Speaking of Blacksmithing...

[melking]

In another post, Inyati was speaking of blacksmithing and I wondered if we had any blacksmiths on here. I often think it is something I might enjoy, as a hobby, not so much as a job.

 

[skyhightree1]

I am not a black smith by any stretch of the imagination but I always liked how they worked metal by hand and pounded out some pretty nice stuff.

 

[M5farm]

I have enough knowledge to be dangerous and piddle with it. Its is a lot of fun. My father in-law is a knife maker and he forges most of his knives so I have his knowledge to rely on. I've made tools and some ornamental stuff but mostly use the forge to manipulate metal to assist in the project I'm working.

 

[TN Cattle Man]

Like the others who have posted, I am in no way a "Blacksmith" but I do enjoy messing around in my shop. I have always liked working with metal ever since I was young and seeing something in a raw form take shape is very gratifying to me.

Lately, I have been making a lot if products using old horseshoes... plant holders, toilet paper dispensers, boot puller, etc., etc.. I am currently working on a full size rocking chair.

 

[backhoeboogie]

I've got a ton of black smith tools. My great grandfathers. My grandfathers too. I cannot tell you what some of those tools even do. Others are obvious but I have never used them.

I have a welder, a cutting torch, and can build most anything from scratch. I am machining things when I do build them. Not much forging going on.

There are several wannabe black smiths around. They mostly forged things like knives, which is a popular commodity.

Don't know of any true blue professional full time blacksmiths - anywhere.

 

[skyhightree1]

I do like welding and making things out of metal I must say I bought a new welder last year to play with.

 

[M5farm]

I am OCD when it comes to most everything because I have to know the HOW or WHY. I saw a blacksmith when I was younger and figured out how to do it and can make most anything with just basic tools. I made my first holster when I was 16 and love to build with leather so I was the local cobbler . when I was about 18 I mail ordered a book on braiding and fell in love with that and have built reins, whips, Reata's I can braid anything. I learned how to make my own rawhide to work with. I have pretty good carpentry skills and picked up the lathe a couple years ago. (my wife told me to start giving it away she didn't have any more room for my stuff). I am a pretty good electrician. If I can see it done I want to know how to do it. that's why I say I know enough to be dangerous. their is not much I can't give a comment on. and I tell most take "my advice and 50cent and you might have enough to buy a cup of coffee"

 

[Shantilly]

I'd love to learn to work with leather.. hey maybe i can see the start up cost and do that as a side job .. lol I love anything crafty take what i make to local flea markets.. daughter can be my partner I have learned so much on here... thats y i stick around you guys are great super big hugs

 

[melking]

I have many woodworking tools and have built many cabinets/furniture/houses etc. I was just thinking the other day about what it would be like to start with a block of metal and make something useful out of it. I have no knowledge of welding or any kind of metal working.

 

[M5farm]

I have many woodworking tools and have built many cabinets/furniture/houses etc. I was just thinking the other day about what it would be like to start with a block of metal and make something useful out of it. I have no knowledge of welding or any kind of metal working.

if your a carpenter you can work with metal. I would suggest doing some reading up on it. you can get the basic tools for next to nothing. the first coal forge I built was made out of an old rim and I used a hair drier to push air. I then built a propane forge out of an old air tank and is what I use today. Anvils are expensive. but a beginner can get by with a 12" piece of railroad iron.



railroad anvil