Tony Patnoe Posted November 7, 2016 Share Posted November 7, 2016 Hello I just set a simple backyard forge up today and tested it out. I used some wood charcoal (i was unable to find any smithing coal) and am a little concerned about the three to four foot fountain of sparks that i got when my i started up my blower. Any tips or tricks to mitigate this? I am open to any advice or recommendations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arkie Posted November 7, 2016 Share Posted November 7, 2016 Decrease your air supply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tubalcain2 Posted November 7, 2016 Share Posted November 7, 2016 sparks are just part of the bargain with charcoal. you could decrease your air supply but that would also decrease your heat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arkie Posted November 7, 2016 Share Posted November 7, 2016 Charcoal doesn't need as much air as coal..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tubalcain2 Posted November 7, 2016 Share Posted November 7, 2016 true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C-1ToolSteel Posted November 7, 2016 Share Posted November 7, 2016 If your using a hair dryer as a blower, try putting a little duck tape over part of intake to dampen the power. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted November 7, 2016 Share Posted November 7, 2016 Welcome aboard Tony, glad to have you. If you'll put your general location in the header you might be surprised how many of the Iforge gang live within visiting distance. You're problem has been addressed, charcoal makes plenty of sparks with even a LITTLE too much air. Good fire management is one of the more difficult skills to learn but it isn't rocket science. Check out the forge in a box threads for how tos and why fors about how simple a side blast forge really is and they can be as cheap as the dirt in your own back yard. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoggy Posted November 7, 2016 Share Posted November 7, 2016 Too much air flow, which also means you are burning up your fuel! You can cut it off all together when you don't have iron in the fire, charcoal will stay alight without air and save more fuel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Patnoe Posted November 7, 2016 Author Share Posted November 7, 2016 Thank all of you very much. I Will see what i can do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted November 7, 2016 Share Posted November 7, 2016 Some people use a foot switch to control the forge blower so it only on when there is steel in the forge and goes off when you take the steel out and head to the anvil. Saves a Lot of fuel and steel when you are in the learning stage. Not good for coke though as that will go out without a constant draft. Bituminous Coal and Charcoal are great with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Patnoe Posted November 7, 2016 Author Share Posted November 7, 2016 I will look into it, thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted November 7, 2016 Share Posted November 7, 2016 1 minute ago, ThomasPowers said: Not good for coke though as that will go out without a constant draft. Ditto for anthracite. Also, it means that you have to plan your setup carefully in advance (i.e., getting all your tools etc in place before your metal goes in the fire), because you can't step away to do that without the blower shutting off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted November 7, 2016 Share Posted November 7, 2016 SOFA had a half dozen forges in their shop set up this way with the foot switch; but they also had an override switch to put the blower constant on for forge welding, coke, getting the fire started, etc. or in the words of wisdom from Big Trouble in little China "Marry them Both!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted November 7, 2016 Share Posted November 7, 2016 What kind of blower? HF has variable speed switch for routers that I use on my blower. You can start it slow and build up to a higher air blast. They also have both a "dead man" foot switch ( where it's only on when your pressing down on it) and an on off foot switch. I bought and have tried all 3 and just stick with the variable speed switch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tubalcain2 Posted November 7, 2016 Share Posted November 7, 2016 harbor freight! shame on you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianinsa Posted November 7, 2016 Share Posted November 7, 2016 Tut,tut,i only get to visit the USA every so often and when I do going to HF is a must (Especially if you have go some discount vouchers in hand.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Patnoe Posted November 7, 2016 Author Share Posted November 7, 2016 I have my other one hooked up to the forge but it is the same type. I got them both off of 5miles. The idea is one for the forge and one for a smelter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C-1ToolSteel Posted November 7, 2016 Share Posted November 7, 2016 The duckt tape thing works for that kind of blower too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Patnoe Posted November 7, 2016 Author Share Posted November 7, 2016 Awesome Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted November 7, 2016 Share Posted November 7, 2016 1 hour ago, Tubalcain2 said: harbor freight! shame on you! Sigh.... It's there, convenient, cheap and they work.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C-1ToolSteel Posted November 7, 2016 Share Posted November 7, 2016 1 hour ago, Tubalcain2 said: harbor freight! shame on you! HF isn't "evil". Some of their stuff is actually decent, and the rest is priced accordingly. Take a peddinghaus anvil, and divide it by the cost of a HF anvil and you will see that you're still getting your money's worth. Some people say: "Well, I want quality tools, so if it's cheap, it ain't worth anything to me." Think about what it would be like if every kitchen item had to be premium restaurant grade. Yikes! Same for the restaurant owners who need a drill to have around the house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted November 7, 2016 Share Posted November 7, 2016 5 minutes ago, C-1ToolSteel said: Think about what it would be like if every kitchen item had to be premium restaurant grade. Yikes! Actually, most restaurant equipment (other than industrial-strength immersion blenders and the like) is pretty darn affordable, and most of my go-to home kitchen stuff is from restaurant supply houses. The margins are so paper-thin that owners can't afford to spend a penny more than they have to. Where kitchen gear gets expensive is when you start slapping brand names on things and selling them in fancy-schmancy lifestyle stores in the mall (and REALLY expensive when you're talking about Jim Kramer knives at Sur La Table). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C-1ToolSteel Posted November 7, 2016 Share Posted November 7, 2016 Goes to show how much I know about cooking! Get the point though? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redeagle Posted November 7, 2016 Share Posted November 7, 2016 3 hours ago, ThomasPowers said: SOFA had a half dozen forges in their shop set up this way with the foot switch; but they also had an override switch to put the blower constant on for forge welding, coke, getting the fire started, etc. or in the words of wisdom from Big Trouble in little China "Marry them Both!" I like a foot switch. A small sledge makes a good manual override too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tubalcain2 Posted November 7, 2016 Share Posted November 7, 2016 2 hours ago, C-1ToolSteel said: The duckt tape thing works for that kind of blower too. yup. duct tape fixes everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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