Back to the forge...

[Greenbeast]

Decided after 6 years it's time to start the smithy up again, not quite got a covered workshop yet but figured necessity will push that forward.
First job was to tidy some of the container and build a new gas forge

Had a handy movable table, almost destined for the scrap man, and still had 50+ fire bricks left from when i stopped forging.

Decided to be a bit smarter with the forge roof this time, whether you use kaowool or fire bricks, it needs supporting, but any steel exposed internally burns away pretty fast, this is my solution given the steel i had to hand.

Burner mounted, this is a naturally aspirated (venturi) propane burner with fully adjustable air intake fed by a 0-4 bar adjustable regulator, allowing me to heat treat well below 1000C and forge weld at 1300C

Running up to temp for the first time, all my tongs have seized up and need loosening.

Straight onto working on a commission

Thought some of you might find it interesting

 

[Ukjay]

Thought some of you might find it interesting

Is that going to be a handle of some sort, and was it made from scratch?

 

[Greenbeast]

Is that going to be a handle of some sort,

No its actually due to be a finial for a pan rack.

and was it made from scratch?

I'm offended! ?

 

[davieh3350]

Nice! do you do any casting?

 

[Ukjay]

I'm offended! ?

I apologise if I offended, was not intended. I was merely trying to understand if you have forged the complete piece, as it is something of a dying skill these days.

 

[JohnBoy]

very interested. I built one myself recently, used it once but will get back to it in the winter and finish it out, a lot of fun

 

[Greenbeast]

I apologise if I offended, was not intended. I was merely trying to understand if you have forged the complete piece, as it is something of a dying skill these days.

I was joking, no thin skin here.
Yes, that is 16mm round bar parent stock that will make up the rest of the rail. Easiest to just forge the shape from the bar when it's for pan hooks, bit different for a curtain rail because you need the rings to go on from one end with a curtain.

 

[Greenbeast]

very interested. I built one myself recently, used it once but will get back to it in the winter and finish it out, a lot of fun

This is probably my fourth, i started about 10 years ago and had a flurry of learning and activity and went through a few getting to a useable size and design. But then i met my partner and we bought a farm and that put paid to all that.

 

[Greenbeast]

Nice! do you do any casting?

No i never have, i've watched a little at blacksmith gatherings.

 

[tomlad]

Used to love ' forged in fire ' on telly
Something magical about making something from nothing. Every credit sir

 

[Greenbeast]

Did a video, just for you lot