Kexel Werkstatt

Wow.

Thanks guys. My skills are weak but my effort is strong. With time the ratio will flip.

Uh, wow, nice.

I have not seen prices for tongs that high. I see them at $45-60 pair depending on type and quality. Where are you looking?!

You are probably right, but even if so, lots of options.

All I can see are numerous "chunks" in each piece that can be made into different specialty items for the Hardy hole, club heads, etc. I wonder what steel they are made from.

I am Kexel Werkstatt, which means Kexel Workshop in German. I do Woodwork (and now Blacksmithing again), and combinations of both (handled tools, axes, etc.)

Cool! Same bar/twist pattern I used for my tong rack on the wall.

Thanks Matt. I do not want to deter anyone from buying a Majestic (or any other less expensive forge for that matter) - it has done what I needed thus far, but my needs now exceed its capabilities is all. If all one can afford is a hole in the ground and a hair dryer, then please do so to get started rather than doing nothing! Building your own forge is definitely the most economical, but many are not interested in that due to the time/risk/experience level/required tools issues... which I fall under like so many others. No doubt building your own will most likely achieve more satisfaction and flexibility for your needs. Congrats to you for taking the plunge and I'm sure your forge will turn out great. I just put this together for future searches by new people like myself... and just sharing my own experiences. I will say the main reason I did not attempt to build my own is that the more I read, the more it seemed I would ideally have a welder, and other tools I don't have, and the more threads I kept finding about "my home built forge doesn't get hot", or "why does my home built forge have XYZ problem", etc. I just wanted to get to work and bought one. EDITED: Mikey98118, we were typing a the same time, sorry I missed your post. Thank you - and I know Chili uses burners from your design, I did my research there as well. Thanks for the input on Diamondback as well. The only reason I did not consider a Diamondback is because of the vertical burners (similar to Majestic's) - which I've ready by many here are not ideal for multiple reasons. It does look like a solid product, though.

Ok, so yes I did the search thing, this topic is not related to the past Chili or Majestic Forge topics... This is simply my experience of the two forges should any other newbies think of approaching things the same way I did. This is what I've learned, although I thought I already learned it over the years with other endeavors. A huge Kudos to those here (Mikey98118, Frosty, Glenn and many others) for all the work, support and resource they provide as far as burners, forges, and "making your own" goes. I'm just going to focus on these two production forges. A couple months ago I decided to get back into Blacksmithing. I played a bit when I was in my early twenties, and am now in my mid-forties. So, needless to say it has been a long time since my last rodeo. When I was in my twenties, I bought a NC Whisper forge (I believe it was, can't remember baby/mama, whatever). I remember it working pretty well, for what I was doing. Fast forward to a couple months ago, I lurked here a bit and elsewhere, and did Google "review" type searches on both Majestic (low-priced) and Chili (high-priced), as well as other forges. I pulled the trigger on the Majestic Forge 2-Burner Artist Deluxe. What I have found is I did not research enough of the details, and I did not follow the lessons-learned with other projects. I'm going to summarize this entire experience with one phrase - "Buy once/cry once". I know this, but did not follow it this time due to some apprehension. I do not regret it as the Majestic did not cost a ton of money, and I'll be able to resell it for some return, or just stash it should my incoming Chili have an issue so I'm not "out of work" if that happens. I have not yet received or fired up my Chili Forge, but after more extensive research, coupled with the current experiences I have, I can tell it will be a significant upgrade. After having run the Majestic Forge for just a couple weeks, I could see why it isn't favored by those that do a lot of work, or work that requires a fair amount of consistency, efficiency, or heat. Now, I'm not saying there is anything wrong with the Majestic Forge in any way. I am actually happy with it, for what it cost. That being said I do see it now as only an introductory forge - one that a new person could buy, or one who only plans to use it a couple times/month or a few times per year as needed for something special or random projects. For what it cost to my door, it's actually a very good "deal". Kudos to Majestic for providing this item to that market segment in my opinion. I think it actually fits another nice niche, which is an option for those who want to "try" Blacksmithing, but aren't 100% sold they will like it, do it long term or perhaps fall back out of the craft because it wasn't what they expected, it's harder than they thought, or they just lose interest for any other reason. At least under those circumstances, you did not invest a lot in the forge. However, in just a couple weeks I've learned I should have stuck with my gut, puckered up and spent the money on the Chili. I've already ordered it and although they are seriously back-logged, it was great to speak with them, and hopefully my Habanero will be here in a month-6 weeks. I'm really looking forward to it, and here's why: Investment: I've already invested a lot in an Anvil, tooling, tools, time, energy, etc. I just invested in a Chili forge as well. The Majestic is not so much an investment as it was an expense. The return will not be very high if I resell it, but the Chili in like condition would sell instantly closer to what I paid for it. I can tell my Majestic would not last "forever" (neither will the Chili), but he Majestic would definitely not last as long; I don't need to have the Chili in hand personally to realize this. Efficiency: The Majestic uses a TON of fuel to get hot, stay hot and get any substantial material hot, stay hot, and get anywhere near forge welding temperature. When I say a ton of fuel, I mean it. Running two burners at ~12-15psi to get standard stock yellow hot is a waste. Now, that being said, please see above - if you are only going to fix a couple things around the farm a few times per year with it, who cares. I have found I still love the craft, and am constantly in my shop tinkering now, and will be doing so for a long time. So, for me, a more efficient model is needed. The Chili Habanero will fit the bill nicely here. Obviously design and materials are what contribute to the better efficiency; hence a higher quality product overall. The Majestic gets blazing hot on its exterior, and whatever it sits on does as well. So, you are losing a lot of heat that way and it's just not "good" to have whatever your forge is sitting on or near to get burn-yourself hot. Structural/Integrity: Majestic is not a bad company in any way, I reiterate! They were very friendly, very helpful, shipped quickly, and I did indeed receive what I purchased, said better yet "paid for". I hope that if someone from Majestic reads this, they fully understand I think they did great job, and their forge was a great value. The Chili forge is just better made, plain and simple, no arguments. Hence the price. I don't think Majestic would argue with that, and I think if Majestic wanted to sell $1000+ forges they could but that is not what they do, and that is fair. One cannot expect to pay $375 for a forge provider and expect to receive a forge that deserves the $1000 price tag. I know the experts here can build quite impressive forges themselves, very economically, and that is fantastic. I'm just not interested in trying that yet. Maybe next time. If a new 'Smith is interested and confident in building their own forge, they should do so - it makes the most sense as far as flexibility and costs go. That is all I have to say about it for now. When I actually receive my Chili forge, I'll provide an update with the experience to close the loop on this story. One could say, and it would be fair, that it is not fair to provide the above introductory summary of comparisons without actually having received or used the Chili forge yet. However, unless I receive a complete lemon, damaged, or otherwise tampered with Habanero, and after having done all the further research here and elsewhere since purchasing the Majestic, I do not believe I will have to edit much. Hopefully once this is done, it will be easy for other new folks to find and somewhat helpful. I do not work for Chili Forge. I work for me.

Ha. Sounds like a plan.

Here's a thread where the DB is mentioned being stamped on a leg vise... Dalsbruk. Now if you Google search Dalsbruk anvil you'll see some pictures and info posted by others. Cheers.

Can you post a picture of it? That might be helpful to the experts here.

Thanks Frosty and ha it's just Canola oil. I see what you mean with the twist... never thought of that. The scroll in the back is the paddle handle and the flat spot where I put my touch mark is where you put your thumb.

Better picture.

Made a couple racks for punches, chisels, drifts, etc. When I start a piece I keep the few I will be using at the anvil in a soup can but these help me keep them clean, serviceable and organized. Took about an hour to make both of them.

Thanks Frosty, but please don't get attached. I'm very non-commital. You guys are a fun group. I think I'll stick around and make everyone roll their eyes some more.

Ok, ok back to Smelting, holy Mackerel we got off topic!

I look forward to meeting you, and others as well. To be transparent I am pretty holed up in my shop by myself these days learning by trial and error... (I seem to learn better by doing things wrong and breaking stuff than just watching a video or reading a book, illustrations or not). I am proud of my increasing scrap pile; I learned from each mistake, and can reuse the material or something else down the road. I still work full time, married, kids, operate a small business, all that fun stuff. You'll be able to make me out at Quad State as I will most likely be in my Ulfhednar garb carrying a horn of Mead and a roast beef sandwich (with Provolone, no substitutes), mumbling indiscernible obscenities about how I cannot seem to keep my loin cloth in its proper place. Cheers.

They had my round bar in hot rolled, but only had my square bar in cold rolled. So, I took what they had so I could get to work. Fortunately I was only buying a few 4' sections, and not 20' sticks. Material definitely cost me more this first time around than I plan on it costing me next time!

I have not yet decided if that is a good thing or a bad thing ;-). But thank you. I'm here all week.

Happy to help get you started. I can do a 4' section of each no problem, at cost. Call it $15.00 each section or $30 total. Again I got it at Metal Supermarkets in Bolingbrook which is not cheap, it was just close by and easy. Also, it's cold rolled 1018 and not hot rolled A36, so that made it cost more, and, I had them cut it for me as well. If that's more than you want to spend I understand. FYI I have searched a bit and there does not appear to be very reasonably priced steel in the immediate area. If you'd still like it just send me a message. If not, no harm/no foul, I know the price is a bit high.