Practical Blacksmithing

Originally published in four volumes, Practical Blacksmithing remains as relevant now as it was at the turn of the twentieth century. Featuring an abundance of information and over 1,000 illustrations, this guide provides everything you need to understand the techniques and craftsmanship of blacksmithing. Processes covered include soldering, welding, brazing, forging, tempering, cutting, bending, setting, drilling, fullering, and swaging. Richardson also describes the usage of a variety of smithing equipment such as forges, anvils, and a variety of tools.

This unabridged guide covers every aspect of working with iron and steel with an assortment of diagrams and concise instructions. Richardson explains strength tests for wrought iron and steel, heating and hardening steel, rotting and crystallization of iron, selecting quality steel, restoring burnt steel, artistic ironwork, and the general usefulness of these metals. Learn how to work on chains, knives, sleds, wagons, horseshoes, and more. Inside you will also find plans for blacksmith shops, which detail chimney building, forge construction, and blueprints for a variety of workbenches.

The tool collector will also find this guide of immense value as Richardson covers the history of blacksmithing tools. He provides a catalog of antique tools, which are no longer commercially available, accompanied by instructions for repairing, preserving, and replicating them. Similarly, this book provides historians with a glimpse into the progression of metalworking and its aesthetics and also includes an addendum of original advertisements printed in the original editions of the late 1800s.

M. T. Richardson's Practical Blacksmithing is the comprehensive guide for modern artisans of this ancient craft.