Blacksmithing, Forge building

[knucklehead]

Hey

Anyone build a forge? Anyone got a hot (!!) setup for someone who doesn't want to make it a vocation, but would like to fool around with some simple stuff (re-pointing wood hooks, twisting and bending stuff for fun and utility), then maybe try welding, or forging some blades?

I got a couple old 20" truck brake drums, and a few odd pieces of 2" pipe & fittings. I've seen drawings of home-made forges used with hair dryers blowing through pipe, up into the brake drum. I've seen people 'smithing with a gas torch for heat, but it seems expensive. I've seen tray-type fire boxes, with sheetmetal hoods.

I'd like to get some ideas for a handy, inexpensive, beginner type setup that could be assemdled with standard stock and pieces. I'd also appreciate advice, and maybe websites, or books if neccessary. Blacksmithing seems like more of a felt thing than a thing one reads from a book, but all info would be glady accepted.

I'd also like info on what type of simple tools to have, fuel to use, and what types of steel - mostly cold rolled, standard stuff? I've seen a lot of shops, some active, some museum type displays, and there's a million tools hanging around the forge, and various vises, etc.. Anyone out there doing a lot of forging with a brake drum forge, and a couple long handled tongs, a hand sledge or big ball pein hammer, a piece of railroad track, and a plastic bucket full of water, or is that too crude?

I know there's a couple of you out there........

[SteveV]

I've been playing in the beginner blacksmith arena and have a few suggestions to offer. Any method that heats steel to bright red/orange is a good one. If you like coal, go for it! Getting a work area setup with the anvil or track at nuckle height is most important. Watch a smith work and learn how to swing a hammer without getting hurt. Scrap steel dumpsters are a fantastic things behind most fabricators' shops. Don't be afraid to ask, they don't get much for it. Lastly, for a beginner, once the hammer swings, its hard to regain the shape that you started from. Oh, and firebrick can be found lying around too. SteveV

[karmakanic]

Hi Mark,

Check out these sites:
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.reil1.net/Forge1.shtml>Ron's Forge page</A>
anvilfire

Ron's forge page in particular has plans for building low cost forges.
The anvilfire site has an active group of folks who can answer any questions you have about blacksmithing. Check out the guru's page.

I haven't used any of the plans yet, but I've been doing a lot of reading in preparation. A blacksmith shop next to my machine shop is on my wish list for retirement.

HTH,
Dave

[knucklehead]

Thanks, guys - I wondered if you'd see this, Dave. I'm coming close to building the pole barn/shed/shop, and I want to consider options in planning. I've always wanted to try this.

[karmakanic]

You might get a kick out of this pic, Mark. It's a Bradley 50lb power hammer (blacksmith's hammer). Pic is of the hammer as received, with a 80 year accumulation of coal dust and grease. I've since restored and painted it John Deere green. It's awaiting the completion of the blacksmith shop.

[knucklehead]

Flat belt pulleys! You gonna run that with a flat belt off yer tractor? My uncle got my grandfather's "shop" and set it up in his garage - all flat belt shafting and a big old motor.

[bgott]

Now you need to find an old hit and miss engine to run it.

[Earnsfan]

Those are great sites

[Estif]

I just spent most of the day running my version of the Reil EZ Burner. I've been through just a little over one LP cylinder since building it last spring, and I'm very pleased with the little forge.

Before building the forge, I had done a little forging mostly on very small stock, using propane torches or oxy-acet for the heat source. Worked okay. Enough to make me want something better.

One warning, this is one of those addictive things. You can start with some source of heat, a large steel object for an anvil, a hammer, and a pair of pliers or vise grips. But then you will NEED more. The good news is, you can make a lot of it. My projects for the day were all tongs and chisels.

Steve

[wroughtn_harv]

I guess one of the reasons I enjoy blacksmithing so much is making something rarely consists of just making something. First you got to figure what kind of tool it's going to require. Then you make the tool. Then you make the thing.

Maybe the best analogy that I can think of that everyone can relate to is to compare blacksmithing versus other techniques in making things is to compare making love to having sex. There's nothing wrong with having sex. But it's just not the same as making love.[img]/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif[/img]