iDuggitz

DSW - I do agree with you in all aspects.  I think I might do a dirt floor just to be comfortable while working and simply deal with any other issues that may come of it.  Ideally, I will have a garage at my new house on top of having my own shop so that I can do any other work in there :-)  I walk around on a concrete floor for 11 hours a day already....so the dirt might be a nice change.

 

Thomas - That is actually an AWESOME idea for the I-Beams!  A layout table or maybe a stand for the anvil?

 

Frosty - Thank you for the warm welcome :-)  I updated my profile like you suggested.  I thought that I did that already, but I was mistaken.

 

With the size and construction of my forge, it would actually be very easy to make it portable.  I will just pop it outside one of the overhead doors when forging.  Ventallation successful!

 

As for the anvil, I have decided to wait to forge anything until I do actually own one.  The very last thing I want to do is xxxx of my neighbors.  That and having an anvil would just be bloody awesome!

 

I just found out about a place in Hinkley, MN that has several anvils for sale, along with antique smithing tools.  My birthday is coming up in October, so I cam going to see if I can convince the fiancee to buy me a new toy :-D  It's a 5 hour drive from my location, but I think it would be well worth the travel time.

 

I actually really, REALLY like the idea of making the portable screen!  I can definitely do that in the current garage without making any expensive modifications.

 

As for the Borax, it definitly wouldn't hurt!

 

Thanks guys.  I can't wait until I get up and running!

Hello everyone!

 

I am just starting out doing some smithing...well I have't actually STARTED...but...y'know.  It has been a dream of mine since I was a little boy.  I was in a place in British Columbia called "Barkerville" and I saw a smithy hammering out a gold-mining pan.  It's a memory that will always stick with me.

 

Now that I am older and own my own house and a large garage, I have the means to finally start following that dream...

 

I have began collecting tools and a few pairs of tongs (that I will be resurfacing).  I have aquired a few large (3 foot) sections of 1" thick I-Beam that I am going to substitute as an anvil until I manage to acquire one (I have a friend that might be bringing one back for me today from a road trip).  I also have safety gear (leather gloves, glasses, leather smock, etc.).  Of course I also have a large vise, a bench grinder, etc.  Basic stuff.

 

The only thing I need now is a forge.  I am going to be building a propane forge utilizing 2" fire bricks and refractory mortar.  It's just going to be a tiny forge as all I want to do for now is get used to the whole process.  I am a very fast learner, but I don't expect to just be able to pull of a masterpiece by throwing some random piece of metal into the forge and hitting it with my cross-pein.  I want to see how the metal works, moves, bends and folds.  I want to see how hot I need to make it and when to quench, etc.  To be honest, I expect it to be a year before I forge anything even half decent.

 

Now to the whole purpose of this post.  I want to make sure that I don't kill myself or anyone else in the process.  My fiancee fully supports what I want to do, but she is concerned about me burning down the garage.  I have been relentlessly reading the forums here and haven't really found any solid answers to my questions.

 

1.) If I am running a tiny propane forge in a large, 2 car garage, do I require any ventilation?

 

-I have read a few posts that say yes, and some that say no.  I can obviously leave a window or the overhead doors open, but is that enough?  The last thing I need is to leave my fiancee a widow shortly after I marry her.

 

2.) The garage is made out of wood and has a gravel floor.  Is there any precautions I need to take as far as fireproofing is concerned?  If a hot piece of metal hits one of the walls, is it going to instantly combust?

 

I have been working in the paint industry (industrial, architectural and marine coatings) for over 11 years now.  I easily have access to fire-resistant coatings, but they are extremely expensive...even for me.  So if I can help it, I would prefer to not have to use them.

 

The other thing you guys need to know is that I will be selling this house next year and we will be purchasing one together.  Yes, a shop with a concrete floor is mandatory...or the property for me to build one.  So I don't want to sink vast amounts of money into the building itself.  I am already renovating the entire house myself, I don't want to add the garage to it if I can help it.

 

Any advice from you awesome people would be greatly appreciated - and more importantly - listened to.

 

Cheers!

 

P.S. I look forward to being a part of this wonderful online community.