a small simple forge

[dartanyon]

I would like to make and experiment with a small simple forge. So far my ideas are to use a metal bucket with holes in the top with some crude bellows feeding it. Can anyone help with better ideas or how to improve mine?

 

[paleo25]

in thie latest issue of backwoodsman they show how to make a forge out of a brake drum.....looks nice

 

[RokJok]

Do a search here on BFC, particularly in the Shop Talk and Shop Talk Archives for info on forges. Here's a few threads to get you started:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=228200
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=222702
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=220929
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=188201

Also check out Ron Reil's page: http://www.reil1.net/design.shtml

(edited to add) For forcing air into the forge, look into a hairdryer for a small forge or a higher capacity electrical fan for a larger forge. If you use manual bellows, you will likely want a helper to pump air for you.

 

[coyotlviejo]

Get Ron Hoods video on primitive knife making.

 

[dartanyon]

Thanks heaps for your help. I found the brake drum forge and also picked some very helpful hints through your advice. I also found a site called howstuffworks.com and a section on knife/sword making. This is some awsomely powerful interest. I think the neighbours are going to be introduced to a musical note of "ping ping pang .. ping ping pang" along with my 3" angle grinder which they are all to familiar with already. How do the neighbours cope?