Table of Contents
Acknowledgments 9
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