Essentials of Blacksmithing | Page 3 | Construction and DIY projects | Forums

I was talking to a friend of mine last night who does Civil War reenactments and he said if you want to make some money, even as a new blacksmith, there's a demand for early American accoutrements like tent stakes, firepit tepees, nails, etc.  Some blacksmiths even dress up in period garb and spend the weekends making and selling to the reenactors and spectators.  

I don't have a huge amount of money invested right now, but it might make my wife less irritated by my newest hobby.

She knows something's up, though.  I've been knocking out projects at home the past week or so and she keeps asking "what's gotten into you?" I'm going to check out that anvil and tools on Friday, so I probably need to break the news tonight. LOL

After a stressful morning of fishing, I drove to my friend's farm about 20 minutes south of town.  He had a 110# vice (he's a fellow fisherman and we all exaggerate) that he sold me for $50, he threw in  a dozen hand made tongs that he picked up at various flea markets, and a coffee can full of railroad spikes, old files and various small steel pieces.  

The anvil is in great condition.  I broke out the square at home and all of the faces are flat, the anvil has a little bounce to it, so I think it'll do nicely to start out with.  My friend is 5'4" so I'll have to find a taller stump, though.  

The tongs are great, there's a few for holding round stock by the end and by the middle, one that is square for holding a billet, a couple of flat jaws, and a couple that were probably made for specific jobs.  One looks like it holds a cylinder from the inside.

I have all the parts for the forge except a blower.  I'll probably just use a hair dryer and dryer vent for now.  I'll put the forge probably on Monday (I work from now until then).  

I'll post pics then also.

I think I'm going to start out with this tutorial on the https://www.reddit.com/r/Blacksmith/   site.

http://www.abana.org...../chf.shtml