I have made contact with one of the people in our local Abana group... They don't have much on their caleneder this winter, but there is a group in virgina with things going all winter long... they are only 6 hours away... Any tricks on finding tools ie anvil, hand tools?

Charlie,

Often times the smaller chapters aren't as diligent about keeping their websites completely current - the usual issue where everything is done by volunteers, you know? The best bet is to attend a meeting and get to know a few of the people - from there you'll quickly be inundated with offers for help, guidance and more. Blacksmiths are an incredibly friendly and very sharing bunch of folks.

As for tools, once again the local meetings are going to be your best bet for reasonably-priced and decent quality tools. Ebay is generally way over-priced and spotty as to quality - shipping can also be a real killer.

Go to every meeting you can find within reach and introduce yourself. Let them know of your interest and you're in. Easy as pie.

If I knew where you are located I could maybe offer some specific people you could contact.

Rich

Rich, I live in Dallas, Pa. what is also called north east pa.

Well, the Pennsylvania Area Blacksmiths Association is active in that area, the Pittsburgh Area Artist Blacksmiths Association meets a bit more over on the west side, there's more than one group in the Jersey area, and there's the Northeast Blacksmiths Association that meets at various locations all over the area. Those come to mind off the top of my head and there are bound to be others. Check ABANA.org for chapters in your area, look on Anvilfire.com for group information in the greater Philly area.

Another good source can be community colleges and community art/craft programs.

Rich

Thanks for the info... I'm looking at an anvil thursday night. A foster norris 1877 anvil...I could be banging away at some steel by this weekend...Now if I could get my cousin's husband to show we something that would be great. He is always busy running his metal sculture business. Plus my cousin lives 5 hours away

My guess would be that that anvil is actually a Fisher & Norris, a cast iron anvil with a steel face and horn plate cast in place at the time of manufacture. I have a 250# Fisher that I absolutely love - the beauty of the Fishers is that they do NOT ring. They make a thunk sound when you hit them due to the cast iron body - this really saves your hearing.

On the front foot of the anvil should be a raised number - this is the weight in pounds. Mine, for example, has the number "25" to signify 250 pounds. A 15 would be a 150# anvil and so on.

To verify the anvil's fitness for use, tap all over the face with a small hammer, listening for anything that sounds like a buzz or rattle - that would indicate a place where the face has become delaminated from the body, a bad thing. Also, drop a 1" diameter ball bearing on the face from about a foot above it and check the rebound - it should rebound 80% of the way or better. Much less would indicate a soft face (been in a fire) or a delaminated face.

Fishers are real workhorse anvils. They don't have the cachet of the Hay Buddens or Peter Wrights but they'll generally out work either one, pound for pound. If you can get it in good condition for under $3/lb you'll be doing fine. Check closely to make sure the edges haven't been welded up - that usually ruins a Fisher unless done by a real master. I'd rather have a few chips and dings than a welded-up anvil any day.

Rich

The basics for forging consist of something to hammer on (anvil), something to hammer with (hammer), a way to get the steel hot enough (forge) and a way to hold it (tongs). All the rest is just fine tuning and accessorizing. :-)

I'd suggest for starting out you can use vise grips for tongs until you decide what different styles of tongs you actually need - that takes experience. You'll need a forge, either gas or solid fuel - if you're learning on your own I suggest gas because learning fire management with solid fuel is a lesson in itself. There are any number of examples of simple gas forges online and several vendors selling them. For very small stock, up to 3/8" round, you can even make a quick forge from a tin can, some Kaowool insulation and a Bernz-O-Matic torch. For bigger stock you need a real forge, but that can still be very simple and work quite well.

You should invest in a couple of books on forging. Mark Aspery has written the best one I've seen (Google him), and Lorelei Simms has also written a good beginning book.

The best bet is still to find a local smithing group and attend their meetings. YOu'll learn more in a half day there than you can in six months on your own, believe me. It's also a great way to find cheap used equipment.

Rich

Looking to get into blacksmithing but am having trouble finding a anvil. I live in Jacksonville, NC any suggestions. Thanks

-Tim

As I responded to your other post, check with the NC-ABANA group. Someone there will have one for sale. Or call Dean Curfman at Big Blu Powerhammers in Morgantown, NC. He'll know of one for sure.