Blacksmithing

[gizamo]

Been thinking of taking up Blacksmithing.

Strictly as a hobby. The thing is that I enjoy using many items that you can only buy from a blacksmith, and there are some items that I'd like to try my hand at making. Mostly make things for friends and family. I do a little re-enacting and might make some items for the trade blanket....

My town has the host site of the Maine Blacksmith's Association and I know a few of the members. They've encouraged me to join. Living in rural Western Maine allows me to still buy many original tools and equipment at farm prices. So it isn't expensive to try this out. One friend that is a part time blacksmith offered to take me under his wing.

Kinda on the fence on this, but thinkin' I'm going to take the plunge. Any of you folks do this as a hobby or profession?

giz

 

[badguybuster]

Yep. I am a farrier/blacksmith. I still make a lot of custom horseshoes for vets and clients. Although, most can be bought, there are still some modifications that have to be done by a pro in a forge. I also, make some odds and ends things too....i.e. hoof picks, barn decor, etc.. I love what I do. Beats chasing thugs everyday.

 

[dkizer22]

I do not do it as a hobby or pro, but I would like to learn if had I had the chance.

 

[flop-shank]

Do it! Sounds cool to me!

 

[m657]

A buddy parlayed his 'hot forge' custom knife hobby into a 'custom wrought iron' business.

http://northforkforge.com/ shows some of his work.

I've hammered a few items. There is a basic satisfaction in handcrafting certain items otherwise unobtainable.

 

[tomf52]

I used to play with it quite a bit but have gotten older and now choose lighter and cleaner hobby activities. It is a lot of fun though.

 

[G-Mac]

You could probably melt some of those Rugers down and make them into a nice anvil....VOILA! Your first blacksmith project!

 

[walkinghorse]

You could probably melt some of those Rugers down and make them into a nice anvil....VOILA! Your first blacksmith project!

Gordy, question?

Does MIM work as well as forged metal when melted down and used for other projects?

 

[G-Mac]

Gordy, question?

Does MIM work as well as forged metal when melted down and used for other projects?

No...melted down, recycled MIM is exported to Brazil where it is turned into Taurus products.

 

[buckeyeshooter1]

I hope you enjoy it. As I was raised on a large horse farm I ended up doing lots of this type work in my late teens. I am absolutely glad I do not have to do it any more! Nothing like a 1200 pound horse laying on you to give you a great leg/back workout!

 

[beach elvis]

If you can find a copy of Foxfire #5 (I believe), there's a lot of great stuff about blacksmithing.

 

[badguybuster]

I just picked up a GREAT book at an estate auction. It is, "American Blacksmithing", the Toolsmith and Steelworkders manual. It was published in 1905!!! It is in awesome shape and covers EVERYTHING. I got it for $2.00. ha, ha, ha, ha