Blacksmithing Basics for the Homestead

ISBN-13: 9781586857066

Media Type: Paperback

Publisher: Smith - Gibbs Publisher

Publication Date: 08-01-2008

Pages: 136

Product Dimensions: 8.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.36(d)

Age Range: 18 Years

Joe DeLaRonde started his blacksmithing career 35 years ago with an apprenticeship under a master German blacksmith. Following the three-year apprenticeship, Joe performed general blacksmithing, including wheelwright and plow lay work, and finally found his niche re-creating the tools and weapons of the early American frontier. His works are in use around the globe by U.S. military personnel and living history enthusiasts, as well as in private collections and museums in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Europe. He continues to work at his shop in Mancos, Colorado, producing some of the finest tomahawks, axes, and knives available on the market today and is currently working on a second book about building log homes with traditional tools.

Read an Excerpt

CANDLEHOLDERS

Lighting fixtures are a necessity in any home and take many and varied forms. For our purpose here, we will cover the simple table candleholder and wall mount. Again, you are only limited by your imagination as to the design. There are two basic types of candleholders: the socket and the spike.

Table of Contents

Introduction 11

1. History of Blacksmithing 13

Facts, Fantasy, and Old Wives'' Tales 13

2. Setting Up Your Shop 17

Shop Setup 17

The Forge 18

The Anvil 19

The Hammer 21

Forge and Anvil Tools 22

Accessory Tools 27

3. Shop and Safety Tips 31

4. Basic Techniques 37

Curling 37

Drawing Out 37

Flaring 38

Fullering 38

Heat Colors 39

Punching 39

Riveting 39

Scarf or Scarfing 39

Splitting 40

Twisting 40

Upsetting 40

5. Firing up the Forge 43

6. Forge Tools 47

Handles 47

Hooked Pokers 47

Straight Pokers 47

Shovels 49

Tongs 49

7. Basic Projects: Kitchen and Cooking Gear 53

Hooks 53

Pot Hooks or S Hooks 53

Camp Sets 54

Cooking Utensils 55

Forks 55

Spoons/Spatulas 56

Skewers (Asadas) 57

Trammel Hooks 58

8. Basic Projects: Amenities and Tools 65

Beam Hooks 65

Nails 65

Nailheaders 66

Nails 67

Hinges 68

Latches 69

Gate Hook Latches 70

Sliding Bolt Latches 70

Spanish Latches 71

Norfolk Latches 73

Suffolk Latches 74

Drawer Pulls 75

Drop Pulls 75

Drawer Handles 76

Coat Hooks 76

Towel Bars 78

Candleholders 80

Socket Candleholders 80

Spike Candleholders 81

Fireplace Equipment 82

Pokers 83

Shovels 84

Brooms 85

Hoes 86

Crowbars 86

9. Toolmaking: Basics 89

Awls 89

Screwdrivers 89

Household Screwdrivers 90

Shop Screwdrivers 90

10. Toolmaking:

Forge Welding and Tempering 93

Forge Welding 93

Chain Links 93

Chain Link Hooks 96

Grab Hooks 96

Open Hooks 97

Clevis 97

Tempering 97

Chisels 101

Cold Chisels 101

Tang Chisels 102

Socket Handle Chisels 103

Spud or Pry Bars 104

Cleft Weld to Pry Bars 104

Center Punches 104

Hammers 105

Claw Hammers 105

Cross and Straight Peen Hammers 106

High Carbon Steel Face of the Hammer 108

Adzes 109

Spanish Adzes 110

Axes 110

Mandrels 111

Wrapped-Eye Axes 113

Punched-Eye Axes 115

Felling Axes (Long Polled) 117

Felling Axes (Short Polled) 118

Knives 119

11. Finishes and Patinas 125

Brushed 125

Paint 125

Oil/Beeswax 125

Brass/Copper 125

Pewter 126

Bluing/Browning 126

Potassium Permanganate 126

Muriatic Acid 126

Vinegar and Bleach 126

Ceramic Glazes 127

Resources 129

Works Cited 129

Suggested Suppliers 129

Abrasives 129

Blacksmith 129

Coal 129

Power Hammers 130

Steel 130

Organizations 131

Schools 131

Magazines/Periodicals 131

Miscellaneous 131

Suggested Reading 133

Glossary of Terms 134

About the Author 136