RKM556

THANK YOU GUYS once again! Man, ya'll are so helpful it's crazy! Here's the plan: I will be apprenticing with a welder that I know for a few weeks hopefully. He'll help me get started. I'm thinking about the MIG welder since that's what he uses mostly and it seems to be versatile. However I'm still (very obviously) completely inexperienced and unknowledgeable with regards to welding. Reading a couple of books and the experience of welding will help. Thank you guys so much you made me realize all of the work I have ahead of me in learning this skill and I'm really excited about it! Thanks again so much. Ryan

Thank you guys so much! This really helped me I went with a side blower design and it really works well. Thanks!

Hey you guys! You have helped me out tremendously in the past and you are all so open and willing to help. I appreciate it greatly. I'm going to invest in a welder. In too many cases now I have really felt the need for one... and I don't have access to one. I have never welded before. I am often using carbon steel and tool steel like most blacksmiths and I know that that may possibly affect which welder I need. So basically I want to know what you guys think: would and arc, MIG or TIG welder fit my purposes best as a beginner welder? Thank you guys so much! Ryan

Hello all, I have recently decided to scrap my super cheap forge I rigged from an outdoor fireplace. I'm trying to get a medium sized forge that I will basically only use for forge welding since welding heats are far too difficult to attain in my propane forge. My shop is definitely permanently established so I decided I will make the forge out of bricks and mortar, since I have no access to a welder. Also, I'm trying to keep cost to a minimum since, well, money doesn't grow on trees for the hobby blacksmith. I have a few things I would greatly appreciate if ya'll could help me with them. First of all, what the heck am I supposed to use for a firepot/tuyere assembly? This one has really been stumping me. I don't want to use a brake drum really because it didn't work well for me last time I attempted to use it. Also, it's not quite deep enough for my purposes of wanting to forge weld a lot. Also, finding steel pipe above an inch in diameter that ISN'T galvanized is nearly impossible and I cherish my health so I won't be using that. Please let me know any means of obtaining a solid way of achieving this without the galvanized steel and a welder. Also, if it isn't possible for cheap either then let me know! It's part of the hobby I guess... Secondly, I can't figure out what to use for a blower. I used to use a shop-vac and I felt like I needed to wear earplugs after extended use of it in my shop. It's loud and obnoxious. What means of achieving a strong enough airflow to forge weld do you guys recommend? I also have access to lots of firebricks and refractory cement just to let you know. Thank you guys so much for any help you give. I greatly appreciate the time you take to read and/or reply to this. Also, please ignore any grammatical errors. I've been out of school for a few weeks now and my brain has transformed into summer mode... :P Thanks so much! Ryan

Well by metalworking I meant more sculptural things, not necessarily the normal usage of that term :D

I second the Whisper Daddy. I have had mine for a few months using it nearly every day and it is a beast.

Thanks a ton you guys!!! Wow I never expected so much helpful and detailed answers from people before! This is great I'm super excited. Judging by what a lot of you guys said I think I will hold off on the welder seeing as they are not necessary. I need to get my forge welding skills up to date though for sure! I need to unclog my coal forge's blower though, tonight all of my coal fell into it and stopped it up. But I thank you all so much for your help again and I am glad to be a part of this website now!

Hey guys! Thanks so much for the opinions! I think after what you guys said I will stick to forge welding which is really fun in the first place. Thanks for the welcome and I am excited to be here! Ryan

Hello everyone! This is my first post ever! (woohoo!) Anyway, I blacksmith for a hobby almost every day, I use a gas forge and I have a small coal forge specifically for forge welding. My question is how necessary is a welder to a blacksmith who is just forging for fun? Is it worth the money and training? Thanks!