Thread: Planning a new little forge.

As Mike said, more or less. However, once you're working on the anvil, there's no reason to not make it as quiet as you can. Not only for your own sake, it also pays to stay on friendly terms with your neighbours who will not appreciate hours of DING... DING... DING...

Originally Posted by Bruno

As Mike said, more or less. However, once you're working on the anvil, there's no reason to not make it as quiet as you can. Not only for your own sake, it also pays to stay on friendly terms with your neighbours who will not appreciate hours of DING... DING... DING...

I did only really mean to test a potential purchase, and yes I reckon if my neighbour was blacksmithing from home it could easily become wearisome.

The ring can help you determine if an anvil you are thinking about buying has problems. If you tap back and forth and run into a few dungs instead of dings you could have a separation of the top plate from the body or maybe a crack.
This stand was a 1 hour build and I still have some things to do on it. I have heard of several remedies to make them quiet. I have a roll of conveyor rubber so before this anvil gets held down I am going to put a thin rubber sheet or 2 between the anvil and the stand. It is also a little low yet so I have room for other things before the feet go on. To me it was surprisingly quiet but then I suffer with tinnitus so I may not hear it like others do. Still I will make it as quiet as possible. The oil and sand sounds interesting but I am not sure I want to have to pressure test my stands legs :<0) Having worked on many trucks and lots of heavy equipment I have had my share of mixing oil and welder enough to know I don't really want to go there unless there is massive amounts of money involved. I am trying to figure out a way to shorten my vid so I can post it. I really want to get your eyes on the first flames as this may reveal more things for me to consider. I may have to do something about the opening as it seems a lot of heat is blowing out the front. May be a "duh it's supposed to " thing , I just don't know.

Originally Posted by RoyalCake

Nice work. I bet your neighbors are like "what in the Sam Hill is this guy doing".

Nothing I do surprises the neighbors.
I got a thumbs up from the trash truck driver the UPS guy, and the mail man.

Originally Posted by 10Pups

Nothing I do surprises the neighbors.
I got a thumbs up from the trash truck driver the UPS guy, and the mail man.

So none of your actual neighbours then.....

Originally Posted by shooter74743

I have also read that if you place a large magnet it will help with the ring. I've been eyeballing the 112 NC pound anvil from Centaur Forge, your full service farrier & blacksmith supply company myself. What have you read negative about it? I broke down yesterday and ordered a 3 burner deluxe knife maker forge from Gas Forge & Blacksmith Forge – Farrier Equipment | Majestic Forge yesterday. $73 bucks for shipping

I truly appreciate your sharing your journey with all the pics, very educational.

I was looking at NC, and Carrol anvils. I was kind of set on the CC after reading all I could for about 3 months. Cliff Carrol makes his in Colorado and if you buy from him direct he ships free. Price wise it is about the same but I like the idea of buying straight from him. These are mostly made for farriers but they are also easier to sell if you decide to get something else later. Some say they don't have a lot of rebound but like most other things reviews are mostly from unhappy sorts. I was looking at that size or even a 70lb. If your not going to be doing heavy work why buy something you need a forklift to move. Judging by your forge money is not an issue :<0) That is a nice one though. I have maybe 50 bucks in mine and will never buy what I can build. I just like to build but it has draw backs. (look for the post about bruises, cuts and burns.)

second thought !
If I lived where you did I would run an ad in Craig's list and wait. I guy did that in all areas in the west here and was buying them for a buck to a buck and a half a pound. He was on his way to get mine but I beat him to it. You may find an old one like I did.

Originally Posted by edhewitt

So none of your actual neighbours then.....

Did I mention they are mostly afraid of the crazy loud guy

Really, if it mattered they would say something. I am the type that volunteers to help any and all so we tolerate each others quirky ways. Beside I have made noise on behalf of most of them at one time or another. Remove and replace driveways in a day or a front yard with new sod. This takes lots of equipment starting early in the morning and costs little.

Okay I jumped through You tube hoops and got this over sized video up and running. It is 20 minutes long but it starts at the 10 minute mark. Don't ask me how I did that I only have suspicions. If you really want to see it all just click the time line over to 00:00

First fire in the Forge - YouTube


There are several things I need to do to it still but, I know it works now so the additions will be worth it.

Originally Posted by 10Pups

I may have to do something about the opening as it seems a lot of heat is blowing out the front. May be a "duh it's supposed to " thing , I just don't know.

It is supposed to. You're blowing a lot of gas + air into the forge. It has to come out at a similar flow as is going in. Conservation of mass and all that.

It is normal for a gas forge to have a cone of heat coming out of the front and the back, which is something to keep in mind of if you have non-blacksmith people walking around. I was told by someone who uses gas forging, that this can catch beginners off guard.

Originally Posted by Bruno

I...I was told by someone who uses gas forging, that this can catch beginners off guard.

It can catch experienced people off guard too. Like hair on your forehead, eyebrows, nose, arms...when you thought the exhaust was going one way and the wind moved it a little. You remember to not be complacent, like keeping a pet rattlesnake.

I might suggest building a table for the front of the forge so you don't have to stand there holding your steel waiting. Your fingers won't get so hot.