First a couple of comments, then I'll point out a few items of note.

When I was first starting out, I was invited to a nearby smith's shop and was absolutely astounded by the number of tool he had. Although I didn't believe him at the time, he told me to "have patience, once people find out what you're doing they will give you more tools than you know what to do with". Now, 20 years later (oh dear that means I've been smithing 1/2 my life) I have definitely amassed a ton of tools. So, to any who are in awe of the number tools I have, I say "have patience, once people find out what you're doing they will give you more tools than you know what to do with".

Second, the bulk of my tools were given to me by a good number people who had "old iron stuff that their grandfather used" hanging around in their basement and just wanted to know that it would have a good home.

Up front is my main anvil. It's made by the Peter Wright company,weighs 165# and is close to 70-80 years old.

Behind that is the brick forge. I'm not a mason so the brick work leaves something to be desired, but it's key feature is that it's built to nearly the same height as the anvil face (as are many of the other surfaces in the smithy). This means that when I'm working long stock, I've got a built in "stands" all around me because they're all the same height.

One exception to this are the tongs on the tong rack. They hang low so the jaws of the tongs don't entangle long steel as it's in the forge.

At the right rear corner of the forge is a big irregularly shaped block of iron. This "swadge block" weighs 124# and is essentially a swiss army knife of swadges. The depressed forms in this block allow me to form bowls, ladles, spoons, spear sockets, and more.

Just in front of swadge block is one of my "traveling anvils". It too is a Peter Wright and weighs just under 100#. Easy to carry but still large enough to make a ton of items.

Behind the traveling anvil is a mail hauberk that is still partially completed.

To the right of the mail is my 50# Little Giant power hammer. Power hammers are lists by the hammer head weight; the unit itself actually weighs 1,856#. Currently, it's undergoing restoration and isn't up and running yet.

Finally, coming back around to the front right of the photo is a "cone mandrel". Unlike an anvil's horn, this is a perfect cone which means I can quickly and consistently make perfect circles. An excellent tool for making arm bands and hoops.

That's it for this photo. If I get other areas of the shop cleared up a bit I photograph those and show the blow, belt grinder, drill press, slack tub and treadle hammer.

Cheers!

Cormac McInnean
Ollamh Gobae (Mastersmith)
Ancient Celtic Clans