interex216 Posted August 18, 2014 Share Posted August 18, 2014 Hi guys let me start out with what amazing site for information and knowledge. I have been reading through a lot of the forums here and there are so many useful post. Me and a friend are completely new to blacksmithing and have nothing atm lol. We needed something to do when it gets cold because in Maryland we just shack up and do nothing all winter. So what a better thing to learn huh. We are starting work on our forge right now and have everything drawn up the way we want and ill make sure to post some pics for the build so you guy can give us some advise. We are the type that like to go big or go home so our first forge will be a stone forge, solid fuel with a some add ons to make things interesting. We really want to do all this right and learn how to be proper blacksmiths so we will be doing a lot of tool making and decorative items. We aren't rich or wealthy at all so if anyone on the Maryland DC area has any hand outs we will take anything really we are not picky and the wife's are making sure to remind us of the budget. Thanks for you time and i hope to get to know some of yall to help us become better at an amazing trade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSW Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Hello and welcome. Do yourself a favor and take a minute and add your location to your profile so we always know where you are located. Mentioning it in your intro won't help a few months from now when you have a question. Take a look around for local blacksmithing groups to join. I believe there are a few in your area, but I can't remember which off the top of my head. Many times you may find a local member who has located a piece of equipment cheap that has bought it for someone new who is up and coming, even if they didn't know who this might be at the time. Most times guys are willing to let these items go at what it cost them to pick them up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 STRONGLY suggest you not build a stone forge until you know what makes a good forge and what type of forge works best for what *YOU* want to do with it. Getting too cold is very common in blacksmithing in the winter as the smithy needs LOTS of ventilation---helps prevent a bad case of the deaths---and if you think of it: If I can stand with my, ahem, "wedding tackle"18 inches from the center of the fire when it's 98 degF out why would one expect your feet to be warm 36 inches away from the fire in the winter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
interex216 Posted August 19, 2014 Author Share Posted August 19, 2014 DSW thanks i updated that and ill look around that would be a great help. Thomas thank for the info i will take that into consideration the forge area will be semi enclosed with the chimney running out so ventilation should be pretty good and we have another system to heat the area so i wasnt really planning on using the forge for heat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Go BIG or go home is a great idea but it is suggested that you know what you are doing, and want or need, before building or buying large items. You need some hours at the forge, and several forge designs, before you build a stone structure. Which design will best suit YOUR type of blacksmithing? Have you looked at which way the wind blows where you plan to put the chimney? Any buildings, trees etc that create eddies or down drafts? Go outside and look at the amount of smoke coming out of a chimney. THAT is exactly the amount of outside cold air that is being drawn into the building, and you may have to open a door or window to equalize things. Your secondary heating system will have to warm all that outside air so you can be comfortable. How do you lower a stone forge after it is built, or raise it if you misjudged the comfortable working height? How do you move it a foot or so in order to forge longer stock? Is the anvil and vise properly located in relation to the forge? Can they be moved is needed to work in the project at hand? Is your work area set up left handed or right handed, and do you have room for a striker? Lots of different things to consider and work out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
interex216 Posted August 19, 2014 Author Share Posted August 19, 2014 this is why i signed up here to get all the little details. Thank you for all the info this will make things a lot easier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Basic things like if you are making knives 10'x10' might work for your forge area. Gates you may need to swing a 20' stick of steel around in a circle or straight up...Look up the local smiths and ask them what's working well and what they would change if they could...you don't need to make all your own mistakes, you can profit from those of others! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
interex216 Posted August 20, 2014 Author Share Posted August 20, 2014 our starting area is 19x19 so not to bad to start out small we have a few quirks in the build so the wife doesnt kill me she said no scrap yards so everything has to be organized which is pretty simple for me and thats why the stone forge because as i was told lol if i think im just gonna weld abunch of stuff together and put it in the yard im crazy lol we plan to do a cut lumber pole barn style to enclose it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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