[TheForge] Using tent as a smithy

Mon May 6 10:59:03 2002

I've worked under a fly awning (a tarp stretched over a ridge pole) during =
demos.  Not bad.  You might want a supplemental tarp or two to block =
bright light or breezes.  Plastic is bad - burns too easily.  See if you =
can get a cotton tarp, preferably fireproofed. =20

You want a flue up from your forge to at least 3' above the tarp.  This =
needn't go through the tarp, but can angle up out one side.  Keep the =
overhead tarp high enough so that the heat from the forge doesn't bother =
it.

Around here you can get a structure made from steel tubing with end pieces =
to connect them together into a roof structure.  The main advantage of =
these is that they allow you to assemble and disassemble the structure =
quickly. =20

You could make branched joint pieces that would slide into the tube that =
would work as well (though you'd need to tie the tubes together at each of =
the joints to keep them from sliding apart.

The tarp is held on using a short loop of bungee cord with a ball where =
the ends join.  Run the loop through a grommet and over the frame, then =
lodge the ball in the loop.  (Rope would work too.)

Good luck.

Bruce
NJ

>>> "Herman, Richard A" <[email protected]> 05/06/02 09:08AM >>>
[email protected] wrote:

> I use a 10x15 tent frame with silver tarps for my roof to=20
> keep the sun off of=20
> 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.  So far I have literally
been a classic "under the shade of the old Oak Tree" type smith, and I am
getting real tired of having restrictions due to weather and the amount of
time to set up and take down every time I want to do something.  Have many
others tried this route to set up a temporary(?) workshop.  I know Jack
Andrews recommended a tipi in "Edge of the Anvil", but a good size tipi is
around $1000. =20

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.

Appreciate any help from others experience.

Rich Herman
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