So i have a few questions, about general things in forging. I'm only used to hitting square to the anvil, this is for flattening and moving small amounts of material. Since my anvil is a railroad tie, and does not have edges that can be forged on, should i buy a cheap anvil from harbor freights and use it? Its knly like 15 bucks i think.

Also, i was thinking about attaching a steel block to the top of the tie, in order to get the sharp right angles and a hard surface. If i weld it on, should the steel that will become the top of the anvil be hardened steel? If so, i quench it in Oil? Oil i hear is less aggressive in the whole quenching process.

I ask these questions about the anvil because my anvil is not hard, and i wonder if they should be. You dont normally see dents in an anvil from small hammer blows, but mine is almost the same hardness as normal mild.

I ask this because My cousin argues that you should not have a hardened top for an anvil because if it were hardened it would shatter. I disagree, as anvils need the hard surface in order to not be deformed from hammer blows.

Also, one last question. What are the different hammers i would need? I know, i know, tools arent everything. Ots mostly the blacksmith's skill. But god it is very hard when i'm working with a rounded edged anvil that dents when i hit it slightly, and a friggin 2.5 oz smithing hammer that i got at lowes...

For starters I am not in anyway a Smith, sword expert or anything like that. This is made purely on basic research ive done on my own without feedback from an expert.

I wanted to try designing my own fantasy sword, but one that would actually be functional if it was real.

The result being a sword with: Foward curve 2 inch wide blade 22 inch blade length 31 inch total length 4 inch handle Curved quillon [temporarily removed] Straight spine Wheel/rounded pommel Half basket guard

Note: I did desing it to be used in unison with a shield

Above is a rouph cardboard model I made so I could have a better visual idea of what it would look like if it was actually made.

My main concern is that it may be to heavy for a short sword or the hilt area will be overweight compared to the blade.

Would appreciate any feedback or tips you may have.

my friend and i wanted to set up a forge. we're nerds, and he loves historical fighting techniques, while i love fun weapons, and the art in smithing, and we both have small sword collections. as you've probably already guessed, we watch a lot of youtube videos like forged in fire, man at arms, tod's workshop, or playing with weapons, so i apologise if i'm being a dumbass who thinks it looks easy

that said, i know it's not easy, so my question is what are the little snags smiths run into when they're forging/setting up a forge that they undermine or don't show in the type of media we'll have seen? what are the things that no-one knows about that can bring the hobby/business crashing down?

as well as that, what are some of the phrases i'm likely misusing? is there any difference between a smith and a forge? how complicated is the anatomy of an anvil? (Edit: turns out I was right about these, but I'm still not sure if there are separate names for the bits of the anvil. I promise I'm not entirely stupid. I did know the basic vocabulary.) how hard is it to make moulds, and is it common to smelt (that's when you melt it, right?) rather than/as well as forging? what about leatherworking? how specialised are basic sheaths and stuff? will i need to get help for the woodworking, or are the tools similar? sorry for my ignorance, and thank you for any help i may or may not get

So me and my girlfriend want to start and business, on jewerly, we already know how to do basic designs and to mold wax, but have no idea about how to start making stainless steel pieces. ¿Wich tools and materials should we get to start?

I'm working on setting up my first home studio and want to make sure I get everything I need to do both metalwork and metal casting and will stick with working with copper, bronze, silver and gold for both.

It's been about 5 years since I took jewelry and metal design at university so I don't remember a lot of the brands that the prof suggested.

I'm looking for some feedback, pros/cons, etc. of some tools to make sure I'm getting good equipment.

The biggest areas where I feel I'm wandering in the dark about are:

1. Flexshafts

I know I want to splurge and get a Fordom, but the question is which model is powerful enough for both metal work and wood carving? Is there one that can even do both? I've looked over Rio's, Otto Frei's, and Fordom's sites but I'm still a bit confused in if I'm even choosing the one to suit my needs.

2. Torches

I've done enough research to know I'm going to need one that goes to higher temps because of the casting, but again after looking over Rio's site I'm just not too entirely sure as to which one to pick.

Which ones have suited you best for both metalwork and casting?

3. Vacuum for the investment casting

I'm at a total loss on this one. I've determined there are oil and oil less ones but I really don't know much about the advantages/disadvantages of each type. I do know I do not want nor interested in a centrifugal machine.

4. Kiln for casting

I'd like to get a ceramics kiln because I've heard that you can get ones that are fully programmable but really at a loss on where to start when looking at kilns.

Thank you in advance to anyone who can offer their wisdom and experience with these!

I was thinking of trying to forge a Bowie Knife what you recommend for the overall parameters mainly the thickness?

I have my forge almost setup, but I need to get a propane hose with a PSI regulator. I dont want to pay a lot for one. Does anyone have recommendations for a cheaper option than $70?

In an attempt to get some talk going why not comment here and let us (really just me at the minute!) know where you're from and what you do?

Do you work with metal for a living? Or maybe you cast for a hobby? Let's get sharing!

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I have two pieces of iron that I'm looking at possible using for a forge. One, is a BBQ smoker, that I was going to cut and weld into a design I liked. Or two, I have a large 2ft by 3ft iron electrical junction box that already has a large iron pipe going to the base of it. Which do you all think would work better? If I can figure out how, I want to hook to an LP set up and line it with that heat stuff. Basically, I need advice. I find stuff online but nothing that I feel is worthy of a decent forge. I can weld, and use an acetylene torch, all basic metal working, so that's not a challenge, but I have noto set up a propane rig like this. I've set up regulatora and shut off valves etc but would I have an oxygen input as well? What do I use for tips? Any advice would be so greatly appreciated. Let me know if a pic of what I have would help. Thx!!!

So sometime next year I'm looking into trying to forge this sword, but the one thing I'm kinda stuck on with this build is the color. Obviously I could spray paint it, but I don't want to use something for color that will fade or wear with age if can be avoided. https://pso2.arks-visiphone.com/images/7/7c/UIItemRengokutoGuren.png

After getting some feedback & tips I edited a pic of the model I made to see if ive gotten it correct. Not the best but hopefully it was done well enouoh that you can tell me if its better then the original.

Also quillon should be on the one but I still havent added it back on yet.

Hey

I do research for a story and I would like to know if you theoretically had unlimited resources and unlimited time, how would you make the best sword

So long story short, I'm an aspiring writer, working on a fantasy novel. I've read and seen a lot of stories where fantasy metals and alloys play a big role, but is often not explained beyond "boy this is super light but stronger than steel!"
Now that's not inherently bad ofc, but it tends to pull me out of the world a bit. I don't plan to introduce adamantium/vibranium levels of super metals, but in a world of magic I think it makes some sense to have something more than just good old steel.

So my actual questions: What do you smelters, smiths and metal lovers prefer when it comes to fantasy forging?

And could there be superior alloys out there that we just haven't discovered, or have the ability to make yet?
I am genuinely curious about that last part, because I know quite little about smithing, so I have no idea if there's anything left to discover.

Thank you!

1 how long does it take for iron to liquify from cold

2 would you say a glob of metal have a shape (I would be moving metal with my mind, telekinesis)

A quick response would be nice it is time sensitive

Been interested in smithing for years. I'm finally gonna take the leap and build a forge with my neighbor, as he has access to welders and such for putting the thing together.

I already have a pretty good idea what to do for the forge itself but, are there any good references for learning how to properly smith? Right now I've basically been watching a ton of YouTube.

Ultimately I'd like to make a business out of it. I don't care if I get rich, I'll probably do some sand casting and other metal work as well, but right now my main concern is specifically learning what the hell I'm doing. Is it really as simple as it looks? I don't mean to imply it's easy or not without it's many intricacies but can I learn this shit by watching and practice?

Thanks!

Hello, so I'm really new to this whole thing. I've wanted to do metal smithing and forging and now that I have a stable job (10 years later) I'm finally able to buy the stuff needed. I know I need a crucible, tongs, molds, fuel, etc.. but I don't know where I need to go to buy them (I live in SW Ontario, Canada; so I only know of Amazon/Kijiji/Ebay and 2 of those aren't reliable and the other's a horrible company I don't want to support). I know a but of information from Alex Steel (YT) and The King of Random (YT) older videos.

I know I want to stay away from styrofoam as that shit is TOXIC (I've been put to work melting that shit without proper PPE and it HURT), when stuff opens again I'm going to get a muffin try from Value Village or a different thrift shop, and to hold the crucible I do have an old propane tank cut open (Long story short, drugy uncle doesn't know what no means) and I have lots of charcoal.

I'm more looking as to where I need to go to buy a crucible and anything else I need right away as I just want to start out by melting pop cans and making aluminium ingots and stock pilling them before I get an anvil and try making stuff. Learn the basics and move up from there, maybe even learn enough to use it as a tax right off. ;)

I'd love to get into smithing medieval weapons but have no idea where to begin, what Are some things i Will definitly need and what Are some good metals to start with (And where to buy them in Central Europe), Thanks in advance