Beginner Blacksmith Project - 18'th Century Fire Irons: How Easy is This? | DIY | FRONTIER |
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 มิ.ย. 2023
- Peter gives a tutorial on making fire irons, two upright pieces and a cross piece. It is a super simple project on which to practice your blacksmithing skills.
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Featuring - Peter Kelly
Cinematography - Catherine Wolfe
Producer & Editor - Catherine Wolfe
Contact Us: thewoodlandescape1@gmail.com
The Woodland Escape
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MUSIC
The amazing music in this episode is graciously provided by our friends, Richard Fortier and Al MacDonald.
#dyi #selfsufficiency #forging #blacksmithing #history #reenactment #reenactors
I am pleased to see your Blacksmith shop finally in use. You have done a good job on the fire irons and I am sure your friend will cherish them for years yo come. The coverage was right up there in quality with any of the other Blacksmith videos I watch. We escaped the recent wild fires near Shelburne Nova Scotia, although some of our friends did not. Have a great summer and be careful.
I finally freed up some time and I do hope to find a wee bit more. Glad to hear your safe, Hayward. Cathy and I are in Thunder Bay tonight on route to the Yukon and we’ve been skirting around some nasty fires. So far the Yukon is looking pretty good.
So happy to find you and Cathy one again! You will never realize how much I missed you! Guess it was the algorithm! And that's not fair to either of us!
I cannot figure out how it works either.
Beautiful work Peter!!! I know its not "complicated" but for someone who has never done it, it is complicated.
Appreciate your kind words, James.
I’m just getting started with my black smithing hobby and this is perfect 👍!!!!
Welcome to a fascinating hobby. Glad it was helpful.
The Hame is a nice touch for the bellows handle. Nice project.
I think so too and darn ergonomic to boot!
Peter your videos are really fascinating, surely the most interesting on TH-cam by far.
Those are very encouraging words my friend! thank you.
Nice job. Your Blacksmith Shop turned out great!!
Thanks 👍. I’m pretty pleased but, now that I’m working in it I’m finding a lot of things I’m going to tweak a bit.
Always look forward for your videos.
And we are flattered, sir.
i love that bellows. looks like its easy to use and really got that fire hot. nicely done
It exceeded my expectations and can get metal up to welding temperature pretty darn fast.
Traditional smithing is so cool.
I do love banged away at hot steel. I had a fully functioning smith shop and have either sold or gifted most of it away so I can immerse my self in the traditional methods.
Hello to you both! Another fine video to enjoy. I'm glad to see Peter taking a well-earned break by the pond; it's always good to relax now and then, even when you have so many 'irons in the fire'! lol
Odd as it may seem, when I’m very busy I’m in my most relaxed element. Glad you enjoyed.
Nice project Peter! And someone's going to have a great keepsake - custom made by you in your Blacksmith Shop!
Hears hoping. Cathy and I are in Thunder Bay trucking west.
Hey Peter, boy your the neighbor to have. Nice set of fire irons.
Why thank you, sir.
Good evening from Syracuse NY USA brother and everyone else thank you for sharing your adventures in history videos
As always. Earl , a big thank you for your interest.
I love history brother and thank you for sharing your live history videos which I enjoy and share with my friends
Wonderful video, Peter you have some awesome toys
Yes, thank you and I keep making more, lol.
What a beautiful shop you have built. I can almost smell the nostalgia from here. Arizona.
We’ll sir, either you’ve got a heck of a nose or it indeed smell pretty darn good. Thank you .
Hi Peter and Cathy, great video and a great little project, thanks for the shout out. Be well.
Our pleasure, Chris. Waiting for a finished NW musket to actually give it a try. What size shooting bag are you wanting? Might be fall before I get at it.
Great work, Peter.
Well thank you, James.
Really liked watching this video.
That brings a smile to my face, thank you.
Nice job! We are getting the smoke from the fires. We're in Pennsylvania. Hope your Homestead fairs well!
Thank you. We are heading to the Yukon and a long way from home , so we’re crossing fingers.
Always enjoy the videos!
Glad you like them, we appreciate your interest.
Appreciate your efforts and dedication! So glad to see you getting to enjoy your shop. About to head out for the week to the NMLRA spring shoot where the smell of black powder hangs in the air from just after first light till well into the evening. Thanks again and keep your powder dry!
Ah, the sweet acrid smell of burnt black powder, pretty hard to beat! Watch yer top knot.
Enjoyed this very interesting video.
Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it.
Hi Peter, I enjoyed watching! Fine craftsmanship their buddy👍
I appreciate that, sir!
What a great video. Love watching what you make in your blacksmith shop.
Glad you enjoy it, I just need to find more time, lol.
Another great one.
Thank you.
Nicely done Mr. Peter, what a craftsman you are sir! Thank you for these great videos.
Thank you kindly.
Great video very peaceful to watch and a fun blacksmithing project.
Glad you enjoyed it
I really like that you share the history people tend to forget we did alot of things much different back than and sometimes alot better.
It is always a pleasure to chat a wee bit of history. I’m with you on things often we’re done a bit better … things made we’re made to last.
Nice job, again, Peter! You're inspiring me to get my flu done for my forge. I was a welder for 24 years and hammered out a few knives on my forge on the side. I gotta get back to it. Thanks for the inspiration.
That is awesome but, be mindful, Jack, as you know it can be quite addictive.
More smithing please!
My feelings exactly, Douglas.
Another great video!!!
Glad you enjoyed it, Chuck.
Great video! Thank you!
Thank you kindly, Ian.
Enjoyed watching. Back in ‘76 (1976) I went to a school to learn how to shoe horses. The first thing we made was a fire poker. Then horse shoes. I still have the first 3 with the 3rd horse shoe being acceptable. But I liked the blacksmith part of the farrier business better that the horse part. Go figure!
Took me four or five try’s , lol. I have shoed a lot of horses in my day but, must say, my back doesn’t miss doing it anymore.
@@TheWoodlandEscape yes hard on the back
Awesome thanks
Glad you enjoyed.
Fine work Peter!
Thank you kindly.
Schöne Arbeit. Grüße aus Deutschland.
Thank you and hello from Canada.
Great content....
Thank you.
That's a nice set of fire irons, the crude set i made some years back definitely don't look that good! The nice thing about that style of fire irons is that if you take the cross bar and forge a round eye on one end you can turn the 3 pieces into a tripod.
Very true!, Jeff. You can actually lock this arrangement into a temporary tripod but, I’ve found the most secure way is to form three complete rings with a length if chain welded to one member.
Nice work Peter. Well done on that one 👍
Glad you enjoyed it.
Fine set of irons there. A flat stump and a wood mallet will straighten without flatting the edges of those twists.
I’m on it, just need time to make the mallet … sound advice, thank you.
Very relaxing, watching you work the metal. I love your videos!
I’m pleased you find it relaxing, something the world needs in these crazy times.
Another fine video and nice set of irons.
Glad you enjoyed it
Thanks for sharing.
Our pleasure, Douglas, thanks for your interest.
Fascinating as always. You have a wide range of skills Peter. A pleasure to watch as you share them.
Many thanks!
A man enjoying himself!! Interesting, from the simplex to the complex.
It would be a great job in the middle of your winter!!
Definitely, a wee bit cooler,lol
Nice job very nice blacksmith
Thanks Robert, I’m pretty pleased with how it turned out.
You Sir are very amazing!! Oh how I would love to spend a few weeks with you!! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge!!
Thank you. If your ever near eastern Ontario do drop in.
I really loved your demonstration on how to make the fire set! I just love watching your channel please keep it up.
Thank you so much, we got lots more coming and appreciate your interest.
Good lesson..✋
Thanks! 😃
Peter, for safety reasons, please remove the cutting hardy from the anvil when not in use. When you start your fire, make three chain links and see how fact your smithing skills develope. The fire is clean when starting and better for forge welding. I still do this and my chain is getting pretty long. Best Wishes, Rick
That is a wonderful idea, Rick … let’s see how long a chain I can make,lol.
Good education about how locks were imported and how blacksmiths might do repairs. Most folks have the idea that the colonial gunsmith built every part when in fact they were "gun stockers" not "rifle smiths" for the most part. Looking forward to seeing more videos on your flintlock work!
Very true.
Looking forward to gun building, great stuff 👍🇺🇸
Starting in earnest late summer/ early fall.
I am currently working on a Trade gun. Can't wait to see you progress on yours! thank you for today's video.
Probably be late summer before I get back to the builds, we’re off canoe tripping for the summer.
Like to see your progress as well.
Don't know Emperor Peter, if it was the best thing 2 say how quickly U could polish off a set of those 'fire irons'...U may now find a long queue at the; Woodland Escape Blacksmith Shop! Good thing U R probably paddling-merrily-along out in the Yukon and not at the Homestead 2 receive the deluge! I like the twist in those irons...could call it the infamous 'Kelly Curl' trademark. Watching U move this way and then move that way in your Smithy-shop...has me wundrin'...was there a dance created from those moves? i.e. The Smithy's jig, perhaps? Around the anvil this way back to the vice about that way, now swing back to the fire and hammer down that right foot and pivot back round again'! LOL! Hope U R enjoying your trek with the lovely Empress Catherine. I thank U 4 this vid and sharing of talents with us. Health and God Bless! "Experience is the teacher of all things." (Julius Caesar). :)
We’re in Thunder Bay tonight and into Manitoba tomorrow. We won’t be on the river until about June 25 … too many historical sites to take in, lol. Perhaps I’ll have to write a jig for my fiddle and call it The Blacksmiths Dance. Stay safe with all the fires about.
You do good work at the forge
Thank you kindly.
Hi Peter. Nice work on the irons. I know you're a busy man, but I'd sure like to see a video on building a firearm's lock.
Hopefully this winter … might have to be a series as there is a lot involved.
Very nice work! I suspect you make it look easier than it is, which is one of the marks of a skilled craftsman.
Why thank you sir.
@@TheWoodlandEscape Good luck on your Yukon trip! Looking forward to seeing your videos!
My Granddad was a black smith and farmer. He worked for Cherry River and Boom lumber Company in Richwood West Virginia where he fixed tools shod the horses that worked in the woods, I’ve been told he also built wagons. I have one of his shop hammers. He passed when I was just 6 but I remember him taking me fishing and hearing all the stories about him. He was born in 1888 and passed in 1962.
I’ll bet he had some amazing stories to tell!
👍👍👍👍👍👍
Nice video! Thanks for sharing. If you open up the handle on the crosspiece a bit more, you could set up the whole thing as a tripod as well. The two uprights go into the crosspiece hole and you can hang the chain or s hooks from the hole in the crosspiece handle
Great idea and functional to boot. I tend to make my tripods with 3 closed rings with a bit of chain on one.
Ever since I was a kid, I always used green saplings to make fire "irons". I'd so love to make a set of these to haul around for camps. Someday...
I have way too many projects.
I can certainly relate to that too many project thing! Thanks for your interest.
Those are some fine looking fire tools you made. I once knew a good welder that I took things to. He claimed to be able to fix anything but a broken heart, and he pretty much could. He took to blacksmithing and making fireside tools, railings etc. I dearly wanted some of his fireplace tools but a poorly paid teacher in a poorly paid state, teaching in one of the poorest counties in that state and having 3 kids and a wife counts his pennies carefully. I always put off buying them. Low and behold, the welder, blacksmith, found a wife who convinced him that he was an arteest and could make good money making artistic iron projects. All he had to do was move to a locale where he would be more appreciated and they would pay the big bucks. He did just that and is probably pounding fantastic art out of iron in I know not where. I never did get my fire tools.
I love that line, “fix anything but a broken heart” … might have to use that one.
@@TheWoodlandEscape thing is, Peter, who'd ever have thought that old boy would have moved, let alone get married? Hate to say it but he was so ugly he looked like he was cryin' all the time.
If you had made a circular curl on the handle end of the cross piece, the set could have been used in a tripod configuration as well as the uprights and crosspiece way. It's more versatile that way. The "U" shaped pieces fit into the circular part, and the points into the ground.
Great idea! I do prefer to make tripod irons with three forged rings and chain attached but, your method is certainly more versatile.
Hello you two, I very much enjoy your theme song and all the wonderful varieties of it. Is it possible to do a video of all the varieties of this one theme just for us to enjoy? I ask this largely because the world news is so dark and I treat myself to your station for the light. Your videos cheer me up and restore my hope that my own hard work to prepare is what normal people do. To hear 20 or 30 minutes of your music would be heaven, God keep you safe in these fires.
Great suggestion. To very good friends of mine provide all the music and we have a library of over 40 tunes, many of them their original work. When I visit them in Nova Scotia we usually get to jam together. I will see if they might be interested in collaborating on your proposal . I thank you for planting the seed. I am pleased that our endeavor brings you peace in these crazy times.
@@TheWoodlandEscape wow, this is great. Even better, your wife’s beautiful cinematography with story of how your music theme came about, I think we’d all love the history on the music. Yes, you are some light in these chaotic days, what a kind Lady and Gentleman you both are, God keep you safe, Nancy
❤😊😊
Fun video to watch Peter, you do great work, do you have a blacksmith touchmark yet?
I do not have a touch mark yet.
I saw some sweat there Peter, the forge must be working well! My son had JUST asked not 5 minutes beforehand what they used when no anvil was around. You answered his question before he could "Google" it! Since your buddy had to wait so long, maybe an extra hanging hook for him? You know he's gonna lose one!
3 hooks it is, lol.
Interesting how you work with iron, love your videos. Keep your powder dry
Thank you! Will do! What h yer top knot!
Howdy Peter
Nice pieces ..... the way it was done so long ago and is so nice to watch .
I noticed you had 3 blocks of stone holding the table legs down on your bellows ..... was it lifting up when working it ?
Thank you. Your quite observant and yes the weight of the rocks keeps the bellows from shifting.
Fort Loudoun in Pa. is coming up the weekend of the 23rd this month.... just sayin 😉
Wish I could make it but, my wife Cathy and I are on our way to the Yukon and Alaska for the summer. Perhaps next year, I’d love to attend.
@@TheWoodlandEscape ahh, I forgot that you said that. Well I wouldn't pass that trip up either. Safe travels to you and Cathy.
Hi Peter, I’m curious why you don’t put a twist down close to the pointy end. Wouldn’t a spiral help it drive into and hold in soil better? Attractive set of irons, I have a tripod my late Ex gave me. Pretty nice rig, all in all.
Never thought of that, might just have to give it a try!
@@TheWoodlandEscape I’ll be curious to know the outcome! Have a wonderful weekend, I’m looking forward to seeing Kelley’s Fort in the months ahead.
Great project. What size stock did you use, 3/8 or 1/2 inch?
I used 3/8” on this one as per my friend’s request but, I do prefer 1/2” stock.
Nice fire irons Peter I was wondering about the chain raped around the base of the anvil is that decretive or does it actually serve a purpose?
Thank you. The chain deadens the pitch or ring of the anvil. Much easier on one’s hearing.
What is the big heavy chain wrapped around the anvil for? Just extra weight? Thanks enjoy your programs😀
Supposed to deaden the anvil "ring".
Good question, it actually deadens the ring and is much easier on one an ears.
There's other ways to quiet an anvil. Chain in the 18th century was hand forged, each link forge welded. Much too valuable to waste wrapping around an anvil.
@@TheWoodlandEscape I put a magnet on the anvil.
Ha 🎉
WoodLand!
"This project's finished."
It's as 'handy as pockets' to BE "The BlackSmith".
What a fine set of cookin' irons You've (quickly an' beautifully!) forged.
I was impressed by Your bellows; a couple o' months ago when You were designing and building it, I could hardly wait to see how it turned out... It turned out Magnificently.
Curious I am, about how many cubic feet per minute of air do You s'pose it delivers to You fire?
Another part of the design -- whether on a purpose or simply Serendipitously -- Your forge bellows lever works out Your left shoulder, working the bellows, and Your right hammerin' arm at the anvil tends to keep Your strong but weary shoulder muscles..., 'balanced'.
Great (Light!) Work, as You nearly always do. Thank You fer sharin'!
🙂
Rick Bonner Pennsyltucky
On another note: me Daddy was pleased to tell me, long ago, that after the leap technology from Europe gave Them with the introduction of edged-steel tools, the Original Americans, the First Nations, counted the file and the metal sewing needle on a par with the Seven Wonders of The Whorl'.
🙂
Rick
Hey Rick, Don’t have a glue on the cubic foot of air but, I can tell you they work amazing well. Getting metal up to welding heat is both quick an efficient. Sorry to say, the orientation of the whole thing was not perfect … it would be much more ergonomic to pump with my left hand and manage steel with my right. Having said that, reorienting it is obviously impossible so all we can do is adapt. It is getting easier with use. I might add, you are very observant.
Very good video but seems like they are always over to soon!
Thank you.
I worked on a set of fire irons today. I think I am pretty rusty. It took a lot longer for me.
Nothing wrong with taking one’s time on a project .
In the video it looked like you were forging at a cherry red heat and even into black heats. I'm a rank beginner only having smithed for about 4 years under the teaching of proper smith with a reputation in his craft. He castigates me if I strike a piece of metal at anything less than yellow heat and tells me that it will damage the metal and lead to problems later in the forging process. Could I be cheeky enough to ask if you agree with that? Or is it simply the case that the camera you recorded this video with did not pick up the actual heat that you were working the metal with? Sorry to sump such a difficult question on you, but I would really like to get some more information from different smiths so I can begin to develop my own style.
Your friend is totally correct depending on what your making and the type of steel. Mild steel is extremely forgiving and as it cools is a great opportunity to do some final shaping . Never on high carbon steel as it causes stress fracturing.
@@TheWoodlandEscape Thanks for that insight, much appreciated. I should have given more context in my question for clarity. I meant mild steel forging but never said that. I'm aware that higher carbon steel needs to be treated more delicately. I asked the question because my tutor always tells me off for working at cherry or black heat no matter what material I am using, but I know myself that I only do that when using mild steel. If I'm using higher carbon steel I always try to work only at higher heats and to heat as few times while shaping as possible. I asked a dumb question that deserved an answer that only took into account what I asked. I got a very insightful answer that went way beyond the basic information I gave you. I appreciate that and also appreciate you taking the time and effort to upload videos for me and people like me to enjoy.
@@Moondog-wc4vm You can forge mild steel till a dark red heat without much of a problem, maybe not with heavy blows, but more like for surface refining. Strong blows on small stock at black color will shear it soon or later in the process. Wrought iron can be worked at higher red colors but still not with heavy blows, this only if it has been folded a couple of times or if it is already nice and refined. Bad quality wrought will shear or crack at every blow even at yellow heat, you have to work it at white color till the welds are all closed and strong. High carbon steel in general shouldn't be forged below a mid red color in my opinion, expecially if it is thin stock, since it can sort of harden just while cooling on the anvil
What size metal do you use for your fire irons
1/2 inch square bar.
I actually made this set out of 3/8” but often use 1/2 stock.
Would an 18th century blacksmith been able to source square bar like this? Or would it have been forged to bar by the blacksmith using it. I know by the mid to late 19th century it wouldn't have been out of the question to get bar from large steel mills.
They would not likely have much if any pre sized material they worked their own wrought iron into the needed sizes. The word wrought comes from , to work and work it they did into round,square and flat stock.
Peter,
I don’t mean to find fault. However I am worried you are going to hurt your arm hammering like that. Please check out
Hand Hammer Forging Technique - DF In The Shop
There is also a man named Hogi who is on TH-cam and discusses ergonomics in blacksmithing.
Thanks for the advice- I bought a Kibler rifle kit.
Frank
(Virginia)
Hofi
I appreciate the feedback, Frank and I’ll be sure to check it out.
what do you think about another widely known reenactor john towsendes. Do you know him personally and would you like to make a film together sometime?
His content is amazing . We did meet at Martins Station and he did a brief interview on his live stream. Collaboration would be nice but, we’re a long way apart.
I'm really tired and didn't understand the terminology you were using before you showed what you were making , so I'll have to watch it again , just so I know .
But I love the finished product .
I very similar, Walt. Not much sinks in on my first go around, lol.
Are the wildfires affecting y’all up there?
We’re heading to the Yukon and so far have been getting around them . Thanks for asking.
@@TheWoodlandEscape hope you have a good trip, and be careful
Hey you ain't around the fires are you? If so be careful.
We are on are way to the. Yukon and Alaska and have driven by some pretty bad ones … so far so good. Thanks for your concern, Billy.
@@TheWoodlandEscape no problem. Just be careful and don't breathe none of the smoke. I'm on the border of Indiana and Ohio and it's even affecting our air quality.
Tava ibernando não mostra habilidade com a profissão chego a hora de trabalhar isso ????prosperidade
Ones never too old to learn new skills.