First time forge

[MikeB52]

I am certain there are better, and was considering just starting with a gas furnace, but kinda like the nostalgic aspect of this lil hand crank unit, so have one on the way.

Have a nice hunk of railroad track, and a harbor freight style cast anvil to start with.
A Swedish style 2 lb Picard hammer, and a few rods of rebar, as well as vintage early 1950 British spring steel to play with.
Will use this thread as a repository of my learnins and a place where those still on this site that are into smithing might add some insights drawn from experience hopefully.
It all started with coal as far as I’m concerned, so why not start there as well.
Cheers gents.

[RezDog]

That’s is interesting. I am excited to see what you think when it is in hand and you are using it

[32t]

Now if you could figure out how to drive it off of the rear wheel of the MG.

[tintin]

Great idea! ( the forge thread I mean.) ( well your forge is cool too!). As I mentioned before Black Bear forge on you tube has a 2 part series right now on getting started on a budget plus some ideas for first projects and ways to practice what you'll need to know. I look forward to sharing my input.

I might mention that if you use coal to make sure you get Bituminous coal instead of Anthracite. Anthracite is hard to light and is hard to use with a crank blower.

[Gasman]

Nice project thread. I will be watching. Great idea, Mike.

[spazola]

It looks like a sweet forge. Welcome to a new addiction.