I recently Started blacksmithing. I have a couple friends in the hobby and decided I wanted to try. Built my own forge out of material that were around. Total cost was about $30. Bought a anvil a little later. I've made a couple things so far. I took a railroad spike and just put a curl on it and then took one and flattened the end. Just to warm up. Next I made a couple lantern holders. Then I made a RR spike knife. Still needs a little work but mostly done. I'm working on a small tomahawk for my son now. Just thought I'd share.

Cool! I've always wanted to take a class for that.

you don't need a class. read a couple books, watch some youtube, talk to a guy that has done it and start forging. I didn't really have any training other than watching my friend do it once. You learn quick

Very cool!

Sweet looking blade dude

 

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I'm quite jealous. Your forge looks interesting for sure. I guess that hand crank looking thing is an air pump?

 

Blacksmithing is something I messed around in highschool metal shop and unfortunately didn't continue. We had a small propane or maybe natgas forge that I would block the vents on to try to get it hotter. I would up making a bunch of stuff, screwdriver shafts, punches, and my favorite was a really nice crowbar made from 1" hex stock. The bend on it I cheated on though since I used a bender, an oxy/actelyene torch, and the Canadian girl in class to help me bend it. I loved using the torch because I was able to get it BRIGHT orange quickly. The forge only got it to a low-medium orange. 

 

Try making nails from 1" flatstock if you have a good anvil. Doesn't take long and it is pretty fun.

Shovel ak time?

I'm quite jealous. Your forge looks interesting for sure. I guess that hand crank looking thing is an air pump?

 

Blacksmithing is something I messed around in highschool metal shop and unfortunately didn't continue. We had a small propane or maybe natgas forge that I would block the vents on to try to get it hotter. I would up making a bunch of stuff, screwdriver shafts, punches, and my favorite was a really nice crowbar made from 1" hex stock. The bend on it I cheated on though since I used a bender, an oxy/actelyene torch, and the Canadian girl in class to help me bend it. I loved using the torch because I was able to get it BRIGHT orange quickly. The forge only got it to a low-medium orange. 

 

Try making nails from 1" flatstock if you have a good anvil. Doesn't take long and it is pretty fun.

Yes its a hand crank air blower. Old school. Gas forge's don't get as hot a soft coal forges. I can go from a cold forge light some newsprint, cover with coal and in about 4 min I'm= at forge welding temperature. That's between 1600-2000 degree's Fahrenheit. I've made nails before. I have a cheater tool for it too. I just got a bunch of files and lawn mower blades to I'm going to make some knives and tomahawks

Have you considered going electric? I mean it is a little redneck but people have had success using hairdryers, shopvacs, and the like.

 

What are you using for fuel? Straight anthracite?

I have means any time I want I  could hook one to it but I really like the blower on it. Don't get me wrong after a hour or so your arm gets tired but it don't take much cranking to get the steel to critical. I use soft coal

Nice job Rob!  Can't wait to see it in operation some time!  GREAT pix too!

Very cool. Blacksmithing is one of those things I'd like to try but haven't. Your doing a good job from what I can tell. Enjoy.