|
|
Post by graynomad on May 6, 2014 12:08:34 GMT 10
I don't know if there's enough interest in blacksmithing here to justify a thread but maybe, so here are some photos of the gear I bought the other day. Leg vice  Forge blower  Assorted tools  Anvil  Swage block  I'm not even close to setting up to actually do anything yet as I have a "house" (read shipping containers) to finish and then I have to build a shed for this lot and my more modern metalwork gear (MIG welder etc) so don't expect me to be showing pics of ornate iron gates any time soon. I have done a little blacksmithing before but I'm still hardly even at beginner stage, still I may be able to answer any questions, after all in the land of the blind the one-eyed man is king eh? This is not "prepping" in the main sense of the word, I won't be bugging out with an anvil in my pack, it's more a case of backing off from my addiction/dependency on modern technology. ______ Rob |
|
remnantprep
Senior Member
People do not exist for the sake of governments!
Posts: 4,399 
Likes: 3,968
Email: remnant@ausprep.org
|
Post by remnantprep on May 6, 2014 12:31:39 GMT 10
Nice! What do you do with a swage block?
|
|
|
|
Post by graynomad on May 6, 2014 16:02:00 GMT 10
A swage block is used to generally shape things, swaging is the act of forcing metal into a different shape using a die. For example if I have a flat piece of metal I can belt it down into one of those curved profiles (on the edge) to dish it. Or bash some round bar into a V-shaped profile to make it triangular. The small holes can be used to punch a hole, you put the metal over a hole and punch through using a chisel/punch/prichel/drift/whatever. The large holes and slots, I don't know what they are good for yet  There are many types of swage block, some have shapes that allow you to form a spoon or shovel, but this one is a generic block with generic shapes that are useful. |
|
remnantprep
Senior Member
People do not exist for the sake of governments!
Posts: 4,399
Likes: 3,968
Email: remnant@ausprep.org
|
Post by remnantprep on May 6, 2014 16:38:01 GMT 10
Well you learn something new everyday! Thanks for that!
|
|
shinester
Senior Member
China's white trash
Posts: 3,119 
Likes: 3,578
Email: shiny@ausprep.org
|
Post by shinester on May 6, 2014 17:39:58 GMT 10
Post when you feel like it, though I'm quite interested. Are these tools enough to get you started.
|
|
|
|
Post by graynomad on May 6, 2014 23:04:11 GMT 10
Yes and no, what's missing there is the actual forge pan that holds the coal/coke. I'll make that myself I assume unless I find one before then. But you can start with a lot less, I'm just the type that likes to have all the good gear , but also it's getting hard to find original equipment so when I saw it just a few miles from home I decided to buy as much as I could afford. I still need a stack of tongs and hardie tools, fullers etc but the beauty of smithing is that you can make your own tools, usually from scrap steel and old car springs. So I'll do that stuff as I need them, it will be a good learning exercise as well. I've done simple work with just an oxy set and a vice, but I would say the minimum would be the blower, forge and an anvil. People make forges from all sorts of things, brake drums for example, and they use things like hair driers for a blower. The anvil can be anything that's hard, a short length of railway line is popular. So you can start with a lot less, but I like to go at things hammer and tongs (sorry  ) |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
Likes:
|
Post by Deleted on May 7, 2014 20:18:23 GMT 10
I have used a truck break drum for a small forge Rob, unlike my Dear Grand father (Blacksmith/wheel wright/farrier) His was huge!
|
|
|
|
Post by graynomad on May 8, 2014 16:33:10 GMT 10
I have used a truck break drum for a small forge I may do the same yet, or fold one up from 3mm plate. I'll see what takes my fancy when the time comes. |
|
krull68
VIP Member
Posts: 535
Likes: 875
|
Post by krull68 on Sept 18, 2014 23:04:09 GMT 10
If you are really interested in smithing, I suggest contacting the SCA, also known as the society for creative anachronism. I did a lot of armouring mainly using 2 mm steel, no forging though, but there are people who actually do it as a guild. you can get some awesome info off them, and they can direct you to where you can get or make almost everything you need. up to smelting if you want.
|
|
|
|
Post by Paul on Sept 18, 2014 23:11:46 GMT 10
Blacksmithing is on my to learn list, I have never tried but would love to give it ago.
Paul
|
|
SM+?
Senior Member
This old dragon will see you all when all this is over and done.
Posts: 339
Likes: 274
Location: Darwin Area, Northern Territory
Email: becci_75@hotmail.com
|
Post by SM+? on Sept 18, 2014 23:30:33 GMT 10
Most of the weapons I've made have been out of wood but I'd love some made from steel or some other metals. Let me know when your read to craft some as I'd be interested in buying some, the few weapons I have now are all brought from Mitchell's in at Caz shopping centre.
|
|
Ammo9
VIP Member
Enter your message here...
Posts: 1,814
Likes: 2,667
|
Post by Ammo9 on Sept 19, 2014 6:18:29 GMT 10
I've got a axe being made by a friends dad who does blacksmithing as a hobby. I've seen his work and it's very impressive, I tried my hand at stock removal knife making up I really don't have the space (read as:my family cracked the shits when using got metal shavings everywhere). It's on my list of things to learn when I get my own place.
|
|
|
|
Post by graynomad on Sept 19, 2014 9:11:14 GMT 10
If you are really interested in smithing, I suggest contacting the SCA, also known as the society for creative anachronism. I did a lot of armouring mainly using 2 mm steel, no forging though, but there are people who actually do it as a guild. you can get some awesome info off them, and they can direct you to where you can get or make almost everything you need. up to smelting if you want. Yes I know about the SCA, been interested in them since the 70s. As it happens I think they have a "chapter" (or whatever they are called) right here in town. I would like to join up but last I looked they are into all this role playing with a feudal hierarchy where eveyrone has a rank, just like the medieval days. Be buggered if I'm calling anyone "my liege" and bowing and tugging my forelock (if I had one ). But point taken, I could learn a lot from them and I do like the idea of making weapons, maybe if they are short of a smith I could get fast tracked up the ranks I'm a looong way from crafting anything decent, I have to finish the house before I can even start on the smithy, and then I have to learn a lot, I have done some before but I'm not even close to being a knife smith, and swords, well that's a whole different story. I like the Damascus look and there are some fairly easy ways to do that I think, for example using steel cable. I just can't wait to start bashing things...actually I already have in a way, been using the anvil to shape some steel (cold) for the slow-combustion stove flu brackets. Make sure it's rural, neighbours tend not to like the noise and smoke I hear. |
|
AKM.
Senior Member
Posts: 146
Likes: 295
|
Post by AKM. on Sept 24, 2014 22:51:13 GMT 10
There are a few knife makers around making amazing stuff. One near Canberra does weekend courses where you spent 2 days and walk out with a knife or two as well. www.tharwavalleyforge.com/ |
|
SM+?
Senior Member
This old dragon will see you all when all this is over and done.
Posts: 339
Likes: 274
Location: Darwin Area, Northern Territory
Email: becci_75@hotmail.com
|
Post by SM+? on Sept 24, 2014 23:01:11 GMT 10
There are a few knife makers around making amazing stuff. One near Canberra does weekend courses where you spent 2 days and walk out with a knife or two as well. www.tharwavalleyforge.com/Know of any up this way ? I'm in the NT and would love someone to make the blade I want. |
|
AKM.
Senior Member
Posts: 146
Likes: 295
|
Post by AKM. on Sept 27, 2014 20:56:19 GMT 10
I would maybe check out the links on his page; might lead to other knife makers up that way. Or even send him a message- he might recommend someone.
|
|
)
