pnut

I didn't know.  Someone mentioned plant oils like soybean getting rancid. I knew mineral oil doesn't  get rancid.  Good to know though. 

Has anyone tried mineral oil? 

You can also use an old coffee maker.  I've used it in the past to help evaporate grain alcohol containing plant extracts 

I was a victim of violent crime. I fought back during a robbery and was hit with a few things. A brick and a pipe with an elbow I think. I was stabbed also. A few years later I was in a motorcycle accident.  I'm pretty well recovered  except for some short term memory loss  and slight irritability sometimes.                                             Frosty, I did tell her the fire is much smaller than a BBQ grill being lit. I didn't mention it being any more intense. I thought that was obvious but if it isn't obvious to her I'm not pointing it out.

Charles I'm sorry I was mistaken. The post about working with anthracite was posted by JHCC. My memory isn't what it used to be before the knock I took on the head. 

Good idea. I'll have to put some thought into what though.i still have to learn the basic 8 techniques. I have no experience yet. As soon as I can make a drift maybe I'll make her a bottle opener or make a wooden swage and make her a spoon. Those are the simplest things I can think of she may be able to use and I can learn the skills needed to do it in a fairly short time. 

I wish I would have thought of that. I tried to tell her the fire is actually going to be smaller than the fire when you light a charcoal grill. I think that is what swayed her over to my side.  

I asked her how big of a fire can I  possibly have in a 5 inch hole. 

Anthracite is the cheapest easiest to find fuel forr me right now  So that's what I'll be using for a while. I live in an apartment and the landlord is already apprehensive about the forge. I want to let Her get used to it before I start making charcoal. They burn yard waste in the back, but I had a difficult time trying to explain a forge to her. I don't see a difference between burning yard waste and making charcoal. I should say I do know the difference I don't want to be misunderstood. I don't see any fundamental difference. I want too let her get used to one thing at a time. Back to the point. I'm only going to line the bottom with bricks. There will be a couple inches of soil between the bottom of the firepot and the bricks. They won't be in direct contact with the fire. Can I use any type of brick in this configuration burning anthracite? I have read your post about using anthracite by the way. Very helpful. Thanks 

I was afraid red brick would spall.   I may just put 4 bricks direct under where I dig the firepot. Whetever I do if it doesn't work it will be easy enough to change. 

I wasn't sure.  I'm just kinda spitballing ideas. There will be about 2 inches of dirt between the skillet and the bottom of the firepot.  I was also considering a brake or rotor drum. 

I'm putting together a jabod I can move easily.  Instead of lining the bottom with bricks I was thinking of using an upside down cast iron skillet under the firepot. I'm hoping the air between the wood and the bottom of the skillet will insulate it enough to keep the bottom piece of wood from catching fire. Any thoughts or feedback would be appreciated. Thanks 

I'm getting ahead of myself. There's plenty of time to modify my rail. I need to take care of some fundamentals first like building a stand for a jabod and mounting the rail better.  Thanks for your help I appreciate it.the same people respond to the majority of the new peoples posts. Thank you for taking the time to help.that goes for everyone that responded. 

Making a chisel is the route I'm gonna take. I haven't built a proper forge yet, just a hole in the ground.  I have to rein in my enthusiasm a little. One thing at a time I suppose. im just bored. The weather is bad and work has been slow. Thanks for the advice. I'm gonna practice the big 8 for a while before trying to make anything.

I'm sure I'll have the opportunity to cut both at some point. I think the good idea fairy paid me a visit. I got a little anxious wanting to do something. I'm gonna make a chisel I'd get more use out of it anyways. And youre right about the hole. I seen a pic in this topic of exactly what you are talking about.  That's a much better way to go. I just have to cut some new bits for me drill first. Thanx for slowing me down.

That should read get some new bits 

I'm not sure how often I'd use it but the only other way I have to cut stock is an angle grinder. I don't know if it would make a pinch point or not. I was planning on grinding it into the foot at the very end nearest the edge. 

The foot is already even with the rail.  I would just be profiling about 3 inches.

Good points though. Perhaps I'll wait until I've worked on it a while longer before I start modifying it. Thanks.

I'm new to smithing and was advised my first tool I make should be a chisel so I can cut hot steel. Makes sense.  I was thinking about grinding a butcher profile on the foot of my vertical rr track I'm using for an anvil. I wanted to get other opinions on the idea. Thanks in advance to anyone who has the time to respond. Your insight is appreciated.

The sad thing is that where I live is fairly rural I just happen to live in town. I've only lived here for about a year and the place is pretty "quiet" I'm gonna figure out somewhere to forge though.even if I have to resort to guerrilla tactics. The park  may have grills there already. Couple of bricks a pipe and a bicycle pump and I'm in business

Yeah they are.  N. Korea level regs. Just kidding I don't know what the local public safety officials would say about me havInga forge in the  local park. Small town. Anything that looks a bit weird to them they frown upon. Who knows though I'll find out soon enough exactly what the open flame regulations are. A jabod seems like it should be no different than using a grill. They may have a differing opinion though.  Too cold and nasty out now to worry about it for a while. I'm patient though. 

I've spent about 2 months reading on ifi in my spare time. I've read all of those threads. I appreciate the roadmap though.  

I live in an apartment. Still trying to work out a place to put it 

There is a park near by. I need to find out about open flame regarding though 

Regulations.  I hate cell phones 

I've read most of forges and burners 101 threads. When work picks up I'll get to putting together a forge.

Thanks. I don't have much yet. About 2 and a half feet of 130# rail some files angle grinder. Don't have a hammer yet or a forge but soon enough.  Sorry I took so long to reply My only net access is a phone

How's it going everyone? My name is Mike but everyone calls me pnut. I've been interested in blacksmithing and tool and knife making for a while and recently decided I'd take the plunge. I've been reading posts on this site for about 2months.  I'm accumulating what I can to get started but work is slow.  Anyway I think the site is great, any info you could want is here.  Thanks for a great place to learn.