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Gallery, Projects and General => How do I?? => Topic started by: Brass_Machine on April 20, 2015, 11:52:48 PM

Title: Small forge
Post by: Brass_Machine on April 20, 2015, 11:52:48 PM
So the missus attended a blacksmith course over the weekend and really enjoyed herself. Now she is asking to be setup with a small forge so she can start doing stuff at home. I have been looking into small forges and the 2 that keep popping are the brake drum type and small propane burner type.

Does anyone have a link(s) for some DIY stuff so I can build her one?

Eric
Title: Re: Small forge
Post by: Pete49 on April 21, 2015, 12:10:44 AM
Eric I used to have a brake drum forge and it was a nice unit to use. It came from a truck but was a good size for most things I wanted to do. No pics as it was many years before digital cameras so there wasn't a big desire to take photos of most things workshop wise.
Personally I prefer coke for forging rather than propane but I guess its a personal thing.
Pete
Title: Re: Small forge
Post by: SwarfnStuff on April 21, 2015, 03:01:40 AM
Hi Brass,
     I just did a search and came up with this from Instructables if it helps. http://www.instructables.com/id/Brake-drum-blacksmithing-forge/
 A bit more detailed info here.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Basic-Brake-drum-Forge-for-under-40/
Found Plans here. http://www.artistblacksmith.com/articles/coal_forge_plans.html
There is also some on Youtube.
At least this will give you sumatt to ponder.
John B
Title: Re: Small forge
Post by: Arbalist on April 21, 2015, 04:11:35 AM
http://www.iforgeiron.com/forum/63-forges/

May be of use.
Title: Re: Small forge
Post by: vtsteam on April 21, 2015, 09:27:36 AM
Wonderful that she's taken that course!  :thumbup: :clap: Maybe post some work here, down the road?
Title: Re: Small forge
Post by: Arbalist on April 21, 2015, 09:36:59 AM
I went on a 2 1/2 day Blacksmiths course and it was great fun, thoroughly reccomended!
Title: Re: Small forge
Post by: Brass_Machine on April 21, 2015, 10:44:48 AM
Wonderful that she's taken that course!  :thumbup: :clap: Maybe post some work here, down the road?

She made some neat things in the class. I am trying to convince her to come here and post up. If she doesn't... I have pictures!
Title: Re: Small forge
Post by: Brass_Dragonfly on April 21, 2015, 04:50:52 PM
Still learning, but here's a few. I'm looking forward to getting better once the forge is built.

(http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn224/brassdragonfly/d98245d3-96f2-4135-8e97-9cc19b370e2d_zpspjpztpxn.jpg) (http://s305.photobucket.com/user/brassdragonfly/media/d98245d3-96f2-4135-8e97-9cc19b370e2d_zpspjpztpxn.jpg.html)  (http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn224/brassdragonfly/7d8b6c4f-3280-4833-b4e7-b3b36ac0022a_zpsx8xk9dip.jpg) (http://s305.photobucket.com/user/brassdragonfly/media/7d8b6c4f-3280-4833-b4e7-b3b36ac0022a_zpsx8xk9dip.jpg.html)

Title: Re: Small forge
Post by: RobWilson on April 22, 2015, 01:53:33 AM
 :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: Nicely done  :thumbup: I particularly like the look of the wall hook . 




Rob
Title: Re: Small forge
Post by: vtsteam on April 22, 2015, 01:21:07 PM
They do look great!  :thumbup:  :clap:  :beer:
Title: Re: Small forge
Post by: Arbalist on April 22, 2015, 01:34:35 PM
We made three things on the course I did, Rat tail Poker, a Wall bracket for a hanging basket and a Rams head toasting fork.
Title: Re: Small forge
Post by: Brass_Machine on April 22, 2015, 02:15:48 PM
Her class wasn't bad. They were firing up the forge within the 1st hour. Unfortunately it was only one day... but she will be going back to take more classes.

It is hard to see in the pictures, but those pieces are really well done. Hard to believe she never picked up a hammer before...
Title: Re: Small forge
Post by: Will_D on April 22, 2015, 03:05:10 PM
As she's so good with the hammer I would give her great respect!

In Ireland I am still looking for a course! Even thought about "apprenticing" myself to a local smith (who mainly does gates and the like) for free!.

My grandad was a farrier before the great war in rural Hereford. Then came WWI so he joined the Royal Engineers. Then came the post war recession but he eventaully got a job as a smith with the LMS maintenance depot in Abergavenny in S. Wales (NOT GWR !!).

He worked for the LMS for 40 years! Ended up as a foreman building bridges over the roads (Hot rivetting).

He taugt me all the basics of metal working in his shed! I remember him taking me in to work one day in the very early 60's - the wheel sets were about twice the height of me and the big forge was awesome!

Its amazing how one thread can take you on a voyage back in time!
Title: Re: Small forge
Post by: Divided he ad on April 23, 2015, 12:57:13 PM
First word.... Sweet!  :thumbup:

Second  word.... Jealous  :)