%% Last Updated: - [[2021-03-11]] %% Blacksmithing is the process of creating tools, weapons, armor, or furniture out of metal by heating it up and hammering it into place. ## Steps for smithing 1. Create the design 2. Shape the metal - Heat up the metal in the [[Makeshift Forge|forge]] to make it more malleable. - Hammer it into a rough shape against an [[Anvil]], which acts as a heat sink that absorbs the heat from the metal. 3. Do a rough grind of the metal - Use the rough grit belt on the belt grinder to remove a lot of the metal quickly, sharpening it if necessary. - Dip the metal into water to help cool it down, because the friction from the belt grinder heats it up again. 4. Heat treat the metal - Harder steels need to be dipped into oil, because water would quench it so quickly that it would make the metal brittle, making it likely to break apart. ## References - [[All Work No Play - Blacksmithing with Mica Burton]]