TURNING A $7 HAMMER INTO A $200 HAMMER!!!

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My name is Alec Steele and I am a 22 year old blacksmith from England, now living in Montana in the USA! With a great team of hardworking folks, we upload videos showcasing the projects we get up to here at the workshop. Lots of sparks, lots of making, lots of fantastic-ness. Great to have you here following along!
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[@timreid9556]

This might be a good series : Blacksmith on a budget* Tool mods and re-purposing

[@Tastfullight]

Question: what would you do with a Harbor Freight Cross Pein Hammer?

[@cyberbuckeye3676]

I would absolutely love that!

[@adamrudling1339]

@@Tastfullight make better tools

[@TheFuneralPyre]

There are a few channels where guys take apart Harbor Freight power tools and compare them to expensive tools you'd get at Home Depot or Lowes. Surprisingly, a few of Harbor Freights top shelf tools are better than the more expensive Home Depot stuff. Harbor Freight is perfect for the Blacksmith on a budget!

[@BigFootedMOTHERFER]

AvE is great

[@xadian101]

Was I the only one who saw the first leaf and was really impressed by the more abstract leaf pipping added just through the use of the hammer, only to later hear that they are "unsightly marks"

[@mininara6471]

Ye

[@marcwilliams7961]

Lol... I still like the first leaf

[@VVa11ace]

I thought they were done on purpose, nay......WITH purpose

[@NeilGraham.I.M.F]

Thought he textured it that way on purpose. I liked it as well

[@sammiller5509]

agree, first looked more interesting

[@johnwest4788]

I've been forging with a re-ground Harbor Freight hammer for several years. Nice to have your stamp of approval though! :)

[@allenrobinson7855]

I ground a couple into angle piens and they are great. I did them with a grinder.

[@thomasprewett7101]

Nicr

[@footrot17]

I love your tuna John

[@SelbyPav]

@@footrot17 hahaha!

[@fareastforge9548]

Me too for about 3 years it was one of the 4pounders

[@sidstone8845]

Making a $7 hammer into a $200 hammer Just add a $193 dollar handle

[@donaldstewart9873]

🤣😂🤣

[@bige3092]

I Just liked a comment even though it was not funny

[@xxportalxx.]

@@bige3092 i just liked your comment even though it was not funny

[@Jack-ge1st]

And get rid of the obnoxious twit on the camera!

[@sidstone8845]

@@Jack-ge1st who?

[@RubensBudgetCreations]

Now you've converted a "cheaper" hammer to a decent forging hammer, and made a soup can forge in the past, can you also show us how the make/convert something into a good enough starter anvil?

[@dangolfishin]

U don't have to "make" one. Just pick up a hefty block of steel.

[@cia9315]

Rails. They are surprisingly good for small stuff. For bigger things it won't do though

[@dmar87]

Railroad track works pretty well. You could also pick up a cheap oxy acetylene torch for about $130-$350 and then shape out a horn and a Pritchett or hardy hole.

[@spanglerthings5585]

Agreeed

[@RubensBudgetCreations]

I own a small railroad track anvil, but I think it would make a good addition to a "how to start on a budget" serie.

[@billwithers7457]

My question is: when are we going to get some armor? I mean, I love a nice sword as much as anyone, and I'll gladly watch you make all manner of weapon. But a helmet or a shield project would: (1) provide a nice challenge that I think you'd enjoy. (2) let you practice and expand upon your other skills, like leatherworking or metal casting. And (3) it would just be really cool and interesting. I look forward to getting my hammer. Cheers.

[@psabt10081]

Alec has noted before Armor is wholly different from making weapons. I doubt you will see him make armor any time soon.

[@ouchnotagain1971]

Well, what about a scabbard?

[@billwithers7457]

@@psabt10081 Isn't that the point? Armor is completely different. It's outside his wheelhouse, outside his comfort zone, which means he has a lot of opportunities to learn and get creative.

[@psabt10081]

@@billwithers7457 It requires different tooling and a lot more time than any sword.

[@tomt637]

Ditto to this, it makes sense that different skills, techniques and tools are used but that shouldn't be a limiting factor but an opportunity for challenge, as we've seen before Alec can pick up new blacksmithing methods really well, armour would be some very interesting content.

[@nadajohn]

Alec, I would like to see a video on the different types of steel and their uses. Maybe even a shopping expedition to a steel mill or wherever the steel may be purchased.

[@Nascarnate100]

Can you do a “how to make a starter forge” tutorial for people that would want to get into it? Or is there one out there somewhere?

[@ccg_533]

Check out essential craftsmans channel for a no weld forge. It's a good starter forge

[@kingnull2697]

Numerous. The King of Random has a smelter which could easily be used as a forge, and a number of people have made them out of coffee cans and the like.

[@nunyabiz2016]

Tons of those videos out there

[@Arcidi225]

@@kingnull2697 this smelter is terrible as a Forge. If someone want simple forge, Google "jabod forge". For air supply you can use a air mattress hand pump and 3/4 steel pipe. It works perfectly with charcoal, and I was able to forge a knife with this setup :D

[@kingquesadilla7713]

He litterally has that video. Look into the playlists of his videos. Seriously, only you can find and click it.

[@AmeshaSpentaArmaiti]

Step one: buy two hammers step 2: use one to improve the other step 3: switch repeat 2 and 3 until Hephaestus cries tears of joy.

[@bobbyhempel1513]

😂

[@metalbob3335]

one who can make heavens weep from your craft makes the world just one mark better than when you started. that is how all should strive to be.

[@court2379]

Pretty sure that is how we made the first lathes.

[@shimasfaris2917]

This guy has an English and American accent at the same time

[@gringoamigo8146]

Those are called Canadians

[@Ianflaer]

Well he was born and raised in the UK but is currently living in Montana.

[@gringoamigo8146]

@@Ianflaer Montana? That's close enough to Canada.

[@doubletapthatdotty4597]

@@gringoamigo8146 yeah it's pretty close🤣

[@bikingwithmayhan5511]

He is from England

[@douglasschrauben826]

Your hammers are worthy of the hands of a Dwarf from Moria of old.

[@sharkson7725]

😂

[@mickeyfilmer5551]

It is now June 2022-I have only just found your Channel. and I am a retired metalworker (an Artificer in the Royal Navy) and it is an absolute delight to see someone such as yourself, showing a technical as well as a passionate skill for a trade that is short of students.- well done young man- you have demonstrated a knowledge that is sadly lacking in some KZbinrs who profess to be skilled, and it is evident from their videos that they are not. Keep up the good work.

[@jimmybuttcheeks]

Dang Alec. This isn’t how you run a business. You’re supposed to say there’s no way a harbor freight hammer could ever be as nice as the hammers I sell. Cmon man!!

[@ac.creations]

"Jimmy Buttcheeks: CFO"

[@jimmybuttcheeks]

A C Creations has a nice ring lol

[@jeromeslack4697]

By the time you do all the work to the HF hammer it will cost more then one of his.

[@_bodgie]

@@jeromeslack4697 In time perhaps but not dollars. Most handy people will have the basic tools already and modifying this hammer may be the starting point many may need.

[@court2379]

@@jeromeslack4697 I don't think so. First make sure to buy one that has a tight handle. They are mounted by hand so results vary greatly. Then grinding and polishing the faces won't take over an hour. Flattening the handle wont take long either.

[@shinyless]

Imagine if Raid Shadow Legends marketing guys were spending 1% of their budget into paying their dev and making an actual good game instead of pestering every single youtube viewer about it... One man can dream :)

[@Gantzz321]

people actually play that crap?

[@bummer6]

@@Gantzz321 no, only the youtubers who are contractually obligated to install it and play it while recording the sponsor spot. You just launch the game and the only people online are youtubers.

[@negativerush]

I played it for a month it got boring an repetitive fast. Plus it is very pay to win

[@custos3249]

@@Gantzz321 yeah. It was the single most lucrative game last year. Pretty pathetic how easily manipulated mobile players are.

[@ToeCutter454]

when i see ANYTHING that is constantly spammed in my face... i skip over and ignore it and will NEVER waste my time even downloading or looking at it... if it's as good as people think then word of mouth is the best advertising!

[@DragonsFireMetalWorx]

Thanks for the incentive to finally do something with a hammer I bought at a yard sale. 25 yrs ago. For 3$. Never cleaned it. Just started working with it as a mechanic. Sometimes a 3-1/2 lb persuader is the perfect tool for the job. Anyway, it is now my smithing hammer. Your little video was perfect timing. Cheers

[@binjammin3076]

Can we just stop for a minute and appreciate the editing

[@aidancarter5]

Yes, Jamie does an incredible job and make all the videos on Alec’s channel fun!

[@Tesserex]

Ooh a table saw! Prepare to see that first aid training come in handy.

[@SuicideNeil]

Finger tips? We don't need no stinking finger tips!

[@davinellulinvega]

handy being the keyword here.

[@robertgreenlaw4198]

@@SuicideNeil I am missing TWO fingertips on my left hand, thanks to a table saw. My index finger has one segment left on it and my middle finger has a bit less than that. Saws aren't to be trifled with!

[@csskates]

Question: How bad is Will's arthritis going to be in the next year after all the filing and hand sanding he does?

[@ryork7923]

Does the Alec Steele co. offer corporal tunnel insurance for "sanding Willie"?????

[@cheif10thumbs]

@@ryork7923 Carpal tunnel sport. I has it from 40+ years of filing, sanding and beating on various metallic objects.

[@Combat-Nurse]

Are you going to be making some "back to basics" videos? Those are the ones that got me into forging, and it's really fun to see how great a result you can achieve without all the fancy tools. Love Will's videos. More of that please.

[@OutlawOutrage]

those "unsightly" marks on the leaf you forged actually gave the leaf more realistic characteristics. the marks looked as if they were the "veins" of the leaf

[@xxportalxx.]

Yeah not the best example haha

[@Stahlkeks]

Question: because you can't "see" it on screen: How does forging feel and smell? How is it like for you, standing next to the fire and hammering on red hot metal?

[@chrispeacock2816]

You come in as a boy, and you exit as a man

[@lastwish76]

It feels like working. Im working in a fabric making elbows for dredging ships.

[@KageStelhman]

To me working a hot piece of metal feels like I'm smacking on frozen play dough, or oil based clay that's been sat in the freezer for an hour... or at least all three move almost exactly the same way when struck for the most part. Heat? Hmmm... That's a good one. I guess it smells a little bit like whatever fuel you're using, a little bit of super-heated rust, and something else I can't accurately describe... I guess it's one of those things that you have to experience for yourself?

[@92Pyromaniac]

If you're using charcoal/ coke it smells like that, a bit like a bbq but maybe a bit more sulphury. With a gas forge it's just a hot smell like an engine room. The feel is just really satisfying, firm but pliable.

[@uncommonman]

Get a charcoal grill going and fan/blow it as hot as you can. Put in a piece of semi thin metal (a large untreated nail) and hit that with a hammer on a bigger piece of metal. That is exactly how it feel, smell and is to forge.

[@irishpat7970]

Question: How long do your large propane tanks last you between normal forging and forge welding?

[@mrtrapper93]

Started 2 years ago and I still am using hammers like the HF one, never knew HOW to modify them, good video so I subscribed! Hopefully my next blades will be better looking and I won't have to grind so much!

[@thomastameris3343]

i love how he says "I don't have a woodworking bandsaw. I'll have to grab one somewhere" when those things cost thousands of dollars

[@DominicDeegan7]

I picked up a bandsaw from Kijiji for $250. It requires a bit of cleaning and a bit of love to get it running, but it's an industrial quality frame. A new blade is about $25 for it, grease the bearings, re-finish the table and it'll be resawing in no time. There were cheaper options (under $150) for smaller jobs, but I wanted to be future-proofed, since I am a carpentry apprentice, so the woodworking is more my appeal. Blacksmithing is still wicked cool though! Anyway, I just wanted to drop that to encourage you if you were feeling the cost was prohibitive to entry. If you're willing to put a little work in to repair an older tool, you can get in for pretty cheap.

[@charlesissleepy]

@@DominicDeegan7 yeah, if you can repair it yourself or haul it yourself, lots of stuff can be had for cheap

[@forgeintheholler204]

When Alec has a kid, will he start stories like “I use to climb a ladder to use the microwave!” ?

[@jcrawson1367]

Hot of interest how would alec tell that do a dog (he's already a dad)

[@MichaelDreksler]

Funny you should say that, but back in the og shop the microwave used to be on a shelf so high he struggled to reach it. 😂😂😂

[@steviemyles-eu4lf]

@@MichaelDreksler thats the point

[@briansmith3011]

RIP Chef Mike

[@MFTomp09]

“Unsightly marks in the leaf”.. I thought those were put there on purpose..

[@erhon5]

MFTomp09 I think he was talking about the round marks in the center that were made by the edge but not meant to be the design he usually puts on the leaves

[@adriankalitka3762]

I liked how it looked. It looked like a more realistic leaf with veins

[@artfrog2001]

They definitely were, but don’t forget about a teaching purpose of this video)

[@scottwoods4221]

Oh and I would also like to preemptively throw my hat in the ring for any future rookie blacksmithing with the master videos. I am probably the greenest of green and would love to learn first hand from you.

[@mmiota77]

I think the concepts he has shown in blacksmithing is applicable to lots of different applications elsewhere. We are a tool using species

[@Rockyandme123]

Question: Does the quality of the anvil have more of an impact on forging than the quality of the hammer?

[@sterlinghamiltonracing6487]

I would say no. An anvil is really just a block of steel with a flat face. Horns are useful but really not necessary and the heel is only there for hardy tools. Having a hammer in the right weight with the right faces is going to help tremendously in creating quality forgings.

[@thoperSought]

I don't know, but I suspect they're about equally important-at least in terms of how much metal you can move, and how quickly. Essential Craftsman has a video about testing out a harbor freight anvil. he said it tired him out more than his regular, antique anvil, partly because the work took longer than usual. he was using his regular hammer, and I believe he was doing a familiar task. in physics terms, when you apply a force to the work on the anvil, the anvil has to apply an equal force in the opposite direction. imagine if your anvil is mounted on a spring, which springs back only after you lift the hammer-a lot of the force is wasted compressing the spring. to some degree, a solid, heavy, well mounted anvil with a hardened face does that already: some of the force is changed into heat, and some is lost compressing whatever it's mounted on, &c., &c. I'm not an engineer, so I can't calculate how much that is, but if the best possible anvil returns (for example) 99.9%, and a bowl of jello returns 0%, then: - at what percentage do you start to feel the difference? - at what percentage does it make a measurable difference in how long a job takes? - at what percentage does work actually become impossible? if EC's impression of the Harbor Freight anvil was accurate, it was returning enough less that he could feel a difference, and the work took noticeably longer to do.

[@garethbaus5471]

To an extent yes, if your anvil isn't solid you can definitely tell, and you can also tell if it is tiny, but a solid rectangular steel bar of sufficient mass should make a decent anvil for general forging.

[@sterlinghamiltonracing6487]

ThoperSought It definitely makes a difference but trying to forge with a 5lb hammer on a good anvil would tire you out much quicker than a 3lb hammer on a mild steel block. But yes a well made anvil with the right hammer would be most comfortable to forge with.

[@thoperSought]

@@sterlinghamiltonracing6487 yeah, that makes sense. I wonder: if all you have (for example) is a big, mild steel ASO, and a harbor freight hammer, which is more important to upgrade first? obv., assuming you modify the face of the hammer so it's not leaving unsightly hammer marks. from this video, it seems like it's more important to upgrade the anvil, but I don't know.

[@THEBOSS47MLG]

Nobody: Me: Watches the entire 7 minute ad Forgetting what I clicked on

[@slurpybigmac]

Lmao, I've done that before too.

[@killat816]

Same lol

[@TheGeekiestGuy]

I've been "tuning up" hammers for awhile now. Most of them have some extensive rust pitting since it's so humid here. Thanks for posting this kinda content. It's nice to see the comments from other folks that are using the tools they have the way they want. Modifying tools is the absolute best way to know them and know what they can do for you. 🤙🏾🤙🏾🤙🏾

[@rcmits]

so awesome.. to see you pushing "not about the tool, but the learning experience".. in so many "hobbies" or "jobs", people feel they need top of the line tools to learn or catchup to the professionals, when it shows, you can get to that point with everyday items... to an extent.. so awesome.

[@TheMamaPowell]

I actually love the “unsightly” leaf. I think the unintentional hammer marks gave it a lot of personality :)

[@adriankalitka3762]

Looks more realistic with veins

[@gwb411]

I think the biggest thing is the word unintentional. It’s one thing to do that on purpose but if you are trying to make it flat and it as those marks then you have a lot more work bc your hammer gave you some extra “character” to work with.

[@TheMamaPowell]

Grant Barber for this specific application it reminds me of a Bob Ross happy little accident.

[@ezekielgml]

I thought they were veins that he put in until he said differently

[@Ty-xt7hz]

Q1: Does using the pine tar on the handle create a sticky grip or does it dry like a wood finish? Q1.5: Also does burning the handle help with blisters and splinters?

[@joejacobsen6822]

Burning the wood creates a waterproof coating on the wood. Yes, pine tar is sticky.

[@ericarnaud7983]

I have modified some of the inexpensive brand tools also, including tongs as well as hammers and anvils. I notice that everyone has their on unique styles or way of doing things. What is your take on modifying/customizing tools to fit individual nuances?

[@sinrock85]

The googley eyes on the heavy machine in the background was literally my favorite part of this video. I couldn't stop laughing at it :)

[@sgtdiddle]

Alec: starts selling $200 hammers Also Alec: makes a video showing why you don't need them...

[@ARVash]

It's important that people know the difference between luxury and necessity. You don't need a $200 hammer but it's going to feel nicer and if you're doing it all day every day you probably will get your money's worth. I'm a software developer and I've spent $300 on a keyboard but you can obviously get the job done on a 8 dollar keyboard. For software developers a lot of it is "how long will it last" if you have a keyboard that lasts your whole career and is programmable you can really get used to it and therefore go longer between typing errors. My current has replaceable switches and I keep extras.

[@Real28]

@@ARVash How long will it last and how consistent will it be. Anyone doing a job will eventually recognize a well made tool designed for a job is always better than the cheap one that "gets it done". This is basically a video about how you could get started in blacksmithing but showing what you will inevitably long for.

[@ARVash]

@White Wild kid you ever wonder if this is why you don't have any friends?

[@ARVash]

@White Wild makes sense to me

[@Timantinpoimija]

Not stonks

[@GoHardOrGoYard]

**Alec Steele uploads** OMG PART 2,000 OF THE ZWEIHANDER - Alec: Nope.

[@ihavea4]

Wow, this is super helpful! Now I know my next project! My question for you is how do you go about making things symmetrical? For the leaf, for example, how do you make sure each side looks roughly the same? And how do you fix it if it starts 'leaning' to one side?

[@bringithard6721]

Its good to see Harry Potters brother finally step out of his brothers shadow.

[@parneetb]

Raid Shadow Legends should commission something from you guys. That be cool to see being created.

[@javanbybee4822]

or not, since RSL is a trashy, boring game.

[@custos3249]

Only if Alec adds pay to win mechanisms to whatever he makes. "You want to form more material? 5 hammer blows 4.99, 10 hammer blows 7.49, 20 14.99"

[@lawman2k9]

They did a ring for R:SL, didn’t they?

[@ddamrill]

Question: would it be a bad idea to throw the Harbor Freight “hammer” in the forge to create a larger face?

[@LoganBiren]

Daniel Damrill. I’ve done that, not to nessecarily make a larger face but to forge it more into a rounding hammer so I don’t have to grind away material an waste money on grinding disks. You just have to redrift the eye to correct shape otherwise there is a high chance of the handle breaking on you. Heatreating these steels are a hit or miss so I don’t bother. Most of my hammers aren’t heat treated as you would want them to be softer than they anvil so if you miss hit and hit the anvil it will dent the hammer not the anvil.

[@ac.creations]

@@LoganBiren I call it a hierarchy of hardness haha. Like using soft wood mallet to hit hard wood into place. Even my titanium hammer has had its edges rounded over over time and its super hard.

[@AaronGlett]

Based on the youtube channels I've seen, and based on this tutorial by Alec above, you might have to replace the handle after doing that, since the forge would likely make charcoal out of the handle. You might could get away with removing the handle, and reinstalling it after forging the different head profile (might even have a narrower eye for the handle to go through afterwards).

[@redrob6331]

I did this recently to an HF 2 lb sledge. Sure, you could reforge the head, but that would likely be overkill. It's only $7 though, so do whatever you want want to with it.

[@lucacorona6681]

I'll try to write in english: it's been a while since last time i saw a video of Alec and now that i'm back on this channel i'm realizing how much i missed him! The garage of my new house is waiting its setup for start forging again and Alec's tips and energy are always an amazing help for me...expecially the videos (like this one) where he makes budget friendly projects XD. Great Alec!

[@christiann158]

Your English is better than some Americans I know

[@thinktwicespeakonce482]

I hope he gets a joiner so the planer and table saw can be at their best! Love your videos man!

[@cjp2551]

Question: When are you going to have Joey Van Der Steeg back in the shop for a collaboration?

[@TheRealGuywithoutaMustache]

(Reads title) My brain: _Whosoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of Alec!_

[@thaddeus9475]

hello there

[@arbitrarystuff1229]

Whomever and whomsoever are real words.

[@Krupnekt]

@@arbitrarystuff1229 in modern american english who has almost universally replaced whom as accepted form

[@Reploidx9]

@@Krupnekt So, not English then.

[@roblong6518]

I like the idea of recreating tools, could you possibly come up with a video on how to make the most used tongs on a budget? Keep up the great videos. Thanks

[@dannyallyn223]

Love this guy and everything he does. Makes me want to make a hammer!

[@tombusscher4981]

alec: i want to show you that you don't need expensive tools also Alec: look at all the new toys i've got.

[@lightmagick]

No one in this video is named Alex.

[@NemoConsequentae]

You don't _need_ them. But if you have them, things get easier!

[@mikep3008]

LiGhTMaGiCk haha I was thinking the same thing “who’s Alex”

[@hhds4716]

Alex was a guest last year lol

[@paulmerritt9352]

After witnessing you improve that hammer, I felt this intense sensation of joy. You managed to create a thing of beauty. I know you're a fan of the hammer you typically use, but I would take that $7.00 hammer that you improved than I would the more expensive one you're accustomed too. With many kudos to you. Keep doing what you're doing.

[@mikeu923]

Question: When buying your first anvil, what “features” do you need to look for, what is necessary ?

[@p1xelspaceship997]

A flat face, my first anvil was an eBay lump of steel in the relative shape of an anvil and I've made projects on it that I'm proud of. I would say get a good anvil if you can though and in retrospect I'd get something under 100lbs as it was a pain to move my nearly 350lbs when the floor under it needed repairing

[@KimballPrecisionRifles]

ProbablyAZombie my first anvil setup that I still use consists of a 9” long 2” thick and 5” wide block of 4140 bolted to a damn heavy stump I found that had just been cut down.

[@p1xelspaceship997]

@@KimballPrecisionRifles if it works it works

[@BernieFromTheInternet]

take a look at the purgatory ironworks ASO [Anvil Shaped Objects] video, basically you could probably get something damn close enough to the real deal for free

[@hajii124]

By far one of my top favorite blacksmiths of the modern age.

[@mikereppert97]

I want to get Into smithing, currently have a course booked about 2 hours from me.. my question, is can you do a vid every now and then like you used to do with some info for us newbies? I definitely enjoyed when you did the small keychain/trinket videos!

[@TheNicoderm]

1:55 skips the raid shadow crap, welcome..

[@Thoffapis]

Question: To paraphrase a wise old owl, “How many hammer blows does it take to make a steel Tootsie Roll Tootsie Pop?”

[@bruceprosser8332]

So, for the rounding hammer why the deep fullers behind the faces? Is it just for aesthetics or is there another purpose? Thanks!

[@henrys.6333]

I'm not a blacksmith or a bladesmith, so I dont know, but in my mind it would serve as a way to help the user quickly recognize which side is which so that the metal doesn't lose any heat when the smith is going from the forge to the anvil.

[@unwind4068]

Maybe the increased surface area to mass ratio helps the hammer stay cooler during forging.

Not my answer but I read elsewhere in thecomments a bigger strike area without increased weight.

[@hdrjunkie]

Lol when I saw the hammer marks on the leave he made I was li,e, “cool, he even made the veins in the leader!” Lol

[@haydnpavon5097]

Question: what are the main fundamentals to forging with a hammer and where can I find a career in blacksmithing, also thank you for the entertainment over the years

[@4trout12429]

All around the U.S. Are local blacksmith clubs, and some members are professional blacksmiths. Check out the ABANA website for a smith or club near you.

[@SelfMadeProject]

I'd like to see less sword making and more general blacksmithing, like hinges, door handles, storage racks, etc. Also some shop tips or shop organizing tips would be great!

[@Woodshadow]

That is a little boring for people people. No one goes into blacksmithing to make a hinge. They go into blacksmithing to make swords and weapons.

[@SelfMadeProject]

@@Woodshadow I make knives and there are tons of knife making channels. I'd like to get better at other things too. I haven't put much knife making content on my own channel since it feels saturated already.

[@alexkatsaros6180]

I thought you were going to re forge this hammer head to a different shape, but using the angle grinder works as well. Well done Alex!

[@nilshaas8434]

thank you for doing these kinds of videos. I love the normal ones, but, this is just so much more encouraging. thank you

[@momo4shodo]

Question: Can all that scale that comes off with forging ever be used for anything useful?

[@AstronomyWales]

Exfoliating face scrub.

[@ChadLeeP51]

@@AstronomyWales Hahahahaha

[@LoganBiren]

Cygon. You can resmelt it into an iron or steel bloom since it is still iron (iron oxide). Chandler Dickinson has a video of him doing that with his scale and grinding dust. I myself have been saving as much scale as I can as I would like to try to smelt some iron and refine the bloom into some wrought iron. Although I am going to need to save a lot of the scale (I’d like 20 lbs or so) as most of it will probably be lost do to wastage when smelting.

[@jessemarshall7176]

We use floor sweepings and a few other things to make crucible steel sometimes. It’s a crazy labor intensive process that doesn’t always work but it’s fun

[@JimQuinn0170]

You can use it as a punch lube to stop your punch from welding into the piece

[@jonnathonquinn2661]

Question: Would it be possible to do a no forge challenge. Taking a metal and forging or repurposing it into something else without the use of a forge? Belt Sanders, hammers, other tools except for the one that is used the most in your shop.

[@galacticravioli3217]

just use a huge chunk and machine it with lathe/mill. Alec is a blacksmith. There are great youtube machinists out there eg clickspring

[@angrydragonslayer]

@@galacticravioli3217 i am still envious of the guy who made his own anvils (250 lb iirc) I got the tools but no time

[@coyoteproject999]

so happy to see a video with you and only you ;-) nice job on this hammer !

[@cronkthecrunk]

I really like the finishing of that handle... I think I will hold off on setting the hoops on my Japanese wood chisels and finish them with pine tar 👍

[@luukhelleman419]

Im 18 years old and wanted to get into blacksmithing for such a long time now, but also not having the money for good equipment. This video has been such a help because ive been struggling to adjust my cheap Hammers so far. I would verry much like an iconic alec steele Hammer for my own, so my question is: if i want to find some good quality metal to forge with for cheap, how can i distinguish useless scrap from something as for example high carbon and good hardened steel ? So that i can sellout my local junkyard ;D

[@forgotin1]

grinding on the metal the sparks say a lot. i know that doesn't exactly help you, but the bigger brighter sparks are high carbon and the dimmer little sparks are not (knowledge alec has past on) as for looking at it to tell i haven't the foggiest

[@logancryan7957]

Go to a car scrap yard, and get leaf springs. High carbon, cheap and widely available

[@luukhelleman419]

@@forgotin1 thnx for the tip :D ill try to notice something

[@luukhelleman419]

@@logancryan7957 have tried that, but unforfunatly no leaf springs at the place where i go to

[@patrickc1508]

As already said, the easiest way is to grind test it. Watch how the sparks fly. Do they stay in a straight line, or do they split and fork out, split and fork out. There’s a bunch of videos on it. One other way pretty much requires that the high carbon steel is hardened already, but you can try skating a file. If it skates, it’s hardened. More than likely it’s high carbon, but it could just be case hardened. As far as trying to locate a large piece of high carbon steel, you’re best bet is industrial equipment. Look for things that must be tough. Axle shafts, hydraulic rams, pivot pins on backhoes or loaders, teeth or wear plates on excavation equipment, springs, etc. Anything that is going to take the brunt of the impact, abrasion, or stress will probably be a high carbon steel. They only put it where they need it. If you don’t need a 3-5lb large block, look at pickup truck leaf springs. One set of leaf springs could make a ton of blades or tools.

[@ColinCarnevaleCarneyteen1]

This was a very helpful video. I'm just starting out and made my first single burner forge and all I have is a 7 dollar hammer from the harbor freight (no joke literally just bought it yesterday). My question is how big of a Propain tank do you need to work with? Unfortunately, there are not many videos or forums out there that give you a clear answer. Thank you in advance! Love you guys, Saw this channel for the first time 2 months ago and decided it will be an amazing quest to learn a new craft, instead of just sitting around all day doing computer work. Hope all of you have a lovely day.

[@fredricchopin5607]

Colin Carnevale for a small forge a normal one for grilling is fine but as you get a larger burner and forge that will be ran for longer amounts of time then I would go with the 50 pound tanks

[@shifty3453]

Size of propane tank does not matter. It's just how often you feel like changing the tank.

[@gunterhausfrau]

I work with a standard barbecue tank, 3gals? With my single burner (venturi) it lasts quite a while. I forge maybe 4hrs at a time and it lasts at least 5 sessions? (guessing). I have a couple of tanks, when one is empty a quick swap, keep working, and later go fill the previous.

[@ColinCarnevaleCarneyteen1]

Thank you guys. You have been very helpful. I'm excited as all I've been using till now is a blow torch haha it's very crude.

[@suprspi]

I like to use a 100lb tank, but then half my forging year is in an otherwise unheated shop in the Canadian winter. 100lb tanks freeze up slower when it's properly cold out and that way I can get more forging done in a session.

[@take3336]

Just bought one of those hammers from HF and discovered this video. Can't wait to modify it as you have. Thanks for the lesson!!

[@travis6633]

Also I like that you work at a level that quickly relates to those who may not have the nicest stuff or the most experience!

[@swirlyofficechair]

Question: I've been blacksmithing for a couple years now and I was thinking of trying to get into doing some damascus steel. Is there any pro-tips to keep in mind when making damascus?

[@Vex-Milk]

Can't wait until Raid dies.

[@jodroboxes]

Everytime i see Raid, i dislike.

[@liamlacroix9860]

Fastest “ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to the workshop” I’ve ever heard 😂

[@brianfalls5894]

Alec, that's a nice bit of info on the hammers there. If ever I get into forging then I will have to make sure my hammer looks more like the hammer you modified. Great video!

[@thaddeus9475]

“you can get and angle grinder for like 30 bucks" *laughs in harbor freight

[@fredricchopin5607]

They just went on sale there for $9.99

[@alexbaumgartner8416]

Yeah, but a $30 one will last longer and do a better job overall

[@thedrakenangel]

@@alexbaumgartner8416 but if you are just getting started.... and realize that the harbor freight special will wear out quicker... then the one from harbor freight can get you started

[@Monuments_to_Good_Intentions]

I hate harbor freight tools. I love buying used tools from auctions for dirt cheap

[@Monuments_to_Good_Intentions]

I see milwaulkee grinders sell for $5 all the time. I have 3 of them! Bought 2 and some sawzall for around $10 from one auction

[@jakobskaaning7730]

Question: When forgewelding and the weld don’t take or leaves cracks, do you need to grind the area before trying again og can you get away with refluxing and heating it again?

[@aaronhaggard7683]

Grind past forge scale then see how big/deep it goes. If its relatively small( an inch or under) you could try to reweld it with generous amounts flux. I would suggest light taps. If it gets worse(or is already to big) you're better off cutting of the affected end and grinding to true steel. If its in the middle of the piece, start from scratch. Disclaimer: I am not a blacksmith/welder. The advice above is what logic and sense I have gained from watching Alec's videos among others. Take it with salt. ;P

[@southronjr1570]

It really depends, while I am not a full time blacksmith, I teach blacksmithing and have around 10 years exp doing blacksmithing and fabricating. That out of the way, it all depends on what your welding, the material involved and how big the cracks or folds are. If you can easily grind them out, go for it. I often have the lips of my welds split off due to either too much heat or a misblow. Some times you can just flux the heck out of it and consolidate the cracks, but usually only in mild steel, if it occurs in a high carbon or tool steel, it probably got burned or was too cold. High carbon steels will melt and forge at a lower temp than mild steels and then the super high carbon wrought iron has to have really hot temps to weld. Best advice I can say would be to practice different ways to find what your steel and you like, to keep from having to grind out cracks. Also, be forewarned, when making pattern welded steel, generally your gonna write off the ends due to delams and cracks. I like lots of flux and QUICKLY get to setting the welds when you come out of the heat, so much as having to take 1 extra step can cause the surfaces to cool enough to not weld properly.

[@robertfisher6335]

When trying to to make canoe Damascus is it better grind the inside then use steel foil or would it be better to just place the steel foil inside?

[@timwhitemedic]

You have inspired me to take up the art and science of balcksmithing. I hope one day to have a fraction of the skill and knowledge that you have. Bravo sir..

[@robertmaclure5425]

I am just starting out and a friend of mine recommended your channel and I am blown away thank you

[@Redworx_]

Question: When using oil to quench should you always preheat it or does it just depend on what you are doing?

[@gerardmurphy8278]

It’s normally preheated

[@IronPekfish]

Question: How to keep forge hot enough without breaking all the tiles around it. Can you build inner layer of steel or something to protect it?

[@buzz3566]

Alec, you inspired me to look at my shop and tool set in a wholly new way... Love the energy and creativity, making the best of what you have, even if is from harbor freight!

[@johnobrien1921]

I followed your video and finally modified my hf hammer today. It is so.awesome thank you for this video!

[@Mercenary_32]

I figure after watching all Alec Steele's videos here on KZbin everyone would have the answers to their own questions answered. 🤔

[@twojonzt.v.6865]

I'm still waiting on an assassins creed Damascus hidden blade made with the mechanics and the decorative leather arm band. It been over 2 and a half years man. Come on. You could make such an epic one.

[@JacktheFireEater]

The main problem is licensing and the fact that such a blade is largely illegal in most places. The law frowns upon hidden, spring-loaded blades.

[@twojonzt.v.6865]

@@JacktheFireEater I didn't think that was the case for novelty items.

[@tylermutal6121]

@@JacktheFireEater there in montana, you can pretty much do whatever you want out there.

[@justapotter]

great video and how-to. Thanks for the words of encouragement as well. Especially the part about using what you have and making them better. Cheers!

[@Jacob-sw7fk]

Love this episode! Will be looking to try this out myself, because my hammer needs some serious help. Question: How can you tell that the wood will hold up, even for the cheaper hammer?

[@Bubbles2791]

Question - what is the worse injury you've had?. I could seeing me picking it up with bare hands forgetting it's hot after it's lost its redness

[@VexxThunder]

Question for someone interested in starting blacksmithing: What are some good things/tools to have on hand before starting a project?

[@dismissing]

Start with accessible projects, and buy new things for them. One by one, you'll start to accumulate an impressive arsenal of tools.

[@valinn13]

As long as you've got some kind of hammer, something you can use as an anvil, and some way to hold onto your work, then that would be the bare minimum. Files are also pretty useful depending on what you're making. And a vice is really helpful, but not necessary. You'll find as you go that the more you do as a blacksmith, the more tools you will make for yourself because you needed a specific tool in order to finish a project (and you'll think, "Why spend $50 for this when I can make one in a couple hours?"). Probably a good way to start would be to use pliers to hold your work and make some tongs. They're a relatively simple project and a tool you will use for years. Plus, you'll find that you need different kinds of tongs for different projects. It's a lot cheaper to make them than to buy them unless you luck out and find some at a swapmeet/fleamarket for less than $10 a pair. Either way, it's a good skill to have.

[@bsod4144]

@@valinn13 agreed...tongs were first thing i made...u can use concrete rebar if u cant find better

[@robertsytek661]

Thanks Alec! Some of the pointers in this video will help me improve dressing some of my hammer faces and improve the handles.

[@equitaredurus]

Just stumbled across this channel. I've really been missing out. Looking forward to diving in much deeper.

[@keplarfunk1996]

Question: What is a great set up for a blacksmithing beginner ( what tools or furnace is needed)?

[@siregg1025]

Question: when you first started blacksmithing what was the most valuable information you had learned where you started to really see yourself creating beautiful work?

[@VideoOddness]

Loved this! Thank you for the great info!

[@irishn8]

Always fun watching welders, blacksmiths, fitters, etc play with wood.

[@McGowanForge]

Them-First a word from our sponsor... Me-ok let's s... Them-.... Raid sh- Me-NOPE, *skips*

[@madsfjeldsted9790]

Question: what is the "easiest" projects to start with getting into blacksmithing, so that you can get a sucessful experience early on

[@peteludwig1531]

Watch his "Make 100 of these" video. It won't give you a perfect first project but you can totally see yourself progress.

[@SinisterCity]

Leaves

[@josephalexander3884]

Thank you for showing that basic tools, with a little preparation, are very suitable. We tend to forget this. Also the skills learned at the early stage will serve us well as we progress. Excellent concept. Thank you.

[@richjohn11]

Alec, greetings from across the pond! I love the content of your KZbin videos and to think that you are keeping the skill of blacksmith work in a live craft. I can tell you have a real passion for your career and may your ventures go from strength to strength. Beats sitting in a cubicle tapping away on a computer...well that is what I think!

[@InfamousKiwiJR]

This video came at the perfect time as I just bought my first anvil and forge and looked for this very video just the other day as I had thought I had seen the title before. My questions: What would be the best weight hammer to start with as I was going to do exactly what you did in this video? and What are some good starting projects and material to use for them?

[@p1xelspaceship997]

My first hammer was a 1kg or 2.2lbs and that did me fine for the smaller projects I started with as it moved steel without giving me an arm ache. And honestly for material you can get mild steel bars from most DIY or hardware shops that do just fine as practice material.

[@JoshTalbert]

Question: How big of a difference does the hardness of the hammer effect performance? Or is it mostly life expectancy

[@weston8478]

I use the harbor freight hammer for forging. It's worked very well for me, but I have to dress my faces every few months if I forge a lot. That's just my experience, softer faces deform more quickly.

[@mikepettengill2706]

@@weston8478 would you consider, or be able to, harden that hammer?

[@tashkiira7838]

@@mikepettengill2706 Alec himself STRONGLY recommends against hardening a hammer. Make it out of tool steel, but don't harden it. There's a great example of why in one of the videos back in Norwich. Adam was teaching a class, and the striking hammer almost shed a metal chunk. He made a point to mention in the video that that specific reason is why he doesn't harden his hammers--if the hammer was hardened, that chunk would have gone flying and could have hit someone.

[@antoanthony]

If someone starting forging for the first time, What tools should they get first?

[@thomas3793]

Anthony Neary a forge

[@kitrose1001]

I asked my grandfather this as he use to be a foreman at British steel factorys and was in the RAF as a smith at the end of the war. After telling me about 2 hours of stories he said. 1. A forge (he talked about a coke forge cos thats what he learned on and used in the factories but gas seems a better option these days). 2. A hammer. He showed me his and was a lot like the one in the video but he made it from scratch. Oddly enough there was a smaller head for the same weight of hammer. He did have a bunch of different sises weights and shapes but he retired 30ish years ago so he doesn't have much stuff left. 3. An anvil. Luckily enough for me he gifted us his lovely London Pattern one a while back. But people have used all sorts it just needs be heavy, 2 opposing/parallel sides and be at a good working height. 4. A bucket of water or oil etc for cooling. Be cairfull because different oils behave differently so do some research I Hope this helps. I am in no way any good that this stuff and I haven't had loads of conversations with him about smiting so do more research and be sure before spending money.

[@joshuadelisle]

A welder ;)

[@jose5831P]

That was a good video I have not forged yet. This is actual the 8th video I've i am considering. I wish to find a video where it informs you on temperature, oven, deferent ways of heating metal and of hardening or quenching metal and deferent techniques would really help me out and others who are thinking of black smithing. Oh I like the various flags around the shop it says a lot about character. Thanks again for the video.