So I’m just getting into blade smithing, building a forge have the anvil (early 1900’s arm and hammer by Columbus) building a belt grinder and have collected a decent amount of scrap metal, some of which is a set of old .375 wire gate door springs that are about 70 years old, does any one here have experience using metal from garage door springs at all ..read more

Hey guys and gals, I tried googling this along with iforgeiron, but I couldn't find any relevant discussions. I'm also not sure if this is the right place for this topic, but it didn't seem to fit anywhere else. I've attached a picture of the style of latch that I'm working with while building my wife a greenhouse (picture also attached). Just for clarity, I'm building this on the frame of an old dog kennel, so I'm reusing whatever I can, hence this style of latch. After getting the walls and windows in place and admiring the inside, I realized that I couldn't get out... there was nothing on t ..read more

I'm starting a new thread so that it can be added to rather than just adding a post regarding shop music. I have been gathering a list of songs and music featuring blacksmiths and blacksmithing for some time.  The genres vary from folk to classical to heavy metal.  All are available on You Tube.  Please add more.  This is non-exhaustive. Song/ Piece                                      Artist Hammer and Anvil                    &nb ..read more

I have several lengths of PTO shaft. Some hex, some round, and some square. Just wondering what they would be good for other that their designed purpose. Hammers? Top tools? Other ..read more

I recently scored a railroad tie plate i thought of useing it ti hold hardie tools since my anvil doesnt have a hardie hole.....any thoughts...or any other uses ..read more

Hey everyone  To start, I've got next to zero experience in any metal work. So I'm basically less than a novice skill level, having only heat my forge twice and heating and beating on two pieces of steel. So my question is, I've found someone selling 2 tubs of wrought iron, which looks like old railing and the pieces are about 20" to 30" long. I'm just wandering if it's worth getting and hold on to it till I have more experience/skills or should I pass on it. I've heard people talk about wrought iron but don't know what I'd do with it if I have it around.  Any advice would be appreci ..read more

I recently came into possession of a chrome plated Hydraulic cylinder rod.  It is 2" diameter and 8 feet long.  All chrome is intact, and one end has the eye other end is threaded.  Do you know what the steel might? Not really sure what to do with it.  Looking for ideas.   ..read more

About 15 years ago in the Rogue Valley of Southern Oregon I bought an old Trenton 120 from a farrier supply that carried a number of used tools.  The anvil came with a note saying the face had been repaired and re-dressed by a master blacksmith who lived in Lake Creek, but had taught blacksmithing at Rogue Community College in Grants Pass in the 1990s and early 2000s.  I can no longer remember his name, but know he was very well-respected in the smithing community. Does this ring any bells with anyone? I ask because -- four back surgeries later --I am thinking of selling the anvil an ..read more

I recently opened a new shop. I am renting a 35x35 shop with a 20-foot ceiling. One wall has a 20-foot-wide bay door. I placed my forge next to this massive door, with a few fans blowing across to keep the smoke flowing outside. It works some of the time, unfortunately, it is often too windy here, and most of the smoke blows back into the shop on windy days. I cannot safely operate the forge like this and need to find a way to keep the smoke flowing outside. My current thought is to get a forge hood to block the wind coming in from outside and to funnel the smoke better, and a d ..read more

I went to grab a bag of coal  last Friday.  And got to thinking about it.  I get my coal from a farrier supply. I don't know of any farriers that use a coal forge  in their business of horse feet.  All farriers that I know, or see on the road use propane forge on the job.  But somebody is buying coal, or the supply place wouldn't stock it.  So, just for the fun of it, I looked for "Blacksmith in GA" on social media. Low and behold, I found two groups. One with 7 members, and one with 746 members.  Of the members in the latter group, 3 are within 5 miles ..read more