practical blacksmithing: the four classic volumes in one  <b>the blacksmith’s abcs—learn metalworking as taught by the old masters!</b><br /> <br /> the forging of metal gave birth to the iron age, and <i>practical blacksmithing</i> is the classic primer on the craft that shaped modern civilization. featuring <b>more than 1,000 illustrations</b>, this foundational text describes<b> every aspect of working with iron and steel</b>, and is essential for both the do-it-yourself backyard blacksmith and the professional metalworker. <br /> <br /> originally published in four volumes in the early 20th century, this hefty, single-volume, new edition of <i>practical blacksmithing</i> is different from similar books in that it <b>includes contributions by working tradesmen</b>. in addition to its <b>clear and concise instructional material</b>, the book’s editor collected the actual words of old-time blacksmiths offering their best methods, unique how-tos, original techniques, and arcane knowledge.<br /> <br /> industrialization and mass production may have led to the disappearance of the blacksmith from everyday life, but the art of metalwork never died. it smoldered like hot coals in a forge, and today those coals are red hot as craftsman taking up blacksmithing as a hobby or art form seek to learn the <b>foundational aspects of the trade</b>.<br /> <br /> proving that what may be old can actually be new and useful, <i>practical blacksmithing</i><b>describes all the important smithing processes: </b>welding, brazing, soldering, cutting, bending, setting, tempering, fullering and swaging, forging, and drilling. it also includes the <b>early history of blacksmithing</b> and describes tools used since ancient times. in addition to <b>thousands of other useful facts</b>, the modern blacksmith will be introduced to old tools and learn how to make them, and can even learn how to build a retro blacksmith shop with detailed do-it-yourself plans!