The pandemic has led to many of us learning new things and making new hobbies. Gardening, carpentry, bee-keeping, tying-dying, etc., are some of those kinds of hobbies that you can practice in your backyard. Another activity in this category is blacksmithing.
Blacksmithing requires more professional expertise for a person to start it at home. If you have learned it from a professional, you are good to go and start it at your home.
But before that,
What is blacksmithing?
A blacksmith is a craftsman who fabricates objects out of iron by hot and cold forging on an anvil. Blacksmiths who specialized in the forging of shoes for horses were called farriers. The term blacksmith derives from iron, formerly called “black metal,” and farrier from the Latin Ferrum, “iron.”
Blacksmithing can be either taken up as a profession or as a hobby. It is usually an inexpensive activity.
Following are a few things that one should keep in mind before starting it:
A forge
Just like you need a garden for gardening, you need a forge to practice blacksmithing. A forge is a place where metal is metal and shaped into various objects, tools, etcetera. For a forge, you will require ample space to keep all the equipment. Plus, you need proper ventilation, so plan accordingly. Either keep a gate or a window open or install an exhaust.
Proper safety equipment
Working in a forge is full of risks, so wearing safety equipment is a must. You need proper safety gear, including gloves, eyeglasses, apron, fiber clothing with long sleeves, ear protection, etc. Again, proper ventilation is required to ensure safety.
Get the tools
Blacksmithing is a professional task, and it requires proper tools like an anvil, hammer, vise, different kinds of tongs, and other smaller tools. You can see more of these tools. Not just these tools but also the proper and effective usage of these tools are a prerequisite to carrying out blacksmithing on your own from your home.
Fuel
To melt the metals, you need to heat them to a particular temperature. To heat anything, we need fuel.
The most common fuel used in furnacing is coal; however, it is not a green fuel, so people these days resist using it. Other options are charcoal and propane, but propane is an expensive fuel. So, it is generally believed that charcoal is the most suitable fuel for blacksmithing.
Fire safety measures
Wherever there is heat and fuel, there is the risk of fire. Especially in a forge in a backyard, as it is generally a small place with limited space. This makes the need for fire extinguishers and other equipment more important.
Prevention is better than cure, and thus it is imperative to make necessary arrangements beforehand.
Conclusion
Be it blacksmithing, gardening, or any other activity; it requires a certain degree of expertise to practice it even as a hobby. So, it is better to first know everything about it and then resort to it as a profession.
