Redbeard920

I got married in Irene! We were in Redbank NJ, the storm hit right during the ceremony... Made for a short reception! ;)

-4 on the way to work this morning... what i wouldnt give for it to at least be warm enough to snow <_<... haha

haha I will! i wont be forging until i have fire protection surrounding the forge. I just got a little excited and wanted to fire it up... :D

There is no fireplace just a chiminey. I finished it last night and it works beautifly! Good strong draw once it heats up. NO SMOKE IN THE SHOP!!! haha

i have a small propane heater for heat. There was no wood stove when i moved in but seeing the chiminey im pretty sure it was for a stove. the way i have my shop se up is actually pretty good so this set up will be ideal. ill post pics when im finished.

do you mean block off the chiminey below where the side draft is? 12in internal diameter.

Ok so I've been trying to figure out how to do this for about a week or so now and I think I've got it. But before I do anything drastic I want your advice. I have a cinderblock chiminey in me shop that a previous owner had a wood stove hooked up to. I want to build a side draft forge on to it, and my theory is to put my forge tabel right next to the chiminey and bust a hole in the chiminey wall and then add a stainless side draft hood between my fire pot and the chiminey. Does anyone see any major flaws in this idea? The chiminey is 12in in diameter.

Gotta say in my short time here ive had a couple questions answered by Mr Powers. Not necessarily what I wanted to hear, but answered none the less... haha :D Thank you Mr Powers!

My reason for the pritchel hole is for something to drift through and for a hold down. I dont have a vice yet I'm hoping for a nice flea market find this summer. Any ideas on a good way to keep the tine from bouncing around? I was thinking of using some rebar stakes like what I used for the cylinder.

thanks guys Im thinking about picking up the terminal crimpers i think they only wanted $12 for them... It would be a nice unique tool, you never know when you will need one.

I scored part of a broken forklift tine at work this week. so after a few hours of tinkering and grinding i think i have an almost proper setup. my plan is to find someone who can taper the steel cylinder on a lathe and drill a pritchel hole and figure out how to drill a hardy, or i may get someone to weld a piece of square tubing to the tine. the cylinder is held on by 2 pieces of rebar driven into the anvil stand.

So I found these at my local antique mall, any idea what these are?

Thanks Thomas! Its 22 today and feels like the tropics!

The project is turning my garage into a smith, I have to it slowly so my wife doesnt get fiesty about not parking in there... haha

Hi all I've been perusing this site for a few weeks now so I figured I should introduce myself. Well where to start... I've been told I have an old timey soul. Im of the generation of the techy but I would much rather use tools you power yourself. Dont get me wrong modern convinence is nice but there is something about having to make new tools in order to make a final product... I'm what you guys would consider a youngster but I know the value of sweat and blood. I'm a bit of a wanderer, I've lived in South Africa and the surounding area, New York, and Alaska, and have finally settled down in NE WI with my beautiful and understanding wife. I'm still very much a novice at smithing but enjoy working and burning metal. My current project is slowly taking over the garage and turning it into my smith. Thanks for the help I have recieved so far and will recieve in the future! I look forward to meeting any of you in the area!

I have 2 steel plates 1/2in thick that I was thinking of lag bolting to a 6 x 8 base to use as an anvil while I search for something better. My question is am I going to have issues with the vibration of hammering loosening up the plates? I dont have easy acess to a welder yet so welding them together really isnt an option for me right now... The steel rings nicely when hit with my hammer but I dont want to waste time or matierials if its just going to flop...

Haha good point!

The guy said he has blacksmiths who come regularly for it so im hopeing its what im looking for...

I just found a supplier of Bituminus coal for $.07 to $.10 per pound depending on size! :D I guess I'll be holding off on building the propane forge... Especially with the way propane prices are... Now the real question is should I start off with a basic breakdrum forge or build a nicer one so I dont have to do it later on down the road?