[TheForge] Re: [TheForge]tools for journeyman.

Mon Jul 28 16:00:00 2003

on 7/28/03 11:29 AM, Dragons Watch Forge at [email protected]
wrote:

> Along this line, this week end I was approached by a young man (15) and
> his mother to apprentice under me.  As he seemed genuine I am willing to
Books-
I really like the Alexander Weygers books- although they dont show as much
traditional colonial objects, they show how to build your own tools, and set
up a shop for virtually no money. Weygers original forge was in Java, at a
time when there was no availability of blacksmithing tools.
check this website- http://www.alexweygers.com/

The complete modern blacksmith- Alexander Weygers, ten speed press.

Another great thing for a 15 year old would be a subscription to anvils
ring/hammers blow magazines, or Stephen Mcgee's Irony magazine, or the
newsletter of the local blacksmithing group.

As far as tools go, I have to put a plug in for a nontraditional tool- the
taiwanese 4" x 6" bandsaw. Of course, this is after you have anvil and
forge, hammers and tongs. I use the little devil a hundred times a day to
cut stuff to length, to cut slits in things I then widen hot with a chisel,
to notch things to fit. Compared to the noise and sparks of a cut off disc,
the little bandsaw is a dream to have in the shop, and at its lowest speed,
it is pretty hard to hurt yourself with it. I recommend buying a Jet, even
though they cost a little more, as they specify better motors and
electricals, bearings and guides, so they are more accurate and last longer.
It is the best 200 bucks I ever spent.

Ries