From time to time that question is asked here at IFI and there is always a lot of discussion that follows. I was looking a various knife makers and forges and such today and found this: tatara . He has show his experience in making a smelting furnace and the whole process from start to finish in a well written dialog that then proceeds to finished blade. It also show another use for an old water heater.:cool:

BP1014 Bloomery Process | Blueprints 1000

While that BP might be nice it gives no time/ore/charcoal charging list, as in, how many minutes between each dump in of ore or charcoal. Might try over here on Don Fogg's in the "bloomers and buttons" section:

Bladesmith's Forum Board -> Bloomers and Buttons

I thought that you all might enjoy Mr. Jesus Hernandez's web site and the two knives he made from his bloom. I already know how to make iron but thanks all the same for the links.:cool:

The Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland (BGCM) is having a smelt at Blacksmithing Days May 15th through 17th. One or more smiths from Williamsburg, VA museum are coming up to the Carroll Country Farm Museum to convert ore to wrought iron and then to a forged project that will be auctioned off. see: http://www.iforgeiron.com/forum/f81/welcome-11397/#post110187 for further information. :)

I dunno, but I smelt like iron all the time....:)

I thought that sulfurous smell came from the coal and stinky sweat not the iron:rolleyes: