blacksmithing
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paulvallandigham
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Look at the catalogue that comes out of Centaur Forge, Wausau, Wisconsin. They have a website.
There are many books on blacksmithing. You should be able to find many of them in your local library. If not, they can get them for you through the interlibrary loan service.
Blacksmiths made their tools on an ad hoc basis, to do specific jobs. These are shaping tools and pliers, for the most part. You have to remember that a Hard, SMOOTH surface was the least common artiface available in the wild, and to craftsman before the advent of the Industrial age. The Blacksmith's anvil supplied that smooth flat surface, which could be transferred to other metal work by heating the work up and forging it on the top surface plate on the anvil. All other angles, curves, and shapes were either made on the edges of the anvil, on the horn, on " hardies", or on shaping tools. The large forming blocks are a form of shaping tool.
Everything had to be shaped with customized tools, ie. tools made for that specific purpose. There are literally hundreds of tools you can find in museum displays that you would never have a use for.The blacksmith kept them to use in the future if the occasion arose, or to wait for a time when he could easily modify the tool to make a different tool fast, and save him time and money doing so, rather than make a tool from scratch.
Today, machinist and other metal workers are known for their ability to make " jigs", to hold work while its drilled, cut, or polished. The creative ability to see how to solve a problem and then make a jig that will allow you to do the work easily is what made some Blacksmiths, and other smiths, more famous, and more wealthy than others.
you are not going to learn to be a blacksmith out of books or movies. You can learn some of it by trial and error-- lots of error--, but the best way is to take lessons from a skilled instructor.
There are many books on blacksmithing. You should be able to find many of them in your local library. If not, they can get them for you through the interlibrary loan service.
Blacksmiths made their tools on an ad hoc basis, to do specific jobs. These are shaping tools and pliers, for the most part. You have to remember that a Hard, SMOOTH surface was the least common artiface available in the wild, and to craftsman before the advent of the Industrial age. The Blacksmith's anvil supplied that smooth flat surface, which could be transferred to other metal work by heating the work up and forging it on the top surface plate on the anvil. All other angles, curves, and shapes were either made on the edges of the anvil, on the horn, on " hardies", or on shaping tools. The large forming blocks are a form of shaping tool.
Everything had to be shaped with customized tools, ie. tools made for that specific purpose. There are literally hundreds of tools you can find in museum displays that you would never have a use for.The blacksmith kept them to use in the future if the occasion arose, or to wait for a time when he could easily modify the tool to make a different tool fast, and save him time and money doing so, rather than make a tool from scratch.
Today, machinist and other metal workers are known for their ability to make " jigs", to hold work while its drilled, cut, or polished. The creative ability to see how to solve a problem and then make a jig that will allow you to do the work easily is what made some Blacksmiths, and other smiths, more famous, and more wealthy than others.
you are not going to learn to be a blacksmith out of books or movies. You can learn some of it by trial and error-- lots of error--, but the best way is to take lessons from a skilled instructor.
In my opinion every book I've picked up on blacksmithing was a good book. I would however start at the library. The prices are better there.
But here’s what I do. I get a picture of what ever it is I want to make, or I use the actual piece to look at. Start out with some stock and just start working it. Keep the iron hot and you won’t have any problems shaping the stuff. Be sure to start small. Anything bigger than a ½ inch takes a lot of heating and beating. If your not sure what will happen, use a piece of clay about the same size and try to shape it with your fingers. A piece of clay the same size as the metal with move to the same size/shape of whatever your going to make. Using clay has helped me to visualize the steps. Another trick is to use a piece of bailing wire to measure with. Cut off a chunk of wire and bend it all up into the right shape and use it for a model. If your unsure how long a piece of stock to use, straighten out the wire and use it for a measuring device. Blacksmithing is one of the easiest things I’ve ever learned to do. As long as your willing to experiment around until you get it right I suspect you won’t have any problems. Be careful of the fellows who say, I’ve never actually done this but here’s what I would do.. I get those guys all the time offering to show me how to do stuff”¦..
Here's a picture of some easy stuff to start with... By the way, banging on old siver spoons and copper wire is a good way to practice.
But here’s what I do. I get a picture of what ever it is I want to make, or I use the actual piece to look at. Start out with some stock and just start working it. Keep the iron hot and you won’t have any problems shaping the stuff. Be sure to start small. Anything bigger than a ½ inch takes a lot of heating and beating. If your not sure what will happen, use a piece of clay about the same size and try to shape it with your fingers. A piece of clay the same size as the metal with move to the same size/shape of whatever your going to make. Using clay has helped me to visualize the steps. Another trick is to use a piece of bailing wire to measure with. Cut off a chunk of wire and bend it all up into the right shape and use it for a model. If your unsure how long a piece of stock to use, straighten out the wire and use it for a measuring device. Blacksmithing is one of the easiest things I’ve ever learned to do. As long as your willing to experiment around until you get it right I suspect you won’t have any problems. Be careful of the fellows who say, I’ve never actually done this but here’s what I would do.. I get those guys all the time offering to show me how to do stuff”¦..
Here's a picture of some easy stuff to start with... By the way, banging on old siver spoons and copper wire is a good way to practice.
One of the best books that I've found on Early American ironwork is written by Albert Sonn. It is called "Early American Wrought Iron." Another one is "Colonial Wrought Iron" written by Don Plummer. These books contain examples of ironwork done in the 17th through 19th centuries. Also, here's a sample of some of the things I have made for my own use. Hope this gives you some ideas.
check out on the net I forge iron there is a forum which you can look at or else you can join ask question get all the information you would ever need on blacksmithing they all are helpful getting you started.I have been doing blacksmithing for 5 years lot fun. also check out the book backyard blacksmith.very good
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Check out... Anvil Fire for some of the best blacksmithing info on the web...
Also look up the ABANA site to see who smiths near you
Also look up the ABANA site to see who smiths near you
I have a 1903's era blacksmiths manual that I downloaded as a PDF from here:
http://www.countryside.gov.uk/LAR/archive/publications/manual.asp
You might give it a look..
You might give it a look..
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