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I Forge Iron

rdc

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  1. I graduated from college two years ago and am in the process of moving to Chicago. This is the first time since Ive graduated that Ive had a living situation permanent enough to consider putting a forge together. While in school I worked quite a bit with metal (welding, cutting, bending (both hot and cold)) and since then Ive read quite a bit (both in print online) about forges and blacksmithing techniques. And while the internet is a wonderful tool and I think Ive learned quite a bit, i still have never actually hit a piece of hot iron with a hammer. Right now Im perfectly content to just play around and teach myself, but it might be nice to have some real live people to talk to as I start this process. So the point of this rather long question is do any of you know of any Chicago-area blacksmithing groups/societies, or of any Chicago area blacksmiths who might be willing to give me a few pointers?
  2. Im just getting started (this will be my first forge) and now that Im out of school I dont have ready access to a welder so working with the thick pipe wasnt going to work very well, my plan was to use sheet metal and pop rivits, but I really like the mailbox idea. Ive seen the firebrick forges, but I live in an apartment and Im not sure if my landlord is going to be ok with me setting up a permenant forge in the backyard so I may be moving stuff in and out whenever I work.
  3. So Ive been doing some research on tube style propane forges and everyone out there with a sizable forge seems to be using thick pipe. However there are also quite a few plans for making mini forges out of tin cans (bean cans, coffee tins etc) lined with insulating material. Is there any reason not to combine these two ideas and make a larger forge out of sheet metal, it seems like it would be a lot easier to work with than 1/4" thick metal, and a heck of a lot easier to transport.
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