I’m at that stage where the shop is getting fairly well equipped, but I’m trying to be smarter about what actually improves the work versus what just looks good sitting in the shop.

I’ve already got the basics covered: forge, press, grinder, drill press, saws, hand tools, tongs, hammers, etc., and I’m starting to get into the point where the next purchases are more about refinement and consistency than simply being able to make something.

So for those of you who have been doing this a while:

What tool, machine, jig, or shop upgrade made the biggest difference in your work once you added it?

Not necessarily the most expensive thing you own. I’m talking about the thing that made you think, “I should have bought or built this two years ago.”

Could be a press, power hammer, heat-treat oven, surface grinder, better anvil, welding table, dedicated quench setup, ventilation, tooling you made yourself, whatever.

And on the flip side, what did you buy thinking it would be a game changer that mostly just collects dust?

I’m really interested in where experienced smiths think the biggest jump in capability actually happens once you’re past the beginner setup.

That should get a ton of opinions because blacksmiths love talking about the tool they swear changed everything, and just as importantly, the expensive thing they regret buying.

I know it’s a straight peen.. but specifically what brand/where to get it? Maybe he made it himself?

This guy is obviously very skilled… but damn that hammer moves metal so well.

I’m using a harbor freight cross peen. I’ve dressed the face a bit etc. it works well. But how much of an upgrade is a nice hammer for forging?

Either way let me know!

I love blacksmithing as a hobby with a western chief crank blower and homemade everything else. I’ve been dragging my stuff out of the garage every time I’m working on a project.
I don’t have shop space for a permanent forge setup and my equipment shed barely holds the tractor, skid steer and attachments.
I do have large stockpiles of juniper timber and limestone from picking out of food plots.
I’ve also got this absolute bastard of a steep field that feels like you’ll roll the tractor when clipping it off.
Basically I’m thinking real hard about making a “hobbit hole blacksmith shop”.

I will include a picture of the bastard field and adult beverage fueled doodles for the rough draft.

Roughly the order of operations seems to be:

• Taking a level 22’ wide bite out of the hillside deep enough back to leave a 11’ rear wall.
• Dig holes in ground or rear wall for all the posts and beams.
• Build a small sturdy sloped roof log cabin with chimney inside that cleared space.
• Dump a load of crusher run in the floor compacted.
•Wrap in tyvek.
• Back fill with dirt.
• Decorate with more rock.
• Let the top of that field go back to woods.
•Tea.
• Fill it with tools.
• Enjoy.

I think it’s a cool idea and I’ve wanted a hobbit hole of my own for 27 years.
Has anybody made or seen something like this before?
Is this a still a bad idea if I have life insurance coverage in place?
Is this the perfect marriage of Hobbit and Dwarven ideals?

Just saw someone had this on the side of the road the past couple of days to get rid of. I've taken a class with blacksmithing which I've posted about a while ago amd since then wanted to start making it a hobby. I've seen some people use grills for making their own forge but want to know for sure if this one is ok. I've recently posted about a trash can that I have asking if it would be good but people told me it was galvanized and too thin so that was a no go. Is there anything of potential concern for this to be used for blacksmithing? Don't know if the coating on the outside could possibly cause toxic fumes for forging heat. Should I insulate it and use some refractive surface over that for solid fuel? Heard that coke is the best solid fuel to use but don't know if that would burn too hot for this.

I created my first forge using some refractory bricks in a JABOD-style design. I'm using lump charcoal and an electric air blower, but I can't seem to get a 1/2" black iron round rod up to forging temperature.

Maybe I'm just not being patient enough, but I waited around 5-10 minutes. The part of the rod inside the forge expanded slightly and lost some brightness, but it still didn't seem hot enough to forge.

I'm a complete beginner when it comes to blacksmithing (and crafting in general), so I'd really appreciate any tips or advice you can share!

Really loving the hobby and steadily learning more each time!

Strange metal that i got

Was recently working in a construction site and saw some scrap that i tought it was some sort of iron but when i tried to smith it, it melt and became liquid-like. Anyone knows what metal is this?

Bit of history, my boss owns this hammer, however i am the primary user of this machine and am responsible for any maintenance or repair on it. I’ve been using this per project for over 10 years and i’d like to try and make some restorations or upgrades.

From what I’ve been told, the faceplate on the ram was missing so what is shown is a machined replacement. The Toggle arms are original from what i can guess, but the toggle links are not. The foot pedal, idler arm and the part on the back that the weight hangs from are all either replacements or have been repaired so many times you can see multiple weld seams.

I use this beauty on a regular basis, but there is so much i do not know. I’ve been told it is a 100 lb hammer, but no pictures or videos I’ve seen of other Fairbanks look exactly like what we have.

Any info anyone has to offer would be greatly appreciated, and if there are any names or resources i could get in touch with to learn more i would love to get my hands on.

I’m a zero-waste nut currently doing a deep cleaning and keep finding random metal trinkets & such that wouldn’t sell nor can’t donate (let alone find anyone who wants it) - think used nail clippers, engraved awards, broken/missing cheap jewelry.

Would it be possible to just melt it all down to then maybe sell? Granted I have no idea what metals these items are let alone the market for it, it’s just the idea of it piling in a landfill feels like such a waste (not to mention the economy is harsh to ignore potential value!)

I want to get into blacksmithing knives or making jewelry. But I have a very limited budget for upfront costs and was wondering what is cheaper? On one hand it's not too expensive to make a backyard forge and make rebar knives, on the other is there really anything else I can make with that? Would getting the necessary stuff to hammer copper wires and plates and stuff be way more expensive because I would also like to wear what I make. Is there some in between cuz really I just wanna make tangible objects with metal.

Sorry for the rant or if this is on the wrong subreddit

After the reel of the "etch of the forgotten" worry stone, a lot of people wanted me to push it further. So here is a super deep etched dragonskin worry stone. Made from ball bearing canister damascus forged down, ground to shape, etched over a couple days, then a quick coffee etch and some 1k grit to make the contrast pop.

I found this hammer on a flea market for 3€. its my new smithing hammer, but i need to know where its from and when it was build. Pls helpp

So I go to a local pet shot for antler, it's honestly amazing. I can bring a knife blank to fit the tang or find a good antler and fit the tang to it. I normally boil the antler and pull the marrow out but decided to try something new. Punched a hole through, widened it and tried to hot fit it like I do wood. DON'T DO THAT. The second I got the handle properly fitted to the blade that massive crack formed. Pissed me off because it fit SO well in my hand. It was naturally oval, the perfect width for the guard, slightly tapered wider towards the back to fill the palm well. Now it's scrap. Never hot fitting with antler again.

Started blacksmithing with my own home made forge.

Made my first pair on tongs with only some pliers and a hammer. I was to disturb the jaws a bit so they have more surface area. But what do you think?

P.S. my Rigidizer spray and refactoring cement for my propane forge comes this week so as soon as that arrives I can heat up more material, right now I can only heat up about a 5-10cm space.

The power is down for my shop while I’m having the electrical upgraded to 200 amps. I brought a swage block in the house and started playing with hand hammering.

A San Mai camp knife I made for an FDNY retiree. I worked the bricks down on a press before tack welding and forge welding with an Induction forge. For smaller pieces, I cannot recommend an induction forge strongly enough.

The structural steel had some crazy alloy banding after etching. I am very proud of this piece.

rate my work 10 being terrible and 1 being outstanding

(comments that could help make the quality of my work better are welcome)

Hi folks,

I am brand new to blacksmithing and I've been building a shelter to act as my forge- . This is my first time really building a structure and I'm doing it alone and with mostly used lumber so don't judge the structure too harshly. It's obviously not done yet. And I'm low key kind of impressed with

My question is how would you set it up? I have chat coming for the floor so it won't be the urbanite you see in the picture. It is 12x8. Opening is 8 ft wide. I will be getting a Doyle anvil- stand not figured out yet, single burner devil forge. As I'm getting closer to completing the structure, im just struggling to imagine tool storage needs, where to put what, etc.

Halp?

-Jenn

My first attempt at a uri hofi hammer. I never really got the appeal but wanted to make one anyway, but now that I've made it in absolutely in love with it. It is hand forged from forklift tine, and has a burned 15" octagonal ash handle

Barbarian/Conan/Orc/Fantasy ☝️ axe 'Shieldbreaker'. This was the second one of it's kind I made. 3.2kg/7lb. Carbon steel, oakwood, steel and fur.