Greetings Everyone!  First, I've been reading some of your posts and viewing the beautiful photos of your incredible creations, so thank you for your great inspiration!!

I've been looking for a jeweler's block, steel, any size from 2 in. x 2 in. to 4 in. x 4 in.  There's nothing available anywhere near where I live (east southern Illinois) and I'm hoping to avoid having to pay a large shipping fee.  Does anyone know either : 1. an inexpensive source for jeweler's blocks, or 2. a workable alternative to an actual jeweler's block for work-hardening and shaping jewelry metals?

Any ideas are greatly welcomed!! Thank you in advance for any help & ideas given!

Red Willow

 Welcome to our forums, Red Willow!

They won't give you a flat 4x4 area but many jewelers have made do with a chunk of  railroad rail cut with a big cutting torch to the size that will fit in your work area.

Is there a Harbor Freght store near  you? I think they have one but it may not be as hard and smooth as a really good block (or as the old rail.)