[TheForge] tools

[peter fels & phoebe palmer]

Sounds like you'll do just fine in blacksmithing Matt.
You might consider adding lots of sand and possibly vermiculite or 
pearlite ( gardening supply, cheap)
The sand will stabilize the mix by withstanding the heat or water and 
lessening the % of friable ingredients.
The pearlite will add insulation value.


On 12/30/2010 6:34 AM, Matt Gallagher wrote:
>    Its going very well. I just got some new tools and soon I'm going to
> remake my forge, the refractory has started to crumble, so I'm going to use
> a different recipe and different consistency. Also, I'm using a different
> frame, which should be more efficient. (if you cant tell, my mind is that of
> an engineer :P) Instead of a cube-shaped stand alone mud-brick forge, I'm
> using an old charcoal grill with a refractory lining. I decides to be cheap
> and make my own refractory. I use red clay, wood ash, and mortar in the
> dry-mix, then just add water until its the right consistency. Sound good?
>    In the way of projects, at the moment, I'm just trying to get used to the
> hammers, tongs, and anvil I have at the moment, so I haven't done anything
> major. Ive made a fire rake and almost finished a display knife that was
> supposed to be a Christmas gift, but i wasn't able to finish it in time. All
> thats left for that is to re-harden, temper, and put a handle on it. I was
> thinking a nice burled oak stained dark to bring out the grain? I don't
> know, thats just my woodworking side coming out.
>    Well thats it for now, if anyone has any suggestions for me, tips, or
> ideas, or if anyone finds out what those tools are worth, let me know, I'll
> be keeping tabs on the list.
>