Forging Inside | Vent Hood Recommendations?

[J. Keeton]

Hey yall, I'm looking for some recommendations for setting up a forging area inside. I'd like the option to 100% forge inside so that a.) I don't piss off any neighbors/HOA (the press is loud!) b.) I'm secluded from prying eyes and walk ups.

Do any of yall have interior forge set ups? What precautions should be taken? Any vent systems and hood recommendations?

I'd love to see some pictures of your interior set-ups for those of yall who have them!

Cheers,
James

I got thinking about the hood after re-watching some Ed Caffery videos:

edinside

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

You will need :
1) An air Air OUT exhaust. A hood is a very good way to do this. Use proper tri-wall ductwork and through the wall fittings. If you use a forge vent assist blower (a special make for high temp exhaust) it works best.
2) Air IN. You need fresh air coming in to replace the air being sucked out from the hood/exhaust. If you don't use a forge assist exhaust, make sure the air-IN has a good volume to push the exhaust out through the vent piping.
3) A fireproof/heat resistant ceiling surface over the forge.
4) Good fire protection. A fire alarm system that works of heat and one that works off smoke. You can turn them off while forging, but when done for the day you ABSOLUTELY want them on.
5) Fire extinguishers. You want at least two 20 pound extinguishers.
6) A main shutoff solenoid for the propane tank that has a switch near the door.

Most important - You need to check your homeowners policy and the local codes. Most won't allow a forge or any propane device or tank inside an occupied building.

 

[J. Keeton]

Thanks Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith

I thought this was an interesting write-up on the topic: http://beautifuliron.com/chimneys.htm

This may be dumb... but would an industrial kitchen range hood work for this application? That is if they're modified with some sheet metal to better enclose the forge.... Some of those guys come with pretty powerful motors on em.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

An industrial range hood would be perfect. It probably wouldn't need much modification at all. If you get lucky, you might find one for the scrap metal price.

You could also cut, bend, and rivet one from a 4'X8' sheet of 22 gauge aluminum or galvanized sheet metal. Probably about $100 at the local sheet metal supply.
The other fittings and ductwork can be found at the local Big-Box hardware store or an HVAC supply place.

Another place to look for things that may work is the junk pile at a HVAC company (heating and cooling company). They often have lots of things that may work that you could get for free. The galvanized housings from rooftop AC units would easily convert to a hood. They usually have all sorts of ducting sitting around, too.

Especially if the sheet metal has some rust on it, give the hood a coat of high-temp BBQ paint and it will look really nice. Painting flames on it would be a nice touch.

 

[weo]

An industrial range hood would be perfect.

If you live near a metropolitan area, check to see if there are any online equipment auctioneers in the area. When I lived up near Tacoma, WA, there was Ehli Auctions (cyberauctions.com) who did 1-2+ monthly auctions and they regularly had used industrial venting equipment up sale.

 

[J. Keeton]

I was looking through ABS issue 60 today and came across these pictures from the school in Texarkana. I contacted them today to see if they had them commissioned or if they purchased them.



They look pretty cool to me! I think I'd put them closer to the forge though, right?





Edit: I also asked them about the whole venting system.... which I think I'm more interested for if I decide to DIY this deal.

 

[J. Keeton]

If you live near a metropolitan area, check to see if there are any online equipment auctioneers in the area. When I lived up near Tacoma, WA, there was Ehli Auctions (cyberauctions.com)who did 1-2+ monthly auctions and they regularly had used industrial venting equipment up sale.

I'll take a look into this for sure!

 

[J. Keeton]

From hat Don said they're custom made by another department at the college. Pretty sweet looking vents for sure!

 

[Britt_Askew]

The NC Knifemakers Guild has a hood over a line of forges. You can see it top right , best picture I could find.
You see the orange DANGER sign? , I watched somebody try and light a forge one time and I think they lit it before turning the fan on and with flames shooting in the air the danger sign was on fire.
If I was going to do one I think I would make it a little deeper front to back