thecelticforge

I have found that wearing dark safety glasses works best for me. I can look right into the fire and bring the temperature up slowly to ensure uniform heat on the work. Also, placing two fire bricks on each side of my fire pot has helped making that little "glory hole" (I think that is the word glass blowers use) that we all need to keep junk out of our welds.

Thanks Dan! I will try that method. Oh BTW... I have suspended steel over a vat of muriatic acid and came up with some beautiful patinas.

I begin heating at one end, clamp it, and use a pipe to straighten it out. I don't like hammering a coil because it is difficult for me to keep the piece from moving.

Sorry Glen, I use borax for forge welding. I don't as of yet have use for other types of welding.

Okay, I will make several things over the course of the day that require welding. However, the indoor items after a period of time begin to "sweat borax." Is there anyway that this can be avoided?:o

Wootz steel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Metalworking - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Bronze Age Craft (An Introduction to early metalworking in Britain) as an ex professor, the more sources you use, the better, remember to use proper APA formatting. Writing Tools - Chemistry Library - UW-Madison

I made a temporary one when I was about ten. It lasted for a couple of years, well about 50 uses before it fell apart and had to be relined. I do remember a sweet smell...

I think I shall take the metal and hammer it into a huge saucer that my little girl can use to sled with in the winter.

I have always had good luck with soaking things in burned motor oil for a month or so. That being said... I had issue with my brake drums earlier this month. Penetrating oil, heat, and hammer taps did not work. Because I had a broken lug in the brake housing, I had decided to just replace the drums if they broke. I then applied my grandfather's advice and used a bigger hammer. 18 lbs and a full swing. The drums came off as pretty as you please and did not break!:D

I have found that the hood helps guide the smoke a bit on days when getting a draft is difficult. Usually warm humid summer mornings are when I have the most trouble.:o

The chimney is going to be 12 clay liner with a cinder block coating similar to those used in Colonial Williamsburg. I am not worrying about being protected from the elements as it is indoors (in barn actually).

I am working away at the new forge. I salvaged and old clothes dryer for the blower fan (got the idea here) and realized there were many things that I could use. The metal I think would make a great hood. I am thinking I make a template with poster paper and transferring it to the metal to be shaped on an oak log with a wooden maul. Comments Please! I don't want to have to do this twice :o

Hi Fokko, I understand the neighbor problem. I had a woman problem for a while. But she came home from work one day and every trace of me was gone! I now live in a place with no neighbors and a good woman. I will be putting photos on the site soon to show the new forge's progress.

Big thanks to everyone! I think I am a gonna use the plywood instead of 1X6's. Call me crazy, errr... LAZY!

it's Tannis of Anvilfire. I am new here and saying hello to all! Now, Paw Paw once told me of a grand old book that had instructions for making a bellows. Anyone have a clue about what it is?