Basics of Blacksmithing

1. To begin, you need a forge, anvil and vice along with hammers and tongs. We use hot rolled mild steel. 2. The steel is heated to a yellow- white 1800 degrees in the propane forge. plans 3. Controlling the hammer as it strikes the iron is more important than strength.
4. A blacksmith must work fast. The iron is only maleable for 20-30 seconds, then it becomes brittle. 5. The tip, or horn, of the anvil is used to scroll the steel. 6. Chisels make cuts and punches indent the hot iron.
7. A vise clamps the steel tightly as twists are made. 8. A bucket of water cools and hardens the iron. 9. Blacksmiths do so much more than horseshoes! But isn't this one pretty? 10. A clean up process removes the blackened scale from the iron and smooths the surface which is then sealed.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We are excited to share news of a NEW blacksmithing supply company that has established themselves in our community, Pieh Tool Company, Inc. They have years of experience, superb selection, a lowest price guarantee, and they offer basic blacksmithing classes (taught by Gordon Williams, who was George's initial instructor) as well as other educational opportunities. Visit their web site at www.piehtoolco.com or call 928-554-0700 to order a catalog or schedule a class.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Forging 101.

Forging a pair of 18" Leaf n Vine Door Pulls using 1"square stock in the shop at Witzke Ironworks.

Forging a ball that will form the leaf using the power hammer. Spreading the leaf shape. Creasing the center of the leaf.

Chiseling the minor veins in. Hammering the leaf into a log to form a concave shape. Beginning to curl the branch.

Using the bender to get the curl. All the way around. Tightening it up with the hammer.

Back to the bender. Two nicely matching opposites. They are going to be too long. Let's give them another curl.

Swinging an 8lb sledge to arch the bar. Cooling the curls and leaf. Needs more arch. Need more beans. There it is.

Now for the bottom curls. Nicely done. Time for cleanup. The finished product.