brass-c metalworks Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Ok, well in case the title wasnt enough, I'm new to blacksmithing... I live in a tiny town in southeast Nebraska and I've finially decided to do what I've wanted to since I can remeber, and thats blacksmithing for a profession. But I've barely got an idea of how to start. I have no tools or even a shop but i was hoping that someone might be willing to inform me of some of the easiest yet most effective ways to get fired up so to speak. Such as what's the best way to get started, is LP or charcoal best among other things. I want to know everything, I know this may all sound well and dandy, but I'm very serious about getting started as soon as possible. I just dont know where to go to get materials, tools, and most important to me is the information and experiance. . . If anyone can point me in the right direction with some tips, links or books it would be greatly appreciated. If anyone out there is willing to kind of take me under their wing for a bit and show me the dos and donts of the trade i would be most apprecitative. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 IForgeIron.com > Getting Started IForgeIron.com > Lessons in metalworking > Lessons in Blacksmithing IForgeIron.com > Lessons in metalworking > Lessons in Blacksmithing > LB0008 Reference material IForgeIron.com > Forum > Archive (Look for multiple pages 2,3,4 etc at the top of page. Pack a lunch and a cold drink before you go.) Go to the Prairie Black Smiths Association meetings. (Take 2 notebooks, as one may not be enough.) Welcome to IForgeIron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Dean Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Howdy from East TEXAS!! and welcome to IFI! That's VERY ambicious of you...wanting to make blacksmithing your profession. I would suggest reading all of what Glenn has linked for you...yes he did your homework;) and get involved with Prairie Black Smiths Association as he mentioned also. LISTEN to those trying to teach/explain/show you anything associated with the art. Take some formal classes, there are a lot of excellent schools out there teaching blacksmithing, from the beginner to the advanced. I believe you can do a 'google' search on blacksmith school and come up with some good choices. Some are expensive some not so expensive, but most are well worth the $$. Good luck and welcome to IFI> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Welcome aboard, glad to have you. Blacksmithing as a profession is pretty darned ambitious to say the least. While you're studying the craft you should consider a class or two in running a business and marketing. In addition to the reading Glenn suggests check out the blue print section where you can find plenty of projects to help learn the craft and plenty of tools and equipment you can build yourself. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Welcome aboard, IFi is a fun place, feel free to ask anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brass-c metalworks Posted January 9, 2009 Author Share Posted January 9, 2009 Thank you for all the great resources. I have been welding for a few years and as my skills have grown my interest in shaping steel by hand has grown as well. I'm not looking to get rich quick, it's actually the opposite, I'm just looking to do what has interested me for so long, and i have found a point where I'm ready to take the plunge and see if i can make it doing what has interested me for so long. Again thank you for the help and support. Any further tips, tricks, techniques or literature will be greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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