Dohrmann

Easy instructions with lots of ideas to make items like a file folder rack, plant stand, towel rack, coat hangar, hay feeder camp stool, mug tree, shelves, and so much more.  150 illustrations.

33 pages, 8-1/2 x 11 (Spiralbound Paperback)

Item #: BK50

Fridolin Wolf
Hardcover
199 pgs
532 photos/drawings

An excellent new book from Blue Moon Press translated from the German version with some updated information and tips! The clear explanations as well as the detailed photos and drawings (over 500) are in the typical Blue Moon style.

This is a step-by-step approach for the beginner and provides the expert with new different ideas on how to approach the projects. It is nice to see more step-by-step books appearing!

Item #: BK781

428 pages, 8-1/2 x 5-1/2 (Hardcover)

A beginners book that shows how many household items, as well as, knives, horseshoes, iron grills, rifle barrels, barrel hoops, and much more were made.  There is also some information on the makings of arms and armor.  This is a great guide for the restoration enthusiast.

Item #: BK157

Lorelei Sims
June 2006
Paperback
250 photos/illustrations
184 Pages
8 x 10 inches

The Backyard Blacksmith takes the mystery out of blacksmithing, but not the magic... There is an increasing interest and revival in the art of blacksmithing as a hobby and art, and both men and women are becoming at-home blacksmiths. Blacksmithing is a simple, rewarding craft anyone can enjoy in their backyard or home workshop-even beginners can produce useful and beautiful projects on their first try.

The Backyard Blacksmith shows you how--with some patience and a working knowledge of metals, basic tools, and techniques--blacksmithing can be easy to learn, and a rewarding hobby. Through instructions and illustrations, readers will learn to make simple tools and useful items, such as nails, hinges, and handles, and also an interesting mix of artful projects, such letter openers, door knockers and botanical ornaments. Detailed step-by-step full color exercises teach all the universal skills and techniques used to forge iron; it's like having a master blacksmith by your side. Providesn the reader with an understanding of the properties and characteristics of forging hot metal, making the craft accessible to those without previous experience. Over 20 beautiful and function projects organized by difficulty level allow new blacksmiths to progressive at their own pace and master the skills they learned in earlier chapters. Lorelei Sims is a blacksmith and metalworking artist, and the owner of Five Points Blacksmith Shop in Charleston, Illinois. For examples of her work, see her website: www.blacksmithchic.com.

Item #: BK763

127 pages, 6-3/4 x 9-5/8 (Softbound)

Excellent modern book, showing how to make blacksmithing tools, and then how to use them to make other tools, such as a sickle, saw etc., as well as how to set up a workshop. This book's strength is the use of drawings rather than text and, being aimed at aid workers in the Third World, it is an excellent beginner's manual. Some of the materials and processes shown are unusual but the information is very good. Heavily illustrated.

Item #: BK181

Max Metzger
Soft cover
144 pages
8.5 X 11

This is a classic and much sought-after German blacksmithing text which was translated into English in 2002 by Rudolf Baum. Please see Metzgers' two other books we offer: Classical Techniques of Hand Forged Iron, and Pattern Book for Artist Blacksmiths.

Preface: The teaching of style should be easy to understand and is presented without any material not relevant to the smith. It would be considered a success if it enabled the smith to identify the period of a style with confidence, to copy an object with the particular characteristics of a style, and to know the conditions and requirements of a stylistically correct design.  The man in the shop requires a book adapted closely to his requirements and gives him everything he needs to know. For his practical work, to distinguish the principal stylistic periods in general is sufficient. The distinctions between early and late Gothic, early and late Renaissance, and between Italian, French and German Renaissance must be left
for his later study, and would only be confusing in an introduction to style. Until now, all of the published works on style and art history are either too general, or too scientifically detailed, often both. They are of little use to the practical craftsman. He must have the material of interest as briefly as possible, easy to understand and to visualize.

Item #: BK756

425 pages, 8-1/2 x 11 (Softbound)

This is one of Heaths great books.  It contains everything for beginning blacksmithing, as well as, some wonderful projects like crafting a Kentucky long rifle.  A great book that is down to earth and is even hand bound with thousands of illustrations. Heath teaches the basics of blacksmithing, forging techniques, hardening and heat treatment, leather bellows construction, simple instructions on how to forge weld, and the history of iron smelting.

Item #: BK186

160 pages, 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 (Softbound)

Reprint of Hasluck's 1902 book.  This book focuses on bending and working strip iron, using only an anvil, hammer and pliers to help create floral arrangements, hall lanterns, table lamps and much more.  Includes 269 line drawings.

Item #: BK184

MacKay

192 pages, 8-1/2 x 11 (Paperback)
Heritage blacksmith Don MacKay, was inspired by a lack of blacksmithing
books dedicated to the beginner-where important elements are taken for
granted because they forgot what it was to be a beginner. MacKay stresses
the importance of using sound ageless technique without the need for modern tools. Section 1 covers the Aspects of Blacksmithing, such as shop set-up, blacksmithing tools, building a forge, fuel and design and looks at three shops that predate the 20th century. Section 2, Techniques and Procedures, delves into hammer technique, heating principles, forge welding including a new technique of forge welding: the round scarf. Section 3, has 21 progressive lessons with photos and articulate descriptive step-by-step instructions. Section 4, References, brings together essential information ranging from forge welding flux recipes from the 1800's, tables on metals, etc.

For the past 22 years, MacKay has used ageless techniques and worked daily with period tools either in an 1843 blacksmith shop located at Jones Falls, Ontario, or on the road with an 1800's portable British military forge traveling to various cities, towns and villages throughout Eastern Ontario. 21 lessons and over 100 pictures and diagrams.

Book is also available on CD, allowing you to print out pages for separate use.

Item #: BK795

100 pages, 8-1/2 x 11 (Spiralbound Paperback)

This is a great book to utilize with the book "Blacksmith".  It details qualifications, skill level and knowledge to becoming a blacksmith's apprentice.  Sample tests will assist in passing exams.

Item #: BK219

96 pages, 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 (Paperback)

A beginner's book on the basics of forging that contains many subjects ranging from tools to techniques.  It leads the reader through some more advanced techniques of forge-welding pipe, hooks and more. Blacksmithing is the forging of iron with simple tools and this book is somewhat unusual in that it deals with industrial blacksmithing, rather than equestrian. Shows what you need for equipment, how to do it and instances of what you can make. Great Book! Well illustrated.

Item #: BK202

171 pages, Illustrated (Paperback)

The roles of the blacksmith as hardware maker, farrier, and village handyman are vividly portrayed in the lively text and exceptional illustrations.  Methods of fullering, upsetting, and welding wrought iron are clearly explained; as well as, the construction of latches, ice tongs, chains, and a wealth of iron fittings.  For those who would like a forge and bellows of their own, there are designs for laying out a blacksmith shop and constructing a leather bellows and forge.

BK723

205 pages, 8-1/2 x 11 (Spiralbound Paperback)

A review book for students who need a crash course in the entire field of blacksmithing.  The question and answer format is great for assisting students pass examinations.

Item #: BK218

178 pages, 8-1/2 x 11 (Spiralbound Paperback)

D. James Moore shares his 25 years of experience as a teacher in this book.  From the basics, such as shop layout, to detailed forging operations.  Also gives a short history of blacksmithing.  Easy-to-follow directions.

Item #: BK590

67 pages, 6-3/4 x 9-5/8 (Softbound)

Sixteen lesson plans with teaching advice. Designed to help skilled blacksmiths train others in forge techniques. Uses easily obtainable equipment and scrap metal to produce tools like hoes, sickles, hammers and axes. Outlines a comprehensive approach to teaching with illustrated lesson plans and key points to emphasize at each stage of demonstrations.

Item #: BK182

174 pages, 8-1/2 x 10 (Spiralbound Paperback)

Originally written, illustrated and self-published in 1998, "A Blacksmithing Primer" quickly became a much sought after instructional/resource book on forging metals. Both total novice and experienced smiths have gained valuable insight into forging from this book. Many schools are now using it as their forging textbook. In this new second edition, one change was the
new color covers and moving the all color tempering chart to the inside back cover and another was the new autobind binding. A new binding technique that still allows the book to lay flat for easy access without damaging the book or binding.

You can order the almost 6 hour long DVD set from us under DVD's. Item DVD4 

Item #: BK206

100 pages, 8-1/2 x11 (Spiralbound Paperback)

Many people are looking for alternative heat sources from oil, wood, and electricity. This book will tell them all they need to know about coal heat. Coal is cheaper in many parts of the country than other fuels. It is safer than wood because it does not have creosote buildup, and coal is easier to handle with less work. This book tells them practical ideas and facts so that their use of coal can be safe and efficient. In homes and small commercial buildings, coal can be used to special advantage when chosen and burned properly. The book covers types and availability of coal, maintenance, conversion of furnaces to coal. Sections are devoted specifically to the use of coal to heat water, as space heaters, in fireplaces, and overall living conditions with coal use.

Item #: BK193

McRaven

256 pages
7 x 9
Photographs and illustrations
Paperback

Discover the Practical Simplicity of Blacksmithing: Setting up your own forge and crafting everyday items is easier than you might think. Charles McRaven, a master blacksmith, guides you step-by-step through the process of building a simple forge from recycled materials, acquiring or crafting the basic tools, and learning the techniques to get you started in blacksmithing. McRaven, who began smithing out of a desire to make his own tools for building and restoring hewn-log homes, demonstrates his simple methods in easy-to-follow photos throughout this book. Working under his tutelage, you'll find yourself encouraged and confident that you, too, can create items of lasting beauty and durability from iron and steel.

Item #: BK225

Max Metzger
Soft cover
72 pages
8.5 X 11

This is a classic and much sought-after German blacksmithing text which was translated into English in 2002 by Rudolf Baum. Please see Metzgers' two other books we offer: Basics of Style for Artist Blacksmiths, and Pattern Book for Artist Blacksmiths.

In the early 1900s-the first Renaissance rebirth-there was a rejection of the Victorian style on the part of many creative blacksmiths led by Julius Schramm, some blacksmiths looked back to the ironwork of the Renaissance and the baroque periods. Franz Kuhn in Germany, and Francis Whitaker, in the United States both apprenticed with Schramm, and were strong influences in the rediscovery of the Renaissance.  Samuel Yellin, in his large Philadelphia shop, also looked to earlier periods, and worked with the tools, techniques, and traditions of the Renaissance. Max Metzger saw the future of the blacksmith in this revival, and he supported the name "Artisat-Blacksmith" to describe those doing creative work. Metzger said, "serious practice in freehand drawing is of basic importance" and asked that blacksmiths use the older traditions in original work. You will find his teachings and ideas on these techniques in this book.

Item #: BK757

158 pages, 6 x 9 (Paperback)

Contains everything you need to know about choosing coal as an alternative heat source.  A practical guide that goes over the types of coal and availability, maintenance and more.  53 illustrations.

Item #: BK667

302 pages, 8-1/2 x 11 (Paperback)

Mr. Weygers was a superb sculptor, printmaker, philosopher, and raconteur - as well as a consummate teacher.  Whether you have been blacksmithing for years or are just starting out, this book is a must read. Mr. Weygers technique for passing on this skill and art through a printed text is one of the best.

This blacksmithing book is a three-in-one of "The Modern Blacksmith", "The Making of Tools", and "The Recycling, Use and Repair of Tools".  This volume details correct hammer and body motions, forging, creating tools and a variety of other helpful advice.  Over a thousand detailed line drawings.

Item #: BK250

208 pages, 8-3/8 x 11-1/4 (Paperback)

Profusely illustrated guide, newly revised, offers detailed coverage of basic tools and techniques of welded sculpture.  Abstract shapes, modeling solid figures, arc welding, large-scale welding and more. The book provides proof of the usefulness of the welding process in sculpture. It addresses the problems of sculpture. Covers the oxyacetylene technique in the modeling of the small scale human figure. Hale pursues a deeper understanding of the abstract forms of energy in the universe as they relate to the people of this planet. Methods shown in this book were developed by Hale over a period of forty years and represent valuable and reliable technical tools to the methods of the craft. Recommended as a course supplement in the hands of a skilled instructor, not recommended for the novice seeking self-education.

Item #: BK179

312 pages, 8-1/2 x 11 (Paperback)

With the help of this unique book, all the fascinating properties of iron and other metals can be creatively explored.  52 color plates and 727 black and white photos and drawings present the ideas and examples visually.  After a short history of ironwork, the author discusses the iron working shop, forge and tools, including anvils, vises, hammers, tongs , punches, centrifugal blowers and machine tools.  She presents information on building, lighting and maintaining a fire.  Forging procedures are explicitely shown:  drawing out, flattening, bending, upsetting, twisting, splitting, punching and drafting, hot cutting on a hardy, and joining and finishing techniques. 

Item #: BK212

Item #: BK772

Rudolf Baum
Plastic cover
Book 1: 48; Book 2: 76 pages
8.5 X 11

Rudolf Baum was head of the metalwork department at a state technical school in Hennef, Germany. He prepared these books to provide an introduction to descriptive drawing for both apprentices and advanced artist-blacksmiths. Artist Blacksmithing is a creative process. It begins with an idea which
then becomes a mental picture. This must then become a real picture, usually a free-hand drawing, detailed enough to let the beginning smith visualize his idea, determine its size, shape and proportions, and also realistic enough so the experienced smith can present it to his customer, and use it as a basis for a dimensioned shop drawing.  These two books will help both apprentice and expert in a most important part of their work. "The pencil is as important a tool for the blacksmith as his hammer." - Jack Andrews. "Serious practice in freehand drawing is of basic importance." - Max Metzger.  The drawings in these books appear to be three-dimensional; the objects look as though they could be picked up. The realistic effect is the result of simple shading techniques explained in detail in the text, and avoids the drawing of an engineer. The workbook assigns exercises that will require the blacksmith to do his homework: consider the historical style that is pertinent, be compatible with the surroundings, and meet the
functional requirements. Answers to exercises are provided. Together the two books will be useful tools in the artist-blacksmith's shop.

Item #: BK758

128 pages, 4-1/2 x 6-1/2 (Paperback)

Originally put together by the author as a "how to" manual for students interested in learning the art of the blacksmith, it serves equally well at the task today.  A series of excellent line drawings illustrate the techniques and methods of the  metalworker as well as the uses of specialized tools for each task.  One aspect of this book, that recommends it for the home blacksmith, is that Harcourt has focused on the making of tools as a course of study in the use of the forge.  A modern would-be smith can follow Harcourt's course of study and end up with many of the tools he will need to expand upon what was learned.

Item #: BK180

72 pages, 4-1/2 x 7-1/4 inches, Illustrated (Paperback)

This is a complete guide originally published at the turn of the century.  Drew begins with the basics, how to set up shop, various tools, and selecting  materials with which to work.  There are step-by-step instructions on how to forge a wide variety of useful and attractive items.

BK722

67 pages, 8-1/2 x 11 (Spiralbound Paperback)

This book has illustrated projects that range from very simple to more complex.  These projects include building a coal forge, tools and more.  This book makes a good addition to the television series videos.  79 photographs.

Item #: BK231