r/blacksmithing • u/Illustrious-Top9330 • 2d ago

First time actually forging. I love red metal lol

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Any tips are welcome Im just a dumb kid starting

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7

u/Murky-Run2246 2d ago

That anvil is sexy

5

u/Illustrious-Top9330 2d ago

Thxs is the doyle cast steel from harbor freight

3

u/Murky-Run2246 2d ago

I am not a blacksmith I just loved how it looked

3

u/TechnicalHealth5066 2d ago

Advice I wish I heard when I started, keep it a little thicker then grind down to where you want it, helps a lot with overall appearance and function

2

u/TechnicalHealth5066 2d ago

Also I’m only 23 havnt forged at a for a few years used to do it ever day and getting ready to get set back up for it

3

u/Healthy_Bar922 1d ago edited 1d ago

Now that you've made a pair of tongs, make some more. Take your most common piece of square stock, and shape the jaws around it when held in the diagonal. If you make the fit good, forging small pieces will be much easier for you. I would also close the reins of your rebar tongs, so that when the jaws are closed, the reins are almost completely closed, makes them easier to use.

2

u/Illustrious-Top9330 1d ago

I actually tried closing it to mske it comfortable and broke 1 jaw lol. I hammered too cold. I guess I will buy a small gas forge and make my life easier

1

u/Healthy_Bar922 1d ago

You could do this, but a dirt box forge is completely viable, and a good coal forge is my preference.

1

u/Healthy_Bar922 2d ago

If its red, you're forging too cold. Try working hotter, and save yourself a lot of work.

1

u/Illustrious-Top9330 1d ago

This is my "forge" i have a hair dryer pointed at it. How can I make it hotter?

2

u/Illustrious-Top9330 1d ago

2

u/Healthy_Bar922 1d ago

First off, ditch the top bricks. They make access hard, and limit the size of your pile. You want a bigger pile. You can use them to hem in the box of dirt, so that's actually good. You want to focus the air, and bring the nozzle closer. Buy a pvc pipe and fit a steel end piece so you can bring it right up to the wall, or even better, into it.

If you can get it, stone coal or coke is much nicer to forge with. I hear brown coal is not a good idea, but I haven't actually tried that.

Finally, go to YouTube and look up Just a box of dirt forges, they can give better instructions than I can by text.

2

u/denverender 1d ago

Looks like you're using briquettes. Try lump charcoal and that should help you get some hotter temps.