Thanks for posting this. Like others who have commented, I have more time than money and bottled propane isn't free... Plenty of firewood on my piece of land! This will be a good option.
Son of a farrier, pops and I have talked about making knives and shit, he sold all his equipment a while back when his health got bad. Want to restoke his fire, and this is the way I've always wanted to do it. You gave me all the information I needed. I'm probably gonna try to make a bellow if I can't find a blower
This is probably my favorite setup that I've seen so far. Simple, but effective. I just started forging this week, and it's been a real pain in my ass, I made it all from scrap and I maybe didn't construct it the best I could lol. I wish I had a big ol bucket like that, I'm working with a sink and I can't seem to control the wood how I want to. The last few times it's worked good enough, but today I barely managed to forge at all because it was shifting all over the place.
It's a process. Once you get your fire control, it's all down hill. I have found that air from the bottom works best for wood. Just my opinion. You can get the tubs from a feed and seed or hardware store. I also use the bottom of a 55 gal drum for classes I teach.
Great video. I’m currently using a barrel stove as a forge and it works great. I simply open up the damper and it draws the air throughout creating a really hot fire. About 100 bucks for the kit, pipe, and damper.
Yep. Some might call it tedious, but I'd call it relaxing. Right now I have more time than money and am thinking about trying a little forge work. Great info in your video and was a lot of what I need to know. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful for you. I know when I started there wasn't much info I could find. I live in an area where there is plenty of pine so it works well for me. That and I don't think there is a reason to spend a lot to enjoy this craft.
@@RavensKeepForge I live in Wichita, KS and there are pretty much always limbs blown down around here. Most home owners are happy to have someone come and clean up the mess. Some even will pay you to take the wood. :)
That's awesome! There's also an easy way to make a forge by digging a small trench, surrounding the edges with bricks, using a hairdryer as a bellow, filling it with wood or coal or something, and you got yourself a cheap, easy forge.
Thank for the video I have been struggling I have no real experience and I don't know of anyone who does it either. What I have is the WANT to do this and the internet. And I have plenty of that NC clay mudd WNC here
Very cool Sir! 20-ish years ago, I started with wood, and a home made bellows, made from a big cardboard carpet tube and a plunger for a toilet...yes, seriously. It worked, and that's what counted
Now that is hard core! My first set up I made my bellows from 1x10 with an old inner tube and elect. conduit. And it still works well to this day. I use it when I do demo's. Thanks for watching! Awesome story!!!!
Right now I've got an old steel wheel in the ground with a hole under it and the pipe from my shop vac blowing into the hole with some expanded metal over the hole in the wheel and fire brakes around it to contain the heat. I plan on raising it up off the ground you're set up seems like something I can do fairly inexpensively.
I am using charcoal/wood for my fuel. I don't need that much air. If you are using coal, you may want to ask someone who uses that fuel to see if a hand crank will work. I am happy with this set up for sure. Thanks for watching!
I love it I,m building a coal forge as I read this. Mind is a little elaborate than yours, not much but I,m using the same air feed. I live in a hard wood forest so why not use free Wood? You did great!
I'm up in ontario canada. I also use wood. Plenty of dead trees in the bush. Mostly ash and poplar. I built my forge with a big old truck wheel and spoiled myself with a 12v air mattress pump and used car battery
Thanks Jack. The smaller pieces I use to start and the bigger as I go along. It's why I like to use the pine as well. Thanks for watching! I'm going to give making charcoal a go of it this summer.
have a pretty large piece of good quality steel (not mild at all) from my work that basically asked me if i wanted it. 4ft x 4ft for free, when i was going to pay almost 100 for a a mild steel sheet? yeah hell just need the pipe, and clay brick (will upgrade to fire brick in the future)
Just watched your video from 2 years ago or so. I am wondering, you said you have been able for forge weld with this set up. Do you think this set up would work for blade smithing as well? Thanks chris
Not silly. It's a type of plumbing pipe. You can find it at your home improvement store. It's actually black, so I guess that's where the name comes from. Does that answer your question ok?
Whatever I can use. I plan on recycling a lot of stuff to make the jewellery, but if I want to try casting knives i need stronger metal. How hot does the temperature in yours get ?
@@Chaos3ra That is why asked what type of metal. Each will have a different melting point. If you used lump charcoal (not what you get at the grocery store-that's not charcoal really) you should be able to do aluminum/copper/bronze. Steel, no. It is hard to give you a hard answer due to a lot of different variables. I'm sure you can find some good resources here on you tube.
yes did think about that but seems to be a bit time consuming , i might try it i have a large Logstore as i also have a woodburner in the house @@RavensKeepForge
I started out with just a brick of steel as my anvil 10 or so years ago. You can see the pictures on my Facebook page. It's a process. I got the anvil used btw after looking for one for years that I could afford. It's a process.
@@RavensKeepForge Oh yeah, I never besmirch someone their success or their right to use the best tools they can afford. You've earned what you got, and you deserve it. Just found the juxtaposition amusing.
I don't think you need a giant backyard. And if you can be creative, it can be less than that. O have others at the smithy from the bottom of a 55gal drum
Like the simplicity of the setup.
Thanks for posting this. Like others who have commented, I have more time than money and bottled propane isn't free... Plenty of firewood on my piece of land! This will be a good option.
If I can be of help, let me know! Enjoy!!
Son of a farrier, pops and I have talked about making knives and shit, he sold all his equipment a while back when his health got bad. Want to restoke his fire, and this is the way I've always wanted to do it. You gave me all the information I needed. I'm probably gonna try to make a bellow if I can't find a blower
I get mine from Amazon. Run about 30 bucks. Just make sure you get one that has metal gears. Some are nylon...yuck
nylon doesnt even make sense unless they are expecting it to not be used by a heat source, i guess@@RavensKeepForge
or is it a wearing issue?
@@RavensKeepForge
@@patioorangutan2239 I really have no idea what the thinking is. Just wanted you to be aware of it
@@RavensKeepForge appreciate it!
thanks for the info i looking to build a forge myself and now starting the research
@@stuartfarrell6729 hope it helps!
just starting out I like the "free" fuel of this type of setup. Glad I came across this. thanks
I hope it works as well for you! Thanks for watching
This is probably my favorite setup that I've seen so far. Simple, but effective. I just started forging this week, and it's been a real pain in my ass, I made it all from scrap and I maybe didn't construct it the best I could lol. I wish I had a big ol bucket like that, I'm working with a sink and I can't seem to control the wood how I want to. The last few times it's worked good enough, but today I barely managed to forge at all because it was shifting all over the place.
It's a process. Once you get your fire control, it's all down hill. I have found that air from the bottom works best for wood. Just my opinion. You can get the tubs from a feed and seed or hardware store. I also use the bottom of a 55 gal drum for classes I teach.
This gives me enough of the ideology behind it to get setup outback. Appreciate it thanks.
Let me know how it goes!
I wanted to Thank you for this Video. Answered questions I'm Sure alot of people had!
Thank you for saying so!
awesome setup, i got a firebrick lined cast iron sink forge powered by a shop vac, got the setup attached on the side of a workbench
Nice!
Nice 👍🏻 thanks for sharing your experience
Thanks for watching! I hope it was useful to you
Great job!
Much appreciated.
I have an old wheel well I'm gonna rig up something like this. Thanks for the idea.
Let know how it turns out!!!
here in Argentina i got only wood. been forging this last month with upgrades in the wood forge something like yours. great video!
Great to hear!
Great video. I’m currently using a barrel stove as a forge and it works great. I simply open up the damper and it draws the air throughout creating a really hot fire. About 100 bucks for the kit, pipe, and damper.
It's all about using what you can get and figuring out how to make it work. Nice!
Good set up that will work for me!
Let me know how it goes for you!
Yep. Some might call it tedious, but I'd call it relaxing. Right now I have more time than money and am thinking about trying a little forge work. Great info in your video and was a lot of what I need to know. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful for you. I know when I started there wasn't much info I could find. I live in an area where there is plenty of pine so it works well for me. That and I don't think there is a reason to spend a lot to enjoy this craft.
@@RavensKeepForge I live in Wichita, KS and there are pretty much always limbs blown down around here. Most home owners are happy to have someone come and clean up the mess. Some even will pay you to take the wood. :)
@@MrBluesluver About the same here! :)
That's awesome! There's also an easy way to make a forge by digging a small trench, surrounding the edges with bricks, using a hairdryer as a bellow, filling it with wood or coal or something, and you got yourself a cheap, easy forge.
Primitive forge. Yes, I teach weekend classes on that way. We make bellows though. Hair drier is too much for wood I have found. ymmv
Oh. It might be okay for charcoal though. I could be wrong. I have literally no experience, unlike you.
Thank for the video I have been struggling I have no real experience and I don't know of anyone who does it either. What I have is the WANT to do this and the internet. And I have plenty of that NC clay mudd WNC here
Grew up out that way. I teach classes if you are interested. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Really helpful video! Thank you very much!! :)
I hope it works for you
Thanks buddy......good work
Much appreciated
I do this sometimes, but not really to heat treat. Just to beat out basic shapes. I like to use ash, we've got a ton of it dead and dried.
nice!
Very cool Sir! 20-ish years ago, I started with wood, and a home made bellows, made from a big cardboard carpet tube and a plunger for a toilet...yes, seriously. It worked, and that's what counted
Now that is hard core! My first set up I made my bellows from 1x10 with an old inner tube and elect. conduit. And it still works well to this day. I use it when I do demo's. Thanks for watching! Awesome story!!!!
Great video... Setting my fordge the same way. My soninlaw is doing the same
That's fantastic! Happy forging!!
Right now I've got an old steel wheel in the ground with a hole under it and the pipe from my shop vac blowing into the hole with some expanded metal over the hole in the wheel and fire brakes around it to contain the heat. I plan on raising it up off the ground you're set up seems like something I can do fairly inexpensively.
I am using charcoal/wood for my fuel. I don't need that much air. If you are using coal, you may want to ask someone who uses that fuel to see if a hand crank will work. I am happy with this set up for sure. Thanks for watching!
The best wood I've found to do this with is jack pine and I've been able to get it hot enough without airflow
Wow.. This is cool
Thank you!
Wondering if you have given rocket stoves as something that might work?
Thanks for the video and your time!😇
Hi, I have not. I don't know much about them. In my experience, it's the coals that make it work, not the fire
I love it I,m building a coal forge as I read this. Mind is a little elaborate than yours, not much but I,m using the same air feed. I live in a hard wood forest so why not use free
Wood? You did great!
Thanks! I use homemade charcoal now. It also is a wonderful free thing :)
Very cool setup. I'm thinking about building a rocket stove for forging. I've never done any forging before, do you have any advice for a beginner.
It's not the fire but the coals you smith with. Start slow. See if your city has a maker space. This craft is easy, and it's not.
👍👍👍👍👍
I'm up in ontario canada. I also use wood. Plenty of dead trees in the bush. Mostly ash and poplar. I built my forge with a big old truck wheel and spoiled myself with a 12v air mattress pump and used car battery
That's fantastic! Plus it will help keep you warm. Nice way to get your set up working.
nice little setup. When I was using wood I was cutting it up smaller about 1 inch square by 4 inches long, burns quick and hot at that size.
Thanks Jack. The smaller pieces I use to start and the bigger as I go along. It's why I like to use the pine as well. Thanks for watching! I'm going to give making charcoal a go of it this summer.
have a pretty large piece of good quality steel (not mild at all) from my work that basically asked me if i wanted it. 4ft x 4ft for free, when i was going to pay almost 100 for a a mild steel sheet? yeah hell just need the pipe, and clay brick (will upgrade to fire brick in the future)
Bonus!
Just watched your video from 2 years ago or so. I am wondering, you said you have been able for forge weld with this set up. Do you think this set up would work for blade smithing as well? Thanks chris
Hey Chris. I see no reason why not. I've made knives in this setup.
Ok thanks. I have been doing that just with an open fire pit. It takes alot of wood and been using a hair dryer. It is a pain that way
@@chrismansfield3126 understandable. I have found that you do not need as much air flow with my setup
This may be a silly question, what do you mean by "black pipe"?
Not silly. It's a type of plumbing pipe. You can find it at your home improvement store. It's actually black, so I guess that's where the name comes from. Does that answer your question ok?
Nice work👍
Thanks for that!
Where do you even get an anvil that big?!?
I found it on Facebook marketplace. I know you can get them new from Grainger.
awesome mate, will follow the same
If I can help, let me know
He teaches classes but he's using a GALVINIZED tub.....
Yup. Thanks for your comment and for watching!
Insulation from the dirt keeps the galvanize coating cool enough there's no issues
I have an old car tire rim and I'm trying to make it in to a coal forge
I have no experience with coal. Let me know how that turns out for you
Do you think the set up would work with casting?
What are you casting?
@@RavensKeepForge my plan is to do rings, pendants and maybe knives
@@Chaos3ra What type of metal?
Whatever I can use. I plan on recycling a lot of stuff to make the jewellery, but if I want to try casting knives i need stronger metal. How hot does the temperature in yours get ?
@@Chaos3ra That is why asked what type of metal. Each will have a different melting point. If you used lump charcoal (not what you get at the grocery store-that's not charcoal really) you should be able to do aluminum/copper/bronze. Steel, no. It is hard to give you a hard answer due to a lot of different variables. I'm sure you can find some good resources here on you tube.
i do it this way cause it's cheap
Cant get Coal now in the UK im going to use this method thanks .coal is now banned in the UK 🤥
You may also want to look at making charcoal.
yes did think about that but seems to be a bit time consuming , i might try it i have a large Logstore as i also have a woodburner in the house
@@RavensKeepForge
$100 forge. Ok cool. What a cool way to do blacksmithing on the cheap. Camera pans to $1500 anvil and $800 swage block. What?!?
I started out with just a brick of steel as my anvil 10 or so years ago. You can see the pictures on my Facebook page. It's a process. I got the anvil used btw after looking for one for years that I could afford. It's a process.
@@RavensKeepForge Oh yeah, I never besmirch someone their success or their right to use the best tools they can afford. You've earned what you got, and you deserve it. Just found the juxtaposition amusing.
Why not make Your own charcoal ? It's easy .
Completely agree. It's what I do now. This video is 3 years old. Thanks for watching.
Very inexpensive. All you need is a giant backyard and 100 bucks.
I don't think you need a giant backyard. And if you can be creative, it can be less than that. O have others at the smithy from the bottom of a 55gal drum
How big the fire should be to burn roof of that shop ? :-)
?