Alright, so the forge should likely be completed next weekend!  I picked up the last bit of angle iron and other bits and will get some more welding done.

So I found some 3' pieces of 1/2 round stock and picked up a 5' piece of 5/8 round stock.

Now I have some coal, tools, forge, anvil, and metal...

What to make first?

I am thinking the first will be a metal rod to manage the fire?  24" handle with a 6" flat piece 90 degree to the handle to make managing the fire easier and pushing/scooping the coals around?

After that I am thinking some simple hooks, and maybe a plant hanger later on???

 

Any suggestions?

 

Go to "Etsy" and search "Hand Forged". There are a zillion simple, yet useful, items being sold there by other forgers. There will be an overload of ideas when you scroll there.

Good Morning,

Learn how to manage your fire and your configuration first. Get used to making little things, many little things. Doing this will enhance your Hammer and Forge control. You will start making one thing and something will happen, you will make something else!! This is normal, Learn from what you see. Get a copy of 'the Blacksmithing Primer' or one similar. Learn slow, pay attention to what your material is telling you, you will learn many more procedures staying with a positive attitude. If you set your focus on making one specific thing and something else appears, don't allow yourself to become negative.

Enjoy the Journey.

Neil

That being said your initial idea about making a coke rake is a good one. For coke the head can be about 1.5 inch, for charcoal it will want to be a bit bigger; look at pictures of ones people use for home fires. It was one of the first things I did after S hooks.

http://www.iforgeiron.com/topic/44142-basics-video-series/

Your first few projects should be your tools to manage your fire. First and foremost is the fire rake. 

Best of luck.

Andy

Brilliant, that is what I was thinking of, just did not know the name.  I like the details as well!

Cool. Good luck with it. Do post pics if you can.

 

All the best 

Andy 

May I suggest the Abana Curriculum. Controlled Hand Forging. It certainly helped me after thrashing about for Eighteen months.