thecelticforge Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John NC Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 Don't see any reason why it wouldn't work. The white paint may be hard to keep clean... :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 As your proposing to use a log and maul to form your hood I'm guessing you plan on having curved elements. I'm thinking a cardboard template would be easier to to tape together to check your sizing and dry fit before attacking the drier carcass. Oh and I would also be testing the paint finish on the carcass with forge temperatures to see what kind smoke and fumes it might give off during the first few uses. Love the recycling idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlotte Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 Actually before you make you hood you should think very hard about exactly what you want the hood to do. Eject smoke or protect the forge from the elements? We have several threads here addressing these issues as well as other design problems and goals. Some of the most effective designs don't involve large curved sections. What is available to you to use as a chimney. Recent posts suggest 12 in galvanized? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thecelticforge Posted June 16, 2009 Author Share Posted June 16, 2009 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). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blksmth Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 Why not make a side draft forge if you are going to the trouble to use clay flue liners? Then you wouldn't need a forge hood? Colonial Williamsburg uses side draft forges - no hood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thecelticforge Posted June 16, 2009 Author Share Posted June 16, 2009 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 My experience has been hoods are barely effective in the best of conditions. A well made side draft on the other hand will darned near suck the coal out of the forge. If you have any issues with draft then a side draft using a properly scaled chimney is what you want. You can still put a sheet metal hood above the opening but they're usually unnecessary. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlotte Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 I used to have a hvac book that included a section on ventilation hood design. Bottom line was that nearly all the hoods you see are ineffective by design. Some of the commercial kitchen hoods only work because they high horse power exaust fans. IIRC my kitchen stove hood would have to be one foot lower and stick out 2 ft in front of the stove to be true effective. Thats the biggest reason I don't fry fish or liver in my kitchen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finnr Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 I don't fry liver anywhere I HATE it!!! Finnr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blksmth Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 Some comments on the 3 side draft forges I've used: The first one was of metal and of the Blacksmith Journal design. It's side draft opening was approx. 10" wide and I think about 10" high with a round top. The chimney was 8 pipe approx. 34' tall. The 2 problems with it were: the opening was right next to the rectangular fire pot and it was not handy to have coal piled on the chimney side of the fire pot. The other problem was that it didn't draw well and I had to have another fan in the wall to pull out the smoke that found its way into the shop. The 2nd side draft was of brick and designed so the opening to the chimney was as wide as the fire pot (14") but then tapered back to 11" wide before it went up the chimney (the taper was approx 5" deep). It had 12" flue tile 34' tall. It works very well. The 3rd forge was brick with the same opening to the chimney, but the chimney didn't have clay flu tile so the chimney inside dimensions were approx. 12" X 23" and the chimney was 16' tall. It sucked better than the one with the flue tile. I guess the moral to this story is that the bigger the chimney, the better it will draw. I also know a blacksmith that has a forge hood over his forge. The hood is approx. 5' square and is adjustable up and down. If he doesn't want smoke in his shop, he has to lower the hood to the point that it is uncomfortable to use. He doesn't use it much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlotte Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 I don't fry liver anywhere I HATE it!!! Finnr I don't like Liver either, but the cooks gota do what the cooks gota do so twice a year this dixie resident has to make fired chicken livers and fresh mushrooms for the assemblen multitude. But not in MY kitchen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Browne Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 I don't like Liver either, but the cooks gota do what the cooks gota do so twice a year this dixie resident has to make fired chicken livers and fresh mushrooms for the assemblen multitude. But not in MY kitchen. Not usre going to Dixie is on my list of culinary delights :rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thecelticforge Posted June 17, 2009 Author Share Posted June 17, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 Just remember to roll a bead on the edge and pad it with a slit hose, etc. so she doesn't loose fingers in a collision on sledding hill. Of course you could make something cool to sell from the sheet and buy her a snow saucer. Either way enjoy NOT breathing smoke. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillbilly iron Posted June 22, 2009 Share Posted June 22, 2009 I have a heater fan out an old car,if i run it flat out it blows all the coals out,so i put two 12 volt light bulbs inline and that slows it down just good.i use my tractor battery has heaps of grunt.lasts a few days till i need to recharge it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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