The Home Blacksmith: Tools, Techniques, and 40 Practical Projects for the Home Blacksmith (Fox Chapel Publishing) Beginner’s Guide; Step-by-Step Directions & Over 500 Photos to Help You Start Smithing

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(as of Oct 12, 2023 20:15:11 UTC – Details)

The perfect first book for beginner blacksmiths!

40 complete projects for chisels, punches, drawer pulls, candle holders, gate latches, hoof picks, and moreStep-by-step instructions help you follow along with every processOver 500 photos illustrate every tool, project, and procedure in extremely useful detailLearn the science of metalworking and understand the behavior of heated metal and how it movesSet up your shop safely and economically, learn how to salvage steel, and learn about the essential tools you’ll needExplore the evolution of blacksmithing around the world and the differences between the tools specific to each region

If you are a beginner blacksmith—or an experienced smith looking for a reference or to expand your knowledge—The Home Blacksmith is the perfect place to start!

Blacksmithing is among the hands-on trades that are enjoying a resurgence for both practical and artistic uses as people breathe new life into time-honored skills and traditional crafts. Yet there is not an abundance of readily accessible information available to help beginning blacksmiths get started and understand the craft. Author Ryan Ridgway, a blacksmith with more than 15 years of metalworking experience, fills that void with this comprehensive volume geared toward answering the many questions that new blacksmiths often have!

In addition to tracing the history of the craft and how techniques evolved differently around the world, Ridgway provides a foundation in the science of metalworking, explaining the physics of moving metal, the styles of anvils and forges, alternative fuel sources, and more. 40 practical, easy-to-follow projects are accompanied by detailed step-by-step instructions and brilliant color photographs from his own blacksmithing shop, and show any aspiring blacksmith how to make tools, such as hammers and chisels; farm and yard implements, such as gate latches and hoof picks; items for home use, including drawer pulls and candle holders; and decorative pieces for personal use or sale. After a look at blacksmithing through the ages, he explores the heart of any shop—the anvil and forge—and the other essential equipment a smith requires, as well as how to handle different types of steel, and how to salvage steel for your use.

The incredible photography throughout this book takes you through every process, offering step-by-step visuals for the projects, troubleshooting advice, and illustrating the essential techniques and skills you’ll need to master—from beginner to advanced. Also included is a glossary of terms used throughout the book that will help acquaint you with blacksmithing lingo.

Here are just a few of the items you’ll learn how to create inside The Home Blacksmith:

Nails, staples, rivets, and strap hingesGarden trowel (hand spade), garden hand rake, utility knifeDinner triangle, coat hook, BBQ fork, shearsFireplace set including a poker, shovel, broom, and an andironCampfire tripod and spit set with S-hookLeaf-shaped incense holderShelf bracket with a square cornerBathroom set including toilet paper holder and towel bar

Well written by an experienced blacksmith, The Home Blacksmith thoroughly lays out the essential considerations to getting started, such as what tools you will need, how to set up your shop safely, and how to source inexpensive materials so your new craft—or trade—doesn’t empty your bank account. You’ll also get tips on how to sell your finished items.

Join the do-it-yourself revolution with the time-honored craft of blacksmithing and let The Home Blacksmith be your guide!

From the Publisher

Blacksmithing Basics

To get started, learn your blacksmithing history and explore the basic equipment and skills you’ll need to succeed.

Explore a brief history of blacksmithing Understand the physics of moving metal Discover how to tell temperature by colour Learn all about required fire-management tools Practice forging techniques like squaring, fullering, and more Understand the importance of hammer swing ergonomics

Your Complete Guide to Blacksmithing Basics

40 Practical Step-by-Step Projects

Inside The Home Blacksmith, seasoned blacksmith Ryan Ridgway brings you a detailed introduction to the history, tools, and techniques of blacksmithing.

Practice your craft with the 40 included step-by-step projects to create useful implements for the farm, at home, as gifts, and even to sell for some extra income!

An excellent reference for beginners and experienced blacksmiths alike, there’s something for everyone to learn inside The Home Blacksmith!

40 easy-to-follow projects to smith your own tools, implements for the farm and home, and pieces for personal use or to sell Step-by-step instructions and photographs make it easy to follow along Blacksmithing techniques from beginner to advanced Handy glossary with commonly used blacksmithing terms Over 500 photos illustrate every tool, project, and procedure in helpful detail

40 Complete Projects with Step-by-Step Directions and Photographs

Practical Projects for the Farm and Home

The Home Blacksmith will teach you how to forge farm necessities like nails, staples, rivets, and strap hinges; gardening tools like a hand rake and garden trowel; a fireplace set including a poker, shovel, and broom; home essentials like shelf brackets with a square corner, shears, and a door latch; and shop tools like a claw hammer, crowbar (pictured), forge ladle, and so much more!

Each project provides step-by-step instructions, easy-to-follow high-quality photography, and a list of all the tools and materials you will need to complete the project. From a coat hook to a pair of tongs and a gate bolt latch to a BBQ fork, you’ll practice and improve your blacksmithing skills by making each of these useful items one by one.

Blacksmithing Basics and History

Start by learning the history and evolution of blacksmithing around the world and the different styles of anvils and forges. You’ll come to understand fuel source options, hammer control, hammer blows, fire control, how to prep for success, and more.

Once you understand the foundations of blacksmithing you’ll be ready to start practicing the basics of forging: drawing, tapering, rounding, upsetting, and more!

Setting Up Shop

Once you have a foundation of blacksmithing knowledge, you’re equipped to successfully set up your shop! This book will walk you through choosing your site and organising your smithy, the importance of a clutter-free work area, shop safety tips, how to find and set up an anvil, how to build a forge, and more!

You’ll also learn about essential blacksmithing tools, from a vise and hammers to scrolling pliers, a spring fuller, and other hand tools.

Steel Types and Heat-Treating

Learn what type of steel is best for your skill level as well as how to salvage scrap, heat-treat new steel, and spark-test unknown steel. Discover the ins and outs of normalising, tempering, quenching safely with oil, and more!

How to Sell Your Creations

Once you’ve improved your blacksmithing skill, you can supplement your income by selling your works! A special section inside The Home Blacksmith provides the advice you need to get started: Learn important photography tips and tricks to properly showcase your items for sale; sell your items locally at craft fairs and farmer’s markets; sell your works online by setting up a website and social media.

Getting Started

Smithy Setup

All About Steel

Sell Your Works

Tools, Techniques, and 40 Practical Projects for the Blacksmith Hobbyist

Advanced Techniques

Master your blacksmithing skills with advanced techniques like forge welding, scarfing, punching & drifting holes, riveting, and making tenons, collars, & wraps. The step-by-step instructions will show you how!

Making Your Own Tools

Save money by forging your own tools! You’ll learn how to create an S-hook, fire poker, rake, & shovel, coal scoop or scuttle, handheld chisel, handled slot punch, eye drift & mandrel, screwdriver, and more!

Projects for the Farm

Enhance your blacksmithing skills while supplying your own farm with essential, helpful items like a gate hook, drive hook, utility knife, garden hand rake, hoof pick, and chain & hook. You’ll even learn how to consistently create 100 nails per hour!

Projects for the Home

There’s no place like home. Accent yours with your own handmade creations! Make door handles, drawer pulls, a dinner triangle, coat hooks, a campfire tripod & spit set, simple candle holders, a toilet paper holder, and more, to enjoy in your own home, gift to friends and family, or even to sell.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Fox Chapel Publishing; New edition (11 Aug. 2020)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1497101263
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1497101265
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 17.81 x 1.6 x 22.81 cm