Archive for the 'Blacksmithing' Category

Crap You Should Own: An Anvil

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

So you’re not a blacksmith, but do you find yourself beating on metal from time to time in the garage? Do yourself (and your vise, workbench, and everything else in the shop) a favor and buy the right tool for the job: an anvil. It’s shaped perfectly for re-shaping a bracket, making a 90-degree in a piece of bar, or banging a strip of metal into a compound curve.

Personally, I inherited my anvil from my father, or I’d have never thought about buying one. (He was a blacksmith-in-learning and picked up this really nice model from Laurel Machine and Foundry in Mississippi.) Hell, I actually spent a few months beating on my (sturdy) workbench from time to time before I dug his out of storage and brought it to the shop.

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Posted in Blacksmithing, Northern Tool | 19 Comments »

Teaching The Next Generation — With Fire

Thursday, August 20th, 2009

Reader Tmib_Seattle has managed to put together a badass little blacksmithing program for the local Boy Scout troop he labeled “Camp Hahobas 2009″ in the Toolmonger photo pool. Whether or not it actually is located in the historic BSA camp grounds doesn’t really matter to us, though it might be since Seattle is only about 30 miles north of Tacoma.

Check out the wicked metal bending these guys have going on and you begin to understand what Tmib is actually doing. These are kids that would probably have no exposure to blacksmithing in their lives, and a day or two spent over a fire gives them a positive, hands-on experience to take away with them. (more…)

Posted in Blacksmithing, Flickr Pool, Metalworking | 12 Comments »

GearWrench Tire Pressure Monitor Kit

Friday, April 17th, 2009

Soon all new cars will come with tire pressure monitoring systems, and a lot of vehicles have ‘em already. Maintaining another computer and mechanical system will bring another set of challenges to professional and backyard mechanics — four sets of wireless, battery-powered sensors all spinning at highway speeds sounds like problems in the making.  GearWrench’s Tire Pressure Monitoring Kit will help you with these maintenance tasks.

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Posted in Blacksmithing, Gerber, Winter/Outdoor | 13 Comments »

Dealmonger: 20lb Sledge Hammer $34.55

Monday, October 20th, 2008

Ace Hardware is selling this 20lb sledge hammer for $34.55.  While assisting with a bit of blacksmithing last night, I remembered what a handy tool the 20lb sledge hammer is for transmitting force to another object — and how frightening it is when it’s being swung at you.  While it’s not as efficient as a lighter hammer for all-day demolition, when you hit something with a 20lb sledge, it stays hit.

Shipping will likely be high, so you might want to check your local store for this one.

Jackson Sledge Hammer [Ace Hardware]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]

Posted in Ace Hardware, Amazon, Blacksmithing, Dealmonger | 1 Comment »

How To: Gas Forge Plans

Wednesday, May 21st, 2008
gasforge450.jpg

Getting started in blacksmithing usually requires a pretty decent start-up cost. But if you want to do it on the cheap, the instructions on Zoeller Forge’s site will show you how to build a gas forge without a welder or a cutting torch. With a drill, hole saw, tap, vise grips, and a workbench, you can make your own atmospheric gas forge.

Atmospheric Gas Forge [Zoeller Forge]

Posted in Blacksmithing, How-To, Plans | 1 Comment »

From The Flickr Pool: A Brake Drum Forge

Thursday, August 2nd, 2007
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TM reader NickNaylo posted this great pic of his brake drum forge to TM’s photo pool, providing once and for all that you don’t need major cash to try your hand at blacksmithing.  He says he assembled this little rig for a whopping $75 in parts — including a scavenged squirrel cage fan, some pipe fittings, and, of course, a brake drum.

It even looks like he’s rigged up a dimmer to control the speed of the fan — handy for controlling fire temp to avoid simply burning your workpiece into nothingness.

Toolmonger’s Photo Pool [Flickr]

Posted in Blacksmithing, Flickr Pool, Homemade Tools | 6 Comments »

From The Flickr Pool: A Home-Built Gas Forge

Thursday, May 31st, 2007

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The photo above is of tmib_seattle’s home-built gas forge — something I’ve been considering for some time.  My father was into blacksmithing, and you’ve heard his (and my) friend Ray Robinson on the Tool Talk podcast before talking about how to get started.  The problem for me is that my shop space isn’t condusive to coal burning.

This is definitely the answer, especially if you’re into bladesmithing as the space inside is a bit small for table tops and such.  I’ve seen some commercially-made models that are more portable, but tmib_seattle’s looks more solid and usable.

Check out the Toolmonger Flickr pool for photos of the forge in operation and pictures of some of his other tools, including a sheet-metal brake and an English wheel.  And if you get the chance, sign up and drop us some pictures of your favorite tools and projects.

Toolmonger’s Flickr Pool [Flickr]

(Thanks, tmib_seattle for sharing your pictures, and hopefully you can stop by and tell us a little more about your forge in comments.)

Posted in Blacksmithing, Flickr Pool | 5 Comments »

A History Of Nails, Blacksmith-Style

Thursday, April 26th, 2007
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Rick sent us this link to an interesting history of nails compiled by the Appalachian Blacksmiths Association.  My first experience blacksmithing was making square nails — much like some of those in the picture above — and I found this to be a great read.

If you’d like to hear more about this kind of blacksmithing, zip back and check out Tool Talk Podcast #3 where we’re joined by our friend (and artisan blacksmith) Ray Robinson.

All About Nails [Appalachian Blacksmiths Association]

Posted in Blacksmithing, On the Web | 3 Comments »

Photos of Ray’s Work (From Tool Talk Podcast #3)

Thursday, March 29th, 2007
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After hearing to our discussion with artisan blacksmith Ray Robinson in Tool Talk Podcast #3, a number of listeners asked for pictures of the corkscrew and fork I have which Ray made.  I’m sorry I didn’t post them earlier, but better late than never, right?

The photo above is the corkscrew.  Remember, this was made with a three pound hammer.  Read on past the jump for more pictures.

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Posted in Blacksmithing | 4 Comments »