Forging in the summer

marekz

marekz

Joined
Jun 16, 2008
Messages
1,699
Hello, well this is the first summer working in the forge. My forge is set up out side under a roof ( open back,open front) in between 2 barn like buildings.The temp here in Georgia, top out at 106*f. Aint no way I could forge. I guess summer time limits us folks who work outside. Wish I could turn an A/C on.lol.
Any summer time stories?- Thanks -Mark
 
I know that many smiths close shop for the summer but I've found that I don't mind forging in the summer. I have the forge at the garage door blowing inward where my anvil is and it gets quite HOT. I look it like a free sweatbox. I am 6' and 340 pounds, so I'm a pretty big guy and I generally don't like heat but I'd rather be hot than to have numb fingers while working in the winter. Just make sure you drink plenty of water and stay in the shade. In all fairness, I usually forge near and a bit after sundown.

Of course there were a few times last year when my wife force me to close down shop and come inside to cool off because I looked so pale.
 
keep the garden hose handy and soak your head arms and back every now and then ;0)
 
Drink "massive" volumes of water. When I first started farming in Hawaii it was in an arid hot area. I drank a gallon of water throughout the first day, but it wasn't enough as I never peed. Drink enough WATER so you not only sweat, but pee too! (Not to be a party-pooper, but beer can be a diuretic and interfere with healthy hydration; probably best saved for the end of a hot work session.) Shade, breeze, water and slow paced work rhythms are good things to have on hot summer days.
 
Going to find out this summer, finally got a small anvil and intend on doing some light forging for practice.
 
Suckers. It is cloudy here and can't be more than 70. If it gets over 100, then there are people dying in the streets :D. Forging is no problem.
 
So cal summers don't bother me with thr limited forging i do. Drink water, take breaks, stay in the shade. If you think you have enough water, double it.
 
My shop gets to over 125f with the forge running in the summer and it is oppressive. I have found a wet towel wrapped around my neck that also soaks my shirt helps a great deal. Also echoing Phil, drink as much water as you can hold. If you feel weak stop for the day or at very least take a break until the weakness passes. If you keep up with the fluids you can work in some pretty hot weather.
 
I lite my forge up this afternoon just to get the blood flowing. As usual we are having our wet and cool spring turned into summer. 62 degrees at 4pm on my outside thermometer. I even turned the house heater on for a few hours. I'd drop dead if I had to put up with those hot temps most you fellows are experiencing. Hope things break pretty soon!
 
I forge at night through the summer. Just a little overhead light and the big fan makes it cozy.
 
Geeze, I don't even like grinding in the summer! When its 110*F outside, my shop is 135-140*F inside. So I forge right over a black piece of steel in the sun, lol! You learn quick not to leave any tools sitting in the sun for any length of time, grab that hammer and your likely to drop it on your foot they get so hot! Litterally fry an egg on the sidewalk, I've done it. (Fed it to the dog)

I tend to work on my guns in the house during midsummer, or also mini knives because I can work at the dining room table without a mess.


-Xander
 
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