I Love DIY Projects
Really thinking about blacksmithing. Looks like a beginners forge can be made for $40
31-35, M
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ArishMell · 70-79, M
A fine hobby! I don't have a forge and have carried out only a very small bit of blacksmithing, but it's a very satisfying craft.
I had an opportunity one evening to try it. I noticed most of the others present, about a dozen, thought it would be easier if they used only the smaller section steel bar available - 6mm (about 1/4") square.
Oh no it isn't! The smaller it is the more quickly it loses heat, so by the time they moved it from hearth to anvil it was down to dull red-heat, almost too cold for forging.
I tried using the larger (10mm square) and succeeded, with some tuition, in making myself a very ornate thing for what it does: a swarf-rake for cleaning a lathe!
I had an opportunity one evening to try it. I noticed most of the others present, about a dozen, thought it would be easier if they used only the smaller section steel bar available - 6mm (about 1/4") square.
Oh no it isn't! The smaller it is the more quickly it loses heat, so by the time they moved it from hearth to anvil it was down to dull red-heat, almost too cold for forging.
I tried using the larger (10mm square) and succeeded, with some tuition, in making myself a very ornate thing for what it does: a swarf-rake for cleaning a lathe!