[TheForge] Using tent as a smithy

[Andrew Vida]

"Herman, Richard A" wrote:
> 
> LrdThorolf@aol.com wrote:
> 
> > I use a 10x15 tent frame with silver tarps for my roof to
> > keep the sun off of
> > me. No walls in the summer. Work at night if possible.
> 
> I have a question for the group.  The above comment, plus one by Frosty, has
> got me thinking about using a tent for a smithy. 

> Anyone else using a tent (awning) out there?  Advantages/Disadvantages?  I
> wonder if you need a hood on the forge to help get rid of the smoke?  What
> size tent works best?  Keep in mind I live in Minnesota and really don't
> expect this to help with the winter time, but sure would help for summer.
> 

	All I can say is I wish I'd had an awning/tent/whatHaveYou
	when I was in Phoenix.  Working in the sun when it is 115
	degrees out is a challenge.  I did it, but couldn't last much
	over four hours under those conditions.  You also have to
	drink a lot of water because heat stroke will sneak up on
	you SO fast you wouldn't believe it.

	The tent thing is great but you have to beware if you are
	using coal or charcoal because you get all those burning
	things flying around.  I don't know if they make such tents
	from fire retardant materials or not.

	The other solution is to build a pole structure with just a
	roof.  You should be able to build one pretty cheaply,
	especially if you scrounge around a bit.  Al you should need
	are four twenty foot 4x4s, pressure treated.  Sink them into 
	the earth on concrete footings, plumb them up, tie them to
	one another with a cap plate from 4x4, put up either some
	trusses (if the span is larger than, say 10' in either
	direction) and put some corrugated tim on top.  Voy-luh!

	I would also make it large enough so that you can work in
	comfort in weather without getting your lower legs soaked
	in a rain storm.  You can put a bench up on one end and run
	power to it.  You should be able to work in all but the most
	icky weather, and the roof keeps the sun off you as well.

	Good luck and best wishes.

	-Andy V.