[TheForge] A small project, questions from a new hammer.

[Dave Belfer-Shevett]

(I had a small mail burp.  Apologies if this is a duplicate)

Hi folks... First post to the list... hope I don't embarrass myself too
much.

I've been working with a smith in NH, and he's been teaching me
wonderful work, and I'm ready to get some things done in my shop at
home.

I've acquired a -monster- anvil that I'll be grinding down and getting
into shape (it hasn't been worked in a good 20 years and is slightly
rusty, with a lot of grease on it - but it rings true...)

Over the weekend my roomate managed to fold one of our mower blades on a
rock, and I'd like to straighten it out.  First project!  Wahoo! 

The problem is, I haven't invested in an NCcraft gas forge yet, and I
have -very- little experience working coal.  I know most of the 'be
carefuls' about it (coal heats faster -specially smaller pieces, and do
NOT burn the metal :)

I do not have a coal forge, but I can get a series of fire bricks and
set up a simple hot pot for this one job (I'm impatient - i can take the
piece to the gas forge for my next class, but I'm dying to do some work
here).

The other question - where do I get a sack of coal?  I'm assuming Bob's
Charcoal Briquettes are probably not appropriate for this - or are
they?  

I could also set up a wood fire on brick, let it burn down to coals, and
work that, but that seems time consuming.  

Suggestions?  I have -very- little chance of doing any real damage aside
from using the wrong type of brick and cracking a hastily built forge -
if I destroy the mower blade, I'm out $20 for a replacement blade :)

Thanks, and I'm officially addicted.  Alas.

	-dave

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Dave Belfer-Shevett\ KB1FWR \ 
www.homeport.org    >--------`------------------------------------
shevett@pobox.com  /    36. The hardness of butter is directly    \
------------------<   proportional to the softness of the bread.   |
                   \______________________________________________/