[TheForge] Using tent as a smithy

[Dan Scheid]

> "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.  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.
> >
> > 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.
> >
>
> I use a frame from one of thos 'tent carports and use a plastic tarp tht
> covers the whole thing.
>
> Advantage: it was cheap. I have about 50 bucks in it right now.
> Disadvantages:
> wind tends to want to blow it down and damage the poles and or tarp.
> Sparks and embers will in time burn thru and require new tarp
> rather difficult to deal with wind and rain(when the rain is
> sideways....)
> Hard to rig lighting for night work.
>
> All in all it is a decent way to start. But I am looking forward to
> getting a real roof up.
>
> Ralph Douglass
I did what Ralph  did and it does work ok. had one of those Costco carports
5 years  the down side is in real weather you did not work. up side is in
so.cal we don't get real weather. I replaced it with a 12x16 box  two years
ago cost about 1000 but this is four walls peg board  tables, electric  so
start under the tarp and start planing the next up grade
Dan Scheid
Flying horse forge
http://home.earthlink.net/~chevalvolant/flyinghorseforge.html