Eventlessbox

Also may end up reforging a second half to better match the thicker reigns.

As promised, pictures of my first tongs. The bolt will be being replaced with a rivet once I use them for a bit. I want to be able to separate the two halfs and refine them easily. And the bit is going to need some work. 

Not pretty and certainly not even. But a learning experience to be sure. Hopefully they will make my next set of tongs easier and much much more refined than these.

It was indeed shimmery. And in fact the very end looked like it was ready to bubble. 

As far as pics I'm still having issues getting good ones of inside the forge. But pics of the tongs once completed will indeed be posted. I am just now taking a break after drawing out the reigns on the second half. 

And as for having fun. I was having fun long before I ever lit the forge the first time. I'll admit I was worried that once I had actually shaped some steel it would loose some luster. That worry was for naught though. I have the bug even harder now. I find myself thinking constantly about my mistakes and how to do better, where to look for inexpensive or no cash cost(nothing is free, at least not more than once), even future ideas for ways to do patern welds. 

It is truly bringing me joy. Can't stop smiling great mood, bubbly JOY.

Frosty,

Once again thank you for the advice. Thought it might be a bit on the steep side. Plus I had the local mechanic, who I have spoke with a few times during the forge build, drop off two large truck leaf springs to me this am. Said he was In the neighborhood and thought I might like them.

Hasn't yet followed me home but will be on pay day next week.

While at the local hardware store buying nails today I noticed a bucket next to the chain cutter with the broken links of chain. Always on the hunt for steel to practice on I asked what they did with the broken links and then (and i think this was the most important part) explained why i was asking. After some conversation was offered about $500 in mild steel of various thicknesses and cross sections that had rusted very slightly prior to arriving in the store for $100. All told I counted over 50 4ft lengths of flat, round, angle, tube, and box steel. 

The lesson being that sometimes just talking about smithing will open up opportunities you would have never had. 

A new update as I finally had time today to take a break from chicken coop and tiny house carpentry to fire the forge for more then a short bit(about 2 hours). I started working on my first pair of tongs today. The steel, once the forge got to temp, heated to the point of looking liquid on the surface. ( Am I correct that this would indicate a temp capable of forge welding? ) So at this point I consider the forge to be a success. 

Also the 2 hours today and the 45 minutes or so in first fire up were all from a grill sized (20lb?) Propane tank. So it seems to be efficiant with fuel as well.

Welcome Austin.

I just finished my first forge build up about a week ago. I used the frosty-T as well after scraping another YouTube burner. Really has worked great. The best tip I can give you having run into it myself if do not buy cheap taps from harbour freight. I wasted my first t fitting trying to use them. Spend the little bit extra on a good set from dewalt or another name brand. You'll be very happy you did.

Can't wait to hear about your progress.

The foil pieces, are they similar in thickness to for instance aluminum foil. If so what method do you use to clean the surfaces of the foil prior to beginning the stacking process?

I am curious as well. The k23s that I had were Morgan bricks and they are quite tough.

Maxwell. If you go on amazon the seller is KT refractories. Just be careful as the also sell the k23 bricks which I can vouch do not hold up at all.

Maxwell

The cheapest I have found so far is on amazon for $52 for six. With a $17 shipping fee. All the ebay ones the shipping is just obscene 

Yes. I am realizing this quickly and am already working on a rebuild or hunting. K26 brickwork that arnt going to kill me. Lot of tiny house work to do so I won't be hitting the forge again for a little while anyway. Can't make the wife too upset.

Tempted to buy a 24 pack of k26 and just sell off 12 of them. But I'd be dead for dropping another $250 on the forge right now. 

I will most likely go the tunnel forge route. Or at the least I will spend the extra for k26. The k23 I have in it is just so brittle. Though I did manage to salvage on of the broken bricks by trimming it down into a bung for the rear forge opening.

That's perfect then. I have a scrap piece of 1/2" plate that looks like it was cut out of something with an oxyaccetaleen(sp?). Its about 2"x10". I'll clean the edges of it down and it use it. 

May do just that. My bigger concern is that the head in profile has a bit of a rounded dome shape to it. Made it a bit harder to get things trued up after bending.

Thank you all. Without the forum I wouldn't have made this point. It has truly shown me that even what I thought I knew I needed to check and verify. It is a lesson i intend to keep with me.

Next day off will be a pair of flat tongs so I can work small pieces instead of just long stock.

This is a life dream I've had since I was 6 and my grandmother used to take me to the renaissance fair. All I wanted to do was sit and watch the Smith's work. 27 years later and I'm at the very start of following that dream. So happy I want to cry.

My first forged whatsit. I decided to work on my tapering and bending, so I made a fire hook for my fire table. Its basic but I got a taper I'm really happy with.

Got my 6 year old involved. He had a blast using my hide mallet to chisel. I will be grabbing a set of ratchet straps from HF to wrap it with to be in the safe side. The spongy was only on the first inch or so from the end. Then it got solid.

Love the notch in the tree to hang my hammer from.

Alright. My whole yard is sand so that will be easy. I was thinking of using a piece of 1/2 round stock I have a 6" drop of. And then using conduit brackets with long deck screws to secure them. Any reason this would not work?

Also as a noob working on my forging vocabulary, a bick is similar to an anvil horn?

I have the bits and chisels working in it now. Turns out the log is cedar which is a pleasant surprise. Though the wood feels almost spongy when I'm trying to drill and chisle.

I have a 12# old royal sledge hammer head. I plan to use it as my first anvil. I would appreciate guidance on two topics.

Firstly, the face of the sledge has a bit of a dome to it. Should I do anything to try to grind this down and flatten it? Are sledge heads differential heat treated and I'm going to grind off the hardened area or is the whole head hard.

Secondly, I have a large log I intend to cut down and pretty-fy to use as a stand. I would really appreciate any good suggestions on how to put a square hole in the middle of this round peg.

I know I sure would. Good pattern weld is my five year goal. As a fledgling smith, I can't get enough of watching experiences smiths make Damascus. 

Thank you. That gives me a lead. I have wondered forever. It's quite domed on the larger face so I'm sure I'll find some good uses for it moving forward.

I already have a air compressor with no compressor that will be the next forge.

I've already learned that I do not like IFB. I had three bricks break converting down to one burner. Time to squerill some money away bit by bit for some wool and castable. Gotta put some walls up in the tiny house first though. 

In the meantime this forge will be a good start and has taught me so much. Both ideas about design and what is good and bad. And also the basic skills with many of my metalworking and welding tools.

Went to the flea market before work. Please don't tell the wife. Almost came home with a hand crank coal forge. Sadly they had sold both of their anvils already. But I did get my first proper cross pen hammer. 

I had been thinking this may be helpful. Especially for times I may want to open the back of the forge partially for longer items. How do you have your shield shaped? 

I have yet to finalize if I will be forging indoor or out. I live in florida so it rains here A LOT.