jcrous Posted September 6, 2009 Share Posted September 6, 2009 Hi, I am now interested in starting hobby blacksmithing for quite more than 12 years and have not started yet. I have one tong, hand cranked grinder (antique), a blacksmith's pole vice and I also have a 100 pound Londen anvil (no dents or marks yet). The grinder and the anvil was given to me as gifts. I bought the tong as scrap but bought the vice for some money, before everything became expensive. I have all types of modern tools, even a screw cutting lathe. However, before I can go further I must build a forge (I prefer a coal forge as gas are too expensive). I have browsed around, but I am still looking for a fan or plans for a fan. Maybe I must buy the gears and make my own design for a hand cranked one. The fan part will not be so difficult. I had something that were used to spread sulfur dust om treas but just as I managed to melt bras the little gear box unit ceased up. I will therefore use my forge as a little furnace as well for aluminum and brass. If anybody can direct me in some direction I will appreciate it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beth Posted September 6, 2009 Share Posted September 6, 2009 HI JOhan - i dont know which kind of design would be right for you but i think if you click on archive at the bottom of the page you can look at all the threads about forge design pros and cons will be thoroughly aired in there! good luck:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
double_edge2 Posted September 6, 2009 Share Posted September 6, 2009 i agree with Beth, and type in a search for pictures on the internet for ideas for not just forges either. and a small gas forge can be made to run very efficiently. i have a hand crank and an electric blower for forge wind sources. look at all options. and enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcrous Posted September 7, 2009 Author Share Posted September 7, 2009 Thanx I am also looking for a rivet forge or similar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Browne Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 Try making your forge firepot out of a brake drum off an old car, see the Metalworking Lessons off the front page. As for an air supply you could make a fan runnning off a bicycle crank for gearing, I've seen photos somewhere, or a Japanese box bellows or use a heater fan out of a car (comes complete with speed control). Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 Welcome aboard Johan, glad to have you. Check out the 55 forge in the Blueprints section, it may not be what you want ultimately but it will get you up and forging. There are also a number of threads about building bellows of all kinds and blowers. Searching the archives will bring up lots of info. My advice though is don't wait to get all the "real" tools, build a fire in a hole with a blow drier in a piece of pipe or whatever. Just build a fire and start forging, no tool will do the job, it's your skills and experience that will and the only way to develop those are by doing. You can gain knowledge by reading, watching and listening but not skill, that only comes one way. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
double_edge2 Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 good advice from frosty, just do it and have a go, ( safely ) you will learn more from the doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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