Subject: Re: Side Blast Forge.. No water jacket.. and Mac's OOOld Joke

From: [email-masked]
Date: Mon, 25 Mar 1996 13:44:42 -0500

When I was up on the Gaspe Penninsula in Quebec in the 70s looking for tools,
there were several blacksmiths still using them.  They claimed they were by
far better than a bottom blast as the forming clinker did not clog the air
blast.  Also, the clinker was easier to remove. 

I brought one back that was an interesting design.  Imagine half a grapefruit
rind made of 3/8"-1/2"  iron with the tuyere going through where the core
would be.  This was open to the back and had no water jacket. (Things get
pretty cold up there in the winter and it would freeze.)  Its diameter was
about 10" - 12."  Air was allowed to circulate freely inside the 1/2 dome
shape.  

I'm going by memory.  It's been at least 20 years since I've seen it.  If
anyone needs a better description, contact Tim Neu at the Ashokan Campus, and
he can take measurements off of it. 

Hope this helps..

Kent Reeves   :o)
[email-masked]

PS    Mac, where did you did up that joke?  It was going around when I worked
in a hardware store 45 years ago.  The only change was that it was the
hardware store owner's daughter, the man was of "ethnic" origin and F---er
was prefixed by mother.

---

From: [email-masked]
Date: Sun, 31 Mar 1996 12:49:56 -0500

on side blasts check out J. E. Hawley's book THE BLACKSMITH AND HIS ART.

i used the pattern he put in the book for years before i switched to propane.

i never had any problems with it.  amongst other things the clinkers develop
below the air intake.
I have also used bottom drafts, the main difference really seems to be which
one you are comfortable with.

try them both and keep the one you  like.

S sweebe