How To Start Blacksmithing for $100

An example of a blacksmithing project that you can do with less than $100 of tools and a little creativity. There are a lot of projects you can do with this same collection of tools. Fair Warning: completing this project may ignite a furious search for more tools.

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[patrick]

Railroad steel anvil: $60 [Ebay] (<$30 if you go for one without a nose)
Propane torch: $16 [Home Depot]
Ball peen hammer: $12 [Ebay]
Vice grips: $10 [Amazon]
Cold rolled steel rod 1/4": $5 [Home Depot]
Clamp on vice: $20 [Home Depot]
Total: $100-$130

[primalforlorn]

You want to get better in smithing? Just make a lot of iron daggers, practise make perfect

[wpgrunner]

I really like that saying.. "Stop moving the metal when the metal moves you". I feel like that can be applied to many things in life. I definitely have a problem with perfecting things and pushing it too far. Simplicity isn't bad. It is what it is and it works. Thanks for the video!

[OokamiKageGinGetsu]

"You don't have to have a million dollars worth of tools to do blacksmithing work."
Maybe, but a shop to make the dwarves of Svartalfheim jealous doesn't hurt.

[tombraver]

As much as i'd want to do this, even build my own furnace, I doubt my apartment complex and neighbors would be too thrilled about me using fire and smashing things on an anvil. :(

[choimdachoim]

Moving something until it moves you is how I know when to stop with my art and music pieces. You can't think about it, just all of a sudden you know you're done. It's kinda mystical.

[scotts.]

Lots of old sledge hammers in yard sales will work well as an anvil. Remove the handle and mount it with the best face up in a log.

[EngineeredWoodworkingandDIY]

When Essential Craftsman says "smite", an angel gets its wings.

[ecrusch]

Another reason why, by far, this is one of the best channels on You Tube.
Thank you Scott. You are an inspiration...honest.

[mjneighb]

A blacksmith takes a bet to stay 3 nights in a haunted house, but after the first night he made a bolt for the door.

[TheGoodoftheLand]

Fantastic! Can't get enough of this channel.

[henkbarnard]

For a heat source I have used charcoal bricktes, and a old hair dryer as a bower.

[jasonkraus]

Scott - great video again. I love that you left in where you dropped the metal off the anvil after heating - made me smile knowing that I'm not the only one that fumbles with my work (even though I've never smithed anything in my life and wood doesn't get that hot when cutting).

Keep it up. Like so many of us here, I watch every video and my four year old is starting to watch with me a bit as well. That'll taper off once the weather breaks and he gets to tear across the yard again, but there will always be rainy Saturdays with a few minutes for 'The Craftsman'.

[susanolson]

I am a woman who had a passing interest in "How to" but on your channel, I am completely fascinated by all types of mechanical devices and methods! You make everything seem logical and easy. Thanks for all of the lessons, even if I will never do any of this, at least I can participate in discussions that will surprise the guys! 😁

[konstantingeorgiev]

Start Blacksmithing for $100, next thing you know someone forges The One Ring and then we're screeewed!

[LuckySawdust]

As a designer and cartographer, I couldn't agree more with the maxim that "less is more." As famous writer once put it: "In anything at all, perfection is finally attained not when there is no longer anything to add, but when there is no longer anything to take away…"

Well done, Sir. Carry on, and 'Choose the Right' :-)

[jaggerjdm]

0:00 I'm discouraged because my mom won't let me start a blacksmith forge in the backyard. ):

[bluesmasterelf]

Went to Lowe's, dropped 50 dollars, (17 was on some wire for other projects, and I already had propane and a hammer), and made a marshmellow stick, all today. I don't think the temper worked, and I might need a hotter torch to get up to critical temperature. But, it'll still last longer than a whittled stick.

[a_bearded_canadian_dad]

Simple video just gives me more confidence that I DON'T need thousands of dollars to start playing around and getting a feel for it. Thanks so much

[jobaecker]

After a long, stressful day, this channel is the best!