Hello all, my name is Phil Russo. I’m in south Jersey. I’m a furniture maker and antique restorationist. I have been interested in real forging for a while and finally got my forge restored and ready to use, minus the new belt( waiting, waiting , waiting for Hudson Belting to make it) and getting the best material to clay the fire pan/ pot.
I found a local ( 40 minute drive) potters supply who has earthenware clay with grog mixed in. It is sold in moist state however. I planned on adding sand until it is the consistency stated by others on this forum - leaves no wet spot, clumps when squeezed, breaks clean not crumbles. Is this the right course of action?
Also I planned to allow the lining to dry to “ bone dry” state 3-5 days then to fire it slowly. Any suggestions on that process?
My forge is a charcoal forge as it has no clinker breaker, I had planned on using lump charcoal anyway and will eventually make my own.
I was told to build a small fire in the forge for 20 minutes, remove coals - let it cool repeat a few times then build a larger fire for 30-40 minutes to fire the clay.
Any pointers to get me on track will be appreciated
I have forged before with gas forces and have been making small hardware pieces for the furniture I build, but am looking forward to a real forge and larger projects like tools and decorative pieces.
I have a full set of tong blanks from Ken’s Custom Iron that will be among the first projects I forge as well as fire management tools for the forge. I’m looking forward to learning and building upon the skil I have but lining a forge is not something I have done before.
Any advice , and leads on blacksmithing groups in my area would be very much appreciated- thanks- Phil