the right direction. I'm looking for tools that are used, inexpensive, moovable.

To start out I'd like to find a gas forge (or blueprints to weld up my own) a hammer, some tongs, and an anvil between 75 and 159 lbs. Everything else I can either wait for, build my self, or supplement with tools I already have.

Any advice you guys have as to where I can find this stuff cheap, or direction to help me build it my self, would be greatly appreciated.

Hope we can be friends and have fun together.

Sincerely,

take a look at "that anvil story" link on the bottom of the page at MKArmory Makers of Rapiers, Swords, Daggers, and Longswords

Howdy from East TEXAS!! and welcome to IFI! Check craigslist.com in your area (wherever the heck that is;) ). Sometimes blacksmith tools show up on there. I, personally, would steer clear of eBay due to the expense! Now, if I may, go to the top of the page and click on "User CP" there you can update your profile giving your location. This will help more than you can imagine. Shoot, there is most likely someone just up the street from you that is a member here on IFI just waiting for you to stop by and relieve him of one of those Hay Budden anvils....yeah RIGHT!! Anyway, giving your location does help. If you are anywhere near Longview, TX give me a call. My shop is always open! (and I do have a couple of anvils to sale if you are interested.) I would also suggest that you join a group near you. HABA is the Houston area, Balcones Forge in the Austin/San Antonio area, NTBA in Dallas and surrounding areas, 4_States Iron Munchers is the Texarkana area. Once again, welcome.

Thanks for the hardy welcome. Sorry I forgot to give my location. I live in Lubbock but spend a lot of time in Abilene. Anybody know any blacksmiths around Lubbock?

Can't remember his name...He was the resident blacksmith at the "Old City Park", now know as 'Dallas Heritage Village'. His wife took one of those "once in a lifetime" jobs in Lubbock 2-3 yrs ago. IIRC, his first name is Kelly. Sorry, I can't remember his last name.

Wildhorse, if you would update your profile your location will be posted in the top right hand corner of each of your postings...it really will help you in the long run.

Thomas,

You're not thinking of Bill Epps, are you? I think he may have retired but not sure.

No, Bill is not doing any blacksmithing now. He was at OCP back in the 80's and maybe 90's some. This guy is probably in his 30's.