Tomsdad

Jeff, Thanks for the reply, would you have to have an offset in the chimney to prevent rainwater falling down into the bottom. Also would incorporating an offset affect the draw of the chimney? I only want to build this once Atb Dave

Hi all, After years of thinking about it, I intend to build a proper forge. I intend to build it out of brick with a brick built chimney. has anyone any plans including dimensions, how to site the tuere etc. regards Tomsdad

Thanks for all the replies, I live in west Cumbria in the lake district UK When I said traditional forge, I meant the large hooded job with the twere pointing towards the front horizontally . I have seen photographs of water cooled twere,s - would this ever be necessary ?

Material to start with, A couple of questions, when would you use old leaf springs or other hardened metals For some jobs such as knives but normal S275 - S355 (43A - 50D) for other jobs, will the softer carbon steel grades be easier to work, but only used for decorative work? Also, what design of forge should I be thinking of, as I dont have the room for a full traditional jobby, Would clamping on a basic hairdryer really be very effective as a form of air flow? If I should have filed this post elsewhere, please let me know Cheers Dave

Thanks guys for the replies, you all seem a very friendly crowd! A couple of questions, when would you use old leaf springs or other hardened metals For some jobs such as knives but normal S275 - S355 (43A - 50D) for other jobs, will the softer carbon steel grades be easier to work, but only used for decorative work? Also, what design of forge should I be thinking of, as I dont have the room for a full traditional jobby, Would clamping on a basic hairdryer really be very effective as a form of air flow? If I should have filed this post elsewhere, please let me know Cheers Dave

Hello, I am new to blacksmithing, I am a Welding inspector, and non destructive tech specialising in radiography, ultrasonics, magnetic particle and penetrant testing. And served my time as a plater sheet metal worker and then a coded pipe welder, but have always suffered from asthma therefore a change was on the cards, hence the move to inspection. I am also a collector of vintage tractors I live in west Cumbria in the lake district in the UK It was 25 years since I was at school making a toasting fork on the school forge, I enjoyed it then and would like to take this up as a hobby - I have bought an anvil but it's only a small one measuring about 18" long therefore I am looking for a larger one. I am also intending fabricating my own forge and as Much of the equipment as possible. Any pointers appreciated. regards Dave