The Everyday Blacksmith

With The Everyday Blacksmith, learn to make hooks, spoons, and tools of all sorts. This essential blacksmith's reference includes many projects contributed by leading blacksmiths from around the world, each featuring plenty of opportunity for variation. For centuries, blacksmiths were the craftsmen and artists that worked society's most important material—iron. Blacksmiths were not only a fixture in their community, they helped shape that community through their particular method of making the hinges, hooks, brackets, and tools their neighbors used every day. Blacksmithing today is enjoying a resurgence. Our modern society has discovered that no amount of technical perfection replaces the feeling of picking up a hand-forged object, knowing that it was shaped by an individual's creativity and physical effort. Modern smiths can use the first section of The Everyday Blacksmith as a reference for shop basics: safety, equipment, and techniques. These basic techniques are illustrated through a series of projects. It also covers methods for finishing pieces. In the second section of the book, you'll find a step-by-step guide to a diverse range of essential blacksmith projects. Projects are structured by category and difficulty. The emphasis is on the accessibility of techniques, functionality of projects, and diversity of design. The Everyday Blacksmith is sure to become every shop's go-to reference.

Geared toward answering the many questions that new blacksmiths often have, author Ryan Ridgway hopes to fill the void of inaccessible information for aspiring blacksmiths with this comprehensive volume. By explaining the physics of moving metal, the different styles of anvils and forges, and alternative fuel sources, Ridgway sets his book apart from less detailed volumes. With 40 practical, easy-to-follow projects, The Home Blacksmith shows hopeful blacksmiths how to make tools, such as hammers and chisels; farm implements, such as gate latches and hoof picks; and items for home use, including drawer pulls and candle holders.

Teach yourself the lost arts of blacksmithing, tool design, and tool repair. Design, forge, and fix your own tools, hardware, and household accessories with master craftsman and teacher Alexander G. Weygers. The Complete Modern Blacksmith contains clear, step-by-step instructions and hundreds of the author’s own detailed drawings, bringing scores of time-honored techniques to modern artisans – experienced craftsmen and beginners alike. This unique resource brings together three popular but long-out-of-print classics: • The Modern Blacksmith, which covers everything from developing the correct hammer and body motions for forging and creating tools such as pliers, shovels, and hinges. • The Recycling, Use, and Repair of Tools, which stresses the reuse of old materials, featuring easy-to-follow processes. • The Making of Tools, which explores how to design, sharpen, and temper whichever tool you need, using only basic shop equipment and scrap steel. A truly invaluable resource, The Complete Modern Blacksmith is an essential volume in any craftman's library.

Born from fire and forge, Blacksmith is an exploration into the life and practices of the modern smith, and the history and folklore of this ancient art. Alex Pole guides the uninitiated on a journey from apprentice to master. Celebrating tools and traditions, from the humble nail to the history of the axe, he shares his passion and wealth of knowledge as a blacksmith to allow you a glimpse behind the steam- and smoked-filled scenes of life at the forge. Through sparks, fire and heat, delve into fascinating detail about the technique and skill that is required to master this age-old trade, and in the process discover a new appreciation of everyday objects and the people who bring them into existence. Beautifully designed and richly illustrated, Blacksmith is an essential guide to this timeless craft.

The Everyday Blacksmith is your essential reference for learning how to make items you’ll use everyday: tools, hardware, utensils, decorative objects, and more. Get great techniques and tips for hand forging, and discover projects contributed by leading blacksmiths from around the world, each featuring plenty of opportunity for variation. Modern smiths can use the first section of The Everyday Blacksmith as a reference for shop basics: safety tips, equipment, and techniques like spreading, using a chisel, twisting, and finishing pieces. These basics are incorporated through a series of distinctive projects that include a bookmark, spoon, and leaf fob. The second section of the book features a diverse array of essential step-by-step blacksmith projects, which are arranged by category and difficulty. Projects include accessible techniques, functional designs, and diverse styles. Among the techniques and projects you’ll discover are: How to heat treat high-carbon steels Methods for making curved bookends Instructions for creating decorative functional pieces such as a towel rack and napkin rings How to make unique jewelry and jewelry display items Ideas for creating basic hardware, including latches and hinges For centuries, blacksmiths were the craftsmen and artists who worked society's most important material—iron. Blacksmiths were not only a fixture in their community, they helped shape that community through their particular methods of making the hinges, hooks, brackets, and tools their neighbors used every day. Blacksmithing today is enjoying a resurgence. No amount of technical perfection replaces the feeling of picking up a hand-forged object, knowing that it was shaped by someone’s creativity and physical effort. Celebrate that individuality with The Everyday Blacksmith.

Learn the timeless art of blacksmithing or simply admire the beautiful illustrations of vintage tools of the...

The Backyard Blacksmith takes the mystery out of blacksmithing, but not the magic... There is an increasing interest and revival in the art of blacksmithing as a hobby and art, and both men and women are becoming at-home blacksmiths. Blacksmithing is a simple, rewarding craft anyone can enjoy in their backyard or home workshop -- even beginners can produce useful and beautiful projects on their first try. The Backyard Blacksmith shows you how blacksmithing can be easy to learn, and a rewarding hobby, with some patience and a working knowledge of metals, basic tools, and techniques. Through instructions and illustrations, readers will learn to make simple tools and useful items, such as nails, hinges, and handles, and also an interesting mix of artful projects, such letter openers, door knockers and botanical ornaments.

Get to know the ultimate skill for using your own two hands! The Art and Craft of the Blacksmith discusses a range of blacksmithing tools, techniques, and projects, from fundamental skills to advanced forging, as well as a gallery showcasing inspiring artists using innovative techniques today. Craftspeople making the transition from interest to hobby and beyond will find both inspiration and practical how-to projects in this comprehensive reference to ironwork. Beginning with an overview of iron and the traditions of historical forging, professional blacksmith Robert Thomas offers everything you need to get started or to take your work to the next level.

Details forging techniques from the start to finish, beginning with the building of your own forge to making tools and elaborate door knockers.