[TheForge] Finally a newbe can set up.

[Ron Childers]

Where do you live? Your artist blacksmith association will be a great
resource for advice, tools and material. Where ever it is, I promise
they will help you and make you feel welcome. In Florida it is FABA,
Alabama is AFC. Every state has an association which is an affiliate of
ABANA, (Artist Blacksmith Association of North America).Google
"Blacksmithing.org"; FABA has archives of all the newsletters back to
day one. Blacksmithing organizations will yield a wealth of information.
You can cut up 2" sticks of hardwood and make charcoal as you feed wood
into the pot. You may consider a gas forge also- easy to build. Many of
the tools can be made. There is a "how to" tutorial in the internet for
almost anything and the local groups probably have teachers. Welcome to
the fold.. 

-----Original Message-----
From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Carrie Haag
Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2012 5:12 PM
To: Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA
Subject: [TheForge] Finaly a newbe can set up.

Well after years of trying to find the time, money, and space to be able
to try our hand as a hobbyist blacksmiths my husband and I seem to have
at
least found some meager amount of time and a little space.   We should
get
our forge this weekend, the pictures made it look like it was in working
order but it is an old coal forge with a champion blower on it so we'll
see, and a friend of the family donated a piece of old railroad track to
the cause.  We have a small shed; about 10' by 10', which we're going to
be setting up shop in.  We have a mental list of things we have to do
before we can even attempt to start heating anything up.  I was hoping
some of you would have some insight and let me know if we're missing
anything, I'm sure we are, before we get started.



1.       Set up shop.  I have a vague idea of how it should be set up
and
am sure it will change as we go along.

2.       Ensure proper safety equipment is available.  Eyewear, apron,
gloves, boots, fire extinguisher.  Any suggestions in this area would be
greatly appreciated.

3.       Find local coal supplier.
         4.    Trial and error...

This is a short list I know but since we've never done anything like
this before we're stumped and reading books can only get you so far.

Thanks in advance for all the advice!

--
Carrie H.

"If we shadows have offended, think but this, and all is mended- that
you have but slumb'red here while these visions did appear."
---Shakespeare
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