Lou L

Love to see the pictures after the floor is poured.  Looks to be a great shop.  Thanks for the updates.

So, that was worth it!  I got a Catholic priest with a family breast on his shield and the new name (scandalous sconce) for that project.  Thanks for the support all, I’m pleased with this project.  I did small tests, created a template, and then worked through issues as they came up.  Basically, I got exactly what I intended to get from the outset.  It was almost like I did what I meant to do.

I just did a quick search for refractory and aggregate and found a hydraulic refractory mortar.  I suspect t that the stone aggregate in your mix means that it is a mortar.  If that is the case, the guy who sold it to you doesn’t understand what a forge does.  I’d be curious to know the name of the product and what it is rated for.  Offhand and with limited information I would guess the stuff you have is not suitable for a forge.  That would be the reason you haven’t seen people building forges using it.  If you search for information on building fireplaces you will likely find it.

What Glenn said.  He beat me to it.  A quick touch up with the flap disk wouldn’t hurt but isn’t necessary.  You may want to consider setting the rail up vertically and using the narrow end.  It would be ideal if you set up your stand so you at least have the option to do so.  There are a number of threads on the topic.  The member CTBlades posted one about his design a while back.  

Use a respirator if you remove the rust mechanically!

Lou

Actually, I imagine that it will be terrible at lighting a room.  In that regard it isn’t very revealing.

Hey, the other work you did (aside from the knives) is darn well excellent for your experience.  I’m thinking I need to go back to the basics and make some leaves....again....

Hey Frosty, I have one for you.  I imagine you have never seen something like this when someone posted that they made a candle holder!

My buddy (the one I made knives for) was dismissive of the usual newb blacksmith stuff I offered to my friends at a get together.  Offhand, he suggested that, we’re i to ever make him something, it should be a wall-mounted breast candle holder.  I don’t think he expects that I went for it.  Hope he likes his wedding present!

Hey Bryan L:  what scrap yard in CT allowed you to walk around?  Nice “scrap” you found!

Went to my usual steel supply for some 1/8” sheet for a project and got more than I bargained for!  They opened up a room with loads of stuff from some sort of industrial liquidation.  There is so much there that I could get.  Loads of abrasives.  Electric motors.  All sorts of stuff.  I found a scroll form in the heap!  Grabbed some others bits for tooling.  The turtle on a stick is a premade hardy tool I already need for the current project.  Shell  for my propane forge to boot!   There is steel and bronze sheet in the background.

Congrats on the start!    And you thought you were tired before...

In archeology, “ ceremonial item” equates to, “we don’t understand this yet,” more often than not.

I need to take the same above I'm about to give you...

Make about twenty more!

Nice job on your first real pair.  The Frankentongs in the first picture are something you should keep on the wall forever.

So jealous over here...

I can tell you are having some fun!  My advice, and some may disagree, is to make some blanks out of mild steel for hammering practice and then use them to practice grinding by hand.  There are so many things you can do once you get decent at hand grinding.  Jigs will make you better sort term but will limit you long term.  It didn't take me too long to be able to hit my target lines working by hand at the grinder.

The fire sitting right at the base of the tuyere is coming for side blasts.  I like your simple fix.  Another fix is higher pressure air but then you are buying blowers.  

That's an amazing score.  Congrats.

There is a long list of things you should do and then a longer list of things you can do. 

You would want to ensure it is high carbon steel.  So a spark test would be a good start. (Look it up then try it)

Then cut off a small section and give it a heat treat test.  Quench it in air, then oil if it doesn't harden, then water after that.  If it won't harden then it is only good for future projects requiring mild steel.

Then you can try a temper and break test (directions found here https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.bamsite.org/tips/heat.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwj_2eLll7ncAhWPdN8KHdwwCO8QFjAKegQIAxAB&usg=AOvVaw2S205dA_WSybc-YviZ4Rw_)

It's at this point you might decide what to make with it.  The natural choice is blades if it hardens and tempers well.

Cut it into lengths you think useable and then anneal the pieces (read about the process then try it out)

Once you are done with this you will have a boatload more knowledge about steel and heat treating and a few more skills on top of that.

By then you will be ready to do whatever you want with it.

I did a bunch of this about two years ago and learned so much.  You will get a lot or of this chunk of steel if you do the same.

Lou

That's a nice little setup you have there.  You got everything but the fire.  I'd suggest that, if the blower handle turns smoothly and continues turning a reception after you stop, don't do a thing to take it apart.  Also don't add a ton of oil.  Everyone add half a quart when they get their first... It will end up leaving on the floor.  Just add it by the drops when you use it.  Congrats.

If it's a good deal and you have the money get it.  Even if you move to propane later on you will value having the ability to use a coal fire.  There are some things a coal forever can do that a propane one cannot.  The reverse is true as well... But I think everyone should know how to use a coal forge.

Yup, welcome aboard.  Sorry it's what you've made.  Ask questions.  Lots of guys here hand forgotten more than most of us know.

I looked it up...

In order to erase my mistakes I think I'd have to go to actual toothpick dimensions.  Those are pretty sweet though.

I think it looks pretty beefy.  Not sure if the wild will stand up to the top of beating an anvil gets, but a big ole gusset might be good insurance from a catastrophic failure.  

Welcome aboard.  Let us know what you are trying to learn about and we can help point the way.  Of course, start by looking through the forum topics.

Lou

There an easier way to get at a beer...

But awesome heat treat!

In my case they should likely be metal toothpicks....