[TheForge] Re: YAK Az heat and other stuff.

[LrdThorolf at aol.com]

Oh come on  guys It gets a little warm  in AZ.  I work   in that heat for 21 
years and survived. I  even went out and did forge work  after dark in my back 
yard.  No cover for the forge setup. The block walls  felt like they could 
almost be used to heat the steel. You drink lots of  fluids when working in that 
area. Anything about 110 is hot but not as hot as a  shop that has no air 
movement. It is bad when your quench tank outside will not  support mosquitos. 
Had to replace water in it once a week. 50 gallon  blue  barrel for quench tank. 
 
Lived in AZ for 25 years. Moved back to Michigan when I   grew up.  Why, 
don't ask it is a long story. LOL
 
I  think it is great to see a handicapped blacksmith. Yes, it could be  a 
problem setting up a forge and anvil  for him  but I   think  that maybe using a 
I-beam on it side with anvil attached to it  and having opening  underneath  
for his chair would work  too.  Also maybe doing an  anvil stake where it would 
fit between his legs  with a leather skirt to protect his body.  Another idea 
is that if he  could get out of his wheel chair to  make a chair from  say a 
tractor  seat and have a air lift to raise him up to  the height he need. Have 
foot  rest and cover for over his legs and lap.  Put a small  forge on a  
swing arm  with a long handle to  move it. 
Take a rocking foot lever and make  arm rest attachment to fit on a  chair 
arm.  
 
I had a bar stool  that I kept outside for if I was doing lots of  the same 
stuff and would just move the forge a little closer and would sit and  pound. 
Usually was stuff like tent stakes or S-hooks where I  did not  have to do  
lots of heavy hitting with hammer.
 
Ok done putting my 2 cents worth. 
 
Ike 
Pans Forge
 
 
But I love  the heat. Just want it from the Forge. 4 seasons for me  now.