civilwarblacksmith

It seams we could only pick one choice. I different forges that I use, one uses a great bellows (Union MIlls), my other portable forges are a crank belt driven forge and pump racheting forge that is belt driven.

Visited Germany in 1981. We made a complete circuit through the country including what was then East Germany. I was at least then capable of holding my own with the language. It is beautiful country there.

I don't think it is a horrible language. My family came from Germany, or as it was then Prussia, in 1732. Although a long time ago, it is part of my heritage that I am proud of.

Welcome to Iforge. You will find a wealth of info here to answer all your questions you may happen upon. I would say all this in German, except my 4 years of schooling in the language has been 26+ years ago and have had no one to use it with. So it is pretty much lost.

Hey Longhunter, did not get the e-mail. I looked in the junk folder also. When you get a chance give me another call tonight. I sent another e-mail to you.

It's not just for fun. Makes a good blacksmithing tool because the clay will re-act the same way hot steel does when hit.

cart.....................

I have put on a few pounds and a little hairier now. Actually that is Becky Little from Nova Scotia, Canada. She was one of our demonstrators for Blacksmith Days along with Dorothy Stiegler last year. Becky was in the forging competition in this picture.

Looks like it's time to get out the green coal class material. wood mallet and playdoh or clay.

Actually the height is about 14". Still drafts very nicely.

This is a picture of one of the forges in the guild I belong to. We have 8 in our school. We use a standard firepot from Centaur forge with inside dims. of 8x10 The cut out is roughly 10" wide, the length of the firepot. The height is also about 10". An exhaust fan in the chimney will work but not necessary. When starting the fire put some newspaper into the draft box and light it preheating the chimney with an upward flow of hot air that will start the draft. While that burns, light your firepot and use low to med low airflow to bring the coal to temperature. I understand about the coal smell. My wife can not stand the smell of the coal, so I'm always being told I stink. The hood and chimney won't help with that. You'll still stink.

Case..........................

Hey Longhunter, Sent you an e-mail. We are not far from each other. i am about 22 miles from you straight down rt. 194.

Blacksmithing is a second job for me. I make enough at re-enactments, e-bay, and my website that it pays for itself as well as bring in some income for the family.

Where exactly 20 mile or so from Gettysburg? Because I have a deal for you.

Very Nice.

Mace ...........................

Not from Deleware, but my kids Godparents are in Millsboro, Long neck area.

Pam Tillis...................

Really nice work. I'm just starting to mess with blades. I get them rough forged and then they. Eventually I start another one. One day I get to finish them.

Depending what you building is made of, I would put some kind of windows in. You say it's too cold in the winter to forge, you'll also find in the summer it will be too hot to forge once you get the fires lit. look at getting some vents in the eaves also.

That is really nice. How tall is it?

cake ...................

Great Work, Adrian

Great to have you here. It will be nice here how you do things. Any idea may be a better way to do something than the way someone is doing it now.