Start Up Tool Kit

((Recently I taught a beginners' class and the students asked for a list of tools that they should acquire if they were starting up from scratch. This is the list that was put togethere on the spur of the moment. afd))

Here is a suggested list of tooling to initially acquire when you are first getting started blacksmithing. They are listed in more or less priority order. This list is one person's opinion; other blacksmiths may well come up with a different list. But at least it will get you started. It is assumed that you have an anvil, forge, and legvise.

• 1 to 1 ½ pound cross pien hammer
• 2 to 2 ½ pound cross pien hammer
• #30 Peddinghouse wolfjaw tongs
• Stiff wirebrush
• Medium size pair of vicegrips.
• Hacksaw
• Center punch
• Large chisel
• Small chisel
• 1 1/2" wide cut off hardy to fit your anvil
• Some type of spring fuller for necking in.
• Some type of anvil hold down
• Folding steel ruler
• Soapstone, for making measurements on the steel.
• 2 handed adjustable wrench for twisting.
• Large ball pien hammer
• Small ball pien hammer
• Additional pairs of tongs for the size steel you will be working. (Your area of interest will drive the sizes of steel, hence the tongs you will be using.)
• Tong rings for the tongs you get.
• 10" -12" flat bastard cut file
• 10" - 12" half round bastard cut file
• Rat tail file
• dividers
• An assortment of old punches and chisels that can be modified as needed.

For those tools not commonly found in the "box" stores, you can check with the vendors listed under Blacksmith Tools Suppliers. A few of the tools such as the anvil hold down and spring fuller you may have to make yourself or acquire from another blacksmith.

-- AlbinDrzewianowski - 26 Apr 2008