Forge

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Does anyone have or know where I can find a blacksmiths forge? I don't need a new one and it does not have to be complete. Just something thats serviceable.

-- Deborah Douthit (ironia4@aol.com), November 27, 2001

Answers

Go to www.abana.org. Work your way to a list of chapters. Contact those in your general area and ask them to put a wanted ad in their chapter newsletter.

Basically you need one with a good firepot and blower system. Don't get one which is a pan about 30" across and maybe 4" deep. Those are not blacksmith forges, but rivet forges. They were used in construction to heat up rivets. Won't get hot enough to do any real blacksmithing work; however, I've seen them used at demonstrations to where only fairly lightweight stock was being used.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), November 27, 2001.


I would try auctions and free wanted classifieds. The one that I did see in use was not that complicated- it wouldnt be hard to build, I would think. I guess what you plan on forging- size and shape- would ultimently be the deciding factors in the size of the forge... the one I saw was small but handled all the blacksmith put in it... also, if you are looking for a shoer forge, propane units are made, but might?? be pricy- try looking in horse and tack mags, or, I will consult some old ones and see what I can find. Shoer forge that I saw was considerably smaller than the blacksmiths.

-- Kevin in NC (Vantravlrs@aol.com), November 27, 2001.

make one,, brake drum,, metAl post,, and a hair dryer

-- stan (sopal@net-port.com), November 27, 2001.

Stan has the right "homesteader" answer...make one!

And here's a link to some great plans..

Home made drum forge

-- Jason in S. Tenn. (AJAMA5@netscape.net), November 27, 2001.


Take a vacuum sweeper and put the pipe on the exhaust side and use a rheostat switch to control the blower and also the amount of air and heat. A 8 inch tall section of 55 gallon drum makes a great firepot base and clay will make a firepot. A piece of 3/8 plate with a slot cut in it will allow the air to pass through and not much clinker to fall down. A clean out on the bottom is useful and have your air coming in at a 90 degreee so the air inlet will not fill up with ash or clinker. Real easy to make as I just did so last week.

-- jim phillips (jhphillips@ccrtc.com), December 02, 2001.


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