3lbhammer

After study I think I will try 1/2 inch for the fire pot and 3/16 for the forge bottom with 2 or3 inch edge to hold fire brick.

I have found out that one inch plate is about $30 a pound here. The is thick and needs to be welded in and out side joints but I think I can get a friend to the the torch work of cutting the sections. I like the plan offered here. I have some 6011

My firebox most likely will be mild steel. I have an old Lincoln stick welder . Thanks for all the really good suggestions.

I plan to make fire pot for a forge using plate maybe 3/8 to 1/2 inch. what would be a good rod to use to take higher fire pot heat and still do a good job of welding. ( I'm new to welding.)

Here are my two forges one from an old sink that needs rebuilding and the little red one belonged to my wife's great grand father. I have the buffalo blower on it as the original was mounted on the bottom of the forge and to hot to use.

I like the taper shank as it answers the problem I have of lose hardy that bounces around. I have a steel bar and will try to make one of these but why is the curve edge better than a straight edged hardy?

This is me with my nephews forge working on a crowbar. He has lots of mesquite and uses it in place of coal. Make a really hot fire on a forge much like Tim Lively knife forge. I am really enjoying this forum I am a hobby smith and have been smithing 20 years plus due to reading Weyger's books. Rick Foster

Cool hammer very creative.

Do any of you have a plan or way to make the old time slow turn water cooled sharpening grind wheels?

Frosty, I have made chisels, crowbars, punches from sucker rod. I will post a photo this evening. I made a crow bar at a demonstration at our church Bible School last evening. I was not paying attention and got the bend backwards!!!! Sucker rod is easy to temper with just a quinch and you have it. the steel in the rod will draw the temper from the tip of the chisel or crowbar. It is hard to forge but make rally tough tools. These are some of the objects I have forged piece of sucker rod at top. My personal forged hammer included with a poorly done crowbar.

you might be a blacksmith if you send as much time at the scrap yard as your wife does at the mall.

I m new to this forum!!!! I have made a number of good crowbars from oilfield sucker rod. It makes good chisels and such but I think it would make poor sword. Look for some leaf spring.