Hail, my name is Elijah. I've always wanted to pursue a hobby/life in Blacksmithing, however until very recently. It's been out of the question entirely. I recently stumbled upon this site and was astounded at the wealth of information and generosity of the people.
Now, I've read some of the older posts, and followed some links. Read just a little bit. I have some questions though. That being said, I'm free to mention this. I know about as much of how to build the forge, how the forge works, how to keep the fire clean, how to get good coke, how to essentially. Blacksmith, As an ant knows about bio-chem. So far as I know you have a forge, in this forge you burn Coal (Or you can use gas) You sift the impurities out of the coal, and make "coke" The coke is what is burned in the actual process of the smithing. From there, all I really know is. Put the metal you want to work in the fire till it gets hot. Stick it on the anvil, work it with the hammer, cool it. Rinse and repeat until you've shaped it.
What I'm getting at here, is that I would like to know more about the actual chemical processes happening. Why when you super heat the coal do the impurities sort out. Etc. I would also like the learn the forge, how to build it, how it works. How it might break or be weak.
I'm from Utah, the only Blacksmithing community I have found around here is part of the ABANA. THe Bonneville Forge Council.
Now I know that there have been large amount of people asking these questions, and large amounts of people answering them. Don't get me wrong, I'm doing the research as best I can on my own. Someone howver, that could not only point me in the right direction, but maybe give me a wall of text. (Somewhat what this post is.) Containing what they think is neccesary information.
I am planning on leaving to a six day Blacksmithing camp with This.
Company.
I would like to go in knowing whatever I can. I am looking to build my own forge.
Thank you in advance, and I apologize for the wall and the ignorance.
Eli.
