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

[Andy Vida]

debmiller@fuse.net wrote:
> 
> Andy,
> In preparing to try my hand at one of the open forges, I was planning
> to actually build a kaowool "lid" to make it more like an NC or other
> smaller enclosed forge. Am I pushing on a rope? wasting my time?
> kidding myself?

	I think this depends largely on the specific design of the
	forge and your needs.  If it is open on three sides, or even 
	two, you may save something in terms of heat loss and gaining a
	wee bit in atmosphere control, but then why have an open
	design in the first place?

	Also, I would be very wary of using kaowool for such an
	application.  The dust will be flying about and short of
	wearing a space suit, you will breathe in the particles.
	Nothing is worth the horror of the diseases these materials
	cause.  There is (was??) an old smith in Tennant NJ on 522
	by Monmouth Battlefield SP.  I met him perhaps six years
	ago when I pulled up to his shop after about ten years of
	driving by.  He carried an O2 tank with him and could
	hardly talk due to emphysema.  You need hear the soft, soft
	voice of a man in that condition but once to know you don't
	ever want to end up that way.  My recommendation would be
	to make a door from a refractory cement.  Not as efficient,
	but far less likely to cause you problems you don't want.

	The forges we speak of are designed to allow heating of
	items that will not readily fit in an enclosed design.
	They are a compromise to make possible what would other
	wise be impossible or very inconvenient.  I personally
	think their shortcomings preclude general use.  For the
	effort you will put into making enclosing structures for
	this beast, you might be better advised to build something
	from scratch.  but I don't know your specific purpose so I
	cannot really say with any certainty what you should do.