SRM

Thanks everyone.  I will scour the farm for things that may work.  I'll try the bacon grease if I can catch the pig, until then I have a lot of wax, sawdust and old socks and kerosene that I'll try first.  Great ideas!

Okay, I'm not French, so did anyone ever forge a torch?  I saw this on a BBC Mastercrafts of Blacksmithing video and thought it would be

a good idea for future use, like on Christmas Eve...I'm tired of my paper bags catching on fire. 

I have looked on Google, Bing, British Google and French Google.  No help at all.  If you did forge one, could you

help me out with a few things.  What is the "basket" that is wrapped by the iron bar? is it just a piece of pipe?  Also, what is the

fuel that is used to keep these things going?  If you have plans, I might even have my wife bake you a pie.  Don't know how

well it will do in the mail though. Thanks for the help, I just hope I don't have to use plastic flashlights for Christmas Eve this year.

Thanks eric, pass on those pics when you get them, I'd like to see your solution.

Thanks Thomas, I think. Now I can have black ones in the morning and hay seed ones in the afternoons all summer long, I can't wait!

I think I smothered the first two attempts.  I didn't leave that hole in the center, and I was no way near a volcano shape or size of the fireball you suggested.  Thanks

for the advice.  I'll give it a try. 

Thanks Kal, the pinecones are all over the place just outside the barn, I'll give them a try.

I picked up my first forge, which is a lot bigger than I wanted, but the price was right.  It came with the Buffalo 201 blower and 5 tongs of

assorted types.  I even got a railroad rail anvil and a bucket of coal, I have trouble passing on good deals.

After reading two books and past comments from iforgeiron, I felt ready to get the fire lit.  The third try was a success. I think I had to break up the coal into much smaller pieces than were in the 50lb bag.   If you see the pictures I dragged the forge to the open part of the barn. That would have been okay if the wind didn't blow the smoke back into the barn...what a mess.  I'm sure glad no one was around and no one called the fire department.  I was told the coal was bituminous, but I think it was something else, something evil.... Well, after grabbing all fans that I had, I was able to get the forge going to what I thought was correct.  I had a small rod of some sort and started to get it hot,   Started to make something and it turned out to be a pot hook for the wife.  I think it took a million heats, but in the end, at least she is happy, I survived my first endeavor in blacksmithing, and I learned a lot.   I'll be moving far outside for the nest try and will pay attention to what direction the wind is blowing.  In this case, it is okay to laugh at others (mine) misfortunes.

Just a few questions that I was not sure about...I was wondering if the fire pot is too deep,  it is 5 1/2 inches deep.  If so should I use fire brick or something else, any suggestions. I was also wondering if there is a way to hot cut without a hardie.  I used an old chisel like thing I found on the farm ( which broke) for this first piece,  Anything better?  Also, anyone know anything about this cast iron forge, I can't see

any markings?

Just got this one for 20.00. Had it for $7.50 but someone jumped in and bid it up.  Not sure much about it yet.

It is a Champion forge blower and co model 102.  It is frozen up top and I'm in the process of "coaxing" it free.

If it works, great, if not is will be a great place to hang my coat in the shop.

Thanks Stephen,

I see what you mean by the stamp.  I did the rebound test and it has a nice ring to it.  Does that mean it may not be cast?  By the looks it is right.

I believe this is a Vulcan.  I don't know the exact weight...seller said about 240lbs.  It took too of us to load in the truck.

It has an arm and hammer stamp on the side, but no other markings that I can see.  It seems in pretty good shape.

I also think it is cast with steel face.  If you look close you can see one side of the face is rolled over the side.  Any chance

of fixing this?  Otherwise how did I do?  Paid about .92cents a pound if the actual weight is correct. (Do you believe I don't even

own a bathroom scale).  I am excited no matter if it is a piece of junk.  I have something to pound on...now I have to get a forge

to make it easier.  I also picked up a champion forge and blower wall mount drill press for $20.00. It is frozen up a bit, but I think

I can get it loosened up...it has the number 102 on it. 

Do all you long time blacksmiths remember when you got your first piece of equipment?  I'm older, but I feel like a kid at

Christmas right now.  Can't wait for the forge, maybe I'll dig a hole in the ground and start a fire there.

Treated sounds good if there is nothing else cheap,  For the siding, try to find a local sawmill.  Not sure what you have down there tree wise, but poplar, hemlock, or even oak if you have the money will work.  Up here in PA I can get 1x10x8's for .50cents a board foot for hemlock.  For 500.00 you have a pretty big shop.  I too am going to build a shop this spring and will most likely use what I can from my own mill.  If not I'll buy Hemlock logs and mill them. See if a neighbor farmer has a barn to take down and do it for free or he may need help and will trade you lumber for work.  I would love someone to do that for me.  Have fun and post pics when you are done.

Just joined this morning and wanted to greet all.  Just starting the madness and going to set up shop if the snow stops falling.

Any help for me finding what I need would be appreciated. Going to an auction for a anvil and coal forge this weekend.  I plan

on using the shop for all farm needs and woodworking ideas too...too many ideas in my head.