Introduction to forge welding - basic blacksmithing

Forge welding is one of the fundamental skills of blacksmithing. Even if you can arc, mig or tig weld, forge welding will open new doors and help to improve your skills as a blacksmith

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Blacksmithing and related activities can be hazardous. These videos are not a substitute for competent professional instruction. Your safety is your sole responsibility. Always use appropriate safety equipment including eye and ear protection when working in the shop. Follow manufactures safety guidelines for the use of all equipment. In the event something shown in one of these videos seems unsafe, it is up to you to make the appropriate changes to protect yourself.

[CaelHolohan]

I love the older generations type of instruction videos. These old school lads give all the important info without the absolute bullshit that comes with modern media recording. God bless man. We used to have a show on tv when i was young in ireland in the 90' and it basically was showing all these skills that people done and were daily lives for people. Alot of the footage was the 60's and often would be building carts for horses. Youd miss the old ways

[williamiannucci]

Thank you brother. My Dad was a blacksmith but I was young when I lost him. You brought back good memories for me Sir .

[haroldwatkins]

I am a first time viewer. I am a disabled veteran and teach a weekly class of welding to other disabled veterans at my home. I will adopt this into our welding technology. Thank you so much. Very interesting and we thank you.

[fireboxguy]

You are probably the best person to teach blacksmithing you make it understandable and not overly complicated

[axlaonos]

Love this, it's like being taught to forge by Ron Swanson!

[rov]

Been watching blacksmithing videos for years. Just wanted to encourage you that this is one of the best Forge welding and videos that I have ever seen.

[gdaruda]

Good Gawd this brings back a ton of memories When I was a little kid my dad had a concrete built forge and it was my job to supply the oxygen to it by turning an old cream separator that he built an enclosed fan on. It had a little bell on it that indicated how the speed was for separating cream from raw milk when the bell was just starting to stop ringing was the right speed by turning the crank handle. Strange as it was that seemed to be the rite speed for most of the forging too'. We sharpened plow shares till the cows came home after the crops were in and the shares needed drawing out and tempering. He forge welded just about everything that broke and it always amazed me that it held, He used borax for all them welds. He made every thing from wagon wheel tires to harrow teeth and everything in between. This was 65/70 yrs ago when things were tuff out in the country and one made do with your talent and hard work and very little else. Thanks for the refresher and info.

[bc]

This is, to date, the most informative forge welding video I have seen. Very good information and I will share.

[richardwatson]

Good morning, I’m a welder from Macon ga, been welding for 26 years, I just built me a forage and started foraging 3 weeks ago. Thank you so much for your time and for teaching a lost art.

[albertledesma]

I don’t think I’ve ever seen one of the “big” blacksmiths on YouTube ever explain the why, how and when as thoroughly as you sir. It’s almost as if some information is closely guarded secret material. You freely and readily shared a wealth of knowledge. I feel 100 times more instructed than I do by watching those other guys. Thank you kindly!

[cheapshotmike]

I am a guy who learns mostly by making mistakes ONCE, but you explain things so well that I actually understand the 1st time.
thank you.

[briantremblay]

I crafted an anvil from an old chunk or train track, I haven`t built a forge yet, I live on the west coast of Canada where it`s been super dry, but this rainy season I`d sure love to try making a knife for my first project. Thanks for all your hard work and advise.

[kaijupants]

That "practice weld" you did there is exactly what I'm going to use once I get my forge dialed in. Really try and work creatively with some thinner pieces of material I can get cheap!

[RepairRenovateRenew]

the roar of the forge in the mountains, the clinking of the hammer. I feel it in my bones. As a drummer it is an entracing ambiance.

[garyspoering]

Put together a 20 Mule Team wagon train model when I was a kid, twenty mules, two high box, fat tire wheeled borax wagons and a water wagon. Wish I still had it!

[dcsensui]

I've been very, very fortunate to get a nice old anvil from a friend recently, and equally fortunate to be able to find resources online like this to learn how to apply this new tool. Thanks!

[stephenglaudi]

I've seen several blacksmithing videos but most have no monolog explaining the steps. This has been beyond helpful. Thank you.

[danieldavis]

I want to thank you, for sharing your knowledge! I am becoming a 3rd generation blacksmith. My grandpa, was J. Nolan Davis...my dad was Larry Nolan Davis. I am Daniel Nolan Davis. My youngest brother and I, are getting our own Smith's shop.
You have made forge welding very easy to understand...I hope to share your video with my brothers, so we 3, can learn this fundamental skill! Bang on, brother! 😎

[Peter-odop]

Ty so much i am 64 and my son 16 we are gearing up to try blacksmith for fun not profit. I think it will be good learning for both of us.

[matersoup]

You are by far the only smithing instructor on YouTube that knows what hes talking about. The one guy says to throw the large odd shaped pieces of coke away because they're tar. Thank you for making useful videos for beginners while others give bad advice and set beginners up for failure!