NecroSteel

I have a couple you can try before you buy if you wish to, one is 16" square, and the other is approx 2ft by 3ft, or I could make you one to suit as I have 3 firepots made awaiting a suitable application, even put wheels on if you want,

With all the advice and comments you've made and my popping in and out of other threads I've decided to go for a bottom blast forge. It seems to be more portable and since I'm only starting out I can't see myself needing anything bigger for some time yet.

I had a response from Vaughans her in the UK but their prices have increased considerably and their square bottom blast is now about £963!! Clearly too expensive but I don't think I'm capable of building a forge myself. It needs to be made of metal and portable so I can pull it in and out of the workshop I have. I don't have the capability or tools to weld bits together.. I've tried ebay but never seem to see any on there. SO..does anyone know where I can get a solidly built bottom blast or where I can get one made? Would a local Fabricator be able to build me one do you think (if I got them the parts and a plan)?

Hey,

I've had a response from Vaughans with regards to how long they would expect their non-water cooled side blast forges to last. They have said that ".. as long as the fire is built correct (eg. 4 - 6" away from the Tue Iron) it should last 2 years+. ".. SO...heck...

The only bottom blast I've used was one that didn't have a deep fire pot so the iron was pushed into a coke heap about level with the general base of the forge, with a bottom blast do you only get forge welding heat inside the fire pot or will you get it higher up?

funny coz i have never got an answer from them either - madly expensive so its probably a good thing... why not try the bay....

The main drawback to the side blown is that the front of the tue is subject to very high temperatures (particularly when using coke) and that it will erode unless the tue is cooled by the use of circulating water which necessitates the use of a water tank/combined tuyere. (Not always practical especially at off home site demo's)

Hey,

I've heard people mention Vaughans (www.anvils.co.uk) and am interested in getting some gear and my forge from them but for I've managed to get through to them via either phone or email . No response from my mails and the phone just rings. Does anyone know if they are still in business or if there is another supplier that sells the same forges as them in the UK please? I'm considering either their bottom blast SFPBB or their Side blast SFP238 (no water tank).

Thanks,

Hi N, whereabouts in the UK are you? and have you seen the forges used at Westpoint and the portable ones the Guild uses at other craft shows and events, they are easy to make and portable. www.blacksmithsguild.com may be of some help to you.

There will be some being used based on the design for the bottom blast forges at the Dorset Show this coming weekend.

What fuel are you proposing to use? And what type of work are you expecting to be making ?

If you are intending to use coke, then a side blast with a water tank will be necessary, which then means you will need a water supply nearby, or go for a bottom blast forge, which also has the advantage of taking less floorspace in the workshop, and can be portable to enable you to take to demo's in the future.

A 2 foot square bottom blast forge is more than adequate to cope with materials you are likely to be using up to 50mm square or even 100mm x 12mm should you need to go to that size, normally I would expect you to be using smaller sections than those, but if you need to they have the capacity.
One easy way to solve the problem is to install an air extractor fan such as the ones Axminster Tools sell, sited on the wall/ceiling in the area of the forge, a flexible hose can be attached and fed through the existing doorway

With inclement weather this works well and negates the need to have fine weather before you can forge.

My own workshop is a tad smaller than yours, again with no windows, and for many years I did not have a chimney and just used the forge inside when the initial smoke from start up had cleared, occasionally I used a welding fume extractor to clear the air.

Hope this helps, and feel free to come to the next forge in at Westpoint on September 11th and 12th, if you require plans for a bottom blast forge, pm me through the guilds website, and I can send details back to you as an attachment.

Hey all,

I've been skulking around for a few months now but can't find a thread that completely answers my problem. Basically I'm a new blacksmith. I've been on a couple of three day courses but have had no metalworking experience prior to this. I loved it though so thought I'd try my hand at it as a hobby. Not wanting to annoy the neighbours or the wife I managed to get hold of a small workshop on a local farm. It's about 25 feet by 20 feet but I've only just access to it. My problem is that it only has a normal sized door and no windows! I also don't think I'll be allowed to install a chimney, especially since I'm only renting it and for a very small sum. So.. What do I do for the forge?

I would love a side blast forge without the hood but I've seen two types, one with a water cooler on the back and another without (sold by Vaughans). I was hoping to have is just inside the door but am a little worried about the smoke. I've ordered a 8" exhaust extractor with flu hose thinking that I could set that up next to the forge when it's running. What do you think??

Another alternative is to get a bottom blast that I can lift outside but then I'll have to run inside to use the anvil ( can't leave the gear outside as it's a prime site for theft..

Does anyone have any ideas please??

thanks.