Blacksmithing can pay for the tools you need
Discussing the results of our blacksmithing for profit venture. Did we actually make enough to cover the setup costs? Sorry, no forging today, its sort of a mini podcast.
Blacksmith Supply: www.blacksmithsupply.com/
Use discount code "bear5"
Main shop Anvil provided by; Fontanini Anvil
www.stevefontaniniblacksmith.com
Precut blanks for forging available from:
www.blacksmithingblanks.com
use coupon code John at checkout.
My blacksmiths apron
www.Forge-Aprons.com use code BBF
Music sourced through Epidemic sound
www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
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Shop - www.blackbearforge.etsy.com
Web site - www.blackbearforge.com
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John Switzer channel - / johnswitzer
Some of my most used gear*
Canon EOS R6 Mirrorless Camera - adorama.rfvk.net/b3yZ7v
Canon EOS R Mirrorless Camera - adorama.rfvk.net/J50gq
Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L Lens - adorama.rfvk.net/6bb7yV
Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L Lens - adorama.rfvk.net/rneRoG
Sony ZV1 point and shoot camera - adorama.rfvk.net/BXKMkJ
Rode Wireless Go microphone - adorama.rfvk.net/YggLRm
Deity V Mic D3 pro - adorama.rfvk.net/mxO51
Insta360 One X2 - www.insta360.com/sal/one_x2?i...
Insta360 Go2 - www.insta360.com/sal/go_2?ins...
Autel Evo II pro drone - auteldrones.com/?ref=HUB40s11...
Autel Evo Nano+ drone - auteldrones.com/?ref=HUB40s11...
*Links include affiliate links
Mailing address:
Black Bear Forge
P.O. Box 4
Beulah, CO 81023
Below you will find useful links that will help you in your journey as a blacksmith.
To find more information in blacksmithing in the US or to search for your local ABANA affiliate group visit.
www.abana.org/
Blacksmithing tools and supplies
Self contained air hammers - www.saymakhammers.com/
General blacksmithing supplies - www.oleoacresfarriersupply.com/
General blacksmithing supplies - www.piehtoolco.com/
General blacksmithing supplies - www.centaurforge.com/
General blacksmithing supplies - www.blacksmithsdepot.com/
General blacksmithing supplies - www.blacksmithsupply.com/
Square head bolts and lags - www.blacksmithbolt.com/
New anvils - www.oldworldanvils.com/
New anvils - www.nimbaanvils.com/
New anvils -
Industrial supplier - www.mcmaster.com
Tong blanks and tools - kensironstore.com/
Fire brick and refractory - refwest.com
Blacksmithing and related activities can be hazardous. These videos are not a substitute for competent professional instruction. Your safety is your sole responsibility. Always use appropriate safety equipment including eye and ear protection when working in the shop. Follow manufactures safety guidelines for the use of all equipment. In the event something shown in one of these videos seems unsafe, it is up to you to make the appropriate changes to protect yourself.t yourself.
This has been a good effort to provide guidance, start to finish on a small hobby business that could eventually become something bigger. Thanks for taking the time & teaching us.
Glad it was helpful!
Hi John Talking about Tax down here in Australia I do blacksmithing as a hobby , So I don't pay any tax until I earn over $22000 dollars a year . And most of my bar stock round or square I get from scrap bins . And 2 of my Son's work in the steel industry so I really never buy anything . 🤑👍⚒🤠.
Up until 2020, we were required to report $20,000 and over in the US. Now it’s only $600.
Are you in S.A.
Back in 1998 my local Harbor Freight had 4-1/2 inch angle grinders for $9.95. I bought two because I expected them to have a short lifespan. The one I opened has seen rigorous use since then, and it's still going strong. In fact, not only have I not needed to bring the second into service, but I've also yet to require the use the spare brushes that were included.
I must really like your videos. I just sat through over 4 minutes of ads so you get higher KZhead pay than when I Skip Ads! 😂
John I’ve found people at markets and things like that will buy things $5-$10 but not the dearer items I’m in Tasmania Australia.
Pricing is something I struggle with. Just forged a fairly elaborate lily sculpture and was told by everyone who saw it that my proposed price was way too low, so it's now for sale at an antique mall for 2 1/2 times what I was initially going to offer it for. I do sell a lot of my product at this antique mall, so there's another possible sales venue for some folks.
I've always found the shows and festivals to be more about networking and advertising than sales really. Sure, it's nice when you make a decent profit at the show but what tends to happen (for me, at least) is people see your work and want to order something custom.
The networking with other craftsmen is valuable. You can find out about the good shows & the dogs. In addition to the booth fee, some shows take a % of sales. In the late 70s - early 80's when I was doing shows we were traveling in either a van or a pickup camper selling wooden toys. After a couple of years we had found enough good /profitable shows to eliminate the low money ones from our list. We were doing this to make a living. It was fun but sometimes a skinny living. Sales were running from $500 to to $2000 per day of the shows. @ $500 we were better off wholesaling. Consignment selling is a bad idea, stay away from it. If you decide to consign, have a legal contract that spells out everything including ownership of your items, theft, damage, payment terms, etc. Art galleries typically take 50 to 60% of the selling price. If you add that to your normal pricing, sales will be very low.
My local post office has free padded envelopes and boxes for shipping that’s what I use for my customers
I have a harbor freight angle grind that I hace been using pretty consistently for about 10 years. For a hobbyist, they will suffice for a very long time.
Harbor freight has $10 angle grinders, I got a couple so I wouldn't have to change discs, 1 set up for grinding, 1 to cut, 1 for flap discs, etc. This saves me time when I need them.
i didnt believe you so i looked it up, holy shit i had no idea harbor freight had angle grinders for that cheap! is it the 4.3 amp warrior thats black and orange?
It saves you lots of time until you have to go back to the store to replace the ones you burnt out!
Its $10 if it burns out oh well you got $10 worth of use out of it. Using mine for over a year now and it's still working.
Yeah, a second angle grinder is great. I got a cordless one that is great for flap discs, and keep the corded one for actual grinding and cutting, as it has more torque.
Harbor freight is like the Walmart of blacksmithing. We don’t talk about it but we are all going there. 😂😂
I like using discs and disk axels in farm county, often times farmers will give them to you to get them out of their bone yard
Gotta love the farmers! I've got a bucket full of harrow spikes that were given to me. They make good tools.
This series got me back into the hobby i started as a teen but quit on. My tools/equipment is 100% Harbor Freight and Vevor. Today i made my first successful leaf keychain after breaking my first attempt (at the spot where the leaf transitions to the stem). It only took me like 50 heats lol, the next step is to make a 49 heat leaf! (Some minor exageration, but it sure felt like it at the time)
My 4 1/2" angle grinder from Harbor Freight cost $20. I think the equivalent now might be $30. I've had it for I believe 9 years at this point, and it has never failed me. Best $20 I've ever spent in my life. Now of course your mileage may vary - quality control on that price tier of tool isn't amazing - but I've cut 1" stock with that thing dozens of times, and smaller stock more times than I can count. It shows no signs of slowing down.
For starting out, getting *two* of the cheap HF angle grinders has served me very well. With the right coupons, you can get both and an assortment of hard and cutoff wheels and a couple grits of flap discs for probably less than $50 total. Having two allows me to set them up with discs I’m switching between or mount one to the bench with a bracket I cobbled up and keep the other mobile; it really opens up a lot of options. And, when one finally dies (both of mine are still going strong) I’ll still be able to finish the job before going out to get a replacement.
I own 3 of the 20$ Drillmaster harborfreight grinders, havnt broke one yet, one has a worn out bearing finally after 3 years of abuse.
John, I have a dozen Harbor Freight angle grinders that I bought for $9.99 to $20 always 'on sale' as they frequently are. I have a different disc on each one. I have one "brand named" grinder ($120) that has broken once (an easy fix). I have never had a failure (other than worn brushes) in any of them. I am not a "production" smith, but I am in the shop pretty much every day.
Thanks John and was nice to meet you in Amana. I found that buying hot rolled steel vice cold rolled steel is another price saver. Both look the same in the end. Joe (from Wisconsin) of JD Forge, “…consider everything hot in the shop…”
I only use cold rolled when the exact size is required since it is more precise.
Taking that hobby to the small business level! Thanks for the great video John!
Thanks for watching!
Harbor freight angle grinders are real cheap during I believe it's their June sale, roughly $10. As long as you don't bog them down often they can pay you a few years. Great for someone just getting started, perhaps not the best for an established shop.
Thank you for the informative videos. I’m a new father and recently lost my employment due to our sitter arrangements not working out. Hoping to fire up the forge and make a little money to help the wife with some bills. Not expecting to make a fortune but every little bit helps.
Best of luck, it can certainly help if you find the right market.
I really like the bare bones explanation on this . Your a great teacher sir
Thank you for all the trouble, videos are great. Blessings Dave
Thanks for sharing with us John, very interesting and sure glad you covered your cost and made some wages too. Always enjoy your videos . Stay safe and keep up the fun. Fred.
Glad you enjoyed it
That $20 Harbor Freight angle grinder was the first power tool I bought for the blacksmith shop, and I've used and abused that thing like nobody's business. Still works like day one too (and I've gotten the motor on that little grinder HOT). Have to say possibly the best $20 I ever spent, definetly beats using a hacksaw to cut stock.
Good work. I like the references on price. Nice to know I wasn't low balling myself, or cheating a customer. I sell alot of similar things. And yes, gotta factor in price of fuel, gas, the stand fee for wherever your at, regular taxes ect. But, it can be very much worth it. I sell at our local farm market, craft fairs, music/art festivals, and plan on getting a spot at the county fair, and looking into more. I try to get an approval to do live demos as well. Helps draw a crowd. And I still need to get on etsy. I wanna get a better camera for nice pics.
Good series for the beginning blacksmith. Great job!
This series is such a wealth of information! It converts over to most hand-crafts. I followed a similar path when I started making jewelry and now do it full time. You covered everything! From initial costs, overhead, sales channels etc. A really comprehensive series of videos so thank you for putting this out there. The only thing not really here is marketing. Running ads is a whole topic on its own. If you are looking to start doing this for a living rather than a hobby that pays for itself, you have to re-calculate everything. Now you have to include a livable wage into the cost which a lot of people skip over and eventually burn out.
Great stuff. Love your videos and channel.
The Harbor Freight angle grinder is piece of ...., mine seem to die every 3-6 months. HOWEVER, I always get the warranty, and you can return the angle grinder at any time during the warranty period and they swap it out no questions asked. Always get the warranty with Harbor Freight tools.
Hey John, thanks for the update and valuable information.
Very well presented John. My woodworking shop was built on the same basis over many years. The hardest task for me after 50 years of making wood items is how much to charge to be fair and to sell the items. As you indicated, a craftsman must make money to be fair to the maker as well as to be fair to the buyer.
You're my favorite blacksmith 👍
Thanks John . You are very generous with your wisdom
You are very welcome
awesome job as always!
In my endeavors in blacksmithing I am always looking for place to obtain scrap steel, flea markets, garage sales, and not buy any steel retail, unless I absolutely need it for a specific project. You didn't really address a point, especially for a business, What is your time worth? How do you price something considering tools, overhead, business costs, etc. and the time it takes to make something? I worked a local show two years in a row. The first year, basically to see and learn what was involved. The second year, I planned, made items for resale in advance, kept records of cost and time, and when it was all done, it came to I was working for 25 cents per hour based on my sales. That was when I decided to quit doing any kind of shows, etc. and only do work on a customer requested basis.
I did a video several years ago on pricing your work. kzhead.info/sun/iLtpc9iigmVvfps/bejne.htmlsi=8bwhzbUw3VL1kUSD May be time to re visit thetopic
I have been spending the last few days watching a hour or two of your videos a night and I'm blown away at how amazing you are at explaining everything I really cannot thank you enough I came into these videos just kind of curious as to how it all works I'm now saving up for the begginer set up hopefully in the next month or 2 I'll be at it. Maybe by then I'll have finished all your videos. You even managed to peak the interest of my son and he has been watching with me.
I've burned through some of the harbor freight tools ones over the last couple years, when the coupon showed up for 10 dollars each it was hard to say no. They will work for several months of hard use so for the money starting they are good. they vibrate more then a good quality dewalt or something and therefore are much harder on you to use for any length of time.
Another masterful video, Thank you! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
John, thank you for another great video! FYI: I believe the cheapest HF angle grinder is $15 and they occasionally sell them for $10! I am frequently using one of them for the last 5-6 years. It works ok (certainly gets the work done) but requires resurfacing brushes or just stretching their springs from time to time. 🙂 Anyway, a very budget-friendly solution.
By the way, love this channel the sales show video, the big shop, and the small shop. Maybe someday can add small solar generator to small shop enough to run a tool or 2 or just enough to charge the batteries so you don't have to take them to big shop or house and forget to bring them back
I might consider doing that at some point
I purchased the spiral key chain and 2 hooks to use as guides. I have had a request to supply the key chain for a friend to sale at a craft show .Changed it a little and this will be my first sales . Thanks John for the inspiration
Thank you. I hope it turns a profit for both of you
Love your channel and content you make
Thank you Sir
Thanks John! This video is extremely helpful!!!
Glad to hear it!
Thank you for the valuable information. Another possibility for selling items is resale shops. The folks that run them usually take their cut off the top or in some cases charge a flat fee but it is a place where some items can be sold, if folks have something like that in their area.
One anvil ?are you joking! I have 12 .My wife says I have a problem.(she bought me most of them .good woman ) He who dies with most anvil wins!Love your channel. rstr.(rooster)
John very nice job. Very helpful and definitely useful video explaining this. Thanks so much sir. Can't wait to see more updates an projects and many more videos soon my friend. Keep up the great craftsmanship and hard work my friend. Forge On. Fab On. Weld On. Keep forge lit. Keep Making. God bless.
Great video Mr John and Harbor Freight has an angle grinder for $15 just as an FYI
Really great video and information. I'm glad to find out that the small shop experiment is starting to turn a profit. I work as a mechanic and I get a fair amount of stuff from that. I've made a knife or two from truck brake rollers and pins and from races, a little hard to work but fun. Keep the videos coming we really do enjoy them and i appreciate your hard work. John V.
It's important to realize that he already has a big following and his etsy store is getting a lot of traffic that a beginner's store will not get.
@mrkiky Very true but this experiment has proven that a person doesn't need a ton of money to get started doing a blacksmithing business. We are all proof of his following.
For a poor guy starting out, is a easily built coal forge a better/cheaper way than propane? Differences in the work you can do? Thanks for the education!
It really depends on fuel costs and availability in your area. Around here propane costs less than coal.
Just curious if anyone else has seen a slow down in there ETSY stores? It seems the last 6 to 8 months has seen a real drop off on my store. Anyone else?
Hi John, thanks for a much anticipated video. I think this series will be a great resource. One thing I was discussing with my barber this morning was insurance - Could you discuss some of the needs and pitfalls a small business (or single proprietorship?) could experience in the insurance landscape? I know this may be highly regional, and legalities increase complexity exponentially which is Up to Me to Determine For My Self; however, if you are comfortable with it, I would like to hear a blacksmithing perspective.
I'll give the idea some thought.
you make it sound so easy. Hasn't proven to be that successful for me. Guess I'm doing something wrong.
I don't really mean to make it seem overly easy. It's all work and it takes time for it to pay off.
I made most of my punches out of old tire tools......😂😂😂😂
The welding shops may have some pieces they would part with.
Good morning
Morning
Hello John I was wandering if you do an application for hands on classes?
What do you think about hat hooks? I have a few Acubras and a Stetson, and wanted to hang them on the back wall. Just an idea. Love your work John
I have done a few, but they aren't big sellers in my area
Thank you for the video, John! I've started making hooks to sharpen my skills, as I've been smithing for only about a month. I'm trying to specialize in knives now and hopefully some axes, swords, or spears in the future. This is a great lesson that I can use for my products when I feel the time is right. We are truly blessed to have you as a teacher on KZhead!
Glad it was helpful!
How much time did you have in making the items? Or what what kind of Hourly rate did you make? Nice review.
I wasn't really keeping track of time or an hourly rate since the goal was to develop skills and cover expenses. But I would guess 6 hours or so for me to make the actual items, a beginner should plan on a few hours in the evening or on a weekend over a few weeks.
Thank you John, Just curious about the time involved.@@BlackBearForge
Really excellent series for those of us starting out. Information and inspiration both. Thank you for putting this together.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Do you still have a relationship with combat abrasives? I was looking for an affiliate link to order some belts but I don't see one
No, they stopped communicating or paying for sponsorship without any advanced notice. So I no longer provide those links.
All the fairs and shows I've dealt with required me to have a sales tax number in order to rent the space. Do you run into that? if so, how do you deal with that?
I haven't had an issue with it. But when I was doing more of these events I did have a tax number
What company do you use for shipping? USPS, Fedex, UPS, someone else? Thanks
USPS for any of the lighter stuff and UPS for heavy items.
If you are splitting a piece of steel or other material like for making a bending fork, would drilling or punching a hole reduce the chances of forming a visible or non visible crack
Thats a good idea in many cases
So help me understand, why do some people fold the steal and other cut and stack the steal? Which is better?
They do it because it is decorative, and people with usually pay more for it. Plus it shows off your skills. It doesn't have any advantage of material strength.
Accounting is good, but profit is long term, You can lose money at a show but produce potential, practice pays tomorrow, Money is just fuel not the settlement of a business
It's just such a shame that everyone wants their pound of flesh when it comes to trying to sell a product.
Another great and informative video John. I appreciate you.
Good morning
Morning