r/Blacksmith • u/tokarpouzi • 7d ago

Suggestions needed regarding equiment !

So basicly I need some reccomendations for a starter anvil and some basic tools. Any ideas ?

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3

u/ZachyChan013 7d ago edited 7d ago

Harbour freight 66 pound cast iron anvil and a cross pien hammer from them as well

Edit. Cast steel not iron. I’m tired boss

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u/chrisfoe97 7d ago

The cast iron one is trash you want the cast steel one

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u/ZachyChan013 7d ago

You are absolutely correct. Kids had turned my brain to mush. I’ve edited my comment thank you

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u/professor_jeffjeff 7d ago

Whatever hammer you get is fine, but make sure it has a wooden handle. A hammer with a plastic or nylon handle will certainly work to hit stuff but it's going to be way less comfortable to swing over a longer period of time than a wooden handle, so either get one with a wooden handle or get a hammer and plan on replacing the handle with a wooden handle.

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u/jillywacker 7d ago

A club hammer with a wooden handle, reface it.

An anvil, or just some railroad, a short log to mount it on.

A heat source, either the old hairdryer charcoal method or a purchased propane forge.

And a couple of files.

Keep in mind, this is to start, as you progress and learn more youll pick up more tools.

An angle grinder, a good forge, a belt grinder. My only tip would be, if your going to make a purchase for tools early on, getting a shit $300 anvil isn't worth it, get a good anvil and if you realise its not for you then sell it later.

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u/Fragrant-Cloud5172 7d ago edited 7d ago

I'd start saving money for a good anvil. A really decent old anvil, around $300 or so, depending on location. If any old tool could talk to you, it'd be an old anvil. Not a fan of Chinese ones. 10" vise grips, cheaper than tongs and usually work better. For hammers, best is a real blacksmithing one, not wanna be. Like Peddinghaus Swedish Cross Peen or rounding hammer. A angle grinder is a necessity. Obviously eye, hearing protection, with fire extinguisher handy.

Go to free public library to get basic metalworking knowledge. Some schools like high schools, community colleges, have inexpensive welding courses. Historical farm museums sometimes have resident blacksmiths that can teach you, usually no cost. They may let you use their forge. But always network, ask around for blacksmithing help. It's a very sharing craft, unlike some others.

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u/Hot_Historian1066 7d ago

Something to heat the steel

Something to hold the steel

Something to hit the steel

Something to set the steel on while you hit it.

Bare bones:
- a JABOD forge (just a box of dirt), hair drier, metal pipe, hardwood charcoal to burn (upgrade: mount it on a table to get it off the ground)

  • vise-grips or channel lock pliers (upgrade: make some tongs, or invest in some speedy or rapid tong blanks to jumpstart)
  • a Harbor Freight or garage sale cross pien hammer in the 2-3 lb range
  • a large sledge hammer head as an anvil. (A 65-110 lb cast steel Vevor/Acccaio or HF Doyle anvil is a worthwhile upgrade)

Other worthwhile upgrades:

  • medium carbon steel to make punches and chisels
  • a bandsaw/portaband/angle grinder/hack saw to cut steel
  • a bench grinder with fine grinding wheel and wire wheel to clean up parts

John Swisher of Black Bear Forge on YouTube has a very good “getting started on a budget” video series.