[TheForge] Tools

[jerry Frost]

You've got the hard part taken care of Mark. All you need now is: a smooth faced hammer I recommend you keep it to about 2lbs. 1,000gm. till you've built the skills to control heaver. Then a cold chisel and hack saw to cut. Find yourself an old coil spring from a car and start making the rest of your kit. Tongs are pretty straight forward but a bit much for a beginner project. Punches, chisels, a hack and maybe an anvil devil are good beginner's projects and you'll need them all.

Once you've made the basics like punches, chisels, etc. you'll have developed enough control to make tongs without too much aggravation. There are a number of good how tos for tong making on the web, check the ABANA site. There are lots of useful shapes and it's all good practice. You'll probably never have enough tongs and you can always sell extras to guys beginning the craft.

A leg vise is probably the one thing you'll need to keep on the hunt for, they're a bit much for a guy to forge in the home shop. not impossible just a major piece of work. Swage blocks are more decorative in the shop than actually useful, I use mine so rarely I dust it every 6 months or so.

Frosty.

-----Original Message-----
From: TheForge [mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Mark Sweeny
Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2015 9:06 AM
To: theforge at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [TheForge] Tools

Hello,
Wondering where I can purchase used blacksmith tools in Nova Scotia? I just purchased a Queens Dudley Wilkinson anvil, approx. 180 lbs. Wrought Iron base steel top 3/8 to 1/2 “ thick, it has the Queens cross on top, in good condition. Is this a common anvil? Price just under 3.00 a pound.
Thanks,
Mark