[TheForge] Starting up

[Adam Whiteson]

Andrei

You need:

Cross pein hammer  2#-3# Go as SMALL as you can

Anvil ideally 200# - 250#  but anything over 100# is useful

Cutoff Hardy

Forge gas or coal

Stock in the form of long rod (since you don't have any tongs yet) and
stay 
with stock less than 1/2" dia until you get some experience

Books:  Jerry Hofman's Blacksmiths Journal  ,  Jack Andrews  New Edge of
Anvil  - stay away from Bealer's Art of Blacksmithing

Finger strength.   Most people starting out do not have the finger
strength to control a hammer.  I highly recommend a regime of grip
strengthening exercises - it will pay off big time.

Good Luck, Adam



-----Original Message-----
From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Andrei Pandelescu
Sent: Thursday, January 05, 2006 2:54 AM
To: theforge at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [TheForge] Starting up

Good day,

I am reading on posts here for about half a year or so, and since then
managed to get a more "rewarding" job so I think I might be in the
position
to actually doing something instead of just reading. 

In order to get started properly , and to take full advantage of this
mailing list, I'd like to ask the more experienced members a few details
first, if you don't mind spending a few time to help a young wannabe
blacksmith start his thing.

1. What tools do I need? Numbers, details...
2. What type of anvil should I get?
3. Where can I find patterns for what I am supposed to do?
4. What do I need to make a forge or could I replace that with something
else for starters?
5. Where can materials be bought?
6. Some books or other kind of reference about materials, treatment and
shaping.

I don't know if this is and exhaustive list of questions, if you think I
missed some details please - fill them up :)

Thanks a lot for your patience and your time. 

Have a nice day!
Andrei
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