Blacksmithing Class Follow Up
Thanks for joining us on this Blacksmithing Experience! I hope you had an awesome time and you’ve got the bug to grow in this hobby! We’re a truly small business and we want to grow- help us grow! Attached are some summaries of the information we shared in class, links to the products we use in our shop, and ways you can help us grow. Thanks for the support!
Please Follow our “Links Sheet” for all the products we used in class. Following the Amazon affiliate links- use them, and I get credit. Support the small business, at no additional cost to you- by following these links. Thanks for the love!
Tips For Purchasing an Anvil:
· Let Everyone You interact with for one week know that you’re looking for an anvil, getting into blacksmithing, trying something new. One will show up! Post this to your personal facebook page, ask your coworkers, reach out to family- someone has one, and they’ll offer you THE BEST DEAL you’re going to find!
· Rebound is Critical- An anvil with 50% rebound is useful, and anvil with 70% rebound is good, and an anvil with 80-90% rebound is exceptional. Drop a steel ball from a height of 10’’ onto the surface (place a ruler behind it, have someone else spot it from straight on or use your phones slowmotion camera to capture the exact results.
The 2’’ Steel Ball Bearing we used in class is available here:
https://amzn.to/2OIrR8u
$15.95
· Remember that repairing an anvil is a very difficult task- welding to it will require specialty welding practices and heat treating the entire anvil. Whenever possible, look for an anvil that the steel face isn’t separating from the body, the corners are in pretty good condition (or at least has a serviceable/usable section of corner), and has no visible cracks. They don’t need to be perfectly flat to make perfectly flat items- I am generally opposed to intentionally flattening an anvil if it needs more then say 1/8’’ of work done to it.
· Brands and models effect price, Peter Wright anvils tend to be quiet and efficient though they tend to have the most sway, Hay Budden Anvils tend to be durable and efficient but loud, Fisher Anvils tend to be hit or miss- sometimes they’re great, Vulcan anvils are low quality and cheap from the factory- they tend to be pretty bad. There are A LOT of other makes, models, and brands of anvils beyond these… these just happen to be a few of the ones I find most commonly here in western PA.
· 90-150lbs is a fine size for an anvil, you really don’t need much more then that for most general forging operations.
· If you have a question about an anvil you’re looking at- send me some pics, if I can help I’ll be glad to assist!
· Don’t forget- we usually have a few anvils for sale either directly, or on consignment. Let’s help you find that ultimate anvil. Oh ya- and BRAND NEW ANVILS exist, I just have an obsession with the history of the old tools, so I don’t have a make/model to suggest.
Help us grow!
Here’s a few ways you can help us grow and join in on our journey:
Follow On Instagram:
www.Instagram.com/Thebarefootforge
“@TheBarefootForge”
Follow on Facebook and leave a review!
www.Facebook.com/Thebarefootforge
Subscribe On Youtube:
www.Youtube.com/Thebarefootforge
Leave a Review:
On Google:
https://g.page/Thebarefootforge/review?rc
The best way to show your support for us is to leave a review on either Facebook or google (Or Yelp or Trip Advisor, or anywhere else!). These days- Reviews make more of a difference then anything I can do to help us get seen! If you don’t care to share a review, we understand- but please tell a friend. Reviews help the search algorithm and gets us more views- be sure to share a picture with your review if you can!
Tell Your Friends!
We love to host private classes, so come back with some buddies and let’s make something awesome! Want to make something that isn’t on our normal course menu- reach out, we might be able to accommodate a private class on the skill or project you’re looking for.
Take Another Class!
We’re always offering new opportunities and old favorites, join in here:
https://www.thebarefootforge.com/shop/lessons
Have you Subscribed to our Email List?
Have you Seen our Blog?
Join us here, sign up for updates, and see what we’ve been up to!
https://www.thebarefootforge.com/blog
Tips for Purchasing a Forge:
The forge we used in class is one we produce in house, and it’s not really available. Reach out and try to convince me you want one…it’s worked before.
We based our design off the materials and general concept behind this one, which is readily available:
The Diamondback Ironworks 2 burner Knife Maker Model
$440
WE HAVE NO AFFILIATION WITH THIS PARTICULAR COMPANY.
https://www.diamondbackironworks.com/catalog/item/2754775/4753617.htm
For moral reasons, I cannot suggest this item or this vendor.
Do some research…
Another model of forge we’ve used and been impressed with:
NC Whisper Momma Atmosheric Forge, Open End Model
$615.51
https://amzn.to/37Yb8pp
If you purchase a different gas forge, particularly one that is round in shape- it’s likely lined in Kaowool/Ceramic Fiber blanket. If this is soft and fluffy- it’s a SIGNIFICANT LUNG HAZARD AND SHOULD NOT BE USED WITHOUT ADDITIONAL TREATMENTS. This material is very hazardous to your health, and it needs to be properly sealed by rigidizing it and coating it with refractory. There are ample directions on how to do this online, the importance of doing this, and the particular materials to use. Rigidizer alone does not make it safe- it needs to be sealed from exposure using refractory!
Do some research and keep your lungs safe!
When you’re having trouble with your 20lb propane tank icing up, the pressure dropping, and loosing heat- that’s the result of a physics principle and gas laws. All that matters- get a bigger tank. A 40lb, or more ideally a 100lb (Different gas valve) tank will fully solve this problem- even forge welding on a cold day.
The smallest forge you can get away with, will save you money every day. You don’t need a 3 burner forge to get started- even if you want to make a sword down the road. Start with a small 1 or 2 burner forge, as you’ll need lots of practice before you really require that bigger forge for that bigger piece. Then- buy that bigger forge for that bigger piece, rather than heating all that unused volume every time you’re forging a wall hook or similar small item. I wish every day that my forge was half as big- not twice as big.
Remember to run your propane forge in a well ventilated area, with your propane tank secured (chained up so it cant fall), and with plenty of space around so that your forge won’t catch anything close on fire.
Coal forges are also a great option, there are many plans available online and you can build your own with a little ingenuity and creativity. Since we don’t burn coal- we don’t have a great source of coal or a great deal of suggestions when it comes to coal forges.
Shop Safety Tips
Seriously- Don’t lick hot metal!
Be very careful about picking up or touching hot metal, be aware of your surroundings and those around you, and stick to the rule of “Assume everything is hot unless you know otherwise” once you start working.
Keep a fire watch- Stick around for at least 30minutes after you finish your day of forging. You’ll be glad you did.
A bucket of LIQUID water should always be present, ice doesn’t count and isn’t a safety device.
Two or more fire extinguishers should be present, and never right next to the likely sources of fire. These two (or more) should be located in multiple areas, so as not to find yourself with fire between you and the closest (or only) fire extinguisher.
Always wear safety glasses.
Always.
Vendor List:
Steel Suppliers:
· Metal Supermarket Pittsburgh North- This family owned and operated store is brand new, and they’ll sell you everything from an inch of something to ton of copper. It’s a literal supermarket full of metal!
They’ve been big supporters of us and we’re big fans of them so please let them know we’re sending customers their way!
· Glenshaw Steel- A great “old school” steel supplier on Rt8, usually you have to place your order in advance- but they’ve got or can get just about any size and shape of mild steel.
· Send Cut Send- This is the best laser cutting company we’ve ever dealt with! They’ll cut you a single piece from a CAD file or fill an order of hundreds of pieces. We use them to cut our metal roses, and they’re absolutely a pleasure to deal with! Tell Jim I sent you, he’ll take good care of you! www.SendCutSend.com
Propane, Welding Gas, Tools:
Williams Wesco- propane and industrial gas suppliers on Rt 8.
They’ve been taking care of us for years, they’ve got great service and great prices!
Railroad Spikes:
Keystone Spike in Lebanon PA
Call them and tell Bob I sent you, he’ll make you a great deal.
http://keystonespikes.com/wordpress/