When I was a youngster I remember several old fella's who had coke forges in their shop and did some blacksmithing, making parts for their projects as they needed them. In fact, more people could blacksmith than could weld in those days. Since many of them scrapped metal for extra cash they knew a lot about them and how to melt them or just heat up the metal and work it.
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If you think you would like to get started in blacksmithing in your home shop I'll include a short list of tools that are unique to the trade. As with any new hobby, there are specific things you will need. Some of them you may already have, and others you will want to find, order or make yourself.
The Forge
The first thing we think of is the forge, the tool you will use to heat up your iron. Most old timers simply built a forge out of scraps they had. I remember one in particular that was a single leg stand with a wheel for the top and bottom. The top wheel, where the fire burned was filled with mortar. A hole in the middle let in forced air from a hand cranked blower.
A fire was then built out of coal, coke or wood and when the operator wanted to heat up some iron they just gave a few cranks on the blower and heated up the fire. The iron laying in the fire would begin to glow red and it was time to pull it out and work it on the anvil.
Metals you may work with use varying temperatures to get to working temp. Many folks used to just melt lead because there was plenty around from scrap plumbing pipes. They poured jig heads and sinkers from the scrap. Lead melts at just over 600 degrees F, so it doesn't take a terrifically hot fire to make some lead fishing gear.
Iron takes a much hotter fire although you don't have to reach melting point to work it into something useful. For carbon steel, like you might use to make a knife or hatchet, the working temp is about 2250 degrees F. If you use firewood it will take some good hard hickory, oak or better yet hedge. That's why many people used coal or coke to get that temperature much easier.
Blacksmithing Work Table
This stuff is going to be HOT and you want to be safe. Your work table should be steel and strong. You may want to lay out parts while they are hot and you need a solid work surface. I have a welding table for clamping projects that works just fine for this, but if you don't have anything like that you'll want to build or buy one.
For safety's sake be sure to have a couple pairs of safety glasses and a thick apron. Canvas is a good material, but be sure to stay away from synthetics. It's pretty easy to set yourself on fire when you are concentrating on a project and synthetic materials will stick to your skin and BURN. Good old canvas, however will just smolder and smoke enough to get your attention.
Blacksmithing Tongs
Several sets of tongs are necessary to work iron and it's uncommon to find them for sale, even at auctions. This may be one of the first projects you'll want to make. In the end you'll want several tongs for holding various shapes. A tong that’s good for a ½” square rod will fail if you try to hold a ¼” round rod. Holding a flat piece of stock requires a different tong.
If you already have welding gear then your clamps and locking pliers will come in handy for working iron. If you are planning on melting lead and other pot metals then a ladle or two will be great. I've gotten several of these at farm sales. They are made of iron and don't get anywhere near melting temperature when you are working with lead.
Blacksmithing Vise And Anvil
Farm sales are great places to pick up good quality vises and anvils. You had better be aggressive though, because collectors love them. If you price out new good quality equipment it will give you an idea how much to pay, and a used anvil is probably better than most new ones you might buy.
Vises, on the other hand, are common at sales and may be just cheap knockoffs that have be bought recently at the farm store. If you are going to work steel very much you will tear up a cheap vise real fast. Since a vise is a great tool for many projects, don't skimp – buy a good one.
I have my vise mounted on a 3″ steel pipe stand with a truck wheel as a base. That lets me move it around easily, but is still solid. You can mount your anvil the same way, or put it on the corner of a strong steel table.
Blacksmithing Tools
Cold chisels and strong punches will be used a lot, and then a collection of stout hammers. Take a look as you browse sales at these types of tools with heads, edges and points that will help you work the iron. Good quality is best here because when you hit metal to metal, pieces can fly and put out an eye or stick in your skin. The old stuff is great here because the iron is just better.
Gas Welding Torch
If you have been putting off purchasing welding bottles, this is a good time to go for it. A blacksmith from the 18th century would have killed for an acetylene torch. When you are getting down to working the small details out in your project, heating small areas is critical. A good gas torch can heat a little area fast and help you work it on demand.
I'm talking an acetylene torch here – not a puny butane job. Butane torches can be great for some small projects and you likely already have one. But to work iron you will need bottles of either acetylene or propane AND a bottle of oxygen. You'll need a torch with the right regulators and hose long enough to work safely. A good torch outfit will last all your life so get a good one.
Your Home Blacksmithing Shop
So that's enough, I'm sure, to get your blood running and brain ticking about setting up your own blacksmith shop. There are so many cool things to build with scrap iron – tools and trinkets that will be useful around the farm for years. It's a great way to make unique gifts that your friends will treasure.
Enjoy yourself in the shop, but remember to always be safe. That's one part about the old ways that weren't so good. I knew quite a few old timers that were missing fingers or had eyes put out. That's no way to enjoy the shop and there's no need for it today with all the modern safety equipment we have.
