Dreaming of Bending Metal

Oh my.. I just died laughing. :lol:

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction; it helps a lot as I am limited on what I can use because of my neighbors. While my living arraignments might soon change this will help me figure out what kind of space I'll need in my next place - which is a huge help. You've answered most of my questions about creating charcoal - pallets are a great idea and there are usually tons of these being trashed in my area that I should be able to get my hands on. For my own understanding I'd like to outline the process as I know it… 1. Have a supply of untreated junk wood of relative uniformity. 2. Metal drum with holes spaced from top to bottom to regular air flow 3. Fill drum with wood, start it burning - as it burns down I continually add more wood until the drum has filled with charcoal/ash. I've read somewhere that you need to let the fire burn out, is that true and if so, how to I ensure that the flames go out? The only thing that comes to mind is dosing the barrel with a little water or stifling the fire somehow. I've also read that you should allow the charcoal to become damp and then dry, it wasn't explained on the purpose of this and I'm curious as to why. The questions that come up in my mind is how to differentiate between the ash (I suppose a light/dark gray) and charcoal (Black?) effectively? Also, I’m assuming that the charcoal should be stored in a separate drum that doesn’t have holes and that has a cover. I know that’s a lot and I’m sure I’ll have literally hundreds of other question but the more I read on this site, the more I’m coming to appreciate the literal hundreds of years of accumulative knowledge this forum has become the conduit for.. It’s awesome! 

You're absolutely right there. Goddess for sure for this one. haha. Hey Mark - Thanks for the greetings, I did in fact.. I've read that coal is the most preferred fuel and I will most likely be using that as it's available. I have thought that the long term goal would be the self-sufficience of charcoal though. I like the idea of making my own means, so I'm reading on how to make good characoal - who know's if it's legal in my area though... There's so much that's illegal nowadays. I'm glad I didn't run off and go nuts just yet, I suppose I'm a bit mellower than a few years ago. As of now, I'm interested in soaking in all the knowledge I can, having the chance to work on the historic forge sounds amazing - althought I don't want to get ahead of myself.. I'm realizing the same thing and I couldn't be happier about it, I'm hoping to drag the family into the fairs and get public get togethers atleast would be fun for my sons. The best part is that they'll learn some history along the way, hell perhaps my eldest will find an interest in metal working. I'm at the point where anything that will keep him unplugged from the media/tv madness is a huge boon. - Nate

Wow thanks! I'm really glad that there are places to go locally, because while I was thinking about making a forge and starting - I can hold off until I get a feel for it I'm going to check the GBOP site as well now and you'll see me soon. At the moment I'm trying to have a friend of mine start with me but who knows - a helping hand is much appreciated and I am certain I will take you up on the offer. Now I have to inform the ball and chain.. (We learn to cut metal right? haha) doesn't have a huge problem with a few hours of free time.

David - That will be in westminster, md correct? If so, I'm definately going. - Nathan

Thanks for the welcome and the information, I'm about an hour south of Westminster, MD (Where the Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland is located) in Germantown, MD. I've contacted them as well but there seems to be a shortage of classes until much later in the year. In the meantime I'll continue to read and start to peice meal a beginners set together I suppose. So far, I've read about fuels and some different variations of iron. I'd like to start a class where I can make my first hammer...

Hello Everyone. I'm not sure if I am posting in the correct section of this forum, as you can tell I'm newly registered, if I'm in the wrong please let me know... I suppose this is where my blathering should begin.. Since I was a child I've been interested in blacksmithing, Now 27, I still find that when I read a book that describes the heat of the forge on ones face, shaping metal - actually creating something - I feel the excitement and interest renewed. Since then I've been to war and back, have 2 young sons. a job.. and now feel trapped behind a computer desk 20 hours out of the day. Recently diagosed with CKD I've been making many life changes these past 2 years and have decided one more will be learning to shape metal. While learning has to take to a backseat to my work schedule at first, I should be able to free a weekend here and there.. I'm looking for guidance and was wondering if there are classes locally or perhaps someone working on there own that wants some help. Thanks for reading all of this nonsense.