Practical Blacksmithing : 4 Volumes

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Summary: Great window of blacksmith history
Review: Great view of blacksmithing of the 1880's. Lots of good suggestions for today. I bought the hardback with all 4 volumes in one. Great deal for the combined volume.

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Summary: M.T. Richardson's Practical Blacksmithing is a must-have for both hobbyists and professional balcksmiths.
Review: I first came across this book in a used book store in virginia over ten years ago. I lent it to a friend, and promptly forgot who had it. When you get your copy, chain it to your forge.

This book is a comprehensive treatise on the art of blacksmithing, as it was practiced at the turn of the century. It covers the basics of working with iron, detailing how to determine temperature by color, how to build your forge fire, how to use the basic tools and so forth, but it goes far beyond that.

In this book, you can find descriptions of such nearly forgotten subjects as how to weld wagon tires, how to make hoops for your local cooper's use, and even how to repair a broken anvil!

This book is a fascinating, clearly written encyclopedia of a nearly forgotten industry.