From the rolling out the joists video to seeing you working on the second story of the spec house made me very excited. I love the framing step of building. It was the most fun aspect of building my 8' X 12' X 12' shed. I can't wait for the next spec house video. I would love to be a framer. It's just not in the cards for me now. I'm a woodworker/handyman. I own St. Josef's Woodshop in Tallahassee, Florida and every time a client asks me to build a shed I get so excited. I got that confidence from watching you build your son's his shed. I used all the tips you taught. I must have watched that video 10 times. I've learned so much from you so far on the spec house and loved the pouring the concrete videos and I'm really looking forward to the framing videos. I just got finished striping a deck and re-staining it. I've worked on it for 2 months. I'm husky back in my woodshop and love it. I know that feeling you have about getting back into the blacksmith shop. You'll be there before you know it. Thank you so much. You have no idea how you have helped change my life from my last career into this career. Keep up the excellent work.
I just stumbled across your channel. I’ve been interested in working with metal in various ways all my life, but never had a chance because life was always in the way (not going into detail because it’s depressing). I’m going to be 44 next month, and I’ve finally gotten my life in order enough that I can start working on actually doing some of these hobbies.
Back in the '80s I was 7 and my parents had a cottage on Chautauqua Lake in Western NY. Mom would pack my sister and me up at the end of the school year and we'd spend the summer there. A storm had come through the first year we were there and snapped an old Basswood tree down, clean through about 10 feet up. This was an old girl and had multiple thick branches below the break. Well, the way Dad took her down he left a 4.5' stump and trimmed the lower branches close to the trunk. This was before the internet and video games and the place didn't even have a TV. My entertainment became driving roofing nails into that stump - for probably 5 years filled every surface I could find with any nail I could find. Well, when my Dad went to sell the place 25 years later we needed to take the stump out, a task made much more difficult due to all the steel in her. We ended up having to expose the roots, cut them and drag her out. With some fond memories we threw her on the fire and watched her go over several days. Cleaning up the burn pit we discovered a five gallon bucket of various nails in the ash. Must have weighed close to 50 pounds. Ended up driving a desk for a career, but man did I know how to hammer. Thanks for all you're putting out there! Love the content. All of it.
The fundamental concept that you touched on is why people who try to learn a craft or skill often give up so soon. They always set their initial expectation of their skills too high, and get disappointed when they're not as good as they thought. I believe that, fundamentally, people don't want to learn that it takes a lot of time and effort to develop a skill, clinging to the hope that they happen to have some inherent talent, and get discouraged when they're inevitably let down. This needs to be considered _any_ time a person does _any_ thing they don't normally do. Instead of feeling awkward and inadequate, recognize that your ineptitude is solely because you don't have experience. For me, the skill I wanted to learn was the drum set. I bought one on a whim almost 10 years ago, and you can bet I was disappointed the first time I heard myself play; but I didn't get discouraged. The only thing I ever thought was "I'll try again tomorrow" and "I'll eventually get it", and now I can watch and listen to myself play without any wincing or cringing.
People underappreciated what goes into making something with your hands. Whether you're in concrete, blacksmithing, or framing, there exist a certain philosophy in it. It's not about ethical or existential philosophy, but s philosophy of work. The better you get with your hands, the better worker you can be. This work philosophy transfer to everything you do in life. I've brought it into my office job after doing construction for the majority of my life. I thank you for bringing this philosophy to people that may never have experienced it otherwise. You also bring me back to my working days and make me miss concrete pours.
I just restarted blacksmithing after finishing college, and watching my hammer control rebuild from project to project has been immensely satisfying. I haven’t been practicing on nails, but I’ve been making leaf keychains over and over again. Each one only uses maybe two inches of rebar, and I can see clearly on the leaf any hammer blow that wasn’t where I wanted it to be. There will always be time for cool new projects once I’ve developed hammer control, but watching the same project come out better and better with repetition and practice is almost more rewarding than if I had made it perfectly from the beginning
Hello Scott, I'm enjoying your videos immensely! Andrew's Burke Bar was beyond textbook perfection, your explanation & demonstration of Steel's hues prevented a lot of people of being unsure about the subtleties of treating steel, and that's a big deal. I had my 1st taste of hand forging & welding in my 1st year of high school, made a door knocker & loved doing it. That was 46 years ago now, and I've burned steel from then on. I joined the SEABEES a couple years out of H.S., and became a Steelworker. Following the Navy I stayed with my trade & worked job shops, manufacturing, industrial, you name it. I became certified in Structural/Bridge SMAW AWS D1.1 & D1.5 first, I eventually went on to garner 7 certs all told, including GMAW & Innershield... I can't run up & down the ladders anymore, or work on my knees all day due to the Osteo Arthritis I endure, & I've just had my 2nd 'Trigger Finger' release, so I won't be gripping a hammer in the next few weeks, but it'll pass quickly. I could still run a bead hanging upside down if I had too, (LOL) but those days are pretty much behind me. Restarting my Portable Welding business is probably out of the question as well, it's just too costly in Calif. Finding the right niche in Artistic Blacksmithing has been on my mind for a couple years now, I haven't got an anvil, but I do have the chunk of trunk it'll sit on! I'm apologize if I went on too long, but then I'm an aging Welder with time on his hands! XD
This channel is genuinely one of the most personally life-changing encounters I've had with the internet (and probably one of the more positive ones to boot). As someone who grew up never knowing how to fix even a leaky faucet, there's an unfortunate thing I've noticed with a fair amount of the DIY-ers and general handymen I've known in real life. If you're lacking the knowledge or skill set they possess, they're quick to be irritated should you start asking questions or attempting to understand the mechanics of a thing. Your guys' demonstrations, guides, and advice have broken that barrier down for me (and many others I imagine), and I say with some pride that I have a growing collection of tools (some of which I even know how to use) and I'm doing a ton of reading and research into how to start blacksmithing, spurred by your channel's earlier videos on the subject. To be completely truthful, I've never been more compelled by another endeavor. You're doing good work in sharing your experience and wisdom, and you're doing it very well. So. Thank you.
Over the last 5 months of blacksmithing my skills have increased DRAMATICALLY! I started on a railroad tracks with a 1.75lb ball pein hammer and everything started out looking like crap, a big part of that is expecting to be able to make large or intricate things early on. I've found the most progress and improvement in my skills by choosing projects that are small and include lots of fundamentals like long even tapers or keeping things perfectly square or octagon or round. Making sure my scrolls are as perfect as I can get them. I've also learned to move large amounts of steel including tool steel with a lighter hammer than many people would expect. You really only need a 2lb hammer for almost anything. Learning to properly draw out tong handles helped this a ton. It used to take me hours to draw out 3/4 inch square bar into a tong reign now I can get it done in 15 minutes with a 2lb or less hammer because I Forced myself to learn the techniques for moving material efficiently. I'm currently working on getting better at forge welding and have made 2 wrapped eye hatchets so far. Without the fundamentals of making leaf keychains and a bunch of simple hooks and fire pokers I would have never had the skills to move the steel around well enough to make an axe head. Basically I'm saying to anyone who reads this start small, and I mean REALLY small with your projects and work up one incremental step at a time. That way you have a lot of small successful projects that build up into bigger ones. You'll also learn to hammer better without injuring your wrists, elbows, shoulders, etc. Then when your hammering away at a 4lb block of tool steel you'll actually be able to make progress on it by hand without wearing yourself out.
I started trying to black smith when I was 8 or 9, seemed like everyone I talked to tried to dissuade me, or worse lie about information I was looking for, such as welding flux, tongs, where to find coal etc. That was well over 30 years ago, I've built my own forge since then and learned a lot on my own or reading everything available. This course you're setting up is a gold mine and I sincerely thank you. Most of the "smiths" I tried to learn from years ago have all faded away, the new generation is far more open about information now, and that is a really good thing.
Making anything takes time, focus and commitment. From frames, roofs, metal, to food and music...Cool story about the kid. Last year I got my son into hammering nails and deconstructing wooden fence section by removing nails, he loved it.
Thank you so very much for taking your precious time to create and share this wisdom. I need this in my life, and was at a certain point, just starting out.....and really needed to see this today
I'm only watching my TH-cam feed for new Essential Craftsman videos. Gave my 4 year old son a log to drive nails after seeing it on another video. He'll now spend hours working with me on projects around the house doing all kinds of things. Your videos are inspirational and appreciated. As always, keep up the good work. 👍
The value in this video is that advice is applicable to far more than hammering (though I know you know that). Practicing anything with the expectation that the first couple, dozen, or hundred results probably aren't going to be that great is an important lesson. One I spent many years not learning and getting frustrated with (and still do, to some extent). My 6 year old daughter does the same thing. She's a perfectionist and can't stand not doing something right the first time. Learning to read, learning origami, anything like that frustrates her to no end when she can't "just do it". Tough as a parent to recognize the same path and struggle with how to help her because I'm still so susceptible to the same thing. To tie in to another popular TH-cam persona, Jordan Peterson I believe would reinforce that you need to have an aim. A goal. Something to shoot for beyond the short term "get this particular project done", and recognize that each minuscule step towards that goal is a victory in and of itself. That has helped me tremendously break through some personal walls and move to the next step in a given hobby/skill. I'm not a blacksmith, but I'd summarize this video with "Don't make a pair of tongs today, let it be enough to hammer a few pounds of nails into a useless block of wood". In my world of amateur motorcycle restorations, I sometimes can't have a goal of getting a motor rebuilt, but just "get those old bearings out of the case". Each little step of progress builds confidence and morale to attack the next step. Great video as always.
There is something special about seeing a true master and apprentice working together. I am glad to see all of Cy's experience and knowledge will be passed on to this new generation.
Kind sir, I have been in the HVAC trade 20 years, I just recently got into blacksmithing and I have the bug ! I have only lit 6 fires but each time it gets better and better ! Your channel and a couple of others have helped me out tremendously! Thank you! Cheers
I am Building a Modern Cabin by myself(mostly) so that is where my time goes, But I love watching your blacksmithing videos, relaxing, looks like fun. Thank you
We've been traveling for almost 2 months, stopping in Fryburg, Maine to watch a blacksmithing demonstration. The smithy turned, asked where we were from and I said, Essential Craftsman Country. Really says he, I watch him. Small country, Scott, really small. Sweetie is glad to catch up on EC. Binge-watching now.
Thank you Scott for sharing your knowledge and wisdom to the masses. We need more positive role models as yourself to teach the aimless youth of today. We need to give yhe young men of today purpose and teach them that all created products dont just come out of a 3D printer and teach them to appreciate true craftsmanship and hard work. The end product is its just reward. God bless you sir for your hard work.
this discussion of the kinetics of hammering is so much like how martial artists talk about doing strikes. The same notions of relaxation, of whip, of a consistent arc, of the importance of stance, of accuracy.
Thank you for the chat. I feel this frustration you are talking about. I am 62 and newly retired. I have retired at 60 and 61 and when winter came in Eastern Canada , I got bored and went back to work part time. This winter will be different if I can stick to blacksmithing as a hobby. I hammer and hammer and it doesn't seem to move and then it is cold and goes back into the fire. I know what you say is true, hammer control is my issue, I need to hammer more and more effectively. P R A C T I C E is the Key.... Thanks for the video and getting me interested in the craft....
Really glad I found this video. I built your firebrick forge with a burner I ordered off Amazon. First project - a set of rebar tongs. I think one tong half cracked from work hardening because I was working the metal too cold. I was actually excited that I failed. I knew I would and it set out a list of things I need to learn about and improve on. Some examples being hammer technique, proper heating, and material properties. Second set is not finished yet but sure looks alot better so far. Thank you for being a good teacher!!
The video quality here is outstanding, with outstanding audio and exquisitely balanced background and subject lighting. The guy behind your camera clearly knows what he is doing. Like using a hammer, those skills didn't come quickly or easily.
Coming from a rough carpentry and framing background, can't say enough how right he is about not keeping your thumb on the back of the hammer, especially for full power blows. You can give yourself Tendinosis in a big hurry by using a hammer incorrectly with your thumb on the back. The big tendon that attaches your thumb to your wrist is not made to deal with that kind of punishment and a rupture of that tendon will take you out of action for weeks and weeks if not months while you recover from surgery. Hold your hammer the right way with your thumb on the side of the handle. You'll save yourself a ton of pain and you'll keep the use of your hand. Remember, the opposable thumb is what sets us apart from the beasts.
In my high school/college years, I was part of a hand roofing business. I spent hours on the side learning to pull roofers out of my pouch, and nail them in a 2x4. Practicing for weeks. One of the skills that the hobbyist will greatly benefit from.
I've been swinging a hammer for 35 years as a carpenter and your so right about learning the right way of swinging it. A boss told me one time he could tell how long a guy had been a carpenter just by the way he swung his hammer. You work the hammer or the hammer works you. I wish I had a count on how many nails I've nailed
From the time I was five my father put a hammer in my hands and taught me how to use it, I'd go out every day after school and especially in the summer and drive nails all day. I stopped about the time I was in high school when I had to focus on my education and almost right out of high school I had to put a roof on one of his houses and boy was it exciting to know I still knew how to hammer almost five years later. Anyways great video Scott! and I wish I had the time to get a forge set up and use those classes you're so graciously providing for us.
Thanks for sharing Scott! Really thank you! Your pearls of wisdom are making the world a richer place! I always find a bunch of comments that are worth reading too! Also thanks to Nate too! Almost forgot you buddy!
You guys are the first and only channel I've ever been inclined to support on Patreon. It's more than entertaining videos to watch. It's also more than just education. Scott, you've influenced my life in a very positive manner and I think a lot of people, particularly younger people, could benefit in more ways than one from your content.
I feel the story around 10:40 is about his son! That said I found this channel a few days ago looking to fix a nail gun and have been hook since. The character and wisdom of this man is superb and actually quite motivating! God bless, thanks for your time and content.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. EVERY junior and senior high school in America NEEDS a Mr Wadsworth to show kids that working with their hands and brains is noble and that office jobs are NOT the end all be all of what school is for. Bravo sir.
This is a great tutorial! A small hammer, swung well is so much more effective than an oversized monster- Good posture and core muscles will do work your bicep can only dream of.
Ive been interested in smithing since i was about 11 years old. Ive dabbled in it a little over the years and I feel like i know my way around a hammer. In fact, ive started buying and making everything I need to get my hobby level smithing back up and running. But watching this video has honestly got me wanting to go buy a box of nails and find an old stump lol I gotta make sure i still got it. This is a fantastic channel and I definitely plan to watch many more videos.
I just can't get enough of this channel. Scott, you are an amazing blacksmith, a very experienced carpenter, but you are definitely the better TEACHER that I have ever seen. I really wish I had the space and the money to start in the craft right now, but I do not. But I will, eventually. THANK YOU for all the incredible lessons and all that you do for us.
This video is inspiration in a nutshell As a beginner smith and handle maker I look at a workpiece and say yeah that’s pretty good. Then the next time around I try to add something and eventually know that one day I know I’ll be able to perfect my technique and be satisfied knowing that I got there in the end and that I can make what I need to with a professional level of craftsmanship.
I'm halfway through the course that started last spring.... it's a fabulous course...I'll complete it once the weather cooperates, and then, I've got a whole list of things to make. I can't wait!
I absolutely love this channel so very informative about EVERYTHING!!! I Actually really look up to this man and I wish I had a father figure exactly like you Scott.. keep the great content up fellas and I'll keep pool liking and watching
Wow, very timely! I was just ‘debating’ some others on other channels about how important it is to develop your hammer swing technique. You can always tell a novice when they put that ‘grip of death’ on the handle (like you said) and they always seem to have a sort of ‘pushing’ swing, rather than the whip you referred to. A light grip and a proper swing is what will save your elbow from blowing up later. 🤜🤛
Before this guy I thought all people that worked in blue-collar jobs spoke in a incoherent manner and were all hard to understand. This man takes all the knowledge he knows and educates in a professional and clear manner.
My godfather was a blacksmith all his life....here in Toronto. My father started training as a blacksmith when he was a teenager....then came to Canada and didn't find enough work....and so ended up being a bricklayer all his life. Life goes like that sometimes.
when you love something you can't quit even if you wanted to... if there's no passion for the thing you can have as much determination as you could want but you'll always end up walking away... it's God's desire what we do in life
Thank you Scott and Nate for these videos, they are truly amazing! Man its crazy... everyone on here know Scotts a badass and so knowledgeable on so many levels but I feel like the message in these videos is for us to generally be successful as well as share the same passion for blacksmithing, carpentry etc.
It would be really cool if the house featured lots of blacksmith products like handrails for stairs and accent features and lamp holders and that would be really cool use of the Blackman's shop!
Your house - I would frame with 2x8 24” on center with California corners. The first 2 feet of the exterior sheathing needs to be treated plywood then Zip R-Sheathing (R9) with Z liquid flash applied for all the seams and nail heads. Seal the space where the bottom plate meets the subfloor with Dymonic 100. As far as inside wall insulation you cannot go wrong if you use too much but nevertheless at least 4” (R-26) of Demilec Heatlok XT. For a conditioned attic on the roof rafters spray 2” of Demilec Heatlok XT followed by 8” of Demilec Selection 500 (total R-44) on the roof rafters spray, then paint it with International Fireproof Technology’s DC315. Insulate prior to HVAC install. Done.
Another great video, Scott! Love the reference to the "basics"... AND just for the record, that shovel can kick a newbie's butt pretty bad, too. I still struggle a bit with gravel... but I can hack it now (in my early 40's) a LOT better than in my teens (you know, when you "know everything already"?) hahah... It's still fun to watch one of the old timers grimace at a younger watcher, and then stick the square-ended shovel handle in his hand... "Go ahead, son. Show me what you can do." ... and the moment that shovel lowers (even I) you can tell the younger man has no concept of what he's even trying to do... and against plain "pea gravel" that shovel will waste no time twisting his gutts out and sending him to his knees... spent, sweat pouring off him, shirt soaked through... puffing for air... ...AND the old-timer swigs down another mouthful of ice-water (or "tea") and picks up the offensive implement that hasn't moved more than a cup or so of broken or milled rock... and proceed to scoop piles and heaps after piles and heaps... tossing them into whatever container with seemingly little or no effort at all. It was my step-dad who finally taught me, just angling the shovel slightly upward as you target low on the rock-pile really is key to the gravel technique (or most obscenely shaped material) if you want to move it easily... I can thank blacksmithing (or metal-smithing in general) for most of my hammering technique. I was never so frustrated with myself than while hustling to build rabbit-cages faster than we were gaining rabbits, and little or no useful hammering technique. I probably broke every finger I own. {rabbit wire staples are difficult}... BUT metal-smithing gave me the practice (especially because you can cold-forge bronze effectively) to consistently strike exactly what my eyes focused on... so now, all I have to remember is NEVER EVER look at my fingers or thumb... (lolz) and I'm good. It IS worth note, that just as you say, "Keep practicing". That's really the trick, just keep trying and you WILL get there. Like any craft or skill, it can only improve with TIME and EFFORT INVESTED. Those are things never "spent" on skills, even hobbies. They get invested for the improvements that return. SO keep swingin' for the cheap seats! ;o)
Your words parallel what my dad taught me about shooting and what my Tai Chi teacher taught me. I won’t blacksmith anytime soon but I know what you’re saying. Great vid!
I paint in oils and also dabbled in gold working and marble carving, along with other materials. The artists and craftsmen in the old days had an intimate understanding of the materials and tools they worked with. They oftentimes spent years as apprentices and 'flunkies' in a shop doing simple tasks to learn the basics. You have to learn to walk before you can run. I consider myself a painter, not yet an artist, because I view each painting as sort of of a homework project. It's one step on a long journey. To me, process is just as important, or more so, than the end result. My feeling is that it's not my place to label myself an artist. I'll leave that for others to judge. Once you learn to handle the tools of your chosen field, the creativity can flow naturally because you're no longer focused on whatever tool is in your hand. It becomes part of the natural flow.
I use a big sledge at my job to hit other metal objects with. A bad hit hurts your hands, wrists, and elbows. A good hit feels like hitting a home run on the sweet spot of a bat. You don't even feel it.
I’ve been thinking about this video. You get an A for enthusiasm. However, I actually do not think anyone can be or will enjoy blacksmithing, primarily because of the hammering. True I do not think you have to be strong, but you must have tendons that can take the vibration of pounding. You are fortunate, through hard work and skill you have tempered your body to the task. Too late for many to do that. Just like MJ, not being able to hit a baseball, some won’t be able to hit steel in the same place twice. Love your station, thank you for your time to take us along. S
Biggest game changer for me was properly dressing the flat side of rounding hammers. Some hammer makers purposely leave the flats on their square/circle hammers very flat. I assume it's because the hammer face is a very individual preference and they want to leave it blank for people to tailor to their own needs. However, this will ruin your fundamentals. Mine were so flat, the hammer would kick and jump everywhere because hitting a 1.5" flat by hand perfectly square every time is virtually impossible, and I spent weeks struggling with it. As soon as I'd flip over from the round to the flat, I'd inevitably ruin whatever I was working on. Once I dressed that up a little bit, everything just started to work. In a day I could already see myself taking much harder swings with much better accuracy, and it wasn't leaving pot marks in my work every time.
I've got my own construction project that's consuming my time, but I look forward to taking your blacksmithing course another time! I hope it's still available when I'm able to take it. You're a great teacher that inspires greatness! Keep it up!
Watching Cy and Taylor work together at the anvil was an unexpected joy.
I didn't think Taylor was all that small till I saw he was standing on something.
Scott, your channel is like a cross between Mr. Rodgers, Bob Ross and This Old House. I love everything you’re putting out. Keep up the good work.
I love this comparison 👍
From the rolling out the joists video to seeing you working on the second story of the spec house made me very excited. I love the framing step of building. It was the most fun aspect of building my 8' X 12' X 12' shed. I can't wait for the next spec house video. I would love to be a framer. It's just not in the cards for me now. I'm a woodworker/handyman. I own St. Josef's Woodshop in Tallahassee, Florida and every time a client asks me to build a shed I get so excited. I got that confidence from watching you build your son's his shed. I used all the tips you taught. I must have watched that video 10 times. I've learned so much from you so far on the spec house and loved the pouring the concrete videos and I'm really looking forward to the framing videos. I just got finished striping a deck and re-staining it. I've worked on it for 2 months. I'm husky back in my woodshop and love it. I know that feeling you have about getting back into the blacksmith shop. You'll be there before you know it. Thank you so much. You have no idea how you have helped change my life from my last career into this career. Keep up the excellent work.
I just stumbled across your channel. I’ve been interested in working with metal in various ways all my life, but never had a chance because life was always in the way (not going into detail because it’s depressing). I’m going to be 44 next month, and I’ve finally gotten my life in order enough that I can start working on actually doing some of these hobbies.
Back in the '80s I was 7 and my parents had a cottage on Chautauqua Lake in Western NY. Mom would pack my sister and me up at the end of the school year and we'd spend the summer there. A storm had come through the first year we were there and snapped an old Basswood tree down, clean through about 10 feet up. This was an old girl and had multiple thick branches below the break. Well, the way Dad took her down he left a 4.5' stump and trimmed the lower branches close to the trunk. This was before the internet and video games and the place didn't even have a TV. My entertainment became driving roofing nails into that stump - for probably 5 years filled every surface I could find with any nail I could find. Well, when my Dad went to sell the place 25 years later we needed to take the stump out, a task made much more difficult due to all the steel in her. We ended up having to expose the roots, cut them and drag her out. With some fond memories we threw her on the fire and watched her go over several days. Cleaning up the burn pit we discovered a five gallon bucket of various nails in the ash. Must have weighed close to 50 pounds. Ended up driving a desk for a career, but man did I know how to hammer. Thanks for all you're putting out there! Love the content. All of it.
Don't stop its just getting good!
Thanks for sharing! I recently set my daughter up with a stump and some nails!
That, is a great story. Truly. From Vancouver Island.
Scott. You are TH-cam's greatest instructor in the manual arts. Thanks for publishing.
I 3rd that!
Without question.
Its amazing how useful learning how to throw knives at a young age actually was. Having good wrist movement is very beneficial in the trades lol.
The fundamental concept that you touched on is why people who try to learn a craft or skill often give up so soon. They always set their initial expectation of their skills too high, and get disappointed when they're not as good as they thought.
I believe that, fundamentally, people don't want to learn that it takes a lot of time and effort to develop a skill, clinging to the hope that they happen to have some inherent talent, and get discouraged when they're inevitably let down. This needs to be considered _any_ time a person does _any_ thing they don't normally do. Instead of feeling awkward and inadequate, recognize that your ineptitude is solely because you don't have experience.
For me, the skill I wanted to learn was the drum set. I bought one on a whim almost 10 years ago, and you can bet I was disappointed the first time I heard myself play; but I didn't get discouraged. The only thing I ever thought was "I'll try again tomorrow" and "I'll eventually get it", and now I can watch and listen to myself play without any wincing or cringing.
People underappreciated what goes into making something with your hands. Whether you're in concrete, blacksmithing, or framing, there exist a certain philosophy in it. It's not about ethical or existential philosophy, but s philosophy of work. The better you get with your hands, the better worker you can be. This work philosophy transfer to everything you do in life. I've brought it into my office job after doing construction for the majority of my life. I thank you for bringing this philosophy to people that may never have experienced it otherwise. You also bring me back to my working days and make me miss concrete pours.
I just restarted blacksmithing after finishing college, and watching my hammer control rebuild from project to project has been immensely satisfying. I haven’t been practicing on nails, but I’ve been making leaf keychains over and over again. Each one only uses maybe two inches of rebar, and I can see clearly on the leaf any hammer blow that wasn’t where I wanted it to be. There will always be time for cool new projects once I’ve developed hammer control, but watching the same project come out better and better with repetition and practice is almost more rewarding than if I had made it perfectly from the beginning
Hello Scott, I'm enjoying your videos immensely! Andrew's Burke Bar was beyond textbook perfection, your explanation & demonstration of Steel's hues prevented a lot of people of being unsure about the subtleties of treating steel, and that's a big deal.
I had my 1st taste of hand forging & welding in my 1st year of high school, made a door knocker & loved doing it. That was 46 years ago now, and I've burned steel from then on. I joined the SEABEES a couple years out of H.S., and became a Steelworker. Following the Navy I stayed with my trade & worked job shops, manufacturing, industrial, you name it. I became certified in Structural/Bridge SMAW AWS D1.1 & D1.5 first, I eventually went on to garner 7 certs all told, including GMAW & Innershield...
I can't run up & down the ladders anymore, or work on my knees all day due to the Osteo Arthritis I endure, & I've just had my 2nd 'Trigger Finger' release, so I won't be gripping a hammer in the next few weeks, but it'll pass quickly.
I could still run a bead hanging upside down if I had too, (LOL) but those days are pretty much behind me. Restarting my Portable Welding business is probably out of the question as well, it's just too costly in Calif. Finding the right niche in Artistic Blacksmithing has been on my mind for a couple years now, I haven't got an anvil, but I do have the chunk of trunk it'll sit on!
I'm apologize if I went on too long, but then I'm an aging Welder with time on his hands! XD
some of my favborite memories is gointo dawsond blacksmith shop in powell wyto.
This channel is genuinely one of the most personally life-changing encounters I've had with the internet (and probably one of the more positive ones to boot).
As someone who grew up never knowing how to fix even a leaky faucet, there's an unfortunate thing I've noticed with a fair amount of the DIY-ers and general handymen I've known in real life. If you're lacking the knowledge or skill set they possess, they're quick to be irritated should you start asking questions or attempting to understand the mechanics of a thing.
Your guys' demonstrations, guides, and advice have broken that barrier down for me (and many others I imagine), and I say with some pride that I have a growing collection of tools (some of which I even know how to use) and I'm doing a ton of reading and research into how to start blacksmithing, spurred by your channel's earlier videos on the subject. To be completely truthful, I've never been more compelled by another endeavor.
You're doing good work in sharing your experience and wisdom, and you're doing it very well. So. Thank you.
Over the last 5 months of blacksmithing my skills have increased DRAMATICALLY! I started on a railroad tracks with a 1.75lb ball pein hammer and everything started out looking like crap, a big part of that is expecting to be able to make large or intricate things early on. I've found the most progress and improvement in my skills by choosing projects that are small and include lots of fundamentals like long even tapers or keeping things perfectly square or octagon or round. Making sure my scrolls are as perfect as I can get them. I've also learned to move large amounts of steel including tool steel with a lighter hammer than many people would expect. You really only need a 2lb hammer for almost anything. Learning to properly draw out tong handles helped this a ton. It used to take me hours to draw out 3/4 inch square bar into a tong reign now I can get it done in 15 minutes with a 2lb or less hammer because I Forced myself to learn the techniques for moving material efficiently. I'm currently working on getting better at forge welding and have made 2 wrapped eye hatchets so far. Without the fundamentals of making leaf keychains and a bunch of simple hooks and fire pokers I would have never had the skills to move the steel around well enough to make an axe head. Basically I'm saying to anyone who reads this start small, and I mean REALLY small with your projects and work up one incremental step at a time. That way you have a lot of small successful projects that build up into bigger ones. You'll also learn to hammer better without injuring your wrists, elbows, shoulders, etc. Then when your hammering away at a 4lb block of tool steel you'll actually be able to make progress on it by hand without wearing yourself out.
I started trying to black smith when I was 8 or 9, seemed like everyone I talked to tried to dissuade me, or worse lie about information I was looking for, such as welding flux, tongs, where to find coal etc. That was well over 30 years ago, I've built my own forge since then and learned a lot on my own or reading everything available. This course you're setting up is a gold mine and I sincerely thank you. Most of the "smiths" I tried to learn from years ago have all faded away, the new generation is far more open about information now, and that is a really good thing.
Scott swinging a 6 pound single jack is insane.
Making anything takes time, focus and commitment. From frames, roofs, metal, to food and music...Cool story about the kid. Last year I got my son into hammering nails and deconstructing wooden fence section by removing nails, he loved it.
Thank you so very much for taking your precious time to create and share this wisdom. I need this in my life, and was at a certain point, just starting out.....and really needed to see this today
I'm only watching my TH-cam feed for new Essential Craftsman videos. Gave my 4 year old son a log to drive nails after seeing it on another video. He'll now spend hours working with me on projects around the house doing all kinds of things. Your videos are inspirational and appreciated. As always, keep up the good work. 👍
Your channel is an inspiration to me been watching your channel now for five years thank you
The value in this video is that advice is applicable to far more than hammering (though I know you know that). Practicing anything with the expectation that the first couple, dozen, or hundred results probably aren't going to be that great is an important lesson. One I spent many years not learning and getting frustrated with (and still do, to some extent). My 6 year old daughter does the same thing. She's a perfectionist and can't stand not doing something right the first time. Learning to read, learning origami, anything like that frustrates her to no end when she can't "just do it". Tough as a parent to recognize the same path and struggle with how to help her because I'm still so susceptible to the same thing. To tie in to another popular TH-cam persona, Jordan Peterson I believe would reinforce that you need to have an aim. A goal. Something to shoot for beyond the short term "get this particular project done", and recognize that each minuscule step towards that goal is a victory in and of itself. That has helped me tremendously break through some personal walls and move to the next step in a given hobby/skill. I'm not a blacksmith, but I'd summarize this video with "Don't make a pair of tongs today, let it be enough to hammer a few pounds of nails into a useless block of wood". In my world of amateur motorcycle restorations, I sometimes can't have a goal of getting a motor rebuilt, but just "get those old bearings out of the case". Each little step of progress builds confidence and morale to attack the next step. Great video as always.
Blacksmithing remains my very favorite work in sculpting metal. Thank you for the details you share in your demos - your generosity is appreciated.
As a steel fabricator for 40+ years great video Make the Hammer do the WORK
There is something special about seeing a true master and apprentice working together. I am glad to see all of Cy's experience and knowledge will be passed on to this new generation.
Kind sir, I have been in the HVAC trade 20 years, I just recently got into blacksmithing and I have the bug ! I have only lit 6 fires but each time it gets better and better ! Your channel and a couple of others have helped me out tremendously! Thank you! Cheers
There is no other channel as good as this, thank you, from Ireland, I'm starting my blacksmith adventure.... Hammering nails here I come!
I am Building a Modern Cabin by myself(mostly) so that is where my time goes, But I love watching your blacksmithing videos, relaxing, looks like fun. Thank you
if you think you would be interested in learning blacksmithing download a free basic tool list here www.startblacksmithing.com.
We've been traveling for almost 2 months, stopping in Fryburg, Maine to watch a blacksmithing demonstration. The smithy turned, asked where we were from and I said, Essential Craftsman Country. Really says he, I watch him. Small country, Scott, really small. Sweetie is glad to catch up on EC. Binge-watching now.
Thank you..
You are the reason I watch you tube..
When I hear you speak about human potential and your confidence that people can develop that potential, it enlivens my faith in our species.
Thank you Scott for sharing your knowledge and wisdom to the masses. We need more positive role models as yourself to teach the aimless youth of today. We need to give yhe young men of today purpose and teach them that all created products dont just come out of a 3D printer and teach them to appreciate true craftsmanship and hard work. The end product is its just reward. God bless you sir for your hard work.
this discussion of the kinetics of hammering is so much like how martial artists talk about doing strikes. The same notions of relaxation, of whip, of a consistent arc, of the importance of stance, of accuracy.
Thank you for the chat. I feel this frustration you are talking about. I am 62 and newly retired. I have retired at 60 and 61 and when winter came in Eastern Canada , I got bored and went back to work part time. This winter will be different if I can stick to blacksmithing as a hobby. I hammer and hammer and it doesn't seem to move and then it is cold and goes back into the fire. I know what you say is true, hammer control is my issue, I need to hammer more and more effectively. P R A C T I C E is the Key.... Thanks for the video and getting me interested in the craft....
Really glad I found this video. I built your firebrick forge with a burner I ordered off Amazon. First project - a set of rebar tongs. I think one tong half cracked from work hardening because I was working the metal too cold. I was actually excited that I failed. I knew I would and it set out a list of things I need to learn about and improve on. Some examples being hammer technique, proper heating, and material properties. Second set is not finished yet but sure looks alot better so far. Thank you for being a good teacher!!
The video quality here is outstanding, with outstanding audio and exquisitely balanced background and subject lighting. The guy behind your camera clearly knows what he is doing. Like using a hammer, those skills didn't come quickly or easily.
after reading all the comments i don't know another way of expressing my gratitude. so just thank you for being inspiring. legend
Coming from a rough carpentry and framing background, can't say enough how right he is about not keeping your thumb on the back of the hammer, especially for full power blows. You can give yourself Tendinosis in a big hurry by using a hammer incorrectly with your thumb on the back. The big tendon that attaches your thumb to your wrist is not made to deal with that kind of punishment and a rupture of that tendon will take you out of action for weeks and weeks if not months while you recover from surgery.
Hold your hammer the right way with your thumb on the side of the handle. You'll save yourself a ton of pain and you'll keep the use of your hand. Remember, the opposable thumb is what sets us apart from the beasts.
In my high school/college years, I was part of a hand roofing business. I spent hours on the side learning to pull roofers out of my pouch, and nail them in a 2x4. Practicing for weeks. One of the skills that the hobbyist will greatly benefit from.
Thanks Scott, just starting out and I need to listen to good teachers like yourself. Cheers from Australia
i have no interest in blacksmith, but your ability to teach and story telling makes me want to learn. thank you, another fine video. take care.
David don't lie to yourself. You came to TH-cam to watch smithing videos and have no interest?
I've been swinging a hammer for 35 years as a carpenter and your so right about learning the right way of swinging it. A boss told me one time he could tell how long a guy had been a carpenter just by the way he swung his hammer. You work the hammer or the hammer works you. I wish I had a count on how many nails I've nailed
So true Stevie. I could tell a lot about a guy I was going to hire by his hammer swing and his tool belt setup.
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psidvicious
I never tried to get hired on with a new tool belt lol I'd wait until I got the job then by the new one.
Right!! 😅😎
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Great collection of spring swages in the background
From the time I was five my father put a hammer in my hands and taught me how to use it, I'd go out every day after school and especially in the summer and drive nails all day. I stopped about the time I was in high school when I had to focus on my education and almost right out of high school I had to put a roof on one of his houses and boy was it exciting to know I still knew how to hammer almost five years later.
Anyways great video Scott! and I wish I had the time to get a forge set up and use those classes you're so graciously providing for us.
Thanks for sharing Scott!
Really thank you! Your pearls of wisdom are making the world a richer place!
I always find a bunch of comments that are worth reading too!
Also thanks to Nate too! Almost forgot you buddy!
You guys are the first and only channel I've ever been inclined to support on Patreon. It's more than entertaining videos to watch. It's also more than just education. Scott, you've influenced my life in a very positive manner and I think a lot of people, particularly younger people, could benefit in more ways than one from your content.
I feel the story around 10:40 is about his son! That said I found this channel a few days ago looking to fix a nail gun and have been hook since. The character and wisdom of this man is superb and actually quite motivating! God bless, thanks for your time and content.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.
EVERY junior and senior high school in America NEEDS a Mr Wadsworth to show kids that working with their hands and brains is noble and that office jobs are NOT the end all be all of what school is for.
Bravo sir.
This is a great tutorial! A small hammer, swung well is so much more effective than an oversized monster- Good posture and core muscles will do work your bicep can only dream of.
Ive been interested in smithing since i was about 11 years old. Ive dabbled in it a little over the years and I feel like i know my way around a hammer. In fact, ive started buying and making everything I need to get my hobby level smithing back up and running. But watching this video has honestly got me wanting to go buy a box of nails and find an old stump lol I gotta make sure i still got it. This is a fantastic channel and I definitely plan to watch many more videos.
Love Cy's kilt! Watching him and Taylor working together was just a joy. You guys are doing great. Keep up the good work.
I just can't get enough of this channel. Scott, you are an amazing blacksmith, a very experienced carpenter, but you are definitely the better TEACHER that I have ever seen. I really wish I had the space and the money to start in the craft right now, but I do not. But I will, eventually. THANK YOU for all the incredible lessons and all that you do for us.
This video is inspiration in a nutshell
As a beginner smith and handle maker I look at a workpiece and say yeah that’s pretty good. Then the next time around I try to add something and eventually know that one day I know I’ll be able to perfect my technique and be satisfied knowing that I got there in the end and that I can make what I need to with a professional level of craftsmanship.
I'm halfway through the course that started last spring.... it's a fabulous course...I'll complete it once the weather cooperates, and then, I've got a whole list of things to make. I can't wait!
i love how inclusive and wholesome this channel is. nice work.
I absolutely love this channel so very informative about EVERYTHING!!! I Actually really look up to this man and I wish I had a father figure exactly like you Scott.. keep the great content up fellas and I'll keep pool liking and watching
😱, that stump with the nails! My dad had me do that when I was 7 or 8 years old because I was bored... I had so much fun doing that...
Taylor will always have the self-confidence … to do anything he decides to do. I love that.
Wow, very timely! I was just ‘debating’ some others on other channels about how important it is to develop your hammer swing technique. You can always tell a novice when they put that ‘grip of death’ on the handle (like you said) and they always seem to have a sort of ‘pushing’ swing, rather than the whip you referred to. A light grip and a proper swing is what will save your elbow from blowing up later.
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Awesome vid
Heck yes to Taylor giving it a solid go!
Thank you for the teaser on how far along the spec house is.
This is a great course, also includes a great Facebook community that is inspirational and supportive.
Absolutely incredible. Thank you guys. Fruits of the spirit on display.
Thank you for what you do. You're a natural teacher and an inspiration. Keep up the good work.
Love you man! Keep up the good work. You are an excellent teacher and we are lucky to have you and your team that make this channel possible.
Before this guy I thought all people that worked in blue-collar jobs spoke in a incoherent manner and were all hard to understand. This man takes all the knowledge he knows and educates in a professional and clear manner.
Time after time you show me that your channel is an absolute treasure. A big thank you from Belgium and keep up the good work...
My godfather was a blacksmith all his life....here in Toronto. My father started training as a blacksmith when he was a teenager....then came to Canada and didn't find enough work....and so ended up being a bricklayer all his life. Life goes like that sometimes.
Not having the quit in you will take you far in life with a lot of trades. Love your channel!
when you love something you can't quit even if you wanted to... if there's no passion for the thing you can have as much determination as you could want but you'll always end up walking away... it's God's desire what we do in life
Thank you Scott and Nate for these videos, they are truly amazing! Man its crazy... everyone on here know Scotts a badass and so knowledgeable on so many levels but I feel like the message in these videos is for us to generally be successful as well as share the same passion for blacksmithing, carpentry etc.
It would be really cool if the house featured lots of blacksmith products like handrails for stairs and accent features and lamp holders and that would be really cool use of the Blackman's shop!
Your house - I would frame with 2x8 24” on center with California corners. The first 2 feet of the exterior sheathing needs to be treated plywood then Zip R-Sheathing (R9) with Z liquid flash applied for all the seams and nail heads. Seal the space where the bottom plate meets the subfloor with Dymonic 100. As far as inside wall insulation you cannot go wrong if you use too much but nevertheless at least 4” (R-26) of Demilec Heatlok XT.
For a conditioned attic on the roof rafters spray 2” of Demilec Heatlok XT followed by 8” of Demilec Selection 500 (total R-44) on the roof rafters spray, then paint it with International Fireproof Technology’s DC315. Insulate prior to HVAC install. Done.
Thank you for all your hard work and patience!! 👍👍👍😎🇨🇱
What strikes me the closest is that the advice you give is very relevant in any field. Software engineering for example. Thank you!
Got my anvil 2 days ago after watching smithing videos for 3 years. Got instantly demotivated. I really needed this video!
I hope I have a fraction of your knowledge and skill years down the road from now. Thanks from all of us for helping us learn valuable skills!
Another great video, Scott!
Love the reference to the "basics"... AND just for the record, that shovel can kick a newbie's butt pretty bad, too. I still struggle a bit with gravel... but I can hack it now (in my early 40's) a LOT better than in my teens (you know, when you "know everything already"?) hahah... It's still fun to watch one of the old timers grimace at a younger watcher, and then stick the square-ended shovel handle in his hand... "Go ahead, son. Show me what you can do." ... and the moment that shovel lowers (even I) you can tell the younger man has no concept of what he's even trying to do... and against plain "pea gravel" that shovel will waste no time twisting his gutts out and sending him to his knees... spent, sweat pouring off him, shirt soaked through... puffing for air...
...AND the old-timer swigs down another mouthful of ice-water (or "tea") and picks up the offensive implement that hasn't moved more than a cup or so of broken or milled rock... and proceed to scoop piles and heaps after piles and heaps... tossing them into whatever container with seemingly little or no effort at all.
It was my step-dad who finally taught me, just angling the shovel slightly upward as you target low on the rock-pile really is key to the gravel technique (or most obscenely shaped material) if you want to move it easily...
I can thank blacksmithing (or metal-smithing in general) for most of my hammering technique. I was never so frustrated with myself than while hustling to build rabbit-cages faster than we were gaining rabbits, and little or no useful hammering technique. I probably broke every finger I own. {rabbit wire staples are difficult}... BUT metal-smithing gave me the practice (especially because you can cold-forge bronze effectively) to consistently strike exactly what my eyes focused on... so now, all I have to remember is NEVER EVER look at my fingers or thumb... (lolz) and I'm good.
It IS worth note, that just as you say, "Keep practicing". That's really the trick, just keep trying and you WILL get there. Like any craft or skill, it can only improve with TIME and EFFORT INVESTED. Those are things never "spent" on skills, even hobbies. They get invested for the improvements that return.
SO keep swingin' for the cheap seats! ;o)
I hope you're still offering these courses four years from now. That's when I expect that I'll have the time and money to get into blacksmithing.
Your words parallel what my dad taught me about shooting and what my Tai Chi teacher taught me. I won’t blacksmith anytime soon but I know what you’re saying. Great vid!
I paint in oils and also dabbled in gold working and marble carving, along with other materials. The artists and craftsmen in the old days had an intimate understanding of the materials and tools they worked with. They oftentimes spent years as apprentices and 'flunkies' in a shop doing simple tasks to learn the basics. You have to learn to walk before you can run.
I consider myself a painter, not yet an artist, because I view each painting as sort of of a homework project. It's one step on a long journey. To me, process is just as important, or more so, than the end result. My feeling is that it's not my place to label myself an artist. I'll leave that for others to judge. Once you learn to handle the tools of your chosen field, the creativity can flow naturally because you're no longer focused on whatever tool is in your hand. It becomes part of the natural flow.
Mate, you're just a nice bloke. I enjoy my time with you. Cheers.
I use a big sledge at my job to hit other metal objects with. A bad hit hurts your hands, wrists, and elbows. A good hit feels like hitting a home run on the sweet spot of a bat. You don't even feel it.
The Zen of Blacksmithing
Woah! The spec house at the end there!
You should Forge a beautiful pot rack for the kitchen in the spec house!
Love the offer for free blacksmithing class
I am just starting blacksmithing and this video was very encouraging to me! Thank you so much!
I’ve been thinking about this video. You get an A for enthusiasm. However, I actually do not think anyone can be or will enjoy blacksmithing, primarily because of the hammering. True I do not think you have to be strong, but you must have tendons that can take the vibration of pounding. You are fortunate, through hard work and skill you have tempered your body to the task. Too late for many to do that. Just like MJ, not being able to hit a baseball, some won’t be able to hit steel in the same place twice. Love your station, thank you for your time to take us along. S
Thank you for the look- see. Watching the fire and the hot molten metal and the hammering on the anvil is starting to work on me.
Your course is great! Thank you for the reminder to continue with the lessons 😊 The forge has been cold for too long..
Biggest game changer for me was properly dressing the flat side of rounding hammers. Some hammer makers purposely leave the flats on their square/circle hammers very flat. I assume it's because the hammer face is a very individual preference and they want to leave it blank for people to tailor to their own needs. However, this will ruin your fundamentals. Mine were so flat, the hammer would kick and jump everywhere because hitting a 1.5" flat by hand perfectly square every time is virtually impossible, and I spent weeks struggling with it. As soon as I'd flip over from the round to the flat, I'd inevitably ruin whatever I was working on. Once I dressed that up a little bit, everything just started to work. In a day I could already see myself taking much harder swings with much better accuracy, and it wasn't leaving pot marks in my work every time.
Your channel is hands down one of the best on TH-cam. You give me the inspiration to tackle any job. Keep up the fantastic content! 👍
I’ve built a house from the ground up. It’s very rewarding but I couldn’t wait to drive that last nail !!!🔨⚒
Brilliant teaching. Thanks.
My grandpa was a blacksmith in the early 1900s I have a great picture of him in his shop it’s my home screen on my phone and computer.
I've got my own construction project that's consuming my time, but I look forward to taking your blacksmithing course another time! I hope it's still available when I'm able to take it. You're a great teacher that inspires greatness! Keep it up!
I love this channel so much. So much value added to my life just by subscribing.
Still love everything you’re doing, and you’re still doing it well 👍. Thank you!
Thank you!
Looks like so much fun.