OSRS Smithing Guide 1–99: Blast Furnace and Giants’ Foundry

Why Smithing 1–99 Still Matters

Smithing Guide 1–99: Blast Furnace and Giants’ Foundry is one of the most searched Old School RuneScape training questions because Smithing sits at the intersection of account power, diary progress, and long-term goals. Some players need the skillcape. Others need a breakpoint. This guide covers Blast Furnace, Giants’ Foundry so you can pick a path that matches your hours and bank.

Bils Services offers hand-done Smithing training if you would rather outsource the grind. This article stays educational first — use the service link only if it fits your plan.

Always verify live XP rates and GE costs on the OSRS Wiki before buying bulk supplies. Metas shift.

Smithing 1–99 Level Path

Use this as a default roadmap. Switch lanes when your goal (speed vs GP vs AFK) disagrees with the next step.

1. 1–40: quest XP (The Knight’s Sword etc.) + early smelting
2. 40–70/80: Blast Furnace gold bars or alternative ores
3. Giants’ Foundry: strong XP + unique gameplay from mid levels upward
4. High: platebodies / cannonballs (money) / BF addy/rune depending on prices
5. End: compare BF vs Foundry weekly by GE prices

Fastest XP Methods

Blast Furnace gold bars with goldsmith gauntlets is the iconic fast path.

Giants’ Foundry can rival or beat comfort XP depending on moulds and alloys.

Highest XP often means accepting a GP sink.

Cheapest / Budget Approach

Cannonballs are slow XP, steady GP.

Foundry can reduce the sting of Smithing costs while staying decent XP.

Always recompute ore→bar→item margins after GE swings.

AFK & Lower-Intensity Options

BF is semi-AFK with good ice gloves/coal bag setup — not fully AFK.

Foundry is an active minigame loop.

If you need AFK, Smithing may be a bad session choice vs Mining/WC.

Practical Tips That Actually Matter

• Coal bag, ice gloves, and graceful/weight management are part of BF rates.
• Complete Giant Dwarf / quests that unlock BF comfort.
• Do not buy 10k gold ore without checking current XP/GP sheet.

For Smithing, the players who finish 99 are usually the ones who picked one primary method and one backup method — not the ones who swapped every time a Reddit post claimed a new meta.

Ironman Notes

Ironmen should treat Smithing as part of a supply chain, not an isolated cape chase. If the skill produces resources you need (logs, ores, potions, runes, food), bank them. If it only consumes resources, schedule it after your gatherers catch up.

Quest XP is worth more on irons because GE shortcuts do not exist. Check the wiki quest XP dumps for Smithing before you manually grind early levels.

When Paid Training Makes Sense

Outsourcing Smithing makes sense when the skill is a blocker for content you actually want to play, and you will not enjoy the grind enough to finish it. It is a poor buy when you are only chasing a cape for status you do not care about.

If you hire help, define the exact level range, method constraints, and timeline. Read client reviews and keep account safety non-negotiable.

FAQ

BF or Foundry to 99?

BF gold for classic speed; Foundry for engagement + often better GP/XP. Many players mix.

Are cannonballs worth it?

For money and ironmen ammo — yes. For 99 speed — no.

Smithing Planning Notes (1)

When you commit to Smithing 1–99, write your weekly hours and whether you care more about speed, GP, or AFK comfort. Most failed 99 grinds fail because the method does not match the player’s real calendar. A slower method you can sustain beats a “meta” method you quit after three days.

Track XP in chunks (for example every 5–10 levels), not only the final 99. Mid-level plateaus feel endless when you only stare at the skillcape. Recalculate remaining XP after big unlocks so your ETA stays honest. Verify current XP rates and GE costs on the OSRS Wiki because economy patches move the math.

• State one primary Smithing goal for this week.
• Pick one main method and one backup AFK method.
• Bank supplies before a long session.
• Stop if tilt starts — short breaks protect long grinds.
• Re-check unlocks/quests that improve the method.
• Log GP spent vs XP gained once per week.

Smithing Planning Notes (2)

When you commit to Smithing 1–99, write your weekly hours and whether you care more about speed, GP, or AFK comfort. Most failed 99 grinds fail because the method does not match the player’s real calendar. A slower method you can sustain beats a “meta” method you quit after three days.

Track XP in chunks (for example every 5–10 levels), not only the final 99. Mid-level plateaus feel endless when you only stare at the skillcape. Recalculate remaining XP after big unlocks so your ETA stays honest. Verify current XP rates and GE costs on the OSRS Wiki because economy patches move the math.

• State one primary Smithing goal for this week.
• Pick one main method and one backup AFK method.
• Bank supplies before a long session.
• Stop if tilt starts — short breaks protect long grinds.
• Re-check unlocks/quests that improve the method.
• Log GP spent vs XP gained once per week.

Smithing Planning Notes (3)

When you commit to Smithing 1–99, write your weekly hours and whether you care more about speed, GP, or AFK comfort. Most failed 99 grinds fail because the method does not match the player’s real calendar. A slower method you can sustain beats a “meta” method you quit after three days.

Track XP in chunks (for example every 5–10 levels), not only the final 99. Mid-level plateaus feel endless when you only stare at the skillcape. Recalculate remaining XP after big unlocks so your ETA stays honest. Verify current XP rates and GE costs on the OSRS Wiki because economy patches move the math.

• State one primary Smithing goal for this week.
• Pick one main method and one backup AFK method.
• Bank supplies before a long session.
• Stop if tilt starts — short breaks protect long grinds.
• Re-check unlocks/quests that improve the method.
• Log GP spent vs XP gained once per week.

Smithing Planning Notes (4)

When you commit to Smithing 1–99, write your weekly hours and whether you care more about speed, GP, or AFK comfort. Most failed 99 grinds fail because the method does not match the player’s real calendar. A slower method you can sustain beats a “meta” method you quit after three days.

Track XP in chunks (for example every 5–10 levels), not only the final 99. Mid-level plateaus feel endless when you only stare at the skillcape. Recalculate remaining XP after big unlocks so your ETA stays honest. Verify current XP rates and GE costs on the OSRS Wiki because economy patches move the math.

• State one primary Smithing goal for this week.
• Pick one main method and one backup AFK method.
• Bank supplies before a long session.
• Stop if tilt starts — short breaks protect long grinds.
• Re-check unlocks/quests that improve the method.
• Log GP spent vs XP gained once per week.

Smithing Planning Notes (5)

When you commit to Smithing 1–99, write your weekly hours and whether you care more about speed, GP, or AFK comfort. Most failed 99 grinds fail because the method does not match the player’s real calendar. A slower method you can sustain beats a “meta” method you quit after three days.

Track XP in chunks (for example every 5–10 levels), not only the final 99. Mid-level plateaus feel endless when you only stare at the skillcape. Recalculate remaining XP after big unlocks so your ETA stays honest. Verify current XP rates and GE costs on the OSRS Wiki because economy patches move the math.

• State one primary Smithing goal for this week.
• Pick one main method and one backup AFK method.
• Bank supplies before a long session.
• Stop if tilt starts — short breaks protect long grinds.
• Re-check unlocks/quests that improve the method.
• Log GP spent vs XP gained once per week.

Smithing Planning Notes (6)

When you commit to Smithing 1–99, write your weekly hours and whether you care more about speed, GP, or AFK comfort. Most failed 99 grinds fail because the method does not match the player’s real calendar. A slower method you can sustain beats a “meta” method you quit after three days.

Track XP in chunks (for example every 5–10 levels), not only the final 99. Mid-level plateaus feel endless when you only stare at the skillcape. Recalculate remaining XP after big unlocks so your ETA stays honest. Verify current XP rates and GE costs on the OSRS Wiki because economy patches move the math.

• State one primary Smithing goal for this week.
• Pick one main method and one backup AFK method.
• Bank supplies before a long session.
• Stop if tilt starts — short breaks protect long grinds.
• Re-check unlocks/quests that improve the method.
• Log GP spent vs XP gained once per week.

Smithing Planning Notes (7)

When you commit to Smithing 1–99, write your weekly hours and whether you care more about speed, GP, or AFK comfort. Most failed 99 grinds fail because the method does not match the player’s real calendar. A slower method you can sustain beats a “meta” method you quit after three days.

Track XP in chunks (for example every 5–10 levels), not only the final 99. Mid-level plateaus feel endless when you only stare at the skillcape. Recalculate remaining XP after big unlocks so your ETA stays honest. Verify current XP rates and GE costs on the OSRS Wiki because economy patches move the math.

• State one primary Smithing goal for this week.
• Pick one main method and one backup AFK method.
• Bank supplies before a long session.
• Stop if tilt starts — short breaks protect long grinds.
• Re-check unlocks/quests that improve the method.
• Log GP spent vs XP gained once per week.

Smithing Planning Notes (8)

When you commit to Smithing 1–99, write your weekly hours and whether you care more about speed, GP, or AFK comfort. Most failed 99 grinds fail because the method does not match the player’s real calendar. A slower method you can sustain beats a “meta” method you quit after three days.

Track XP in chunks (for example every 5–10 levels), not only the final 99. Mid-level plateaus feel endless when you only stare at the skillcape. Recalculate remaining XP after big unlocks so your ETA stays honest. Verify current XP rates and GE costs on the OSRS Wiki because economy patches move the math.

• State one primary Smithing goal for this week.
• Pick one main method and one backup AFK method.
• Bank supplies before a long session.
• Stop if tilt starts — short breaks protect long grinds.
• Re-check unlocks/quests that improve the method.
• Log GP spent vs XP gained once per week.

Smithing Planning Notes (9)

When you commit to Smithing 1–99, write your weekly hours and whether you care more about speed, GP, or AFK comfort. Most failed 99 grinds fail because the method does not match the player’s real calendar. A slower method you can sustain beats a “meta” method you quit after three days.

Track XP in chunks (for example every 5–10 levels), not only the final 99. Mid-level plateaus feel endless when you only stare at the skillcape. Recalculate remaining XP after big unlocks so your ETA stays honest. Verify current XP rates and GE costs on the OSRS Wiki because economy patches move the math.

• State one primary Smithing goal for this week.
• Pick one main method and one backup AFK method.
• Bank supplies before a long session.
• Stop if tilt starts — short breaks protect long grinds.
• Re-check unlocks/quests that improve the method.
• Log GP spent vs XP gained once per week.

Smithing Planning Notes (10)

When you commit to Smithing 1–99, write your weekly hours and whether you care more about speed, GP, or AFK comfort. Most failed 99 grinds fail because the method does not match the player’s real calendar. A slower method you can sustain beats a “meta” method you quit after three days.

Track XP in chunks (for example every 5–10 levels), not only the final 99. Mid-level plateaus feel endless when you only stare at the skillcape. Recalculate remaining XP after big unlocks so your ETA stays honest. Verify current XP rates and GE costs on the OSRS Wiki because economy patches move the math.

• State one primary Smithing goal for this week.
• Pick one main method and one backup AFK method.
• Bank supplies before a long session.
• Stop if tilt starts — short breaks protect long grinds.
• Re-check unlocks/quests that improve the method.
• Log GP spent vs XP gained once per week.

Final Takeaway

Smithing 1–99 is a planning problem before it is a clicking problem. Choose Blast Furnace, accept the trade-offs, and recalculate when prices or unlocks change.

Browse Smithing training, more skill guides, or the full blog for related progression help.