brian

I use charcoal all the time,had the same problems until I made a firepot 8" deep and throttled back on the air.I make my own charcoal and have found in Australia the harder the wood the better the charcoal but don't know if this applies everywhere.The addition of a sidedraft hood took care of 90 percent of the fleas.

Thanks irnsrgn, Article was very helpful.I'll go and find an old moldboard to use as a template and see if I can get the right twist to it.

Hi Learned Friends, Has anyone got any idea or ever forged a moldboard/mouldboard for a single furrow horse drawn plow/plough,the type you walk behind?:confused: I've searched in books and the net and find plenty of information on forging the shear but nothing on forming the actual moldboard. Have had a few inquiries from friends in the heavy horse club as they're having trouble finding the old ones now,plus always wanted to make one of these. Many Thanks

Yeah,it's art ,really good art ,wish I could do that.

Just finished my side draft after putting up with smoke and sparks for 3 years.Works better than I imagined.I used scrap steel I had around the shed and a flue a friend had. Smoke box is 17"deep x 22"wide x 53"high.Chimney is 9" dia. recommended 10" but I used what I had and made it as high possible.The top of the flue ended up 53" above the roof line and draws really well. Now back to forging without the fumes and fleas.:D

I had my entire 14" dia and 7" deep brake drum full of charcoal and I think it only lasted 30-45 minutes. Could be why you're using so much charcoal. My fire pot is 10"x10" wide x5" deep. I've never used a coal fire(can't get good coal) always charcoal but I think a charcoal fire has to be deeper. Charcoal I use is made from hardwood . An old English blacksmith told me the harder the wood the better the charcoal. I get a nice white flame easily hot enough to forge weld. Hope this helps.

Thanks to all for your help.Got the idea.Now....where's me collection of old bearings got to?

Hi, Has anyone got anyone got a simple (cheap) bearing setup for a small weathervane? Total height is about 2 ft. Brian.

Hi All, Does anyone know anything about this stuff? How to make it and where to get the waxes..I got this recipe from a museum website : 100g of microcrystalline wax 25g of polyethylene wax 230g of white spirits But there are many types( eg. hardness + colour) of these waxes and I can't find which ones to use. Seems like it's a really good finishing wax so would like to give it a try. Regardez Brian:confused:

Ye Gods and little fishes! How can one exist, let alone have a full and meaningful life without vegemite!? I reckon generations of shearers,footy players and even yer odd blacksmith have been raised on the stuff......or was that V.B.:D

Speakin of the drought,dunno what it's like on your side of the island but I reckon over here in WA I won't have to light the forge in a cuppla weeks.Just park the iron outside for a while then drag her over the anvil. Brian