[TheForge] hello

[Jerry Frost]

Hi Sam:

Welcome aboard.

What kind of forge do you want to build? Knowing what kind and size of work
you'd like to do is helpful too.

You don't have to spend much building a forge. Gas forges range from a bean
can, a couple bucks worth of Kaowool and a Bernzomatic torch up to
commercially made units worth tens of thousands of bucks.

Coal/charcoal forges run a similar gamut from hair dryer blown brake drums
to beautiful brick masonry forges. Depending on where you live rivet forges
with hand crank blowers are fairly common and reasonably priced.
Coal/charcoal forges can be built for next to nothing depending on your
skills at scrounging and construction.

My first really useable charcoal forge was made from a auto brake drum set
into an adobe clay packed washing machine door, and blown with an old hair
dryer. I was maybe 12 and the diciest part was making my charcoal; I lived
in southern california and folk are understandably nervous about fire,
especially when tended by a pre-teen.

There're lots of very helpful URLs about building propane forges. One of the
most in-depth is Ron Reil's site, http://www.reil1.net/   Look under "forges
and foundry" and "burner design". Ron's compiled a very complete list of
resources, data and links.

You can check out theforge list's photos on Photoaccess by logging onto the
URL at the bottom of every message. Check out the forges and hoods for some
examples of lister's forges. What the hey, might as well check out the other
pics while you're there.


Frosty
------------------------
If it ain't forged
it ain't real.
Wrought iron is.
The FrostWorks

Meadow Lakes, AK.


----- Original Message -----
From: <metalshadows@juno.com>
To: <theforge@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Saturday, September 27, 2003 9:52 AM
Subject: [TheForge] hello


> hello all...im just starting out  and was thinking of building my own
> forge...any plans or ideas that are cheap and you think might help me out
> would be appreciated.Thanks.
>
>
> Sam
>