Anyone else here into blacksmithing?

[freezinvt]

Something I've been interested in since I was a kid so I took a workshop a few months ago and since then have built a small gas forge and purchased an anvil. I've been making a bunch of tools and generally just messing around with some easy projects. Once it warms up some more I'll build a coal forge so I can work on larger pieces/projects and try to learn how to forge weld. For me it's a fascinating process and a relaxing way to spend a few hours. My biggest problem right now is that when I head out to the shop I tend to fire up the forge instead of paying attention to the race bike, which needs a bunch of work right now. Just curious if anyone else has played around at all with this.

[capitalcrew]

I've gone to a few demonstrations, it's a neat thing. I've never personally done anything myself though. I toyed around with the idea of a small forge but the last thing I need is another hobby

[freezinvt]

I've gone to a few demonstrations, it's a neat thing. I've never personally done anything myself though. I toyed around with the idea of a small forge but the last thing I need is another hobby

Yeah, I hear you about not needing more stuff to do but if it wasn't this it would just be something else.

[RandyO]

While I don't want to get into it myself, I would like to have easy access to a blacksmith, seems like it might be a viable way to make a living, doing custom iron work. The only local smiths I know are more furriers than blacksmiths, all I've ever seen em do is fit horseshoes

[loudbeard]

The only local smiths I know are more furriers than blacksmiths, all I've ever seen em do is fit horseshoes

Furrier? We are talking about the same thing here, right?

[Falko]

Ohhhh, Foxy loxy.....

I think Randall is looking for the term, Farrier. The person who visits your equine when they need their nails done. "My mother in law threw a shoe so we called the farrier."

[loudbeard]

I think Randall is looking for the term, Farrier. The person who visits your equine when they need their nails done. "My mother in law threw a shoe so we called the farrier."

Oh good. I don't think Foxy would "fur" too well in close proximity to a forge.

[RyanNicholson]

I've been dying to get into it, but will likely end up waiting another year or two when we move back out into the woods. Not sure condo associations would appreciate me having a forge. I spent years making knives and it would be awesome to start forging my own blades as well. There's a 3-4 day workshop right in Loudon not far from the track, I think it was only like $350 if I remember right.

[backinthesaddle]

World's fastest farrier is a new Englander:

Where Are They Now: Jo Jo Keller - Racer X Online

[R7]

Blacksmith has always intrigued me, our local town fair has an old time blacksmith come in and work out of what’s said to be one of the oldest remaining shops in the area. Cool to see what he can do with iron.
My farm also has remnants of an old blacksmiths shop from the late 1700’s, pretty cool seeing the old stone foundation with the fireplace stones still in place.

[jasnmar]

I've been dying to get into it, but will likely end up waiting another year or two when we move back out into the woods. Not sure condo associations would appreciate me having a forge. I spent years making knives and it would be awesome to start forging my own blades as well. There's a 3-4 day workshop right in Loudon not far from the track, I think it was only like $350 if I remember right.

Probably this one Sanborn Mills Farm - a traditional, working farm in Loudon, New Hampshire

If blacksmithing is interesting, you (I quoted you Ryan, but in this case I actually mean all y'all) should check out Alec Steele on YouTube. He's an 18ish year old blacksmith in the UK who produces "daily" videos. Really entertaining to watch.

[RyanNicholson]

Probably this one Sanborn Mills Farm - a traditional, working farm in Loudon, New Hampshire

Yep, that's the one I was thinking of. They fill up fast... looks like they're booked out to June already.

[RandyO]

Yep, that's the one I was thinking of. They fill up fast... looks like they're booked out to June already.

one of my neighbors/past client, works at the Sanborn Mills
farm, not sure his involvement in blacksmithing, but I know he does the oxen team demonstrations and he gets into making wooden oxen yokes

[freezinvt]

I've been dying to get into it, but will likely end up waiting another year or two when we move back out into the woods. Not sure condo associations would appreciate me having a forge. I spent years making knives and it would be awesome to start forging my own blades as well. There's a 3-4 day workshop right in Loudon not far from the track, I think it was only like $350 if I remember right.

I've found that if you go with a gas forge you don't have to worry much about smoke or off smells like you would a coal forge. I've found the loudest part is actually the ring from the anvil which my neighbors can hear from a ways away.

[freezinvt]

Yup, like with many things, those who have taken the time to develop their skills make moving and shaping metal look easy and almost effortless, and are just awesome to watch. It makes the stuff I'm playing with look just as crude as it actually is.

[SprintPoser]

I have a good friend who is a blacksmith, farrier, and most skilled TIG weldor I know. SHE is awesome! Jennifer does demos, visiting country fairs, engine shows, things like that. When it comes to blacksmithing, she's got skills like I've never seen before. Take a look at some of her photos and videos. I think she'd do some teaching too, though you can learn a lot from the videos she puts together.

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[RandyO]