Subject: Re: Greetings! (and questions)

From: [email-masked]
Date: Fri, 21 Jun 1996 15:08:50 -0400

In a message dated 96-06-20 08:31:14 EDT, you write:

>- my forge is heavy cast iron - can I use it just like that, or do I
>have to line it with refractory?

Brian, it will crack if you dont line it, refractory bricks or just fire
clay.  I have a small cast iron forge which I drag outdoors in the summertime
and use without a hood, but if its windy I put a sheet iron wind screen on
the windward side.  The sun is a pain, as you cant see the colors very well,
if at all, but I can do everything but weld in the direct sun.  Welding would
be a real challenge in the sunlight and would not recomend it.
Mike Schermerhorn

---

From: Willie <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 24 Jun 1996 13:11:17 -0500

At 08:46 AM 6/20/96 -0400, you wrote:
>On Jun 20,  8:36am, Cheney_Brian_A/[email-masked] wrote:
>> Subject: Greetings! (and questions)
>> I think my first try at this got lost in the confusion with the
>> downtime.  If it's a repeat, please accept my most humble and abject
>> apologies!
>>
>> I'm new to this mailing list and to blacksmithing - I've had
>> a few informal lessons & recently acquired (after a LONG search) a
>> farriers forge approx 2' square & a 125# anvil, which I haven't gotten
>> around to setting up yet (although I do have my oak stump!).
>>
>> I have a few questions for you folks out there:
>>
>You can use your forge as it is. Be careful when wetting the coal so that you
>don't crack the cast iron.
>
>>
>> - if I set up outdoors, is there any reason for me to put a chimney on
>> the forge?
>
>Personal preference. However, combined with the next question, you may want to
>have a chimney for the enclosure you will need to see colors of metal. The
>bright sunshine makes most heat colors look silvery.
>
>>
>> - will I be able to see the metal colors well enough in the sun, or do I
>> need to build some sort of enclosure?
>>
>> - I'd like to make "blacksmith puzzles" for gifts & have a couple that I
>> can use for patterns, but would like to have more variety...are there
>> project books available that I can use as a guide?
>
>I've never seen any project books that have puzzles in them. If you come across
>one, please let me know. I currently make five different puzzles.
>
>>
>> Thanks in advance!
>>
>> Brian Cheney
>> metallurgical engineer (sorry, mostly aluminum)
>> aspiring (perspiring) blacksmith
>
>Mark
>
>
>-- 
>Dr. Mark E. Williams
>Bldg N-159, Rm E-215
>NASA/GSFC/WFF/EG&G
>Wallops Island, VA 23337
>804-824-1744
>[email-masked]
>
>Be ye doers of the word and not hearers only, lest ye deceive yourselves.
>New Testament, the Bible
>

I have used a pump handle forge for a long time.  Although you can use it as
it is, it is best to line it. This will protect the iron.

You can work in the open sun,  I have done it on many occations at shows and
when I first started smithing I had no shade.  It is the hard way to go.
You learn to know the heat of the metal by how it feels when you hit it with
your favorite hammer.  Welding is a whole 'nuther story.  In the open sun it
is a definate challenge.  Not for the weak at heart.  Be prepared to blow a
lot of welds from them not being hot enough and burning up a lot of metal
because it is too hot.

Working in the open sun makes you pay a lot more attention.  Not recommended
to those new at the craft.

[email-masked]