Beginner

[OvercastTradition]

I am canadian born with thick europian heritage and im studying to become a stone mason, Im new to forging and I wish to incorperate my Masonry with my desired skills of a blacksmith, so I can craft specialty mason tools and the like,

Im coming to you all today with a few basic questions because I cant find a stright answer anywhere,

I would like to create a small 'hobby' forge thats roughly 4 feet by 8 feet, fed by Hard fuels such as coal and woood, and made out of brick.
I dont like the metal drum forges that I have seen, as Im more partial to the traditional approach of forging and blacksmithing.

A list of starter equiptment and tools would be awesome as well as an expert or artisan's teachings and methods to the creation of a forge as well as how to properly manipulate metal and what ques to look for.

Im currently in southern saskatchewan, Canada, so if there are any blacksmiths in that area that would be able to share their expertise that would be greatly appreciated.


I dont know how friequently I will be checking my forum account because my trade work is usually 7-10 hours a day, 7 days a week, because its a private project with a family member and im very passionate about the dying art form.

If anyone has any advice or what have you, please feel free to email me send me a message on the forum and I will get back you to as promptly as possible :)

[Glenn]

A list of starter equiptment and tools would be awesome as well as an expert or artisan's teachings and methods to the creation of a forge as well as how to properly manipulate metal and what ques to look for.

Metal does not care how it gets hot, whether in a junk break drum or a several thousand dollar forge. As a beginner you need something to get the metal hot, something to hit with, and something to hit upon. Your knowledge will grow with experience, and hammer time. During that time you can look for a better forge, a better hammer, and a batter anvil. If you start with the basics, and learn the craft, it will serve you well. As you are studying to become a stone mason, you must also study to become a blacksmith.

JeremyK built a masonry forge, and has posts on the site detailing the project.

There are many Canadian Blacksmiths on IForgeIronwho can direct you to a working blacksmith in your area.

[Frosty]

Welcome aboard, glad to have you. Being new to a craft often causes a person to misuse terms or mis think things. When you say you want a masonry forge 4'x8' That could be a huge forge or a decent size small forge, depends.

Forging masonry tools is easy enough, heat treating (hardening and tempering) on the other hand can be a motherbear .

As Glenn says, learn blacksmithing, THEN build your tools and equipment. Making blacksmithing tools will be a good warm up for making masonry tools, well some of them that is.

Okay, I know that wasn't all that helpful but it''s about ag good as I can do with what I know about your ambitions so how about getting more specific so we can be more help.

Frosty the Lucky.

[Frank Turley]

Masonry can be a big field. Aside from laying bricks, the old masons had a knowledge of working with granite, marble, and limestone. Some had a nodding acquaintance with plugs & feathers, bush hammers, tooth chisels, etc. The only book I've seen that talked about forging stone tools of high carbon steel is "The 20th Century Toolsmith and Steelworker" by Holford. It was reprinted with a companion volume under the title of "American Blacksmithing." It is out of print, but you might be able to get a copy via online bookfinders. Nowadays, I suspect that some stone tools have tungsten carbide working ends that are copper brazed to a shank or holder.

A quality trowel is going to have a "strengthening rib" where the heel of the trowel transitions into the tang. This would be a one piece forging. The rib avoids the sharp shoulder or electric weld which may lead to breakage.

http://www.turleyforge.com Granddaddy of Blacksmith Schools

[arftist]

Good advice so far. Learn to forge blacksmith tools. You need the tools anyway, and you need to learn to forge. As you discover the methods, making masonry tools will be a natural step. The Complete Modern Blacksmith gives detailed instructions on making both smithing tools and stone masonry tools. It is true that masons these days use carbide tipped tools, but this is partialy because they require much less frequent dressing. One who can manufacture his own tools can certainly maintain them as well. Additionaly, the ability to create a tool as the need arises enables greater creativity as well as flexibility and self sufficientcy.

[Larry H]

ummmmm......4' x 8' forge......its gonna use, what....500 lbs, of fuel to start up ?, depends how deep i guess