How do you manage to forge with close neighbors?

Fitzhugh

Fitzhugh

Joined
Feb 5, 2013
Messages
194
I finished my two brick forge that I planned to use just for heat treating. I cut the 1084 into shape for the first handplane blade I set out to make. I see the scraps and can't help thinking I could make a carving or marking knife out of them. Ack. Seems like I caught the bug by reading here too long!

I realized then that I can't just fire it up at night out back and start hammering away. I gather it is a very bad idea to run the forge inside during the day (so I can work in partial darkness). I can make noise during the day, just not at night. I don't have a cement floor but I could put down a piece of ply with a border and pour a 1/4" or whatever layer of cement on it to stand on and work over. What, if anything, would be safe? I can get to rather dark while still getting good ventilation here. I've read too many posts saying not to work inside to try it without asking for ideas that would mitigate the risk.
 
If you are forging rather than heat treating there should really be no issues working outside in the light. The colour is not as huge of a deal AFAIK as long as you are not grossly overheating it.
 
Here is what I did that answer's you top question.
How do you manage to forge with close neighbors?

The Only way I can do it is through public relation's.
Find out when the baby is sleeping.
Find out when there is somebody is working on second shift.
Be ready to drop what you are doing and cheerfully help out.
Do their drive way when it snows and you have yours done.
Many Many more acts of curticy and kindness.

One day I asked the same neighbor what it sounds like when I am running my trip hammer 50 feet from their house. Her reply was "It sounds like somebody is knocking on the front door....And You are Not Moving"
Her little boy is now 3. Maybe a future apprentice:)
Sincerely,
Dave
 
Got the blacksmithing bug, hey Hank!

Don't forge at night. Folks appreciate the quite then.

Forge outside during the day, but not in direct sunlight. I rounded up a couple of patio style umbrellas so I could move them around to keep my anvil in the shadow. For my part, I DO need to see the color of the steel, which is impossible in direct sunlight. When the steel gets down to a dull red, STOP forging and get it back in the fire.

I don't get your floor idea. Seems unnecessary. If you feel you really need a concrete floor, dig out the space to frame with 2x4 and pour a real slab with rebar. A quarter inch wouldn't hold up at all.

Aloha, Phil
 
As you can all see I was quite confused. I've read up much more on heat treating than forging and thought seeing the colors played a bigger role, for example knowing when to stick the piece back in to reheat. Then again, I'm colorblind. Not having to work in really low light means I can work out in the back yard and make noise during the day. I'll check with the neighbors first as you suggest, David - that is wise advise. I've found it makes a huge difference.

In high school I had a silly rock band and we'd throw multi-day parties whenever my parents left town. I always checked with my neighbors first and they put up with it all. Of course I never checked with my parents! Neighbors must've assumed I had permission. I had some great friends - they'd help clean up the last night so my parents never fully caught on. Point is the neighbors knew I cared if it bothered them so they were willing to put up with a lot that normally would have driven them crazy.

Same with my current neighbors. When I first moved in with two dogs I went around and introduced myself and the dogs and let everyone know I would do all I could about any problem barking. They howl a bit at times but they say that's no problem and they'll tell me if it ever is. Probably helps that soon after another new neighbor moved in, didn't make any effort to get to know the folk around, and have a dog that barks all day long. THEY had nasty notes left, calls to animal control, and now a simmering antagonism with a neighbor across the street. And THEY bought the house they moved into. Never understood that mentality.

Anyhow, noise won't be an issue since I was wrong about the dark. Neither will the floor. We rent here so I was looking for a non-permanent means of reducing fire risk. The existing flagstones in the yard won't catch fire!

Thanks for the help, and yeah, I caught the bug. Something magical about making my own tools out of wood. Making the blades myself is even cooler. Actually FORGING something? I just have to try.
 
Put your forge and gear on a rolling cart and forge wherever you can roll it. If the cart is made with ( or converted to) 8-10" pneumatic tires, it can roll across grass and uneven ground.
I like the beach/patio umbrella idea of Phil's. You can add a length of 1.5" pipe to one corner of the cart for the umbrella to stick into.
 
Forge out some S hooks for plants or do some other ornamental smithing and give them to neighbors.... Making a small paring knife for your neighbors goes a long way for relations.
 
"No, honey, I'm not just just banging on metal and burning things. I'm making nice housewares to give the neighbors. Look, I even made you a, um, well, some... sorta.... twisted black metal thing that was, I dunno, supposed to be something.... (trails off, looking at mess made of metal that was supposed to be a plant hanger)"

No, really, I think you have the right idea. I came here to learn how to make some woodworking tools. I didn't really think I'd turn to making knives. I do most of the cooking and yesterday I was making dinner and realized how much I love the one good knife I have. Some moderately expensive (very expensive for me) Japanese knife I keep sharp and use all the time. I would love to learn enough to make even some pairing knives. I bake a lot and bring pies and such to the neighbors. Stuff like that is fun and goes a long way toward making the neighborhood feel like a community.
 
How do I forge with my neighbors so close? My anvil, it a 100lbs Vulcan anvil. It's very quiet, no pinging when hit. Although I do love that sound. And I made some knives and gave em to them. I'm sure that helps to. Has Any one else, when forge in-town get crazy weird looks from people walking by? I just smile and wave. I like it when some walks up and asks what I'm doing. A lot people are fascinated when I say, "I make knives" and all they see laying around are coil springs, leaf spring. And some of Aldo's steel. While I work I explain to them what I'm doing. Recently I haven't been doing much forging as I forge out side, it was 15 degrees this morning brrrrr!! Doing a lot of stock removal now. :0)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top