Not referring to shoeing horses here. My son got me a forge for Christmas. There is a LOT to learn. I've been doing cabinetwork for 30 years (built all the furniture in my house) but this is a whole different deal. Any basic books you could recommend? My first project is a freestanding coat/hat rack w/ iron feet and  hooks w/ a cherry post.

Where did he get the forge?

I happen to have a forge, but I don't think it works. My dad and his dad used to use it. I come from a long line of blacksmiths, but alas I'm the first lame ass who doesn't know how to do it . . .

I have read that using ball bearing material, you can make a knife that has better qualities than any mass produced knife. I have witnessed it, very hard to work the material.

He had another blacksmith build it . Runs on regular propane tanks  and has a door on each end where you feed the stock thru it. I already had an anvil(came from our family farm). We mounted that on a walnut stump. Other than that you need hammers and tongs and a bucket of water.

http://www.lindsaybks.com/ is a good place to start... I think woodcraft supply migth also have a book or two about it. Ill try to find my other links...standby

I dont have a any good books but the basics are as such:

1) Learn what color the metal needs to be for what you intend to do.  There is such a thing as TOO hot

2)  Get some barstock and practice.  Can you make a knife blade?  Start doing the basic shapes (we're not talking something you plan on using here).  My first project to "get the feel for it" was a spear head.

3)  The next step (and I argue, the hardest to pick up) is forging two pieces of metal together.  Adding that hook to the main pole of a coat rack, for example, is much harder than merely beating the hook alone into shape.


Once you get past the basics is when you really need help... be it a tutor or specialized books.

Don't forget proper ventilation, good gloves, apron, etc.  Don't skimp on equipment!  

-  BG


(I am in no way a professional blacksmith.  It was merely a hobby for a few years.)

Buddy of mine built one, and using rebar used to make crude stuff

Pretty cool. Those guys who make swords and stuff are freakin' amazing.

BUCC guy - The coat hooks will be fastened to the cherry posts w/ brass wood screws. RAGNAROC - BALLBEARINGS  for knife blades??? He must be making little tiny pocketknives............