Taking a Blacksmithing class

[Eterry]

I grew up on the farm, and bought a huge coal fired forge from junk dealer as a kid. It still sits under a shade tree at the farm. Dad wanted me to be a farrier, man did I disappoint him.

Fast forward 30 odd years and my birthday was coming up. The local tv showed a Blacksmithing class being offered as continuing education at MSU. I decided to treat myself and enrolled.

So far I've made a candle holder, a hot chisel, punch and a drift. I bought a cross pien hammer and ordered an anvil and a set of tongs.

Almost ready to hang a shingle!!

 

[FishDFly]

That sounds like fun.

I watch Forged In Fire, I do enjoy that program. They make some incredible knives.

 

[Eterry]

I think im the only guy who DOESNT want to make a knife...but that's ok. I'm thinking turnscrews, flatware, daily use items. Maybe a gun barrel!!!

 

[ohio ramrod]

Try the I Forge site for "how to" projects. When I had a stressful job the wife knew if I fired up the forge to stay back, until I was finished. Nothing relieves stress like hitting something again , again and again! Why do little boys like to become blacksmiths? They get to play with fire,hit things, play with fire, get dirty, play with fire, breathe smoke, play with fire, make noise, and did I mention, play with fire!

 

[Treestalker]

Most new smiths want to make a knife, not realizing the complexity of the job. After learning basic techniques, a new smith can learn to make lots of different tools and things that apply well to our ML hobby. Also the art of graille, making iron frames and openwork for window and door openings. Some historical graille is mind blowing! Many people regard blacksmiths as horseshoe makers, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. Check out Charles McRaven's book, Country Blacksmithing, a good practical read with a sense of humor. Keep on!

 

[oldwood]

Don't forget to learn to make m/l rifle trigger guards and butt plates. Good luck w/ your class...........oldwood

 

[jlutz]

If you ever get the opportunity, visit the John C. Campbell Folk School for a week. I think they have one of the best blacksmith shops in the country. You might also keep an eye out for Quad State in Troy Ohio. It’s a giant weekend of demos and sales related to all aspects of smithing. It’s usually held in late September.

 

[Doc Ivory]

I'd love to take a class like that.
South West Florida seems to be a sterile area for things like that though

 

[toot]

I was a BLACKSMITH for 33 yrs. and when ever I was training a NUBEE, the first thing that was the most important one. it was how the prepare a fire in the forge, and to be able to keep it going.

 

[Tanglefoot]

You might want to check out a book titled: Blacksmithing Basics For The Homestead by Joe DeLaRonde. Joe operates DeLaRonde Forge in Mancos, Colorado and he's been hammering black iron for a living for 40+ years. You can look over his website at
[email protected] and get a copy of the book there, or find one at Amazon or a book store. If you talk to Joe, tell him I said "Howdy, " would you?
Tanglefoot

 

[rich pierce]

I’ve done a bit but don’t have a forge right now. I like to do things in the style of originals. In the 1970s it seemed folks in the primitive scene wanted everything made of twisted square stock. That still lingers but doesn’t appeal to me.

 

[toot]

I would teach then to make square stock out of round stock and round stock square stock. that was in case they needed a piece of either stock & didn't have it , they would know how to make either. sounds so simple, but it is a fundamental basic of BLACK SMITHING! a lot goes into it!!

 

[Eterry]

Our first project we took round stock and made it square. I noticed we had square metal in stock and asked the instructor why we weren't using it.
He said we needed to know how to make one from the other.
Most in the class have or want a gas forge, me, im staying old school and using coal fired forge.

 

[smo]

Post some pics of your forge when it’s done.... Please!

 

[Mulebrain]

I have yet to use any of these tools yet. I have everything I need and about to build a space to set them up. They have classes here in Charleston at the college, which I may be attending

 

[Carbon 6]

Good for you Eterry.

Here's a YouTube channel I like.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdOM6Qc53TcWuExrnDLVjXg

 

[ohio ramrod]

This year you will have a great supply of mild steel to play with. Just go around and collect all of the political sign frames. They make great material for forging.I recommend you wait until November 4th so you don't collect lead while collecting the steel!

 

[Greg Blackburn]

I took a blacksmithing class at a local Vo. Tech last fall. My dad saw the ad in the paper and told me about it.

I think I was the only guy in there not to see whatever "Forged in Fire" TV show you guys are talking about.

I made an "S" hook and a nail. I bought a nail header from the teacher.

I was tempted to buy an anvil but no place to put it.

Yes people asked about making knives.

Teacher made arrangements to do a second class a his house but in winter I am crazy busy.

It was a lot of fun, very good people in that class.

 

[Greg Blackburn]

This year you will have a great supply of mild steel to play with. Just go around and collect all of the political sign frames. They make great material for forging.I recommend you wait until November 4th so you don't collect lead while collecting the steel!

Those frames are galvanized or zinc plated right? Not sure I'd want to have either in a fire, one I'd be breathing fumes off of. Are you joking?

I know welding such coatings is out, is a coal fired forge out too?

 

[Eterry]

I have yet to use any of these tools yet. I have everything I need and about to build a space to set them up. They have classes here in Charleston at the college, which I may be attending

View attachment 46811

Nice anvil and swage block... I'd like to find a block like that.