March 6, 2012. I bought some blacksmithing gear on Kijiji. A propane forge, a Peter Wright anvil, a big leg Vise, and a few odds and ends. This will be for a future hobby. My current hobby seems to be buying stuff on Kijiji, preparing for future hobbies.
I also found this amazing website that sells blacksmith stuff, Kayne & Son Blacksmithdepot.com.
I suppose that the world is changing, and 3D printer technology will eventually replace a lot of traditional metalworking, but I like the idea of being able to just heat some metal, bend and shape it, drill, etc. And don’t get the wrong idea, I’m not a blacksmith. I’ve never even tried it. I’m just interested in learning it someday.
Sept 17, 2012 update. A few more links for me to return to in the future. For buying forges: diamondbackironworks.com and majesticforge.com. Here’s Ron Reil’s page about hand-built forges. Says there are advantages to starting with a small forge, and not always using the biggest possible size. Here’s iForgeIron.com forum discussing the topic. Here’s a Canadian company selling forges: Mightyforge.com.
Sept 25, 2012 update. Today I looked for power hammers. They are hard to find used. So buying a new one from a manufacturer like Iron Kiss, or Say Mak, by Ozark school. The iForgeIron.com forum discusses power hammers. Anvilfile.com has some used power hammer listings. I liked this Phoenix forging hammer, made in North Carolina, because of its clamping ability. A Canadian maker of Kinyon-style Air Hammer in Cargill Ontario.
A Canadian distributor for Chinese-made Anyang Power Hammers in Nanaimo BC, who can order them from China. Or, the USA distributor of Anyang hammers, has got them in stock and ready to ship. I’m looking at getting a C41- 88lb, with motor changed to single phase 220V (at extra cost).
The main reason for buying an Anyang is that it’s height must be lower than my aircraft wing. The bottom of my wing is 71 inches (with aileron down) in the region where I’d position a hammer. The 88lb Anyang hammer is 69 inches tall. (The lowest spot on my wing is 68 inches, at the metal ring for tie-downs). Most of the other power hammers are too tall.
Here’s a US based store selling supplies I need, hammers and tongs, The Hammer Source. A Canadian store selling a few supplies, Thak ironworks. Here’s an eBay store with inexpensive Poor Boys blacksmith tools. And the ArtOfChainmail has a list of suppliers. A Canadian-based list of suppliers in the USA. Another list of blacksmith supplier places. Maybe this usaknifemakers.com.
A place selling safety glasses for glass working and forging. artcoinc.com. But I’ll need to figure out what to buy first… ace 202, or ace 5.0, or rose didymium.
Sept 19, 2013 update. The power hammer was hitting too hard, but after adjusting the linkage on the foot pedal, I got very fine control. I had fun today making some hooks to hammer into the wall, and a crude knife, all from railway ties.
