Thejay

I've busted out laughing every time I've read this! I did say it is a rough cast. Looking at it from a different angle might help though I admit the northern peninsula is largely oversized. I'm just glad it sits flat with no wobble. I may try some candle wax. Tho I can see my kids picking at it every chance they get. I figure I can't have nice things for a few more years unless they are literally indestructible.

Frosty, I like that idea and I may go that route but I have to put the new forge on the back burner for now. I have a budget that is for all of my hobbies and the boat is currently being a budget hog. I'm still able to forge with what I have and TIME seems to be more of a hindrance than anything. I am a Forman on a line crew and we don't get much time off. On the plus side after wearing gloves and sleeves all day in the Florida sun for years the heat from the forge is surprisingly welcome on those cooler days.

Also poured a rough cast of my hand for a base on an anthill that I personally think resembles West Virginia. Anyone agree?

Great work everyone, looks like we have all been having fun today. Got new crucibles in last week and needed some tools to go with them, I made my foundry top loading so tongs aren't the best option for me so I have my own simple design that works well for me and here it is.

Das, WOW that is beautiful work!

Thanks Frosty, I hadent seen that till now, she truly loved her people just like any loved dog would. Ronnie looks like a sweet little pup, and I'm sure she would, they love us even more than we love them as hard as that is to believe it is the truth. I'm with you, dogs RULE! I think that deep down everyone is a dog person, those who think they are not simply haven't had the privilege of meeting there true best friend (the dog that was ment for them)

Grunt and koko, they are the best dogs anyone could ask for! Grunt is pure black lab and koko is chocolate lab and Rottweiler mix. They are my best and most loyal friends and also a foolproof security system. I have two kids that I have taught to not go outside without them and for good reason. They would not harm a fly, they don't mess with the pigs, the goats, the cows, the horse and don't even acknowledge the chickens or ducks exist but let a stranger try to approach my kids and they will turn into your worst nightmare, just ask the UPS man who happened to show up when me and my wife were inside and the kids were out! The best part is they both listen better than my kids, That is no joke! But I have to give my wife credit on that one. She is the one who spent the time and trained them. I did what I could (consistency is the key) but I work long hours and don't have the time that it takes to develop the angels we call pets today.

This is my third knife to date and first knife finished, I didn't put handles on the first two. Not because I'm not proud of them it's just that I'm currently more interested in the forging process. I know the thread says today but I made this yesterday and I worked on it all the way up to my bed time and could not post it. 4:30 comes mighty early and I'm definitely not a morning person by any means.

Thanks for all the input, I'm going to order more material and get it right! I will put pics up when I am able to finish it, till then I will be hammering away with what I have. Just like the FIF shows, the level of comerodery in this craft is amazing! I'm impressed!

I'm planning on 3 burners and I'm going to make everything featured on forged in fire. That is what peaked my interests in the first place. If it is airing when I feel I'm ready you will see me on the show. Mabe they will have another amiture hour.

I do appreciate all the insight, I am currently reading the forges 101 but it is a long read, and you would be correct I took the D-I-S-C personality assessment and I am D but my secondary is C so I'm going to get it done and I prefer to do It right. I'm thinking that the bricks will make the variable openings easier to achieve by either stacking them or maybe building a rack that I can slide them on to open and close the ends.

I do have other options. I know it looks like it in the first pic but it's not a 55 gallon drum it is considerably smaller. Even still you my be right it is rather large which is why I was thinking about building up the bottom, I figured by making a flat surface for the bottom I would loose a lot of space.

Ok, I now know I should have read the read this first tip. I have to admit I was getting pretty frustrated with the search tab. I have included a pic of what I have now, there is no label but it is 1" ceramic blanket. Still waiting on a couple of things, satinite and a couple more propane burners. I live in okeechobee FL and best as I can tell online ordering seems to be about the only way to get material I need for this craft. I am new to blacksmithing, I have made a couple knives, latches and a bearded viking battle axe that I am particularly proud of using a foundry that I made for ant Hill castings, it is proving to be to small which is why I'm building this new one.

hello everyone, I am building a new gas forge and would like some insight. I am using a small metal drum, ceramic mesh lined with satinite for the top and sides and fire bricks for the base. I need to build up a flat surface to support the fire bricks on the bottom and was considering using a plaster of paris mix. Do I need to find an alternative to the plaster? If so, any low cost ideas?