John Martin

wow, how much was that anvil and how would a person go about finding a caster?

Are half-ton anvils still available anywhere?

I didn't get an anvil, but i rigged some thick and heavy duty metal up for my anvil, works like an anvil, plus the vise that i got from my grandpa is part anvil. So, I kind of have an anvil. The run didn't happen cuz it got rained on, or out. I've practiced twists and bending, and from the experience so far, making the fireplace tools, just haven't seemed difficult for me I guesss.

I'll post pictures this weekend if my camera gets fixed. Can't take pictures this week as I'm really busy and will finish forging them this Friday night. Thanks for the advice and help.

wow, great job, you have really good control, like how the one is a long bar.

I have two brass brushes and three black ones. I'll try.

No, I never thought of that, but that's a cool idea.

I used to use briquettes, they work well, but aren't as great as hardwood lump.

They aren't done yet, but I am starting on them. Gonna pick up more bar stock and make like 5 of each. Presents for this christmas. If they are decent.

I am making fire place tools, shovel, poker, brush, and log holder. I am wondering what kind of finish I should use on them, do I paint something on or do I just apply beeswax? Please Give Me Some Ideas.

it addressed some, but I guess it just is error and trial to learn.

Oh. Should I switch to coal? I have it designed for both charcoal or coal. Only problem is, is that, coal is a bit expensive

I think it was too much air, tonight, I forge welded together to bars, which i later melted by leaving in forge for to long, i always have that problem, once i achieve a good heat. I melt my stuff by accident, anyway to prevent that, or to get piece out of fire before that happens

I get pictures tonight, and as soon as my camera cord gets fixed, I'll upload them.

I am using two blow driers. Like the fleas are down and then boom there everywhere, then down, then boom. I'm using RR spikes. 5/16" round stock right now. My fire is 3-8in depending on where you are. There is a good white spot, but I don't understand why it won't heat to yellow or white. It's hickory and oak, at least that's what the bags say. it also a side draft forge that I built with bricks. It has air from the side and from the back.

Me and my brother break, chop, or cut all bigger pieces to about a 1in cube. Also, is there a way to limit the fleas so that you don't have to be completely covered to go near the fire, cuz the fleas are within like 2ft everywhere, like your grinding something.

I've started using hardwood charcoal. I don't like the fleas, but I'll get used to them. Also, I can't get my metal any hotter than orange. With the briquettes that I was using before, I got it to forge weld temperature, and i even melted some projects with briquettes(on accident). What can I do to fix this,...what do all of master smiths suggest?

Okay, the run didn't work. My dad said that he would get some iron ore from a friend for a real smelt some time in the near future.

No smelt, we had all ready to go, and a storm came fom out of no where. So we quickly ran all of the charcoal inside of the garage, and put a tarp over the furnace. Have to wait till next weekend. Man, I am really bummed out. That is bad luck compared to the camera.

I know nothing about which is better, but my question is, how can you tell? What kind of tests would you perform?

I like that idea of if you wait for a month, you get a rr anvil, hammer, tongs, and forge. Good thing my instructor isn't ready to teach me till April.

I am having the worst luck ever, none of the digital cameras are working. Will get picks as soon as possible.

Okay, will watch the air, charcoal and metal. How fast should 15 pounds or 20 pounds of charcoal burn at in a furnace. But, do I need clay in it?

I hope he gets better and has a quick recovery.

All the Best Wishes,

The elder m brother

I just finished building the furnace and air inlets tonight. Will post pictures tomorrow. I am wondering I should use clay to coat it or not. And I didn't think that there was much of a difference, so next time, i will post the correct term. So, once it gets going, i just put the metal on the top of it, and it should melt a little bit and make it's way to the bottom correct? Or did I spend five hours reading the wrong thing?

mcraigl, i want to get some experience under my belt before i go on and make iron or steel from scratch, i dont want to get the materials needed and then mess up big time. i want to know what to expect, so this is like a preliminary.