[TheForge] To Nathan the new guy

Mon Sep 1 16:50:14 EDT 2014

Welcome to the active branches NATHAN. RR rail makes a dandy anvil,
especially stood on end, I've used them for decades even after finding a top
shelf London pattern anvil. The only part of an anvil that's working for you
is the couple sq/in directly under the hammer. Sure the weight increased
it's resistance to acceleration which is good but not as necessary as folk
think. Another really handy thing about rail on end is all the cool things
you can use the flange and web for. A little grinding and you can turn the
flange into hardies, butchers, fullers, acorn and round dies, etc.. Really
handy shapes for sure. If you need a long flat face for straightening it's
actually easier to sight down the flange and do it vertically. Strike the
work gently with the hammer or better yet a wood mallet against the flange
while you look down it to see what's what.

Turning curves is easy. The fact is most beginners can't keep the work
straight without repeated corrections. Any part of the steel that isn't
supported by the anvil will bend not mash (forge). Turning say a scroll on
the flat face is as simple as lifting the held end and striking behind the
end resting on the anvil slip it a little farther for the next blow and
strike behind the contact point. Once you have the curve started strike the
outside of the curve backing it on the anvil and develop it how you wish. 

A similar technique is to extend the end off the edge of the anvil as Pete
describes and start the bend. Well before it hits 90* you can turn it curve
up on the anvil face and start working the outside of the curve.

I know that sounds more confusing than helpful but once you see how it works
it's pretty much exactly as I described. Experiment with soft wire using
your leg for the anvil, you don't need a fire, anvil or hammers to model and
rehearse the processes and techniques. Yeah, all this stuff takes practice.
but I'll let you in on THE secret of blacksmithing. Ready? Shhhhh, don't
tell anybody now, "A little knowledge and a LOT of practice." That's it, no
fooling. There are only a handful of basic techniques and the most complex
marvelous and amazing forgings are built up from pieces worked with the
basics.

How you apply the basic techniques will change in application but they're
the same technique you just hold your tongue on the other side.

Jer

-----Original Message-----
From: TheForge [mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Nathan
Sent: Friday, August 29, 2014 10:01 AM
To: Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA
Subject: Re: [TheForge] To Nathan the new guy

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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