blackleafforge

Thanks for the replies. I would possibly have gone with a length of RSJ or similar attached to a wheel hub but I don't have any welding equipment at the moment. Railway sleepers seem like a good idea i could stack a few together and brace them with a metal band and put some bits of wood at right angles on the base for stability. I will go and check availability. thanks

Hi, I am trying to source some big logs suitable for mounting my two leg vices on. Does any one know of a good supplier near Plymouth? Has anyone had experience with mounting them to wood? Im wondering if I need to get seasoned hardwood or just use cheap green wood? thanks!

Hi, I use a simple beeswax / turpentine / linseed oil paste applied when hot and renaissance wax over the top when cool that seems to be the standard recommendation. But I am finding that a year later my work is all rusty, is this normal? Would you re- apply the same finish indefinitely every year or tell the client to do the same? Or was the initial coating applied incorrectly? thanks

So its not a surface finish? You can forge it like normal stock?

I was watching a house building program last night ( grand designs ), and they were talking about rusty steel cladding on a house. It apparently forms a protective coat of rust as it weathers that stops any further rust but gives it that deep golden rusty finish. Has anyone come across this before? Is there a workable version a blacksmith could use?

ahh, so a volume of non flammable stuff will help you keep the fire focused? would you rake it out if you wanted a more diffuse heat?

Yeah, I was looking for an old one and when they come up they still go for a fair amount. And if anyone else is thinking of getting one try asking what the best price they can do, I got a good discount on mine. Will the ash that forms naturally from a charcoal fire be enough? Is the build up of sand / ash etc primarily there to protect the bottom of the forge or to raise up the pile of fuel?

I have only ever used other peoples forges during courses but now I have my own and was wondering how to prep it. I have heard some people line their forge with clay and some seem to collect ash from other forges. I have also seen some forges with heat resistant panels just below the opening to the tue iron, is it worth reenforcing that area? thanks

Thanks for the reply I looked at building one with the more complex components supplied and the saving was not worth the work, plus I don't have all the equipment I would need to do it at the moment. I wanted a back blast water cooled designs for longevity and because thats what i have used in the past. I will start off small but want the flexibility to work big stock later on. I hope to use charcoal or another solid fuel if my supplier doesn't work out. Second hand ones do come up but the last few on eBay were not that much cheaper than a new one but I will keep looking.

Hello, I am now at the stage in the set up of my new workshop that I need a forge. Having done some research the two main suppliers of big back blast water cooled forges I can find are Greystone and Vaughns. for the 1 meter version Vaughns are selling for aprox 1400: http://anvils.co.uk/products/view/171?cat=19 Gravestone are selling the equivalent for 1330: http://www.greystoneforge.com/blacksmiths-forges/1m-x-1m-forge/ I wonder if anyone had any experience of using these two that would allow me to make an informed decision? Vaughn’s use a cast iron breast plate, Is that worth the extra? Many thanks Andy

good to know guys, that was pretty unequivical thanks!

I have had lots of issues hooking up 3 phase power to my new blacksmithing shed. Its located in a business park that has very old infrastructure and it will cost me just over £ 1000 to connect myself up. I was wondering if i should just buy a generator at approximately the same cost, I only plan on staying in my current position for 5 years and i will be able to sell the generatior after i leave back and recoup some costs. Im running a 25kg Anyang power hammer, mig welder, blower, grinder and lights so i need the power. Does anyone else rely on a generator? how reliable and have you found it? what were the running costs? can anyone recomend a generator? Many thanks Andy

Hi all I have only ever used bandsaws for cutting my stock and i am now setting up a workshop and need one of my own. But I recently came across chop saws that seem to fill the same niche e.g. : http://www.amazon.co.uk/Makita-240V-Metal-Cutting-Chop/dp/B00004YOLV/ref=sr_1_6?s=diy&ie=UTF8&qid=1422035910&sr=1-6&keywords=makita+Metal+Cutting+Discs The claims made for the modern versions of these tools seem to be compelling - faster cutting, no burrs or sparks and more economic to run. Has anyone had any experience with these types of machines? How long did the blades last for you and how did it cope with solid stock? thanks Andy

Thanks a lot for all taking the time to reply, i have always found this forum an indispensable and unrivalled source of friendly advice. Alan - The compact nature of this unit attracted me because i don’t have the space for anything much larger. I know this will limit the stock size i can work but i don’t think i will be going over 25mm very often. If i do try to work bigger stock can i damage the hammer? Im hoping that it will last me 10+ years with careful use, is that realistic? I will be working in a former military base that has been converted in to a business park so noise should not be an issue. I am putting up a prefabricated building on the outdoor concrete car park so i assume i can just sit it straight on to that with no prep work? The Massey half hundredweight one piece air hammer looks impressive but i was put off by the size and the fact that it was no longer in production - i would be concerned about sourcing replacement parts / dies and ongoing maintenance. I am of course assuming if the Anyang breaks down in a major way parts can still be found and fitted at reasonable prices? Knots - That is something i had not considered, i will check. Cowboy - To be honest the price of the Anyang is really pushing it for me and i could not really go any higher, as it is I’m going to have to make compromises with other bits of equipment but i felt this is one area i should invest in. I will have 3 phase, i don’t know about the future, as i understand it converting single to three phase then running a hammer off it would decrease its power, but is a possibility. nonJic - Its really good to hear the history of these hammers and thank you for your kind offer. Are you aware of why base alterations were made to them? Is it just a common way of adding lift points for a forklift truck? Jamesrjohnson - Thanks for the info i just watched the video, very professional. I have to say you answered a whole load of questions i didn’t even think to ask!

Im in the process of setting up shop at the moment and wanted a power hammer, i came across this advert in the BABA newsletter: FOR SALE: TWO ANYANG 25KG AIR HAMMERS - MANCHESTER The hammers are mounted on robust but compact bases fabricated in 10mm mild steel plate. The bases are designed to have the minimum possible foot print – approximately 800 x 500mm. The electric (3 phase) motors are housed within the base rather than sticking out the back of the hammer. The bases are also designed so that the hammers can be moved by a forklift or pallet trolley. The hammers have just had a thorough inspection and been serviced and repainted by John Nicholson at Massey, who supplied the hammers to us (new) in February 2007. John has also carried out the latest modification to the lubrication system on the hammers. Each hammer comes with one set of dies. The hammers are located at Massey in Manchester if you would like to see them. They can be shipped anywhere in the UK via the pallet network. John has valued the hammers at £3950 plus VAT each, including pallet delivery, but we may be open to negotiation, particularly if you want the pair! One of these hammers has been used by Uri Hofi at a BABA event; will it inspire you to blacksmithing greatness? I have only ever used a blacker before so am having a hard time judging if this is worth the cost. Is this the hammer you guys would buy in my position? Is this a good price? Also i am getting slightly confused with the terminology - are Massey and Anyang different brands or is one supplied and maintained by the other? thanks

I am setting up a shop at the moment that only has access to single phase. Is it wort h shelling out £300 for a converter and getting someone to wire it up or choosing kit that will run off the domestic supply? Is there a noticeable power drop when using a converter on things like drills and grinders? thanks

thanks for the info, i will have a ring around and get some quotes. By the way i have found somewhere to work from now - a business park in Plymouth that will let me put up a small prefab building and i hope to start trading after Christmas. So thanks for answering all my stupid questions, there will probably be a lot more :)

Hi guys, i was wondering where you get your steel from in the west country? Is it was a good idea to source locally ( I'm in Plymouth ) or use one of the national companies, and have you guys ever found any variation or quality issues in steel stock? many thanks Andy

I was looking at shipping containers but i was concerned that i would have to cut out the floor so heavier stuff could be properly fixed, did you find that to be an issue? Also i can imagine using a power hammer in one could cause a lot of noise and vibration.

I am now in the final negotiations for forging space in a nearby business park in Plymouth (uk). I had asked for an indoor unit but the company working upstairs was concerned that i would burn the building down! So i have now been allocated a spot on the concrete outside and have to supply my own temporary structure to forge in. This is the kind of thing i am thinking of: http://www.waltons.co.uk/10-x-15-Store-More-Canberra-Ten-Apex-Metal-Shed I was wondering if anyone had come across any issues with this type of setup with regards to price, durability ventilation etc. I was planning on pinning it to the ground in all 4 corners to stop it blowing away and cutting a hole in the ceiling to fit the chimney. Other than that i will run a power cable from the main building for light and make some work surfaces to fit along one side. I think it may get very hot during summer when the sun is beating down on it, but it does have double doors and metal sheds are much cheaper than wood and are less inclined to burn down. thanks

Went on the first day, it was a very good show, gave me lots of ideas and was a lot of fun. Well done for organising it all, will it be an annual event?

Hi, I’m writing a business plan to get access to a loan. Has anyone in the UK submitted one before? where do you get figures on things like amount of practising smiths, average income, average customer catchment area, advertising expenditure and custom gained, etc tnx

Just a quick question, can i bring my dogs? i couldn't find any reference to dogs on the website. thanks

Hi, can anyone recommend a good G clamp, there seems to be a lot of variation in price and so i assume quality. Im guessing drop forged would be less brittle than cast verities? tnx Andy

i hope I'm not being an idiot but there appears to be no student discount on the website. There is a group discount and an option to put in a promo code when buying the ticket, is that what you were referring to?