Blacksmith Shop

The blacksmithing resource resource area is one of the newest additions to MakeIt Labs and is still in its early stages.  As such, there is limited access currently available, but we are working to come up with rules and procedures for members to use it.  For the time being, anyone interested in blacksmithing should contact Bill Schongar via slack.

At present we have two functioning propane forges set up along with multiple anvils. We are currently working on the space to provide storage for hammers, tongs, and other tools.  We already have a large number of hammers available as well as a limtied selection of tongs.  We also have some leg/post vices, a 50 lbs. swage block, and a tire hammer (a type of power hammer.  We also have, currently housed in the welding resource area, an induction forge and are working on adding a coal/charcoal forge to the lineup (each type of forge has its own pros and cons and there is a use for all three in any blacksmithing shop).

We are adding new equipment frequently, some through purchases and some through donations.  If you have blacksmithing experience and there is something you think we need, we are working on a blacksmithing area wish list, but as we have limited space, we are only looking for items that would make sense for most users, and not niche items.

For those with no experience, we hope to start introductory classes soon.  If you're interested in more formal training, a good resource is New England Blacksmiths, a local ABANA-affiliated organization that conducts training sessions twice a month 9 months out of the year at their Brentwood training center.  NEB's Level 1 certification provides a solid trianing in the fundamentals of blacksmithing and preparation for more advanced ABANA trainings.  For NEB members, the only cost is a materials fee of $20 per session.  More information can be found at https://newenglandblacksmiths.com/neb-certification/level-1-faq/.

Safety First and Foremost

Safety should come first in all resource areas, and blacksmithing is no different.  Failure to follow safety principles and practices could lead to significant injuries to yourself and others as well as damage to equipment and facilities.  Forging steel is typically done at tempratures exceeding 1,500°F (816°C) .  At that temperature, brief contact can cause serious, even life-threatening burns or set flamable materials on fire.  In addition, hand tools such as hammers, punches, drifts, and chisels can cause a variety of injuries.  Therefore, all members interested in using the blacksmithing resource area need to adhere to safety procedures, standards, and principles at all times.

Everyone should be acqainted with the following key principles:

• Always assume metal is hot.  Steel does not begin to glow until around 1,000°F, and metal that appears at first-glance to be cool could cause serious burns if handled incorrectly.  Therefore, you should always assume any piece of metal is hot and handle appropriately.

• Always wear proper clothing and personal protective gear.  

  • Proper clothing includes natural fibers that do not melt (e.g. cotton).  

  • Synthetic materials such as nylon and rayon melt and will adhere to skin, potentially increasing severity of burns.  

  • Long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and leather footwear are strongly recommended.

  • Gloves:

    • Only leather gloves should be worn, and should be loose-enough fitting that the user can shake them off rapidly in an emergency.  If a glove becomes wet (from sweat or water) and comes in contact with hot metal or too close to a forge, that moisture can flash to steam and essentially cook your hand inside the glove.  Therefore, if a glove becomes wet it should not be worn until fully dired out.

    • Gloves should also never be worn when working with tools like a drill press, lathe, or other rotating tools.

  • Users should also always wear eye protection at all times in and around the blacksmithing area.  Sparks and forge scale -- small bits of oxidized steel that form in flakes on hot metal -- has a tendency to fly in all directons when hot metal is struck with a hammer and constitute a hazard for unprotected eyes.

• Workspaces should always be kept clear and organized.

• Communication with others in and around the space is critical when working with hot metal.  For example, if moving from the forge to a work surface like an anvil, swage, power hammer, or vice, you should always warn others in the space and be very aware of their presence as you move through the space.  Likewise, when others are working, you should always warn them when you may be passing close to their workspace -- never assume they know you're there or what you're doing.

• While you should always assume metal is hot, hot metal should ONLY be in appropriate locations such as on the anvil, in the forge, or in a quench tank.

• You should know the location of all safety and emergency equipment such as fire extinguishers and first-aid supplies.

• When working with gas (propane) forges, you should know how to safely light and operate the forge as well as how to extinquish it immediately in case of emergency.  Before use, you should always inspect lines and ensure connections to the gas supply tanks are tight.  Make sure gas is turned off on all tanks not currently in use (whether or not connected) before lighting any gas forge.

These are just a few of the basic safety principles that should be second nature to anyone working in the blacksmithing area.  Above all, use common sense and be aware of your surroundings and what you are doing.  Accidents do happen, but should never be due to misuse, neglect, or lack of proper precautions.

Report any and all accidents, damage to equipment, or safety concerns to the resource manager.

Also, any equipment that is faulty, malfunctining, or questionable should be flagged and reported on slack so that other users of the space are aware.

Other Rules and Concerns

MakeIt Labs wants to be a good neighbor to families and businesses around us.  Hammering hot metal can be very noisy, and while some amount of noise in and around the facility is expected, we want to limit that noise to appropriate times.  Blacksmithing should not be done later than 9pm at night or before 7am in the morning [note: these times may need adjustments].

At this time, users are required to bring their own propane tanks.  Barbecue-size tanks (typically 15 lbs tanks) are ideal and exchangeable tanks like those from Amerigas and Blue Rhino are ideal.  Those tanks must be taken with you when you leave and cannot be stored on-site without prior express permission of the resource manager.

Users must also provide their own metal to work.  Only wrought iron and steel should be worked in the forges without express permission of the resource manager.  Low-cost sources of steel include railroad spikes and rebar.  There are several metal suppliers in the area that stock both low and high-carbon steel stock for forging.  See the list of recommended suppliers for sources.  Material will be supplied for classes and may be made available during open forging events, but you should always expect to bring your own.  Metals such as aluminum, brass, copper, tin, titanium, and other non-ferrous metals should not be used in the forges without specific permission to do so.

Metal Suppliers

The Home Depot, Lowes, Tractor Supply, and other hardware stores:

Many hardware stores carry small quantities of metal stock appropriate for working in the forge.  1/2 Inch rebar typically can be found for about $5 for a 4-foot length and is a suitable material for working in the forges.  Though not ideal, it is typically inexpensive, easy to find, and easy to work. 

Other metals such as round, flat, and square bar stock are also frequently available at such locations, though the prices tend to be less attractive than other suppliers.  ONLY plain steel -- not galvanzied or otherwise treated -- should be used as treated/coated steels can produce toxic fumes when heated (e.g. zinc from galvanized steel).

Scrounge/scrap Steel:

Many blacksmiths like to work with "junkyard" steel.  This can be a good source of material, but you must always be careful if you do not know the composition of the steel you're working.  Rebar is generally safe, but other steel could be coated or contain hazardous components.  If you are unsure if your material is appropriate, contact the resource manager to discuss before use.

Railroad spikes are another common source of scrounged metal for blacksmithing.  Railroad spikes can be purchased online from a variety of suppliers and sometimes found in junk yards or from metal suppliers.  Some people scrounge for railroad spikes along railbeds, however this can be problematic.  Technically speaking, these are property of the organization that operates the rail line and picking them up, even if they appear to be discarded, can be theft.  Before doing so, you should contact the operators of the line and obtain permission to do so.

Metal Supply Companies

Most metal suppliers are focused on business and industrial clients, but will typically sell to individual buyers. When buying from such a supplier, you know what you're getting and there is often documentation available for specific alloys you are interested in purchasing (e.g. carbon and trace metal content, hardening and tempering characteristics, etc...).  Many such suppliers will also sell you "drop" pieces (left-overs from cutting pieces to spec for other clients) at reduced prices.

Kloeckner Metals
385 West Hollis St.
Nashua, NH 03060
800-258-1900