Aspiring amateur blacksmith....

D

dwgooge

Joined
Apr 26, 2014
Messages
1
Hey guys and girls! I am really interested in taking up blacksmithing as a hobby. I have seen several videos on youtube regarding DIY forges and such and I am looking for advice on the best and least expensive design. Also I am looking for a decent anvil and I need to know what to look for (weight, size, etc.). As I said I have never forged anything in my life but on going to give it a try. So, hit me with the best advice you have! Thanks in advance!

David
 
Well,
For the forge,
To start I recommend a brake drum or something like that. If you hit up a local junk yard you can probably find everything (body,supports,piping, etc) for maybe 50 or 60 dollars (I don't know if it will cost less than that but it is a possibility. 50-60 should be plenty of money for what your getting)

For the anvil,
If the need arises a bench vise with an anvil plate will work, at least for short term. If you do get a bench vise with an anvil plate the really you are killing two birds with one stone because you can use the vice to twist your metal and what not. If you want a actual anvil cheap ones are available at places like harbor freight. Keep in mind that when ordering one shipping will be a pain. As for the weight I'm not sure. I am using a 55 pound one right now and I find that it works well. You will want a hardy hole and a long horn that tapers relatively thin.
 
Find a big hunk of metal at the scrapyard to use as an anvil. A lot of knifemakers use post anvil because they don't need as much space as general blacksmiths would. Do a Google search on a post anvil. You can sink a piece of metal into some concrete to start with.

Long term, you should start watching craigslist in your area. Good price is $2 to $3 a pound for a real anvil. Stay away from the harbor freight junk.

Many guys prefer a small propane forge and they aren't that hard to make. I made one from a coffee can and my second one from an old propane bottle. I like my atlas 100k burner, but you could make your own burner pretty easily if you are inclined to do so. There are several guys around selling premade burners. Get some kind of thermal blanket or wrap to line your forge and coat it with satanite or bubble alumina. Finish it with itc 100 or plistics or metrikote, etc ...
 
EastCompassoKnivery - It would be a good idea for you the sit back and read a bit, as well as get some experience, before you start advising people on bladesmithing. You are 15 and have been on the forum for four months. You just finished a forge that you couldn't get to work, and have only posted the one knife you just made. Make some knives and learn how it is done. Stop posting advice you have no knowledge of, and especially really bad advice (some you have posted is very dangerous and would not work).
You have said that you are socially awkward. Trying to pretend you are an experienced smith is not how to impress people or make friends. Lets call this note to you some Dutch Uncle advice and a gentle warning to knock it off. - The Moderator
 
DW - Welcome to Shop Talk.
The first thing you should do is fill out your profile. The info ( age, location, hobbies, occupation) gives us the means to give you a good answer as well as a local fellow may offer some help or materials.

The stickies at the top of the Shop Talk page have a ton of information. There is info on forges, burners, How to get started tutorials, metallurgy, etc.

Start simple with files and sandpaper. No need to make forges and get anvils for a while. A 3" blade drop point hunter is a good first project.

BTW, you are mentioning blacksmithing. This is a knife making forum. If you really are interested in blacksmithing, places like iforgeiron are good sources of info on tools, anvils, and techniques. Knifemaking normally uses lighter anvils and hammers.

A simple anvil can be as creative as a large drop from the scrap yard, or a 12# sledge hammer head in a bucket of concrete. A starter hammer can be a HF cross peen.
 
Last edited:
bladsmth said:
EastCompassoKnivery - It would be a good idea for you the sit back and read a bit, as well as get some experience, before you start advising people on bladesmithing. You are 15 and have been on the forum for four months. You just finished a forge that you couldn't get to work, and have only posted the one knife you just made. Make some knives and learn how it is done. Stop posting advice you have no knowledge of, and especially really bad advice (some you have posted is very dangerous and would not work).
You have said that you are socially awkward. Trying to pretend you are an experienced smith is not how to impress people or make friends. Lets call this note to you some Dutch Uncle advice and a gentle warning to knock it off. - The Moderator
Click to expand...

Ok, sorry it won't happen again. Just trying to help out. I apologize for my actions. I'll start reading up more on the topics in what I'm trying to help with. Also just setting one thing straight, not socially awkward, just hanging out with the wrong group if friends.
 
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