PHDforge Posted July 24, 2021 Share Posted July 24, 2021 I hadn’t thought of raising the forge, but now that you mention it and I look more closely at the picture, it is a good idea. I am still new to blacksmithing and am in the experimenting phase (trying different tools, methods, etc). I bought a hand crank blower this year - and like it better (better fire control ) verses the small squirrel-cage electric blower I had. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George N. M. Posted July 24, 2021 Share Posted July 24, 2021 PhDf, I have never heard of any rule of thumb for the height of a forge other than what seems comfortable for each individual. My 2 solid fuel forges are at the height they were manufactured a century or more ago and they seem to work well for me at 6'2". I mounted my propane forge rather higher, about lower chest height, so that I didn't have to bend over very far to look into it. I would say that a hand cranked blower should be high enough so that you don't have to bend over to keep your hand on the crank handle at the bottom of its stroke. I agree that a hand crank blower gives better fire control than an electric blower, even with a rheostat adjustable control on the blower. Some folk like them and some have shoulder or arm problems that preclude a hand crank but that is what I learned on and what is most comfortable for me. "By hammer and hand all arts do stand." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHDforge Posted July 24, 2021 Share Posted July 24, 2021 Thomas and George: I appreciate your suggestion about trying a higher forge height. I am 6’1” and the forge is setup currently at the height it came. I’ve only worked at one other coal forge setup where I attended several workshop sessions. George, may I ask the height of your two forge setups. thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donal Harris Posted July 25, 2021 Share Posted July 25, 2021 6’1” That would probably make yours about 2” too short, assuming you didn’t make it and it was built for a male of average height. I think that is 5’9”. I don’t remember how tall mine is, I didn’t make mine. A friend made it for me. All I made was the pot after the brake drum he had put in it rusted out. It is at a height I like. It allows me to stand straight without stooping over or feel like I have to reach up to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George N. M. Posted July 27, 2021 Share Posted July 27, 2021 PhDf, I just got back into town after being gone a few days. I will measure the heights tomorrow and post them. "By hammer and hand all arts do stand." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted July 27, 2021 Share Posted July 27, 2021 Note too that body configuration plays a part too. I have an uncle that is of average height; but he has an exceptionally long torso and arms and quite short legs---he has to special order clothes a lot of the time. He would use an anvil at a different height than a typical person of that height. There is no "one true height" for an anvil save---"the one that works best for YOU!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donal Harris Posted August 16, 2021 Share Posted August 16, 2021 One thing which kept running through my mind today as I was forging was the song by Sir Mix A Lot, “I like big xxxxx and I cannot lie….” Except for me it was, I like big pots and I cannot lie You other brothers can’t deny When another smith walks in with an itty bitty pot you know that he is whipped. His girl said,”No! Ya don’t need it That itty bitty pot will do just fine.” And then I draw a blank. IMG_6535.MOV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted August 18, 2021 Share Posted August 18, 2021 I get nothing in the link. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donal Harris Posted August 19, 2021 Share Posted August 19, 2021 It was just a video I didn’t want to first post to YouTube. Any other way of doing it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWISTEDWILLOW Posted October 3, 2021 Share Posted October 3, 2021 Took this a little while ago, I think mine looks more like two cranes on a fire pond (the birds not the lifting machines) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted October 3, 2021 Share Posted October 3, 2021 They're dancing! Good pic. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWISTEDWILLOW Posted October 4, 2021 Share Posted October 4, 2021 Thanks Frosty, that’s what I thought too like they were kinda dancing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted October 4, 2021 Share Posted October 4, 2021 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Olson Posted October 6, 2021 Share Posted October 6, 2021 I like it Michael! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted October 6, 2021 Share Posted October 6, 2021 Oh! That's pretty darned demonic Michael! I'm thinking poster material there, be a great flag over a booth at a conference. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyBones Posted October 7, 2021 Share Posted October 7, 2021 I was looking at the fire and took me a minute to see the dragon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natkova Posted December 5, 2021 Share Posted December 5, 2021 Well.I guess they happen more at bottom blast forges Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anachronist58 Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 OK, so it is a smoke dragon, but it Started as a fire... Robert Taylor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 Where there's smoke there's FIRE! Looks like a dragon to me. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lary Posted January 16, 2022 Share Posted January 16, 2022 Hope nobody thinks I need to seek therapy, but I see an eye a nostril, two ears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted January 16, 2022 Share Posted January 16, 2022 Looks like a pretty good dragon to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted January 16, 2022 Share Posted January 16, 2022 Ayup, eye, nostril, ears. I confirm your fire dragon and rate it as a DANDY. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 Did you invite it to tea? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anachronist58 Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 15 hours ago, lary said: therapy I see the whole shebang in that one. In these images, this is where we transition from majority steam water, to the flammable volatiles. When the Missus calls time, I just shut the whole thing down. Green woods will be water free when I unload. There is a lot going on when the volatiles become sufficiently dewatered: One of my favorite threads... Robert Taylor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted January 18, 2022 Share Posted January 18, 2022 Lary, I see a fire donkey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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