Subject: Re: Building a Brick Forge

From: [email-masked] (Dan Hughes)
Date: Mon, 6 May 1996 08:55:58 -0400

>I am starting to build a brick forge.  Is there a secret to the size of the
>flue or is
>bigger better?  Or any input you have on the project.
>
>Thanks
>
>John Elliott

There is a chapter in "The Village Blacksmith" by Watson about building a
brick forge. It is a very good book. It is in the paperback edition now and
I am sure it is still in print. He also tells how to make the traditional
leather bellows.
Good luck and please report back when you complete your project.

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From: [email-masked]
Date: Mon, 6 May 1996 10:55:06 -0400

John..

There is a very specific ratio of the size of the flue to the opening of the
flue at the forge.  If memory serves me right the opening cannot be larger
that 1 1/2 times the flue cross section size.  Any larger and it will not
draw the smoke sideways off the fire.  We built a couple of brick forges
using this ratio and they worked fine. Lighting a fire with a side draft
forge is like making clam chowder-- the first thing you do is put the clams
in last.   Remember to put one lit ball of paper up the chimney before you
put one in the coal. If you don't you'll fill the forge with smoke before you
heat the flue.

Hope this helps..
Kent   :o)
[email-masked]

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From: [email-masked] (piesner)
Date: Mon, 6 May 1996 14:24:52 -0400 (EDT)

>On May 5,  9:08pm, John Elliott wrote:
>> Subject: Building a Brick Forge
>There are plans in a previous Anvil's Ring. Try about issue 7 #1 or so.
>
>
>
>
>-- 
>Dr. Mark E. Williams
>Bldg N-159, Rm E-215
>NASA/GSFC/WFF/EG&G
>Wallops Island, VA 23337
>804-824-1744
>[email-masked]
>
>I wouldn't want to belong to any club that would have me as a member.
>Grouch Marx
>
>  Hi Doc,
I lost your inquiry about Amory Forge's address so had to wait for you to
post another message.
   The address is RR#1 Hillsburgh, Ontario N0B 1Z0.
   I have been in touch with them, but had difficulty reaching anyone. 
When I inquired about the anvils they told me that they do not stock ANY
of them and that the factory in Sweden does not stock any either. Some sole
distributor. I wonder if they even own one themselves. From talking to them 
I learned that they are farriers and do a little decorative iron work on the
side. 
   At one point I had heard that the Kohlswa anvils were coming with soft
faces. They say that new heat treating equipment has improved on this but
I have not heard from anyone who has used a newer version.
   Any one out there have any experience with a Kohlswa anvil bought in the 
last year or so???
   Dean Piesner
   Eilleen Yorysh
   Forge & Anvil Metal Studio
   St Jacobs, Ontario Canada

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From: [email-masked]
Date: Mon, 6 May 1996 18:17:57 -0400

In a message dated 96-05-06 11:02:02 EDT, you write:

>draw the smoke sideways off the fire.

Besides this ratio, the absolute size of the flue is important.  Too small,
and you can't get the volume of smoke up the chimney.  Too large, and the
smoke cools off to much on its way up, or doesn't fill the chimney
completely.  Either way, you end up with a smoky forge.  We've got brick
forges where I work, and the 8x8 flues in these seem to work OK for most size
fires.  

We do still have a leakage problem that we're trying to fix with good hood
design.  Any suggestions?

Pete Engle

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From: Dave B <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 6 May 1996 18:04:15 -0500

>We do still have a leakage problem that we're trying to fix with good hood
And lest we not forget, the height of your stackf will affect the rate of
draw.  Too short a stack, and there will be insufficient draw, A longer
(higher) stack will increase the rate of draw because the rising how gasses
will gain velocity as they rise.  Although there is some limit here (I
believe) where additional height will gain you nothing relative to rate of draw.

I could be wrong here regarding flues for forges, but I read this in a set
of instructions for a wood stove.  They specifically stated that chiminy
height, relative to chiminy diameter, has a direct effect on the efficiency
and the rate of the draw.

Dave B

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From: [email-masked] (Thomas Boudreau)
Date: Mon, 6 May 1996 22:12:18 -0300 (ADT)

>>>that 1 1/2 times the flue cross section size. 
------------------------------------------------------->
>will gain velocity as they rise.  

 Hello all:
 
       I can see how sizes of flues will affect the flow, however it also
depends on what affects the flow outside.  Are there higher
buildings,trees.. near the forge, this can cause a bad draft. In our shop
the forge is 5' wide, 3' deep and the flue tapers from there to a height of
10 to 15',  with an opening of approx. 1'x 2'at the top. It works just fine.
Height must help to draw  the smoke when first lit....!!! Good thing because
our coal is high sulphur! :o(   My 2 cents worth!!

«»Thomas B.
«»N.S. Can.
«»[email-masked]
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From: [email-masked] (Gene Olson and Chris Wilson)
Date: Mon, 6 May 1996 21:16:01 -0400 (EDT)

All the Below plus Code requires at least 4' above the roof line on a
chimney because the airflow at the roof line can mess up the draw.

>and the rate of the draw.

 The Studios of Gene Olson and Chris Wilson - Working in Metals, Stone,
Mixed Media
    8600 NE O'Dean Ave, Elk River MN 55330
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