Devin Johnson Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 so I got started in blacksmithing and I'm looking in making my own permanent forge, what is the best design. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norrin_radd Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 Your best bet is to start in the "Solid Fuel Forge forum"http://www.iforgeiron.com/forum/64-solid-fuel-forges/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 Sorry without knowing more details we can't suggest the "best" one for you. It's like me saying "I need to buy a vehicle---tell me the best one to buy!" without saying "it needs to cross oceans, or win formula one races, or get to the International Space Station, or haul 16 tons of coal, or be fuel efficient, (or all the previous...)A hole in the ground may be the best forge for some people, a brake drum forge for others. I can't speak as to permanent forge as I have been smithing around 34 years now and have never had a permanent forge, I build them and use them and build another with the features I figured out while using the last one. Forges are like vehicles; you get the one you think will best suit your needs and may find yourself exchanging it for a different one or adding another to help with a special task you have. So can you help yourself out by telling us what fuel you plan to use; how you plan to push air, what do you plan to make in it---both common items and outliers; what skills and tools you have access too---no good giving you welding plans when you can't get stuff welded---screw/bolt/rivet plans might be best... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 Welcome aboard Devin, glad to have you. If you put your general location in the header you might be surprised how many of the IFI gang live within visiting distance.No such thing as the "best" coal forge. Sure, one might be perfect for heating left handed swivel widgets but worthless for heating swinging gate clappers.Pull up a comfy chair, pack a lunch, something to drink and get ready for many days worth of reading. The IFI front page scrolls down for I don't know how many pages of sections. Everything from shop pest control to home built induction forges and everything in between. I recommend you do a little reading about general blacksmithing to get an idea of what your interests might be or become. (Heck, I don't know where my interests will take me) You'll find a LOT of information coupled with people's experience, problems, solutions, etc. in any section your choose to read.I'm saying get an idea of what's what before you try designing a "perfect" tool, no such thing. We've all done it, it's a new to any craft thing to want the perfect tools so don't sweat it and more important don't feel silly. We've all been there.One thing I tell folk who want me to show them the craft is. "The tools are just highly refined dirt, they don't do anything. It's the clever monkeys with great big brains and thumbs that do all the work." A couple of the truly satisfying aspects of this craft are getting to use tools you make yourself and as your skills grow you find less and less need for "special" tools to make what you want.It's a life long learning curve, enjoy the ride.Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notownkid Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 What's best is one man's idea vs. another's. I've spent hours and hours on the forge forum here looking, hours and hours on the internet looking at library of congress photos, local and state historical groups sights and old pictures, traveled far and wide photographing forges in museum, old farms I've found with some still intact or where ever I can locate one. I watched the construction of the 4 forges at Williamsburg on the web sight every day for months and have photos of those under construction. Found a few made of large flat rocks in 2 different states. I'm sure every one was best in their builders eyes at some point. Appears we will be using an modified 1760's French Design from the French & Indian War era that is in a Museum in Charlestown, New Hampshire called Fort #4 on the Connecticut River . I Photographed it a few years ago and last year discovered a former HS classmate of mine built it. He has offered to give my son assistance & pointers on how to build it as he isn't able to do it any longer with Parkinson's decease. He has suggested some modifications as we aren't looking for historic accuracy just usefulness. Also helps he is very interested in History and the fact we are building a new shop that he can come to bend a little iron in. What ever you build it can be changed later, added on to, deleted from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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