Devilsnose

The response so far has been great! I should have some pictures up soon.. Several guys have stopped by to check things out, and all have been impressed with the construction of the forge. We have decided to start with a hand cranked blower and will possibly move to bellows. Right now we are working on reconstructing the firepot as it was missing. does anyone know of an old firepot/ tuyere? Part of the brick chimney is also being replaced.When i upload pics this will all be much more clear. the firepot sat in concrete on top of an old table which is badly rusting. We are trying to decide wheter or not to tear out everything and rebuild the table, or simply insert the new firepot in the hole where the old one was and seal around it.Anyway pics are on the way prolly tomorrow night

Good point. It is def. a two man operation

As for the history, it is long and interesting. My house was also the home of the original blacksmith, his name was F.D.Hedricks. The house was moved here from Elkmont area of the National park. When the park came he had to sell his land but he took his house board by board and brick by brick with him to where it stands today. They were checker playin fools..so much so that an ad was taken out in the local newspaper asking for "skilled checker players-apply at Hedricks station" They added a garage in later years and made bets with each other as to who could or couldnt pick up various sized engine blocks! There are various things around the farm that im sure he smithed. The forge is in shape but is missing the original Tuyere-if anyone has an old style one let me know. Im currently working with a friend building a set of bellows for the forge. It originally had big chambered bellows but in later years they went to a hand cranked blower. Thanks again for all the input so far!

Thank you everyone for all the great input! Vaughn, where are you in Northwest SC my Daddy lives in Seneca.

OH, I fully intend on learning myself. Im not trying to "harvest" anyone. I am trying to get to know someone , who perhaps has the skills, but not the location to practice thier craft- a mutually beneficial agreement, no big deal

LOL ok ill get some up. I should have been more clear. Im looking for a smith who wants to work the forge, kinda like some kinda partnership.I believe this could be operated as a highly successful heritage tourism type thing. If no interested smiths see this id just like some advice on locating interested smiths in my area. That being said I will definitly get some pics up could win prize for best view from Smithy door.

Hi, im not sure if this is the right board or forum for this but ill give it a whirl. I live in Wears Valley, a scenic community on the road from Pigeon Forge to Cades Cove. We are in Sevier County Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains- It is a very very high traffic area, and very much like a postcard. . On my property is the Smithy that served the community for years and years and I am restoring it and plan on operating it as a heritage attraction.The door of the Smithy looks out over several ridges and the view cant get much better. Does anyone know of any blacksmiths in my area who might be interested inworking with me on this project? Where is a good place to look for interested persons? I also welcome any advice, suggestions, etc. on Smithy restoration. Oh by the way the forge itself is a floor to ceiling brick one with a arch. it looks very much ready to work again. Thanks in advance.