Hello, All! :-)
I am new to the forum and the site.
Presently in process of building a forge and foundry for backyard blacksmithing.
I've been reading everything I can, and talking with a neighbor farrier.
Whilst I shall never be mistaken for one of the sharpest tools in the shed, I am nevertheless putting together a design which allows multiple functions, as the basis for forge, foundry, kiln, waste-oil heater and wood gasification unit are all similar and with modifications to basic elements, a multipurpose unit can be had, giving the most bang for the buck.
The largest issue looming is lack of local supplies in Turlock, California area for foundry forging and farrier functions. (try saying that 3 times fast!).
Thus far I'm informed that a 100 mile trip up to Sacramento, California is necessary to obtain casting sand, coal, graphite powder, parting dust and these sort of essential basic supplies.
Most everything else can be made up myself, having experience in welding, machining and inventing.
I'd rather not have to mix sharp clean sand and Benoite clay with other ingredients to produce casting sand, nor to mix up graphite with ceramic silicon slip to create crucibles or to craft products which could just as easily be purchased readily for reasonable prices.
Failing that, one must do as necessity dictates, giving rise to the call that "Necessity is the mother of invention", hey, what?
:-)
