Traditional Muzzleloading on the Cheap

Member’s Work Bench => Blacksmithing => Topic started by: old salt on March 13, 2011

Title: Learning
Post by: old salt on March 13, 2011
I am trying to learn how to do blacksmithing, so any criticism  and advice is welcome.
Title: Re: Learning
Post by: gordy on March 13, 2011
      Old Salt , looks like you are doing well . Do you have a book or two on black smithing ?? A little reading and a lot of practice will help you a long .

                                                            [hmm]  flwa
Title: Re: Learning
Post by: crazell on March 13, 2011
old salt they are looking fine. thmbsup like gordy says,"practice,practice,practice" flwa
Title: Re: Learning
Post by: Oldknfmkr on March 13, 2011
Old Salt, you are off to an excellent start. Just keep practicing the basics....round to square, square to round, tapering, drawing. Making S-hooks is good practice.
Mike
Title: Re: Learning
Post by: Rev on March 13, 2011
I have a DVD called "The Andersonville Smithy", twelve episodes of a PBS show, basically a "how-to" on blacksmithing. I taught myself the basics from it. I sell them, (I have a few, limited quantity, as far as I know unavailable anywhere else) for $25. Six hours of instruction...
Title: Re: Learning
Post by: Hawken50 on March 13, 2011
 [hmm] Learnin.....yas aught ta be teachin.Looks great.
Title: Re: Learning
Post by: old salt on March 13, 2011
Rev
PM sent
Title: Re: Learning
Post by: ErikPrice1@msn.com on March 13, 2011
 Old salt those look great.  thmbsup Did you just wingem or did you follow a pattern? Just got a forge yesterday so will be joining you in the learnen process.
Title: Re: Learning
Post by: Bison Horn on March 13, 2011
Quote from: old salt on March 13, 2011
I am trying to learn how to do blacksmithing, so any criticism  and advice is welcome.


You're doin great. thmbsup
Title: Re: Learning
Post by: hungryjohn on March 13, 2011
That's some nice work there. I would even be willing to give one of those pick and brush combos a home with my kit.  ;D
Title: Re: Learning
Post by: old salt on March 13, 2011
BrokenHawk
I had a pick and brush set on a ring, and saw the chin sets on this site and tried to make chains. As this is a family site I will not tell you what they looked like. They were not good. So I went to the hardware store and bought some ready made chain.
As you can see I was having trouble getting the curves to look like curves as the anvil I have has to big a horn for small work, I now take a piece of round stock and lock it in the vice and bend the piece around it.
So yes I did have a pattern to go by.
On the screw drivers I have learned to harden the tips so they do not bend out of shape when you use them. You can also use the screw drive to sharppen the flint while still in the lock
Title: Re: Learning
Post by: ErikPrice1@msn.com on March 13, 2011
 Thanks for sharing old salt, when I get the forge up an runnin I'll give some stuff a try.
Title: Re: Learning
Post by: NAULTRICK1 on March 15, 2011
I agree with my buddy Hawk, looks great M'Man, I'd be proud ta own one of your pick and brush sets  thmbsup
Title: Re: Learning
Post by: Stumblin Wolf on March 16, 2011
looking good old salt! For my jack chains I use that "re-bar tie wire" that you can get at a hardware store for around $6 a spool. I cut 1 1/2" pieces and just use 2 pairs of needlenose pliers to make the links, don't even need the forge! I make 20-30 feet in the winter and use it as I need it.
Title: Re: Learning
Post by: crazell on March 16, 2011
Stumblin Wolf thats a great idea!!!  thmbsup
Title: Re: Learning
Post by: ErikPrice1@msn.com on March 17, 2011
Stumblinwolf I got a ton of that wire. Never thought to use it like that, thanks for the idea.