Customer Reviews

A Blacksmithing Primer: A Course in Basic and Intermediate Blacksmithing

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is a must have for every beginning or intermediate blacksmith. It details the process of blacksmithing from the start till the end, beginning with the building of your own forge to making tools and even some elaborate door knockers. This is all written in a very easy to understand and easy to read style. The only drawback is the way the book looks. It is bound in a rather amateuristic way for a book of this quality. That's the only reason why I didn't give it five stars. So despite that the information within this book is certainly worth it.

For the prospective blacksmith and artisan in metal-craft, we have an invaluable learning resource in Mr. McDaniel's thorough text.

Divided into three sections, the manual begins with a description and use of all the necessary equipment you will need, such as the anvil, forges (gas or coal fired), tongs, hammers, and miscelleneous other items. There is advice in setting up the shop.

Section 2 advises you on hammering technique, metals utilized, fires, and heating of metal.

Section 3 encompasses a great bulk of information, the instructions for various projects. Here you will learn to make such practical hardware as hooks, chains, hinges & pintels, nails, and handles. There is instruction various type of welds, heat treatment, finishes, scrolling and collaring. Of great importance, is instruction in making tools: tongs, chisels, forks. Purely decorative projects are also covered, a detailed segment descibes the steps to forging ornamental heads.

A great book to enable you to understand the basics of blacksmithing. It isn't just about smahing a lump of redhot iron with a hammer but also about the fundamentals of the metal and what you can achieve with a good pounding.
An excellent book.

Not a bad book. I bought this to get an idea of what it was all about and of course start pounding some steel as soon as possible. I would suggest that you find a good supply of coal and be sure you have access to ... or are determined enough to build a forge (Im using BBQ smokeless coal). A generic piece of Hot rolled steel costs about 4 bucks (3 feet long about, and 1/4 inch thick) so this is another expense, as well as some of the basic tools cost money (this is something I didn't consider much since I am doing this on my own.) An anvil is a whole other story, they're expensive and junk yards don't seem to have much scrap metal around my city. This is a book for doing, not so much a book for reading; if you want to actually learn this stuff rather than merely read about it, the book is good. Also this book isn't that complicated, you don't need to know advanced physics (just always wear eye-protection!) Sure you could make your own coal or smelt your own iron, but this book isn't about that... this is about blacksmithing, hence the title of the book. I live in the city and its hot here, they don't like fires in peoples back yards because they tend to burn down houses; so consider this also... and likewise consider building a system that makes this safe. Ok, have fun.

Ordered this for my husband. It arrived well before we expected, and he has been absorbed in it frequently ever since.

Great book, read each page over and over and it arrived in a timely manner.