This winter I have tried using my forge in one side of my garage, I had it vented some but not the best. I even opened two doors and a window. What I did find is that in the end that I have my saw shapening business tools were getting a lite surface rust. I had not seen this type of rust since I had a jug of muratic acid leech out. Could this be from the fumes of the forge sulfuric acid! I have since stopped forging in the garage. I will forge outside until I can build a separate building.

the rust could simply be water condensation from the forge smoke too... it is a fine orange rust correct? I get that sometimes , and have no acid in my shop.

This is a phenomonon that occurs in most forges, and why most forges were traditionally a small area isolated (by walls and doors)from the main workshop areas,

Even the larger companies understood and used this set up, which is why there were seperate departments for other processes used by them such as edge grinding, fettling, fitting or machining.

Nowadays the set ups for blacksmiths workshops as opposed to forges seem to have either ignored this, or are not aware of the problems that forging hot metal can introduce into a working environment.

Coal and propane exhaust will contain H2O and CO2, and may contain SO2 and NOx. SO2, CO2, and NOx will combine with liquid H2O and form acid of varying strength.

Phil

I don't know but it just could be your high humidity ours is low even in the winter, 15 to 20%RH and even lower most of the time. Did you have things oiled up well? :mellow:

I try to keep a fan on low as much as I can to keep the moisture out of the air in my shop - helps out alot. Muratic inside is not a good thing. - JK

You just need to use them more! That will keep the rust down. ;)

Easilyconfused, actually isn't. That's all I do, use them more. My tools, rust some over winter. 1000 degree steel going into the slake tub doesn't help.

You'll get used to it. :)

Thanks for the advice!
I feel better knowing I am not alone in this world of hot steel. I have a wall that separates the two shops, but alas the ventless heater adds moisture to the saw shop and in I have vented this into the area that I was doing the forging this winter, Looks like I compound my problem.