Blacksmithing

[quixote]

In the interest of furthering my knowledge of archaic construction practices, as well as a short attention span, I am taking up blacksmithing. It is one of those times you can feel yourself being led to another path. all seems pretty cool so far. any other metalworkers out there?

[reanna]

Not a metal worker here, but it sounds like you are enjoying it and you made a wonderful choice for yourself!
Keep us posted on what you learn/make. Hey! You could even post a pic fro us to see. That would be very cool.
:) :) :) :)

[BlackDragon]

watch for flying hooves!!

[Methanespirit]

Although I'm no expert on blacksmithing, perhaps I can answer your inquries. As a teenager, I stayed with a relative in rural Missouri, who used to work with a blacksmith.

[bluebear]

Hello Quixote. My name is Bluebear and I am a blacksmith. I do it both as a hobby and for a living. If I can be of assistance please feel free to contact me.
Blessings
Bluebear

[flar7]

jus' wonderin. As pertains to hooves. Most blacksmiths dont shoe horses. Thats the ferriers job. Here in the states anyway.
A smith will make shoes of near sizes, and the ferrier buys em and shapes em as needed, then puts em on. It is an art in itself.
Horses can be cantankerous.

[bluebear]

I used to shoe some horses when I was younger (30 years ago)
but now I do industrial forging. 3000 ton hydraulic press and a 10,000 lb. Erie steam hammer. We can forge steel up to weights of about 30,000 lb.
I also have a small shop at home for smaller projects.
Blessings
Bluebear

[quixote]

MM,
I am still in the process of getting the forge built and the whole thing up and running, (the need for gainful employment has reared it's ugly head). what I hope to get into is making hardware, and doing the artist-blacksmith thing. im not really inclined to working with horses so for the time being, a day job is in order.

[bluebear]

Sounds like a good plan Quixote. Hope you find the employment you're looking for. Again if I can be of assistance, feel free to contact me. Best of luck.
Blessings
Bluebear

[quixote]

MM, still haven't got my forge up and running, but I have been getting in some forge time on a friend's forge. So far I've been making hooks of various types. the last i did was a snake hook with the hook part as the snake's neck and head, and the body curled up and around two screws to hold it to the wall.
Bluebear, what do you use the big hammer for? What do you forge in your home shop?
BB, quixote

[Earthcup]

I've always secretly wanted to try blacksmithing. They give classes not too far from here, maybe I'll sign up for a course this spring....:sunny:

[quixote]

Go for it Earthcup! it is a lot of fun!!!
BB, Quixote

[keelyoherne]

but better than starting a new one on the same topic. :D

I started taking metal arts classes last semester at the local college. That first semester focused only on bronze casting but it was enough to get me hooked.

I am taking it again this semester, only now we are also focusing on welding and blacksmithing...

My time has been mostly at the forge. I'm quite hooked. Doing that and assisting in the bronze pours has to be my favorite parts so far.

We're also in the process of building a cupola, so there will be iron pours happening soon too.

Needless to say, I'm stoked. :D

Keely

[WtchyChick13]

I've been facinated by blacksmithing and I love watching it on Modern Masters on HGTV. I wish you guys luck, it's got to be so cool to be able to work steel like that.

Remember, we want pics of the final work!!! :) :) :) :) :)

[keelyoherne]

Oh yeah, forgot to mention... since we are doing an iron pour... I'm making my own Cauldron! How many pagans get THAT opportunity? :thumbsup:

The 'body' of the cauldron will be cast iron, the feet and handle will be cast bronze, and the handle will be attached by forged steel.

Hopefully I'll be able to post a pic of a piece I recently smithed soon. I have to do some finishing work on it first.

Keely

[WtchyChick13]

AWESOME!!!!!!:p

[FelixFire]

This is very cool! Making your OWN cauldron!? What a precious item that will be when you're done! I'm envious!!!

I'd like to learn forging and blowing glass, too, but I HATE burns more than anything else in the world. I guess that makes me a chicken...I'm too afraid of the burns to take up the hobbies.

I know, you can avoid burns, sorta. But I think I'd be so nervous about the burns I'd hesitate and ruin stuff. Heck, I'm paranoid just melting BEESWAX, and that's only 160-180 degrees or so when it's molten! *laughs at self*

[keelyoherne]

I can understand where you are coming from. I was a bit intimidated by the large power tools at first... i.e. chop saw, drill press, arc welder, mig welder... not to mention the thought of sticking a piece of metal into a forge then having to fish it out with a pair of tongs... it's kinda scary!

You just need to keep a healthy respect for the machinery, but don't have fear. That is what can cause you to make mistakes.

Enjoy this bit of irony...

I work on the forge a couple times a week, weld, and assist in pouring molten bronze. I've gotten a couple of very minor burns with sparks hitting exposed flesh, or toasted my fingers a bit when the gloves overheated...

But it took one slip of a CURLING IRON to give me a nice visible burn across my cheek! :eyebrow:

[WtchyChick13]

But it took one slip of a CURLING IRON to give me a nice visible burn across my cheek!

I never could handle those things!!! :rotfl:

I want to get into glassblowing in the worst way and you know, I never thought of the 'burn" aspect. Odd, eh? :lol:

Just remember, as you work with the metal--wear your protective gear! (And when you use your curling iron next too!!!) :p :D ;) :p

[keelyoherne]

Originally posted by WtchyChick13
I never could handle those things!!! :rotfl:

I want to get into glassblowing in the worst way and you know, I never thought of the 'burn" aspect. Odd, eh? :lol:

Just remember, as you work with the metal--wear your protective gear! (And when you use your curling iron next too!!!) :p :D ;) :p

I'd like to learn lampworking someday. As well as small scale metal working... I still want to learn jewelry fabrication.

Do you know how difficult it is to hold a curling iron with welding gloves on? :D

[FelixFire]

keelyoherne,

That IS rather ironic, isn't it? LOL

The large machinery part actually doesn't bother me in the least. I'm taking various auto shop classes right now, so I deal with stuff like lifting cars in the air and then pounding on them with mallets while you stand underneath. THAT was a bit scarey at first, LOL, but now I don't think twice about it. We're also remodeling our home, so I get to use fun things like tile saws and reciprocating saws, and do stuff like chop doors out of the front wall. :) *thumps chest* Me like power tools! *grunt, grunt, grunt*

But, I've hesitated to take the welding class I'll need to finish some of the auto certifications (not that I'm close to finishing everything yet), just because of the possibility I'll get burnt.

I burn really easily, it seems... I can't handle dishes that are too hot either, stuff normal people carry around without thinking about. My husband always hands me stuff out of the microwave that feels fine to him, but it hurts my skin and leaves it red and puffy afterwards. Not a TRUE burn, but it's still painful for hours afterwards.

I'm going to HAVE to get over it for the welding class, but I figure I can put that off another year, at least. (I go in the evenings, only two classes a semester, so my 2-year program is going to take more like 5 years to complete, LOL)

*starts clucking like a chicken*

[keelyoherne]

Believe me when I say a good pair of welding gloves will protect you from getting burned... provided you don't forget yourself and try to pick up a freshly welded piece of metal... it's fleepin' hot! :bigredgri

Also, they have special gloves for blacksmithing that will protect your hands. I don't have any yet, I've been using my welding gloves. I think they are made out of kevlar.

Keely