Learning

[old salt]

I am trying to learn how to do blacksmithing, so any criticism  and advice is welcome.

[gordy]

      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 .

                                                             

[crazell]

old salt they are looking fine. like gordy says,"practice,practice,practice"

[Oldknfmkr]

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

[Rev]

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...

[Hawken50]

  Learnin.....yas aught ta be teachin.Looks great.

[old salt]

Rev
PM sent

[ErikPrice1@msn.com]

 Old salt those look great.  Did you just wingem or did you follow a pattern? Just got a forge yesterday so will be joining you in the learnen process.

[Bison Horn]

I am trying to learn how to do blacksmithing, so any criticism  and advice is welcome.

You're doin great.

[hungryjohn]

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. 

[old salt]

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

[ErikPrice1@msn.com]

 Thanks for sharing old salt, when I get the forge up an runnin I'll give some stuff a try.

[NAULTRICK1]

I agree with my buddy Hawk, looks great M'Man, I'd be proud ta own one of your pick and brush sets 

[Stumblin Wolf]

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.

[crazell]

Stumblin Wolf thats a great idea!!!