[TheForge] Finaly a newbe can set up.

[Bruce .]

What experience do you have with blacksmithing and what kind of
construction is your shed -- wood-frame, metal, ...?

I use my 1.5-car garage as a shop (blacksmithing, machining and junk).
 I insulated the walls with glass wool and sheet-rocked over that.
(The glass wool to extend the season, and the sheet rock to provide
fire-resistance.)  Because the wooden sill plate for the walls was
level with the floor and extended into the room beyond the sheet rock,
I used quarry tile (3"x6") over the sill and (6" sq) up the wall.  The
concern there is that a stray coal or piece of hot iron could ignite
this old, dry wood before I realized it was happening, so at this
point I had a fire-resistant work space.  I don't bank on that; I keep
fire extinguishers and water in the shop.  (For a wood fire, water is
really the best extinguisher, but you don't want to use it on electric
wires or oil.)

Remember to keep yourself between the forge (or other fire sources)
and the door, at least as much as practical.

There are lots of diagrams, etc., how to set up a smithy, but think
about it like designing a kitchen.  In a kitchen, your path will be
between sink, stove, and fridge, with some counterspace thrown in.
You want that path unobstructed, short, and convenient.  You want
utensils handy, but out of the way.

Likewise, in a smithy, your main path will be between forge and anvil,
with a clear path also to the leg vise.  The slack tub and tools
should be easy to get to, but not in the way.  And have some loops or
pegs to hang tools near anvil and vise, so the ones you need for the
current job will be where you need them.

On Thu, Sep 20, 2012 at 5:11 PM, Carrie Haag <grddog85 at gmail.com> wrote:
> Well after years of trying to find the time, money, and space to be able to
> try our hand as a hobbyist blacksmiths my husband and I seem to have at
> least found some meager amount of time and a little space.   We should get
> our forge this weekend, the pictures made it look like it was in working
> order but it is an old coal forge with a champion blower on it so we’ll
> see, and a friend of the family donated a piece of old railroad track to
> the cause.  We have a small shed; about 10’ by 10’, which we’re going to be
> setting up shop in.  We have a mental list of things we have to do before
> we can even attempt to start heating anything up.  I was hoping some of you
> would have some insight and let me know if we’re missing anything, I’m sure
> we are, before we get started.
>
>
>
> 1.       Set up shop.  I have a vague idea of how it should be set up and
> am sure it will change as we go along.
>
> 2.       Ensure proper safety equipment is available.  Eyewear, apron,
> gloves, boots, fire extinguisher.  Any suggestions in this area would be
> greatly appreciated.
>
> 3.       Find local coal supplier.
>          4.    Trial and error…
>
> This is a short list I know but since we've never done anything like this
> before we're stumped and reading books can only get you so far.
>
> Thanks in advance for all the advice!
>
> --
> Carrie H.
>
> "If we shadows have offended, think but this, and all is mended- that you
> have but slumb'red here while these visions did appear."  ---Shakespeare
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-- 
Bruce
NJ