[TheForge] Starting up

[marilyn traber 011221]

Hi, Andrei, lets see if we can help you out a bit. Having read both posts so 
far, I realize you're quite a ways away from most of us, so it would be a bit 
difficult for either us to pop over and help, or for you to drop by for a 
weekend of intensive smithing, so, let's see what we can do to help get you 
started. Some of what I'm going to tell you will seem a bit facetious, but 
it's not, really, it's just my way of explaining, while keeping things light.

> 1. What tools do I need? Numbers, details...

Tools vary quite a bit from smith to smith, depending on what you're doing. 
Distilled to essentials, you need something to heat the steel with, something 
to hit it with, something to hit it against, and probably, at least for 
smaller pieces, something to hold it with.

First, for heating the steel. That's where a forge comes in. To determine 
what sort of forge you want, you need to look at what sort of fuel you have 
available. Can you get high quality coal where you are? If you use it, will 
the neighbors complain about the smell? If so, you need to choose another 
fuel. Can you get charcoal, the real thing, called "lump charcoal" here in 
the US? If so, you can use it in any forge that will handle coal, and it 
smells much better than coal. Or, can you get propane? That's easier to use 
than coal/charcoal in some respects, but requires a very different sort of 
forge. Let me know- I can give you some suggestions as to sites to look at, 
to build your forge. If you don't build, but buy, you're looking at a lot 
more expense.

As far as hand tools, pliers will generally work to hold pieces, until you 
can make or buy a pair (or 10) of tongs. Hammers come in a bunch of 
varieties, but to start, you can get by with a cross pein or a ball pein. 
Only really important thing is to make sure the edges of the face (the part 
that hits the hot metal) is rounded (radiused) so it doesn't mark the metal 
so much. From what you said about needing to get your arm in shape, plan on 
using a light hammer for most work, say 600 to 1000 g, with 800 g probably 
being ideal for a beginner. You'll want and use heavier hammers later (1500 
and up) for particular projects, but a light hammer to begin with will help 
you start learning accuracy- and that's more important that hitting hard, 
over all. And, when you swing a hammer, keep your wrist straight, and let 
your biceps do the work- if you use your wrist, you'll wear yourself out much 
faster, and quite possibly injure yourself. Something to cut your steel with 
can be anything- hack saw, band saw, edge of anvil, a hardy for an anvil, 
chisels, or a particular type of chisel, that looks like a hammer, but is set 
on the piece with the sharp edge against it, and the "face" hit by your real 
hammer.

Tools, as I said, vary from smith to smith. You don't need them all to get 
started- you can start with a minimum, and acquire tools, whether by 
purchase, or by making them as you go along. To get an idea of the selection 
available, go to www.blacksmithsdepot.com, and look around.

> 2. What type of anvil should I get?

Depends on your circumstances. Most beginners in the US start out with a 
piece of RR track, or a similar heavy, solid piece of metal, before they buy 
themselves an anvil. But, you need to decide if it's always going to be in 
one place, or if you're going to have to move it a lot. If you're going to 
have to move it, I suggest one between 45 to 70 kg- your back will thank you 
for it ;-) You need also to be concerned about what you're putting the anvil 
ON, to bring it to the proper height, your stump. When standing next to the 
anvil, with a closed fist hanging down at your side, you want the face (the 
large flat area) to meet your knuckles.

> 3. Where can I find patterns for what I am supposed to do?

Depends on what you want to do. Really, once you learn a few basics you 
shouldn't need patterns, you should know what the metal does, and combine 
techniques to make it do what you want. Sorta like learning to write. We can 
teach you to hold the pencil, and show you how the letters are shaped, and 
after that it's practice, practice, practice.

> 4. What do I need to make a forge or could I replace that with something
> else for starters?

There are a lot of options, as I mentioned above. Take a look at Zoeller's 
site, that we've been discussing the last few days, and that will give you 
some ideas.

> 5. Where can materials be bought?

We buy them from fabricating shops, steel suppliers, and scrap yards.

> 
> 6. Some books or other kind of reference about materials, treatment and
> shaping.

Tell us what you want to do, and we can be more specific, but Jack 
Andrew's "New Edge of the Anvil" and Wayne Goddard's "50 dollar knife Shop" 
will give you a start on getting your shop set up. There are lots more that 
can be a help, but I need to get into my library to give you the titles.

Ask questions, please. We'll be happy to give you answers- some of them may 
even work for you ;-)

Phlip