[TheForge] Johnson Forge-Anvil-tongs for $65?

[Andy Vida]

Bruce Freeman wrote:
> 
> Of course, that anvil is in even sorry shape than mine!
> 
> But the design of that forge is interesting.  Has anyone on the list
> worked with one of those?  How does it compare to furnace-type gas
> forges? ...to coal forges?

	Tried them, don't much care for them.  Because they are open,
	the atmosphere is highly oxidizing and your work scales like
	the devil.  They are not heat efficient in any remotely
	conceivable manner.  I would imagine they are comparatively
	expensive to operate for gas consumption.  On the up side,
	they are open and you can place a lot of work in it and not
	have to worry about burning anything.  I think these are 
	good for production work... pointing chisels and that sort of
	thing where you have a lot of iron in the fire and cannot
	be constantly loading up new pieces and getting ulcers worrying
	about slagging the work.  Stuff `em in and forget `em until
	hammer time.