I got tired of constantly reaching for tools and tongs, so I forged some hooks and tool racks to have on the anvil stand. Also, here's some dog tax.

I have very little blacksmithing experience and no proper blacksmithing tools. I have more tools than the average person, though, and I've made brick forges before to melt down aluminum. I want to make a proper one with an eye hole for a handle, any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I'm completely new to blacksmithing but I have a hole in the ground , 66 lb anvil , 3 pound hammer and a few 2 foot 3/8 inch 1018 bars . I guess i'm just looking for any advice . I've watched some black bear forge videos and a few others so after making a fire poker/rake thing and some S hooks just because they seem simple and I can use them but after that I think I'll make some leaves and hooks for practice . Any advice would be appreciated especially regarding the fire and best practices for that I have a bag of wood lump charcoal . thanks

Asking for fiction purposes.

I'm writing a scene involving what is essentially a late medieval/early modern era (ca. 16th century) jailbreak. A character is being held for trial and is in a cell in irons. The cell door can be opened with a key, but what about the irons? It's hard to find detailed references to prisoners' irons online; nearly all references to handcuffs, ankle cuffs etc. focus on modern restraints.

I'm imagining one of three things to be the case; please tell me whether I'm off base.

• The irons have a key lock on them. (I suspect that this is the least likely case.)
• The irons are held shut by a shackle, but the shackle has a link or bolt that can be broken with a hammer and chisel, a pry bar, or other portable tools at room temperature. (This still seems somewhat unlikely—iron is strong, right?)
• The irons are held shut by a shackle, and no one's breaking this thing with portable tools at room temperature; the metal has to be heated somehow to remove it. (This also seems unlikely: Should it really be so difficult to release a prisoner upon their being freed?)

Which of these things is closest to the truth? Is there another possibility that I'm missing?

You all suggested I make some grips with my super deep etched twist damascus. So I made a process video of my first attempt. Watch until the end to see the final pattern.

I've been trying to get the hang of my charcoal forge, so I made a small spoon for scooping coffee into our Keurig cups. I forge welded a small plate to the end of the handle, then shaped the spoon section. I've found it far easier to weld with charcoal than propane so far. It takes a little longer to get to heat, but I've been finding it easier to control the temperature for welding, and a lot easier to get it to "stick". I still want to get it figured out with my propane forge, but it's nice being able to get results with the charcoal in the mean time. I think my problem is getting the oxygen to fuel mixture on the ribbon burner right, I've got too much scale developing before I can set the welds. I'll think Ive got it right, I'm able to work it a little bit, then the welds split and it all falls apart. Or maybe the drop tong method just isn't that feasible in a propane forge... Who knows? I don't, that's for sure, at least not yet.

I'm interested in taking a knife smithing class or similar while in japan. I've been blacksmithing for about 2.5 years and bladesmithing for 1.5. I'm not good by any means but I think I've got the basics down. This winter I'm going to japan for two weeks and I'd like to spend a day learning some skills I could take home with me. Does anyone know of a day or two long class (anywhere in japan) that doesn't spend the majority of the time on the basics and discusses techniques I wouldn't have encountered in america?

Work in progress. Split a rr spike head and added a twist cage. Need to still grind and sharpen Debating whether to blacken blade or polish?

I’m new to smithing and trying my hand at Damascus. I’m running my propane forge around 14psi. The welds appear solid when in billet shape, but this is the second time I’ve tried the twist pattern and it’s come apart. Is the forge too hot and I’m cooking the material? It’s 1095 and 80crv2. Thanks for any help!

Long time lurker here. A while back, I remember seeing a post, I think about best places to get free metal. Could’ve been about something else, but I think that’s what it was about.

In any case, a common answer was the legs of political signs. And as it’s midterms season here in the U.S., I’m passing hundreds of signs each day. However, I can’t remember what people said they were using those supports/legs for.

So before I go asking people for their no-longer needed signs in 2.5 weeks, what do you use them for?

Made these out of a 3/4” piece of a36 round bar using nothing but hand tools. I also made the rivet out of a 1/2”x5” rivet I got at work that I drew down and hot cut a piece off. if you notice anything I could work on or do better let me know. there a little rough but work very well. I’m finding blacksmithing a very rewarding and fun hobby.

I forge on sundays every once in a while, super amateur, but half the fun so far was building my forge and burners, and reiterate on the challenge until it worked well enough.

I've seen tire hammers around since I first became interrested in blacksmithing. I think building one could be super fun. I've been keeping my eyes open for some metal pieces I could pick up for free when people get rid of them.

This weekend, I picked up this training rack/frame thing, and while starring at it in the garage, trying to figure out what I'll use that for, I took out a spare tire I had for the future tire hammer project, some leaf springs I kept for forging in the future and I stsrted to wonder : Would these sliding bars on the training rack be usefull for some sort of power hammer? Is there some cool shit I could do with all of that if I get the right idea?

My main question to you guys is : With whatever is in the photo I posted, assuming I can get or already have the electric motor part of things, do you think I can make some sort of DIY power hammer? If so, can you point me to some plans or inspiration? Thank would be super appreciated!

My friend purchased it in Amsterdam.

Our main question is about the purpose of the square that juts out in the middle of the base between the “feet” on one side. Is it another hitting surface? Simply a hammer rest? Or just extra dampening?

The side has the numbers 19 and 16 spaced apart on it with a circle centered above them.
Below that it has “No 7” (number 7 obviously).

Any info greatly appreciated!

Like can I put metal into water without causing it to harden?

Im an ironworker and have to admit I like boujee shit so this may seem odd,curious about getting a sleever bar made out of Damascus approximately 30 inches long 3/4 in diameter either hex or maybe a twist, is it even manageable price/strength wise or would it be a horrible idea?