[TheForge] Forge Trailer

Mon Nov 21 14:09:06 EST 2005

Comments after questions.

Robert Ehrenberger
Shelbyville, Mo.
eforge at centurytel.net

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ralph Sproul" <brhlbsmt at mcttelecom.com>
To: "Bob Ehrenberger" <eforge at centurytel.net>; "Sponsored by ABANA"
<theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, November 21, 2005 3:09 AM
Subject: RE: [TheForge] Forge Trailer

> Thanks Bob, I really liked hearing this about the larger trailer because
we
> kicked it around for months before going how we did.

Ours is a hog, takes a 3/4 or 1 ton truck to pull it. Does limit the ability
to set up classes in areas where there isn't a member with a sutable truck
to get it there.

I think that the trailer is on BAM's insurance.  Since I can't pull it with
my truck I haven't paid much attention to that point. Classes are covered on
BAM's insurance as long as they are restricted to BAM members.  For that
reason you have to join BAM before taking a class.
>
> That's another good point on the trailer tools and equipment.  We built a
> shelf in the front of the trailer so it is obvious when something is
> missing - it either goes in the box or on the shelves we have and you
don't
> have to do a point  by point inventory for each user when it returns.
>
> We only allow the NEB trailer to go out on NEB Sanctioned events - but the
> opportunity still arrises when the person has it to do two or three demos
> during harvest season, or sell something out of the trailer set up - we
> decided that did not fit the "non-profit" criteria - so we made up the
rull
> about only passing out business cards and folks have stayed good with it
so
> far.
>
> We also developed a "trailer committee" in the club - (I'm on it) and so
are
> five others........we get together once or twice a year and fix anything
> needs fixing, and rework or build anything we find could be improved after
> we've had the unit out working for the year.  This is year three for the
> club's trailer ...........and year six for my portable forging station
> (pretty much both are the same - mine doesn't have the storage shelves or
> boxes for tool sorting - as I use it for installations as well as lend it
to
> friends who want to sell items at a demo and we don't have to worry about
> the non-profit things.

We also have a trailer committee. I'm not on it, but am  pretty involved.
>
> In going with your gas forges - I thought that to be a really wise
choice -
> as blowers, stacks, extension cords, fire tools, coal, buckets, slag
> catches, newspaper, etc........is all stuff that adds up.  What do you do
> for propane storage and use on the trailer?? Do you have a 100 lb tank? or
a
> 100 gallon to run all those forges and not ice up?  Do you keep the fuel
in
> the back of an open truck? or inside the cargo trailer?.........or am I
> assuming you are using a closed trailer and it is really an open deck
> concept - or open walls and a roof?

The host of the event is required to rent tanks locally. That way we don't
have to transport them. They were talking at the last meeting of having
members bring their presonal tanks to conference. BAM would pay to fill them
and then the member could us up any LP that was left.

The trailer is enclosed.  Doors at back and on one side.

>
> Just a rough guess on my part - but is your BAM trailer about 8 x 12 to
> carry all six forges, 10 anvils, stands, and tools?  What type of vice
> mounts do you use? - are they part of the trailer? or modular?

The trailer is at least that big maybe even 14 or 16 foot long.

For simple twisting eack station has a drill press vice fitted to mount over
the hardy hole. There is also one free standing leg vice.
>
> Is this like a farrier's truck where the sides fold up and each station is
> already in tact? or do you set up all the gear on stands each time?

We don't work out of the trailer. It is just for transport and storage of
equipment.
>
> I'm asking because I have four gas forges and a spare trailer and five
> anvils..........and could easily put something like this together if you
> find it works well.  Part of any demo, conference, or workshop as you well
> know is getting folks willing to comit to coming, bringing gear, and
taking
> it home to put it away one more time!

We have some dependable members that help with each conference. But we
really need to  not take advantage of their kindness.

For my personal trailer I have a 5x10 flat bed open trailer.  It hauls my
portable shop and most of my product with ease behind my small Mazda truck.
The main problem is having to load and unload it before and after each
event.  Would love to have a similar sized enclosed trailer but haven't come
across one at an affordable price yet.
>
> Thanks for any input.
>
> Ralph
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> [mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of Bob Ehrenberger
> Sent: Sunday, November 20, 2005 8:53 PM
> To: theforge
> Subject: re: [TheForge] Forge Trailer
>
>
> BAM has a moble teaching station trailer.  I didn't set it up but am a
> regular instructor.  Our set up has 5 gas forges 10 anvils and enough hand
> tools for 20 students.  We went with the gas forges because we wanted to
> teach forging techniques not fire management (that's a hole nother
subject).
>
> As Ralph said the big trailer is a pain to haul, and we are finding that
> most of the time we don't have 20 students in a class so a lot of the
> equipment goes unused.  We also used a cast refractory in the forges which
> are heavy.  We are looking at going to a lighter forge to make them easier
> to haul.
>
> One thing we did that you may find usefull is build boxes for the tools
that
> have slots or holes for just the right number of tools.  That way when we
> are packing up we know at a glance whether or not we have everything.  The
> guy that set up our trailer did a good job of making racks and boxs for
> everything so the trailer stays neet an organized and the stuff doesn't
> shift while in transport.
>
> After three years use we are ready to take another look at how well it
fits
> our needs.  We are thinking of modifying it for fewer students and then
> having extra equipment available for the few big classes.
>
> We also don't just loan it out to our members to use for demonstrations.
It
> is only used for BAM sanctioned events (conference, state fair, classes).
>
> BAM also has a pair of coal forges that are used for conference and state
> fair where using coal is important.
>
> Robert Ehrenberger
> Shelbyville, Mo.
> eforge at centurytel.net
>
> ----riginal Massage ----
>
> Subject: [TheForge] Forge Trailer
>
>
> I am beginning to plan for a forge trailer for our Guild.  I am looking
for
> advice from those of you who have built or used them.  Things like how
many
> stations, size and style of trailer, single blower for the whole trailer
or
> individual blowers, etc.  That sort of things.
>
> Thanks.   Barry Myers, Philip Simmons Artist Blacksmith Guild
>
>
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