Rob Browne

Do you really need to heat treat it? The old one I have in the shed is from wrought iron and as it is pulled through the soil it only does really light work. Its handle is not much more than a broom handle, definitely not a heavy duty tool.

You can add as many straps as you want. The main thing is it stabalises the crack to stop it extending and strengthens the bolt hole with the crack. Other than that it will all be covered in mud anyway.

Put on a repair strap out near the rim to stop the crack opening, line the forge with mortar/sand, make a new tuyere with a few lengths of reo bar and start banging away. A forge is not something to be looked at, its something to use. Mine is downright ugly but it works really well.

Allen, I reckon you could just work on the KISS principle and sit a grill made out of some reo bar in the bottom. No need to weld it in if its shaped correctly. If that works then its easy, if not then its time to start fiddling with clinker breakers.

Bet he wears safety glasses in real life. It was probably for the look and the photo.

Sounds like a rough world you live in over there. Anyway points don't have to be sharp to show how they are made and the kids don't need to keep them. Maybe I will stop complaining about our regulations over here so much......................

If you can whip them up a couple of rough/quick bodkin points are great for kids. They love all that adventure/battle stuff, even the girls.

Sure can do this. Many forges used in the world are nothing more than a hole with an air supply. Have a look a this link for a few ideas.

Its threads like this that keep me wondering why people have to buy a "real" forge of fleabay for lots of money when a perfectly good one can be made with a bit of thought and effort. Really well done you should be proud of that little one.

After the advice from FF if you go ahead with your original plan consider how you are setting up the trailer for use. It would need jacks at each corner for stability like a caravan uses. Also, the anvil would have to be set on the ground or you will lose lots of hammer energy. Maybe a hole in the floor you can put a long anvil support log through so its directly on the ground but the anvil is still inside. Personally I would consider a smaller trailer with a canvas annex that can be quickly rolled out, again using caravan technology.

JW, Those rakes/forks are great. Might just have to make one for my mum who is a gardening fanatic :)

Now this is a great thread. Its just as important to know what not to do as what to do. Reckon I've done most of them myself Thanx for posting

I simply use the ready made brick mortar from a hardware. Mix it, mould it to shape and leave for a week or two then stick a wood fire in it, let cool then off you go. I have had to touch it up a bit after about a year and a half.

You must love that LG. Drawing out the reins always makes my hammer arm cringe :)

OK Dale. Its safe now the sun is over the yardarm :)

Mine just have sweat and coal dust on them. They get a "beautiful" look after a while :)

Nice forge and, finally, someone has found something useful to do with a speed sign PWMs are great, I call it a dial a fire fan.

Just search for blacksmith on YouTube.

Some people really love their power hammers Good thread, I have learnt something from it.

Yes. A low level one but its an activity. Of course there are spikes in a day where you work like a horse but overall its a good activity for your basal fitness level. Of course this does not apply to those who use power hammers :rolleyes:

Fair enough But you may be better off building a larger one from some plate and making it the size you need rather than living with the sizes imposed by the big brake drum.

Looking good. Mine is made out of a plough disk as well and its a beauty. How have you made your tyuere? As for the galvanised top pipe, you could take it off, walk into the open AWAY from everything, build a largish fire and toss it in. Move right away then get it out when the fire has burnt itself out. No more zinc to worry about.

Why don't you use that as a base for a forge/table made from a car brake drum? I reckon you will get a LOT more satisfaction from a smaller forge in the beginning.

That is a good deal! Now go out and use it :)