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I Forge Iron

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Posted

Hello all!

I'm new to forging metal. So new, in fact, that I've never done it before.

I've got a piece of property on which I'd like to build a forge. Suggestions on type and fuel sources would be a great help.

I've always envisioned building a forge from stone, but, I'm open to suggestions.

I want to make tools, art and decorations, and fashion things such as swords (I've always had a fascination with swords).

Anyway, I'll check this frequently and read as much as I can.

Just a little background - I'm young, dumb, and strong. I've got an engineering and business background plus the creativity to take on any plans presented to me.

Thank you in advance for any/all your help!

- Matthew Elmer

Posted

Hi Matthew. Welcome to IFI. If you list your location, you may be suprised to find that there is a smith on here that is located near you that may be willing to help you along on your endeavor. Good luck with setting up your forge. Stay tuned, because there are a bunch of great people on here that are very willing to help a new smith get started and keep going. :D

Posted

Hey Matthew,
Welcome to IFI. There are smiths all over the place. JoshuaM is up your way somewhere. Come back to the site at 10pm eastern and go to the chat room. There will be a bunch of smiths gathered and some blueprints posted of things to make.
lots of knowledge stored up on this site and all are willling to give advice/opinions. Good folk here.

Mark <º)))><

Posted

Can you get over to Caniron, http://www.ontarioblacksmiths.ca/CANIRON8/index.html fastest way to get started is to hang around folks that are already doing it!

They can help with supply sources and smithy designs too---I don't think one designed for lots of 100 degF days with very low humidity and high winds would do you any good. (like mine in New Mexico)

Of course for bladesmithing you MUST have "The Complete Bladesmith" James Hrisoulas.

Just checked, Caniron is just about a clinker's throw from where you are at! Start selling plasma now and perhaps a kidney as you will *WANT* to spend some money there---I drive 1500 miles to get to Quad-State in Ohio in September and I'm not nearly the farthest to come, (I think New Zealand won that one)

Posted

Hi and WELCOME!

I'm new too. I had wanted to get into smithing and a little over a year ago, found that the Ohio Historical Society needed a smith in which to operate a blacksmith shop. I had zero experience. They didn't care!! Now I'm in charge of the shop and have it all to myself!! See pic :) I don't need to build a shop :D

Anyway, I was told to build my own coal forge and began construction. Obtaining pieces and parts. Welding/cutting etc.etc. I thought I was on the road to a home built/portable forge.

Then I started looking at the tons of old factory built forges and wondered why anyone would want to spend time and $$ to fabricate one........!! :huh:

I'd recommend buying an old forge and clean it up. Way better than trying to fab one from nothing.

Recently had a visitor to the shop who was a beginner. He was making knives out of car springs and chain-saw chain. I thought that odd as I soon found that he couldn't even make a nail!!!

So....go for it. Make what ever you like. I'd never try to forge weld a chain saw chain into a knife, but perhaps it is rather easy, I don't know. All he uses is a brake drum and a bath-room vent for the blower! :o

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Posted

Thank you guys!

Can you get over to Caniron, http://www.ontariobl...RON8/index.html fastest way to get started is to hang around folks that are already doing it! - ThomasPowers

Thanks for this bit of info. I'm definitely going to check this out!!

Posted

Welcome aboard Mathew, glad to have you. You live in or near far more tool rich lands than I do, Alaska never was industrialized to much a degree. On the other hand I'll be delighted to give advice and tell you the how to's of the craft. New guys will believe ANYTHING.;)

Seriously, glad to have you on board, there's nothing like good questions, everybody learns something even if it's to question our own methods.

Frosty the Lucky.

Posted

S; that's not the forge at Ohio Village in Columbus is it? I knew the smith Paul Ailing that worked in that one for about a decade and they had the bellows mis-installed such that he messed up his shoulder using it. That one looks very different than the one he was using. Low slung bellows can be very prone to back flash so be careful!

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