Blacksmithing

Instructor: Christopher Lew

"Behold, I have created the blacksmith

who blows the coals in the fire,
who brings forth an instrument for his work;"

Isaiah, chapter 54, verse 16.

 An anvil

Anvil: a heavy iron block

with a smooth face which
metals, are heated
until soft, then hammered
into desired shapes.
 Blacksmithing Hand Tools
Tongs
Hammers
Hardy Tools
Fuller, Flatter and Hot Chisel
Punches
 Hammers

The most
commonly used
hammers are the
ball pein and
cross pein
hammers.
 Tongs

Tongs are
generally used
for holding and
turning hot metal
within the forge.
 Rasp File

The most common

type of file used to
knock off burrs, etc
while forging is a
rasp.
 Wire Brush

A wire brush is used

for cleaning the
scale off the anvil
and metal pieces.
 Hardy Hole Cutter

Hardy cutter is
incerted into the hardy
hole in an anvil. It is
typically used for
cutting metal in half.
Coal Forge Basics
 Parts of a coal forge

Forge: a special
fireplace, hearth,
or furnace
in which metal is
heated before
shaping.
 Coal

We use the term "coal" to describe a

variety of fossilized plant materials,
but no two coals are exactly alike.
For a Blacksmith, the heating
value, ash melting temperature,
sulfur and other
impurities, mechanical strength, and
many other chemical
and physical properties must be
considered before using the coal for
Blacksmithing purposes
 Coke

When burned in the absence of air,

coal becomes coke.
Coke is nearly pure carbon and
burn the hottest in a forge. Coke
is
extremely light as compared to
regular non burned coal
because all
moisture and impurities have been
burned off.
 Clinker

A clinker is the metal impurities

that "melt" from the coal
as it becomes coke. Most clinkers
consist of pyrites that are
naturally included in coal
seams. Clinkers will block air
flow and that is why the firepot
has a clinker breaker.
Various Colors Indicating
Temperature of Fire
 Simple Propane Forge Basics

A Propane forge has some advantages

Over traditional coal forge. The metal
Does not get as hot as a coal forge. This
Is good for beginners. It is very easy to
Burn/melt the metal in a coal forge.
The propane forge is more forgiving.
 Kaowool

Kaowool is a
heat resistant
type of
insulation that
is used inside a
propane forge.
It increases the
thermal
efficiency
within the
forge. The user
will get an
even heat.
 Fire Brick

The brick inside the

propane forge is a
special kind of
brick. It can
withstand
temperatures up to
4,000F. This
makes it perfect for
using in a propane
forge where
temperatures
average 2,500F
 Propane Burner

The propane burner releases

The correct amount of propane
And oxygen to make
A controlled flame.
Hooks
 Making a Hook
Heat the steel and
forge it to an
almost sharp
point. Hold the
rod at an angle
and the hammer
at an angle while
turning the rod
every two blows
or so.
Tapering
Rats Tail
Bending the Hook
Cutting
Drill the hole
 Top Blacksmithing Schools

John C. Campbell Folk School

Peters Valley School of Craft