Caleb Harris Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 As a few of you know, I've been working on a book for bladesmithing newbies on finding and getting the tools needed to start out bladesmithing, and I need some example photos on coal forges. I don't currently have a coal forge nor access to one, and almost all photos on the internet either are copyrighted or would take forever to get permission to use. So do any of you have photos of your solid fuel forge that shows the main parts (bowl, hotspot, air source, etc.) in one photo? Just to be clear, these would be published publicly, and used in this book which I am selling for profit (aka to get better tools ). Will of course credit the original owner if you want me to. Thanks, Caleb. Trying to make each knife just a little better than the last Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Higson Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 I have a few of my Chimanea Coal forge with a hairdryer blower! Cost me £10 to set up as everything is reclaimed from scrap - cast iron chimanea, scaffolding and insulation 'silencer'! The only cost was the hair dryer haha. Feel free to name and shame me if you wish, though it's a bit of an embarrassing set up if I'm honest! Good luck, James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Longmire Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 Since I seem to be one of the few running a coal forge with a commercial firepot, I'll show you the build sequence in my current shop. The firepot is the Centaur Forge Vulcan with dumping ashgate, seen here: http://www.centaurforge.com/Centaur-Vulcan-Firepot-with-Dumping-Ashgate/productinfo/VD/ It is set into a 3/16" steel plate that measures about 24" x 40", with the open ends filled with fireplace cement. The tabletop rests on a base of ordinary pine lumber. Here it is in August 2004, its second home, while I'm building the side draft hood, visible in the background. Note also the big hole in the chimney: That hole is for the duct that connects the hood with the flue. Here's the hood under construction: As you can see, the duct is not in place, nor is the top panel. Here it is all put together, from several angles. Here you see the Champion Lancaster #1 hand crank blower that connects to the tuyere via 3" dryer hose and 3" gas flue pipe. A head-on view: And from the other side: The stealth geometry not only renders the hood invisible to radar, it allows a large expansion chamber that really induces a strong draft in a rather shallow but wide footprint. Here it is two years later in 2006, a view into the pot. And here with a fire showing the excellent draft. And one more showing the current shop setup, including Grond the treadle hammer and Star the power hammer, with vise to the rear. Look how the flame is being pulled completely sideways into the hood. No smoke in the shop! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caleb Harris Posted August 1, 2014 Author Share Posted August 1, 2014 Wow thank you both of you! This is really awesome! Trying to make each knife just a little better than the last Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Higson Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 Haha, a big skill gap between the two! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Longmire Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 Not skill, just equipment! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin leonard Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 i figured your place would be bigger alan but im amazed at how clean it is no other smiths shop that ive visited has been any where near that clean http://bearclawknives.com/ my mentor and his friends once told me there os no problem that cant be solved with a fine cigar and a pot of coffee you know some people just need a sympathetic pat.....on the head........with sledge hammerSeven Points Forge by the Bay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Longmire Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 That was ten and eight years ago, respectively... I haven't seen the walls below six feet up in years! Or the floor. I think there's concrete under there somewhere. Those pics were when I was getting the then-new place set up. It is a 20X24 foot detached garage, which you can currently almost walk all the way through if both doors are open. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caleb Harris Posted August 1, 2014 Author Share Posted August 1, 2014 That was ten and eight years ago, respectively... I haven't seen the walls below six feet up in years! Or the floor. I think there's concrete under there somewhere. Those pics were when I was getting the then-new place set up. It is a 20X24 foot detached garage, which you can currently almost walk all the way through if both doors are open. Oh also, I need a photo of an in-ground forge; did you happen to have one? (I thought I saw it somewhere on the forum in respect to sword HTing) Trying to make each knife just a little better than the last Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin leonard Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 (edited) just look up ground forge i have to remake mine every time i get started right now or at least semi rebuild it and clean out all the debri from the rees Edited August 1, 2014 by Justin leonard http://bearclawknives.com/ my mentor and his friends once told me there os no problem that cant be solved with a fine cigar and a pot of coffee you know some people just need a sympathetic pat.....on the head........with sledge hammerSeven Points Forge by the Bay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin leonard Posted August 2, 2014 Share Posted August 2, 2014 That was ten and eight years ago, respectively... I haven't seen the walls below six feet up in years! Or the floor. I think there's concrete under there somewhere. Those pics were when I was getting the then-new place set up. It is a 20X24 foot detached garage, which you can currently almost walk all the way through if both doors are open.This is my place 5 small bays and a big one first two are separated and can be closed off it even has a bathroom and shower but it has become very cluttered over the summer I'm willing to rent some if the space for lessons and use of persons experience to aid in my learning http://bearclawknives.com/ my mentor and his friends once told me there os no problem that cant be solved with a fine cigar and a pot of coffee you know some people just need a sympathetic pat.....on the head........with sledge hammerSeven Points Forge by the Bay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caleb Harris Posted August 4, 2014 Author Share Posted August 4, 2014 just look up ground forge i have to remake mine every time i get started right now or at least semi rebuild it and clean out all the debri from the rees bea32c51735e552a4aaff16df1a86d77.jpgBlkSmth01.jpgground-forge.jpg And would you like me to credit you by name?[q];++d){var>[q]+d[q])break;a+=d}b=!0}this.e&&(d=x+e(json.stringify(this.h())),131072>[q];++b)for(var> Trying to make each knife just a little better than the last Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin leonard Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 I dint care their just things I've helped build http://bearclawknives.com/ my mentor and his friends once told me there os no problem that cant be solved with a fine cigar and a pot of coffee you know some people just need a sympathetic pat.....on the head........with sledge hammerSeven Points Forge by the Bay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now