[TheForge] To Nathan the new guy

[Peter Fels & Phoebe Palmer]

Um, Nathan,
That was RR RAIL, not ties.
Using RR rail for an anvil on anything heavier than jewelry,
the right way to set it up ( using the heaviest rail you can find),
is to bury a considerable length upright in the ground,
and polish up the cut butt  as a working surface.
Most actual forging only requires a couple of square inches to forge on,
if there's sufficient mass directly below the hammer.
Curves depend on the cross section of the stock being bent.
With modest stock sizes, it's easy to hang the heated section over the rounded edge of the anvil
and strike the far end. There are many alternative approaches too.
A nice stout post vise helps a whole lot and is almost as important as an anvil.
If you pick up a decent, cheap, buzz-box welder, it will facilitate making your own tools ( like bending forks)
a whole lot. A 50 year old , 180 amp, buzz box with old time copper windings, can be a major enabler.


On Aug 29, 2014, at 11:00 AM, Nathan wrote:

Thank you for all who have responded to my inquiry.  I live in central Wisconsin, so if you know of connections down this way, I would love to know.  As far as the railroad ties go, how to you do curves?  I will definitely have to look into proper mechanics when starting out as to save my back and joints. 

Nathan

> Date: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 09:43:31 -0400
> From: osan at netlabs.net
> To: theforge at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [TheForge] To Nathan the new guy
> 
> THis got me to thinking that another reason to contact those who already 
> know is the health issue.  Better to start off without some of the bad 
> habits many have and you would almost certainly adopt otherwise.  The 
> wrist, elbow, and shoulder can take a hell of a beating because of bad 
> hammering habits.  Even the great Peter Ross (all HAIL!) wrecked his 
> left elbow pretty good, so it really behooves us to try to start off 
> without the bad habits and the best way is to know what they are.  Only 
> people who've been doing it awhile are going to know that sort of thing.
> On 8/27/14, 3:06 PM, Vincent Nakovics wrote:
>> Nathan,
>>   I recommend that you look around and see what other shaped material is available for next to nothing. Railroad track stood on it's end is fine, but there are others that provide a wider base and sufficient rebound to meet your needs. Anvils of old were square blocks. Having said that, as others have said contact a blacksmith affiliate to get off on the right foot. Remember to work the metal hot, we have gotten spoiled by improved steels in the anvils and thus work our metal a bit too cool sometimes. At least I have done and am sure will do so in the future without making an effort not to.
>> Good Luck! and Happy Hammerin'
>> 
>> See ya at the Forge!!!
>> 
>> Vince Nakovics
>> 
>> "It was done that way by the Master before, and the one before him, What need to write it down?"
>> 
>> http://www.createspace.com/4515785
>> https://www.createspace.com/3479733
>> www.happyhavenforge.wordpress.com
>> 
>> 
>>  		 	   		
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