Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Kilroy the Grand]

The thing is, I have been inspired to finally try my hand at smithing. It's something I've been wanting to try for awhile, I have the space and most of the tools for it, what I don't have I can always purchase from the Amish. I was wondering if anyone else here wanted to try it, or even had prior experience.

What finally gave me the motivation was two part video on pattern welding

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLlObpob6lg&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2f01tU9akqY&feature=player_embedded

The finished project, for those not willing to watch the videos.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

If I can get the materials I need I should be able to start a little project, like a knife, or a chisel.

[Scelly9]

Holy hell. That is a nice sword.

[Kilroy the Grand]

Holy hell. That is a nice sword.

I know, and I am so jelly.

[Osmosis Jones]

Check out these guys;

http://www.americanbladesmith.com/

They apparently do all sorts of courses and such.

[Araph]

We did a bit of blacksmithing in my Welding I class last year, but nothing on that level. What kind of forge do you have (I don't mean, like, what brand is it, because I don't know anything about that; I was just wondering if it burns gas, charcoal, how big is it, etc.)?

[Girlinhat]

Just want to point out (since I'm not sure some of you caught it) that picture isn't his sword.  That's what inspired him to try smithing.

That said, someone (I'm terrible with names) was making daggers using railroad nails, hammered out flat on the sharp end to make a rough blade.  It seems like a rather convenient way to accomplish the task.

[Telgin]

I've been wanting to try my hand at smithing for a long time too, but as a graduate student who works part time I have a hard time finding the time to do it.  That and I live in an apartment and so the only place I'd be able to set up the sort of workshop I'd need is at my parents' house out in the boonies.  I'm still planning on doing that one day.

I've found a few reference sites and video tutorials on how to do some stuff, but I'm still at a bit of a loss where to begin.  Smithing as a whole is an enormous topic, and while of course I'd love to make a great sword or suit of armor, I know I must start smaller.  A dagger is probably a decent starting point if you want to make swords.  You'll learn how to form blades, how metal behaves under heat, and how to finish the weapon with a hilt.

[chaoticag]

That said, someone (I'm terrible with names) was making daggers using railroad nails, hammered out flat on the sharp end to make a rough blade.  It seems like a rather convenient way to accomplish the task.

I'm not surprised about this. Janet did this when she was younger. Her comments though, was that the iron was crap, so it won't be useful under all circumstances.

[Kilroy the Grand]

I've discovered something. Anthracite, is rather hard to burn. I tried burning some pine under it, blasting it with a propane torch, none of it worked. So I've going to get a really good hardwood fire going, and get a nice bed of coals... for my coal.

I'm also doing it rather cheaply, using old a rototiller tine for the knife blade. I'll probably made the handle out of poplar, with copper wire wrapped around it.

[Eidolon]

Kisame ( the guy from the old blacksmithing thread) had said something about anthracite note turning into coke, lemme see if I can dig it up.

Weather or not you use charcoal, coal, or gas is all a matter of preference. I work with coal because I am used to it and it is easy to get. I order it from home hardware in 80lb bags. If you do go that route make sure to ask for bituminous coal instead of anthracite. Bituminous coal is softer and cokes, which is what blacksmiths are really using to heat the metal. Coke is just coal with most of the impurities burned out. It reflects heat really well but it needs a near constant flow of air to keep it going.

I can't testify if that's true or not, just thought I'd reference it.

[kisame12794]

Kisame ( the guy from the old blacksmithing thread) had said something about anthracite note turning into coke, lemme see if I can dig it up.

Weather or not you use charcoal, coal, or gas is all a matter of preference. I work with coal because I am used to it and it is easy to get. I order it from home hardware in 80lb bags. If you do go that route make sure to ask for bituminous coal instead of anthracite. Bituminous coal is softer and cokes, which is what blacksmiths are really using to heat the metal. Coke is just coal with most of the impurities burned out. It reflects heat really well but it needs a near constant flow of air to keep it going.

I can't testify if that's true or not, just thought I'd reference it.

Oh yes, it is very true. Antracite is used primarily as fuel for furnaces. I order my coal from Home Hardware, but you need to order it.

That said, someone (I'm terrible with names) was making daggers using railroad nails, hammered out flat on the sharp end to make a rough blade.  It seems like a rather convenient way to accomplish the task.

I'm not surprised about this. Janet did this when she was younger. Her comments though, was that the iron was crap, so it won't be useful under all circumstances.

While I agree that the quality of the metal was less than perfect, my knife is still holding up under general use very well. And before you start making pattern welded knives, practice with normal knives first. Making a pattern welded billet (Bar stock) is a LOT of work. Having a few hours of work ruined because you left your blade in the forge too long sucks.

[Kilroy the Grand]

I'll try to find the fight kind of coal. I will probably just use a hardwood fire if I can't find any, I cut my own firewood so it would be the easiest option.

[Stas]

http://maddwarfworkshop.com/

My favourite smiths, ever.

[Eagleon]

I'll try to find the fight kind of coal. I will probably just use a hardwood fire if I can't find any, I cut my own firewood so it would be the easiest option.

You're going to have a hell of a time keeping it hot enough without burning through everything you have at once. Charcoal is really the least you can use. In addition to being comparatively dry (even the driest hardwood has a lot of water compared to it), you can break it apart more to make a denser (higher surface area) heat source, which is really essential to reach welding temperatures. It's also going to make a really uneven heat, unless you chip it. I'd say you're even better off getting briquettes, because at least with those you can break them apart to make them burn hotter than they normally would, though a lot have added moisture to make them burn longer.

[Kilroy the Grand]

I won't be doing much of anything for awhile, I had some ORAL SURGERY. so I can't do a whole lot, it hurts like a bitch,