Black Maple Forge

:oBeautifully done!

I've made forges out of old car wheels (the whole wheel!), brick, brick and mortar, wood and clay, and wood and metal. :)

For Christmas, I want 1.A post vise (This one might actually happen!) 2.A bigger anvil (who doesn't?) 3.A bellows (I can dream, right?) 4.A new [bigger] shop (If only!). 5.A forge with a chimney that ACTUALLY vents smoke . Wow. I am definitely asking too much!:D

A nice looking blade!

If I am to make one, would it be better to use one large peice of wood (probably ply/pulpwood) or to glue/seal a few peices of wood together (for the "paddles")? Thanks again everyone!:D

Does anyone know where to get great bellows? On Ebay I've seen some, but their usually REALLY expensive. I may make one (I've been looking over blueprints and such), but I would like to consider buying first. Thanks!:D

I made a hardy hole on my anvil by drilling a round hole, then chiseling() it out to a square. It took a LOT of time, but works:rolleyes:...

Welcome! If you're in Lancaster, you're around 127 miles from me (in Navarre). If you're ever there, follow the coal smoke:rolleyes: and we can talk!:D

Sounds good!:D

Well, it's not exactly the safest chimney to begin with:rolleyes:, but it has a crack that needs filling or else smoke will leak. I think, if I had a long slice, I could apply mortar, but anything else (concrete crack filler?) would be easier. I have made many fires in it so far, and gotten them up to welding heat:D. The chimney and everything around it holds up fine. Still, one crack bothers me... Oh, could I put a little concrete crack filler near a fire to test it's flammability (like put some on the forge's wall, and let it dry, then build a fire)?

It just says non flammable. No specifics...

Thanks for the help! I'll try the coal again later and see how it goes!:cool:

Would concrete crack sealant work? It says that it is non flammable, non toxic, and weather resistant.

I've heard that high carbon steel works best, and the striking edge should be sanded or ground clean and tempered to a straw colour. Also, try this: YouTube - How to Forge a Steel Striker for Flint and Steel It covers just about everything you need, I think!:D

My coal is very smokey at first (it doesn't get too much better), but cokes well and gets to welding heat in around 10-20 minutes (depending on air blast). This leads to my question. What does it say about your coal if it has black smoke coming from it's flames?:confused: Can it burn as clean as charcoal, or is the smoke supposed to be there?

Would caulk be a good way to seal a few cracks in a chimney?:confused: The fire is right below it, but it is much higher than the fire (still would probably get quite some heat though:rolleyes:). I am only suggesting caulk because it is a very hard to reach area (as it is confined by bricks). Any suggestions would help, Thanks!!

I am in Navarre, and the Coal I got was from : Maysville Elevator 10583 Harrison Rd, Applecreek, OH 44606 (Just in case your curious!).