You guys! I'm super excited this week to introduce you to my husband, Dan. He's the fellow behind the anvil here at Wynterwood Farm & Forge, and starting with this post, he's going to be sharing a steady stream of tips and tutorials for anyone interested in starting their own homestead forge!
Got a question you'd like him to address in an upcoming post? Leave him a comment below! ~ Anna
If you've ever felt an attraction to forging steel but felt too timid to ask what you needed to enter into the world of blacksmithing, join the club.
What do you need to start blacksmithing at home? Online sources and forums can be a good resource, but frequently they can be off-putting with curt comments and discouragement. Part of this is due to a genuine disbelief on the part of the Master Smith, looking at a newbie asking a question that is much bigger than they realize. Smithing is more than just the tools of the trade, and it takes a long time to build your skill. Someone asking how to make a sword at home for instance, has no idea what amount of work and years of skill it takes to be able to do that.
But some of it is also economic in nature - there is a very small market for hand-crafted iron and steel nowadays. For everyone that enters that market, it represents another competitor that may take away a portion of their meager business market. (Sorry to burst any bubbles, but modern smithing is not very likely to lead to a sustainable source of income - in short, don't quit your day job and take up smithing.)
Smithing is more than a way to make some money - the odds are you won't make much for a long, long time, so don't think that you can earn $40k a year within 6 months of getting set up - you won't. Smithing in today's market must be done for love of the craft, not love of earning money from it. Even Master Smiths barely scrape by in the world of industrial mass production.
But it doesn't have to be discouraging. Once the genuine love of the craft is expressed, and the fear of competition is assuaged, most practitioners are happy to share their experiences and advice about a craft they live for. But don't expect to get smithing lessons for free - like all things, knowledge is power. Decades of skill has cost that smith a great deal, and it should be compensated through training. But one thing at a time.
Forging is at its most basic, making metal malleable through the application of heat and shaping it. It has been done for thousands of years, back to the early Bronze-Age, and had remained largely unchanged until the invention of machines to manufacture tools and products in the late 18th Century.
For those of you just beginning the journey to Master Smith, here are the basic items you'll need to get started:
• A Forge
• Fuel
• Induced Air
• A Hammer
• An Anvil
• Metal to shape
• Safety Gear
• Quenching Liquid
A Forge
The first element of blacksmithing is also the most critical. Heat is necessary to make all metals malleable, so if you want to start smithing, you'll need a forge. There are many options. Anything from a brake drum forge made yourself (if you have some welding experience and tools) to a factory-direct one from Centaur Forge, to building your own by hand will do.
Fuel
You will need to decide what kind of fuel you will be using, with what type of forge you want to use. Propane is a safe option, but it can be expensive and many don't like the non-traditional feel of it. Coal is the most common fuel, but the methods of using a coal forge effectively and securing a clean source of coal can be challenging.
I choose to use charcoal for both its tradition, and it safety. It is also very easy to come by, and you can make it yourself. But be warned - charcoal sparks a lot so be sure you are safe and keep track of any fire hazards.
Induced air
Induced air is usually accomplished by way of a bellows or fan. In order to get a piece of metal hot enough to shape, you will need to generate heat. A regular fire just won't get up to the temperatures that you will need in all situations (especially when forge welding) and while you can heat up the fire poker to red hot by sticking it in the fireplace for a few minutes, that kind of thing simply takes too long and doesn't get hot enough to forge with.
Save yourself the aggravation and invest in a fan or hand operated bellows. They can be electric or human powered and range from the traditional bellows that can take up 5 square feet of space, to a simply squirrel cage that is a few inches tall.
A Hammer
This is the way that you will shape all metal on the anvil. You can use other tools to assist you including a vise, bending forks, and various other tools (there is no shortage of tools both standard and home-made in the craft), but almost all work will begin with shaping hot steel with a hammer.
This will also become your most cherished tool, and I recommend you make a good investment in a new hammer. You'll keep it for decades, so make sure it is one you enjoy using and get one to last.
An Anvil
Anvils are what form the base, onto which the hammer blows fall on the steel and reflect back the force that you use on them. They can range from simple Railroad track sections to cheap cast iron imports (I highly discourage you from getting one of these!), to 2,000 lb. monsters.
Most anvils will be in the 150-300 lbs. range, but consider where you want to secure it, and how much you can safely and comfortably move on your own. You will need to be able to install it yourself, but I'll talk more about selecting and installing your anvil in another post.
Metal to Shape
Whether hardened tool steel or easily forge mild steel, or even reused bits from the junk yard, you will need to have some material to make into something. The main thing to consider with steel is what you are planning on using it for when it is finished, and learning about the dangers of selecting the wrong type of steel or other metal could fill a library, so I'll delve into that later.
For now, consider only ordering new steel from a supplier. The last thing you want is to take a shortcut that may lead to a serious, even fatal, reaction. Forging metal is elemental, and the science and chemistry involved can lead to many things that are beautiful, but can also kill you if you do not know what you are doing. Don't skimp on safety. Be safe!
Safety Gear
Essential safety gear includes: an apron, gloves, eye protection, and ear protection. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is essential to smithing in safety. Metal can do all sorts of things when you are working with it in its malleable form.
Aside from burning yourself (you will, so get used to the idea), shards of metal can break off of pieces of steel not properly worked of cooled, edges can cut and sparks can fly. You want to learn and be changed for the better by smithing, not be scarred. Get a blacksmith's apron, gloves, eye protection with wraparound sides or goggles, and ear protection.
Quenching Liquid
Quenching liquid usually nothing more than a bucket of water. When your metal is formed, you want to lock in it s shape and make it safe to handle for finishing. A quenching bucket with water is necessary to avoid having a piece improperly cool. (You don't want to work for hours or days on an elaborate shape and have it warp because you set it down hot and gravity took its toll.) It's also a safety feature - hot metal is a fire hazard and metal can still be hundreds of degrees even when it looks cold.
I once grasped another smith's work after their asking me to lift a piece off of their anvil. They neglected to tell me that it had been in the forge three minutes earlier and was still 400 degrees. You don't want to do that.
Lastly, you will need a place to put all of this and forge! Many people dedicate a place in their garage or in a shop, but you can forge anywhere that you can safely vent the fumes and smoke of the forge. If you get a portable forge on wheels, you can even just move everything out under the sky and put it all away again when it cools. But be sure that where you forge is considerate of those around you. If you live in an apartment, you should probably find a shop where you can forge that is not located in your living room.
Other options for those that do not have a dedicated location is to use another smith's equipment or a school that offers classes. Be mindful of the effects of forging on the environment around you - there will be smoke, toxic fumes, loud ringing of the hammer on the anvil, and hot metal and fuel with the forge. Think before you try forging in the yard if your neighbors are picky, and don't try to shoe-horn a forge into a place that simply won't work.
I will go into greater detail about these essential elements in the weeks ahead, so don't worry. From selecting the right hammer to obtaining steel to finding a place to forge, I will show you how to get set up, what it costs, and how to begin your own Journey to blacksmithing at home.
Hammer on!
Looking for the next installments in this series on blacksmithing? Here you go:
How to Choose the Best Anvil For Your Forge
Darran Phelps says
Hello, I read your article with interest as I am currently making a rail track anvil. Would you advise whether to harden it when complete? I am leaning towards case hardening, but would welcome an experienced opinion.
I believe it is 1048 and would not be subjected to heavy use.
Beth says
Thank you for your article. I'm glad to see people getting inspired to bang some metal! I really think that it is important to learn from a master...take a class and make some connections...get inspired and pass it on! I began blacksmithing ten years ago and now I am teaching kids. I also wanted to share that I really believe coal gives an experience that gas will never come near. It's like the difference of having a wood stove an tending a fire or using a furnace..there is some magical and meditative about making fire!
Beth Myers says
Thank you for your article. I'm glad to see people getting inspired to bang some metal! I really think that it is important to learn from a master...take a class and make some connections...get inspired and pass it on! I began blacksmithing ten years ago and now I am teaching kids. I also wanted to share that I really believe coal gives an experience that gas will never come near. It's like the difference of having a wood stove an tending a fire or using a furnace..there is some magical and meditative about making fire!
Jim Firestone says
Thank you for a well presented article... with all you have described I would like to give an honorable mention to the skills needed...Just remember a smith only uses 7 skills.. draw out and upset is what is needed to make nails... learn muscle/hammer control. From this twist...bend...fold are how we control laminar" grain" of material. Punch is how we make holes whether rectangles for tenon or oval for axe heads. Weld is its own set of steps. I hope you can share the explanation of steps to others...
Being a member of Indiana Blacksmith Association I have been able to help newbies and try to teach "elementary skills" from knowing this you can build on what steps are needed to make your project..
Luis says
Interesting article , So interesting that it's inspired me to give it shot . Tks keep me in .
I might have several questions as I get closer to getting the equipment to start up ?
bob goodhope says
one of the two best articles on beginning smithing
the list should include some way to hold the metal firm on the anvil and something to cut the metal--hacksaw
" one cannot hit it if one cannot hold it"
iforgeiron has an article by daniel, a 10 year old, on simple tong making
vise grips were invented by a Nebraska blacksmith for holding metal
Darryl Mansfield says
Excellent article. I have a small propane forge I built, a couple of hammers, a leather apron, ear protection, a bucket for water, an old Peter Wright Anvil I refurbished, gloves, fire extinguisher, safety glasses, etc. All I need to do now is get started! I may take a beginning blacksmithing class. Any "how to " blacksmithing DVDs you can recommend? I do way better seeing it happen than reading about somehting or looking at pictures. Thanks again for publishing great informative article.
Yunus says
We need a help in blacksmithing
Kobie says
Hi Anna great to see this. I am a qualified blacksmith here by us it's long gone. Great to see someone is trying to relive the old era. Thanks for the article.
Kobie
Gary says
Hi guys I'm in the process of building my own coal forge not sure how to attach photos or I would show you my progress the first thing I want to make is a set of tongs for general purpose I look forward to future posts and have some fun
Van nghia tran says
Hey, my name 's nghia
I'm from viet nam, thanks you so much
Ben says
Hi Dan and Anna.
I noticed in the pics that you have some sort of bricks in your forge.
Just wondering what sort they are?
Cheers, Ben.
Rob Croley says
Great article! I took a one-day beginner's course about ten years ago and fell in love with smithing. Life got in the way and I never got a forge set up...too many other projects on the homestead. Have picked up a few tools over the years and maybe now, with guidance from your series of articles, I'll finally get it done. Thank you!!
Karen Merhalski says
Very excited to see and read your next post! Excellent and very well written article!
Russ says
I just started forging as well. I picked up a small forge and was able to buy coal in 40lb bsgs from Tractor Supply Store. The coal is anthracite which burns hotter and cleaner but it seems hard to keep the fire going steady. I heard thar bitumanus is easier to use. Do you know of good sources for coal. I live in the Chicago Land area.
Seth C. Tiffany says
This is a very informative article. Easy to understand and follow. I am interested in learning how to forge, but have found very little in the way of local sources of info. Is there a national organization or website that can help Me find the information I seek? Once again, this was
a great read and I look forward to future articles.
CD Lewis says
I have a question about the forge in the pictures? Did you make this one and if so, are there instructions on how to do it?
Thanks
Thomas Mumbo says
This is a wonderful article. Clear, concise and quite to the point without holding back the demerits of particular complexities. Generally, very good for anyone with an interest in acquiring basic knowledge. Cheers y'all!
Anna says
Hey Thomas! Thanks so much for your very kind comment! If I can ever help in any way, please let me know. Take Care! Dan
Emma @ Misfit Gardening says
This post came at a great time. My husband and I love traditional skills and blacksmithing is something we want to try and we even picked up a vintage forge by chance locally!
I look forward to the upcoming posts!
Anna says
Hi Emma, that's great! My next post will be about the types of forges available and finding the right one for you. I'll have future posts about the other necessities of a forge, so I'm glad to hear that you are taking up the challenge. Smithing is a very rewarding activity and I want to encourage you in any way that I can. What type of forge did you get? Do you have any specific items that you would like to make that I may be able to help with by adding to my project instruction list for future months? Thank you again, and take care, Dan
Karen Merhalski says
What is a good metal to use to create something say like a knife or a dinner bell?
I love the article and the pictures!
Anna says
Hi Karen, thank you! Smithing is an art more than a science, so the types of metals that you can use vary depending on the piece that you are trying to make. For blades, tool steel tends to work very well since it is hardened, is easy to temper and takes a sharp edge well. For a dinner bell, mild steel is fine, and will be both easier to shape and easier to acquire. Oddly enough, I will be doing a project demo in a future post on making an Old West-style triangular dinner bell so I'll show you step by step what that entails Thanks again, and take care! Dan
Jim says
Never use cast iron tools , anvils, hammers etc. they are very dangerous , but y’all probably know this, already
Make you tools if , you can’t afford them. An anvil can be made from a short piece of rail from track track. Fire brick can make a nice little forge with an old fan motor .
Barry says
5160 (coil spring or leaf spring) from a car or pickup
S. Valdrow says
Mild steel will be fine for the bell. Medium to medium high carbon steels for the knife blade.