Well this is the first time I used my forge. I made this "fire poker", any tips will be greatly appreciated. The fire got the metal to a bright white, I was useing char-coal. And please dont laugh at my little anvil, thats what I had laying around the shop. I will make a better one and/or improve this one (there was just a little wobble HA HA).

Well this is the first time I used my forge. I made this "fire poker", any tips will be greatly appreciated. The fire got the metal to a bright white, I was useing char-coal. And please dont laugh at my little anvil, thats what I had laying around the shop. I will make a better one and/or improve this one (there was just a little wobble HA HA).

Well what can I say James? For one thing I like your poker. The handle has a real organic look which I like. Your obvious enthusiasm is impressive.

The 'anvil' .... well that's another story ... but you already know that. I would suggest giving the 'anvil' a little more solid support at the very least. I would keep my eye out for a chunk with a little more mass/weight than the angle iron and find a stump or similar to mount it to.

But overall I think you did a pretty good job with a bare minimum of tools. Keep up the good work. You're forging!

Bob

Now that is a minimalist approach. Congrats on a great start. I suspect that your equipment and skill will grow in direct proportion to each other. Looks like you have plenty of room for a large scrap pile so forge away and just hide the mistakes. Better yet, post them on poles and make an arrow pointing towards a neighbor’s house.

I think you are off to a great start. Congrats! You have a good (basic) setup. Nothing wrong with it. An anvil might be your next aquisition. I like the poker too. Keep it up and keep posting! :)

Nice starting setup! Your forge is better than the one I started off with. But I would suggest finding a piece of railroad rail to use as a cheap anvil. I'm sure a lot of people start off with one. (I know I did, though I have no idea where it came from.) attatch it to a large tree stump, and there ya go. Also, invest in making a pair of tongs. I made my first pair when I was 12 or 13, and I still use em. They don't gotta look pretty, just be functional. Good luck in the future, you've got a great start.

Great little forge. Well made and thought out.

You are right about your anvil, it would wobble a lot. If the angle iron is all you have at present try making your frame into a sawing horse so it is at least more stable. That arrangement will buy you some time while you find a good chunk of iron for a more solid arrangement.

While forging try not to go to bright white, a good orange/yellow will do for mild steel.

Cheers

Hey, If it works, it works! I've used far more primitive setups myself, including anvils that were no more than a BFR (big freakin' rock). If you want to see a fellow forger "makin' do" follow this link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blBzKTly4Yc&feature=related

That isn't a bad set up James, sure plenty of room for improvement but that describes me to a "T". Nice looking poker too, well done.

An anvil will really help too, what you're using lacks mass. Keep your eyes open for something heavier a piece of shafting or RR rail will be an improvement you'll appreciate. Shafting works very well stood on end, the more iron/steel under the hammer the better. A bucket of concrete is dandy for keeping shafting on end and still mobile. works for RR rail too.

Frosty the Lucky

Thanks guys, I already have my hands on some RR track, and I just have to get back to ND to get my grandfather's Anvil. Thanks again for all the support. Can't wait to get back in and start it up again..

I must say you are doing excellent. I started out on a real anvil and my first piece didn't look that good. Cheers.

Great start, congrats! About the anvil...don't sweat it. I'm still using a 50lb calibration weight flipped upside down using the flat side. I like the simplicity of your forge. Keep going!

Grandpa's anvil, huh? Doesn't get much better than that. Keep making your scrap pile bigger. Nice poker.

nice looking forge and you did a good job making that poker also, congrats, you're going in the right direction.

Isn't just great fun making something out of hot iron? Fire, hammer and an anvil, the simple pleasures of life, I wish you long life and much joy forging iron.

I like the forge.. The poker looks good as well.. I use a piece of 3"x 12" round steel upended in a stup for an anvil..

I also have two pieces of railroad track but they seem to have to much spring in them unless I turn them up on end.

you do know their is no turning back..... ,well done,jimmy