mark hendricks

This was first posted by me in July on some of the bladesmithing boards. I suffered smoke in halation on 6/24/06 while working in my forge. I’m better now, but I thought I’d share how it happened to hopefully help someone else avoid injury. I use 2 solid fuel forges in side a small metal shed, with 6” flues attached to hoods made from a 55 gallon barrel. The incident happened when I was changing tasks. I finished working in a blade and wanted to weld some cable. I added some 2x4 scrap to make “rafters” for a cap of corn. When I added the corn the fire billowed a huge amount of smoke, filling the small space. I made a hasty exit. Not hasty enough, I inhaled enough smoke, that by Monday I was coughing up phlegm Tuesday I had coughing fits and trouble working Wednesday I went to see a doctor. I think that larger flues are the answer to my problem, along with a roof vent to remove any smoke that the hoods miss. Any suggestions are welcome. As of today I have moved my forging equipment to a larger space and finialy ordered some 12" flue pipe.

I use a long narrow forge with a side draft. When I want a cave, i use some pine to make "rafters then add the corn on top of that and let it cook a while. The corn fuses and forms thr cave roof. I'll add corn on top and wood into the mouth of the beast.

You can form it into a "roof" and all of the combustion will be in a cave like fire and you can see your work just as easily as a gas forge. I burn it in combination with pine scraps. Can't make charcoal with the wild fire potential arround here.