3:09 pm
January 3, 2014
Greetings. My name is Brian and I am a self-taught newbie and I have been blacksmithing since November of 2012. I have chosen wood charcoal as my fuel of choice for financial, self-reliance, and environmental reasons. Being low income, I have had to piece my Smithy together from scrap and salvaged items and I think it has turned out quite well overall, especially considering that I've paid less than 100$USD for it so far.
I've been burning steel in the form of MIG welding now for about 2 years, off and on. Blacksmithing just seemed like the natural progression of DIY metal working.
So far I have made a pair of tongs, a few REALLY crude decorative hooky bits, a set of a few woodcarving chisels, a rough bush-knife, and a wood splitting Froe. I'm not sure where all of my pictures are in full-res but I've posted most to my project page over at Permies.com which should be viewable to all. http://www.permies.com/t/30487.....ips-Tricks
As for my actual shop, I made my anvil out of a chunk of I-beam and assorted scrap that I welded onto it. I started with a cast-iron sink based forge but I wasn't happy with the shape/dimensions. I made a new forge from a refractory-lined plowing disc and it seems to work much better. My selection of power tools is limited to a 4.5" angle grinder, a reciprocating saw ("Sawz-All"), and a pair of drills that both have severe but different limitations.
More later as the words and details come to me.
6:36 pm
NWBA Member
June 8, 2010
Beautiful Brian!!!
Wasn't that many years ago that most Americans had to make do with what they had... Sounds like you are doing great... If you are really interested in blacksmithing, be sure that you are there at our next conference in May!! You can learn so much from this organization! And for all your questions, just check out the forum on this site... You will learn soooo much...
All the best,
Lynn
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