1941 Popular Mechanics forge

[JHCC]

I can see a whole bunch of problems with this, not the least of which is the need to disassemble the tuyere in order to clean out any clinkers. Nonetheless, diverting half of the blast from the blower up the flue to encourage a draft is an interesting idea.

[Charles R. Stevens]

I find a cover over the slack tank to be a nessisity, seams like when ever I have flying steel it ends up in it!

as to the air, I actually divert some to cool the smith! 
 

improving the tuyere would  help, but even a shallow sink is real enugh to add clay to deal with dropping a 2” flange 

[Daswulf]

Having a 6" flue and that much open space around the hood, it would need the help. Vacuum motor might still be a bit much.  

[JHCC]

Now I’m wondering what the CFM and static pressure of a 1941 vacuum cleaner was. 

[Daswulf]

From the old vaccuumes I've seen they are kinda powerful but are loud. Much better variants available today. Also in hood info and flue pipe size recommendations.  

[TWISTEDWILLOW]

58 minutes ago, JHCC said:

Now I’m wondering what the CFM and static pressure of a 1941 vacuum cleaner was. 

There’s an older professional smith named Bill Fraboda up in westville north of me

that told me that some kinda older vacuums where all the craze decade’s ago for hooking up to forges I don’t remember what brand exactly but he told me they were variable speed and I think he said they were DC motors 

but it’s been years and I don’t remember exactly what he said

either way I wonder if that didn’t spark off form that popular mechanics article?

I subscribe to their magazine currently but I’m lucky if there’s one article in it worth reading,

They are mostly advertising for sale stuff now days,