[TheForge] The FAQ

[Jeffrey Polaski]

I've been thinking about it for a little while now, and I'm excited
about this... I'm going to broaden it a little bit and make it the
"Blacksmithing FAQ". I know that there are good sites out there, like
anvilfire.com, to help the beginning smith, but I'd like to try and
organize things a little better, and add some of the stuff I found out
about. Plus, I just can't find a Blacksmithing FAQ, and there really
should be one. 

I'm thinking the first section (after safety) will focus on what it
takes to get a basic set up going cheaply, with an emphasis on propane
forge set up. There is a fair amount available about anvils, tongs, coal
forges, etc... (and they'll be in the FAQ) but I think a good
introduction to propane forges will add the most. 

There will be little bit about the science behind blacksmithing. Like
basic thermodynamics, so people know why some forge set-ups are better
than others. However, the main thrust will be to help someone who knows
very little get set up quickly, safely, and effectively. 

To make sure everything is totally above board, and I haven't made any
serious mistakes, I'll check with the group before I release the FAQ
"into the wild".

Once that first version is done, then I'll start on the "forge porn" &
other blacksmithing esoterica.


Jeff Polaski
Research and Graduate Studies Webmaster
University of California, Irvine
http://www.rgs.uci.edu/
949.824.6363