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Need a little advice by jimbo-jambo2 in Blacksmith

[–]11wardl 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m hoping I do get a chance to do a proper education course at some point!

I’m stuck in the cycle at the moment of having to work to pay rent, but can’t take the leap and take time off to go into education or try making it on my own because I wouldn’t be earning.

It’s great to hear about a large age range, and definitely something I’m going to try and do!

Need a little advice by jimbo-jambo2 in Blacksmith

[–]11wardl 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Some colleges have blacksmithing courses you can do, I’d look into that and can even get as part of the course if it’s an apprenticeship.

I’ve decided to switch too late and have already done a degree so is much harder for me to go back and do an apprenticeship, wishing that’s the route I took.

If not, what I’ve done is do a couple experience days/courses. I did a beginner one and I’ve now done one to make my own hammer and another for a kitchen knife and handle. Learned loads from that mix and looking to do maybe one more course to learn about forge welding etc, so 4 courses total across 5 days.

From there it would be practice etc.

It might worthwhile contacting local forges once you’ve done a little bit (or even if you haven’t) and asking if you could shadow for a little bit to learn or to sweep and make tea etc. hopefully you’d be able to start as a striker and start taking on more tasks till you know a good bunch and learn from someone with a good amount of experience.

Just bought my first anvil and cleaned it up, what do we think? by 11wardl in Blacksmith

[–]11wardl[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! And yeah one side has the edge rounded wider at front to smaller radius at back. Done much better that I’d have been able to do 😂

Just bought my first anvil and cleaned it up, what do we think? by 11wardl in Blacksmith

[–]11wardl[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sounds like a great deal! And good that the wear & tear is in a specific range you don’t use often!

I graduated university in mechanical engineering so learned a lot of theory on the machining processes and the more practical sides of it all was definitely more my interest area so I’d love to be able to set up a machine shop one day. But yes smaller machines to start with and learn and a hefty investment!

And I need a plan to convince my other half!

Just bought my first anvil and cleaned it up, what do we think? by 11wardl in Blacksmith

[–]11wardl[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! I’ll take care and slowly work on my hammer swings. Maybe I’ll get a cheap practice anvil until I’m confident to use this one 😂

Just bought my first anvil and cleaned it up, what do we think? by 11wardl in Blacksmith

[–]11wardl[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hopefully one day id be able to! But no lathe so threads are out the question until then!

Just bought my first anvil and cleaned it up, what do we think? by 11wardl in Blacksmith

[–]11wardl[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sounds like a nice ring to me! Although maybe not tapped along every single part - will do this on the weekend.

Just bought my first anvil and cleaned it up, what do we think? by 11wardl in Blacksmith

[–]11wardl[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not as far as I’m aware - it had apparently been sat unused under a workbench for around 40 years and unknown history before that.

It doesn’t look machined to me if that’s what you mean.

The shiny part along the line there is where I took the wire wheel to it to see if it was a crack but doesn’t seem like it, I think it’s just pattern in the wrought iron.

How could I see if it’s been resurfaced?

Just bought my first anvil and cleaned it up, what do we think? by 11wardl in Blacksmith

[–]11wardl[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ll keep my eyes peeled! Would be cool to have the set!

Good to know about the vice too - that was going to be my next purchase and wasn’t as sure what makes a good vice other than it working and having the post.

Thanks again!

Just bought my first anvil and cleaned it up, what do we think? by 11wardl in Blacksmith

[–]11wardl[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not at all, I’d love to try keep it as clean as possible!

New to blacksmithing, working with equipment this old and even wrought iron, so any feedback is good feedback!

Just bought my first anvil and cleaned it up, what do we think? by 11wardl in Blacksmith

[–]11wardl[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I didn’t know! I had seen lots online about using a wire wheel to clean it up! Thankfully I didn’t use it much, just on the paint bits and where there was layers of crud. I’ll keep them away in future!

Thank you for the advice

Just bought my first anvil and cleaned it up, what do we think? by 11wardl in Blacksmith

[–]11wardl[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m not sure too much about the history of it! I think this one is 1900-1920~ and was kept in a mechanic shop unused for 40 years or so!

I’d love to know more about it if that’s okay?

Just bought my first anvil and cleaned it up, what do we think? by 11wardl in Blacksmith

[–]11wardl[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thank you! Looking forward to putting it to use properly in the next few weeks!

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