Added: 4 years ago
From: purgatoryironworks
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  • Is your cat part of the scrap pile?

  • Hahah kitty

  • Hey! i have made myself a forge from an old exhaustpipe from an old truckwreck in the woods at home.only thing that remains is air source. the firepot is on size with a breakdrum, and then i wonder, would a ventilationfan that blows 107cubic meters per hour be sufficient? Found a lot of inspiration, and ideas in your videos.

    Greetings: Espen

  • OMG...Those are beautiful Congradulations !

  • Random cattage @ 1:57 :)

    Awesome video!

  • I dont have access to a brake drum/disk to make a forge. Would i be able to use an old tire iron to accomplish this?

  • @Sanguinarian15

    Unless you live under a rock, you can get a brake drum. Go to any auto -repair- place. They will have them in a scrap bin. 10 bucks and it should be yours

  • i like how you talk about safety first. thank you master.

  • my grandfather has a car graveyard in his back yard... would exhaust pipe work for tubing??

  • @Tinywalter78

    Dont see why not, just got to put afew bends in it

  • i found a working handcrank bellows on craigslist for 15$. was already sold though :(

  • That looks alot like the old forge thats in the barn on my family farm. I remember when i was a kid taking old door pin's with the nice looking heads on them and making kinve's out of them buy heating them and hammering them flat on the anvil we also have. Thanks for sharing this video.

  • so, is the whole"yu never know if when you pull up a piece of metal you might find an ugly critter under it" a personal experience?

  • How would i go about getting an Anvil and hammer?

  • @puppetmaster6483

    Whats more important, time or money?

  • @purgatoryironworks Well since money is going to be the most difficult, but it isn't a big factor.

  • @purgatoryironworks i don't have money but plenty of time

  • I have just started blacksmithing. I have my forge all done and have been makeing railroad spike knives. It works verry well. But now I'm faced with a new problem. Where can I get bar stoke for forging at a reasonable price?

  • @1990christopher

    any welding store will carry and there is always the junkyard!

  • @purgatoryironworks kk thanks.

  • 1:57 kitteh

  • do you know of any blacksmith communities in my are i live in wawarsing new york 12489

    i cant seem to find any and i would really love to do this its been a drean for my to work with metal and forging metal making knivesits an art form i love and my son does to so i would like to bring him to one so could you email me with the place thamk you martin my email add is martinjlopez87@yahoo.com

  • @martinjlopez87

    Look up "ABANA" and see where your local chapter is!

  • Thank you so much for posting

  • Love the video! Very very informative! You definitely know what you're talking about :)

    I cant wait to get into blacksmithing!

  • They have a few pairs of hand-powered crank bellows at some camping stores for around 20 bucks, nice deal, ya?

  • Would compressed air be a good substitute for the "bellows"?

  • @SuperR3volver

    It would work but it would be a first or a second option.

  • @SuperR3volver remember you don't want pressure you want volume. a cheap $20 bathroom fan works great try to find one around 80-100 cfms.

  • @modernblacksmith

    Going t0o have to disagree here because a slow spinning cage blower simply will not blow through a coal fire. even if it has great cfm, it still needs to build pressure which is why you always look for something that turn above 2000 rpm

  • @purgatoryironworks have you tried one?

  • @modernblacksmith

    Oh yeah, thats was the first hurdle we ran into in Andersonville. Got a fan with a great big cfm but low rpm. Did not work worth a poop. Got a fan with lower cfm butn higher rpm. Worked like a charm

  • I've got a question. If you put a brake drum on top of the first brake drum (upside down) would that work well as a foundry if you set a crucible down in the middle?

  • @MrLeonard55

    No. For a foundry situation your going to need to go larger and more contained. By its very nature, liquid metal are horribly dangerous. DO NOT TAKE SHORTCUTS.

  • lol, your cats are always there

  • I'm glad you put up a basic video like this for guys who have no experience with this. Thanks a ton sir! I got a set of cheap welder's goggles (about $7 bucks) and removed the green lenses, leaving the protective clear lenses in place. I got lucky in that a friend of the family actually has a HUGE scrap heap that he could never dream of using the entire thing, so I'm set as far as stock goes. Thanks again!

  • hey i just built up a brake drum forge and im wondering because i couldnt get a railroad spike red

    how long should it take? and should i leave my hairdryer (air source lol) on all the time? also should i fill the whole drum with charcoal? id appreciate the help!

  • stop with the safety dude

  • @Jack1knife Please direct any other intelligent comments to yonder brick wall.

  • @Jack1knife Seriously eyes aren't replaceable.

  • Lol, I have the exact same type of dog as at 8:20-8:26, he is a little pomeranian chihowa ( no idea of how to spell that)

  • How old should you be before you should can do this?

  • @GoPaintman id say old enough to swing a hammer but at very young age it would be best if you did not do it alone have someone else with you preferably who knows what they are doing and has some experience or just someone responsible

  • Could you use a dutch oven as a fire pot?

  • Could you usea dutch oven as a firepot? Just as an option?

  • yes i have an old thick metal grill i want to convert into a forge and i just want to like it to make it last longer and keep the metal cool on the under side

  • I have been looking for a recipe for fire clay, or refractory clay. The stuff from the local store is pretty expensive and I have read a lot of people mix it with sand, concrete, and even broken dinner ware for filler. Is any of this a bad idea? or can i just use concrete.

  • @guradao

    what are you using it for, just lining the pot?

  • yes I have a large thick metal Grill that I want to convert into a forge but i would like to line the pot to make it last longer

  • @guradao ;; its not advisable to use 'traditional' concrete, as it usually contains small bubbles that trap the moisture in the ambient air. and when heated, tends to explode, ejecting concrete shrapnel bits.

    Not. Pretty.

    so, i would stick to making refractory cement.... and be really really sure to work out any air bubbles when you make it.

  • I've had very good results using an air mattress inflater for a blower.

  • Sweet looking rig!

  • ok i built my forge (used vacume cleaner as air source, relocated forge closer to power) But i have another problem. How long should i leave my railway spike in the forge before i start hammering??? the max glow i have achieved from my spike is a dark orange. I have leave it in for approx 5min max. Should i go longer??? I am burning pine charcoal PLEASE HELP???

  • @Alive9991

    Easy brother, just calm down! Take a video of that fire or some pictures and send them to me, that way I can see what your problem is. Its either going to be a fuel or air flow problem.

  • @Alive9991 ;; i would suggest you lave in the fire for atleast 20 minutes, and try to get the metal to a brighter orange to maybe even a yellow. you may have to stoke and air the fire every few minutes. optimally,

    if there is no noticeable deformation of the glowing metal within 5 hammer strokes, stick it back in the fire to heat more.

  • Charcoal works good. It's the most commonly fuel used today in third world countries. It's also easy to make (don't use BBQ charcoal from the store). Start a camp fire and let it burn down to coals. Put the coals out with water. Lay them on a screen and wash them while using your fingers to break the chunks down to smaller sizes. Let it dry and you have nice, usuable charcoal. Works perfectly for knife making.

  • @sergeantsailorman

    Try using a steel trashcan with a tight lid instead of water to put out the coals. Water soaked charcoal just doesnt do as well as dry.

  • Would an oxygen bottle filled with compressed air work as an air source? i really want to know cause i don't have power in my shed and don't have to money to buy expensive bellows. you should be able to adjust the airflow out of the bottle but will it work? please help.

  • Nope, aint going to work, theres no way to have enough air in the bottle and for God's sake dont use pure oxygen. Look, folks in africa have made bellows from banana leaves and a bamboo tube, I promise you can handle making a bellows.

  • but people use gas forges and they use gas bottles as fuel and airflow and manage to hold enough gas to power a forge so i don't see why it wont work. do u know of any one who has tried it?

  • Your talking about regular air in one and a highly explosive gas in the other. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE CALLED BOOM!

  • ok the bottle with the regular air manages to supply enough air for the gas forge so if i burnt coal or charcoal instead of gas and had a big gas bottle or oxygen bottle filled with compressed air with a controlable release valve to adjust the airflow as an air supply then why wont it work??? (I LIVE IN AUSTRALIA WE DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO GOOD BELLOWS LIKE IN THE US) forgot to mention GREAT VIDEOS iam going to sign up to your web site, it is just so helpful, thank you

  • get a blower from a car A/C and a 12 volt car battery and BINGO electric blower. I use this setup for my portable forge. Get the switch from the dash and you can make the blower variable speed

  • Suggestions leaf blower, table top hair dryer or floor model, vacuum cleaner exhaust stove exhaust fan or bathroom, house fan blowing into pipe. Be sure the hole at bottom of forge is big enough size of a shot glass give or take.

  • 1:57 kitty!

  • another option for the hand-crank bellows is a BBQ hand-blower, although since most are plastic, i wouldn't risk heating them up.

  • I really like your videos, they are very well done.

    They are practical yet detailed and you do not talk over peoples heads, you come across as a very practical person.

    I have a small portable forge I found upside down on a scrap pile and used it a lot when mining. The biggest problem now is fuel as my coke was supplied from gas makers which unfortunately are now all gone. I use charcoal but it burns away very quickly.

    All the Very Best, Spike

  • youtube seems to be glitchy on this video. buffers fine one moment and stops at points for long periods.

  • nothing really? hmm

  • Sorry amigo, my duties are a little larger than Youtube alone. The cast iron stove isnt a good idea, the brake rotor is a much easier . Now, you can dig a hole and make a forge but for the effort I dont think you will come out ahead trying to use a stove.

  • i have an' ole heritage wood oven (iron) Any ideas on a way to make a forge out of it? also i have the money to buy coal but i dont know were to buy it i live in Cedar Rapids Iowa thanx respond soon

  • how many cat do you have i have see 5 minimum in the video loll but great video

  • great video sir, 5 stars

  • instead of a hand blower on this couldnt you use just a hair dryer?

  • What would happen if you used PVC pipe?

  • the pipe will melt like chocolate in an oven.

  • i dont have alot of space and im looking to start blacksmithing. so im thinking about working in my garage. Is it ok to work around cars?

  • Aside from soot and ash, you should be okay. Just stay away from the gas tank and make sure you have proper ventilation!

  • gloves glasses

  • lol, the cat's cameo at 2:05

  • i just use a shop vac set on blow for anair souce

  • I had a question about safety since you brought it up in the beginning and seem experienced; I wear glasses and wearing safety goggles tends to fog them. Are JUST my glasses protection enough?

  • no, safety goggles are actually shatter proof unlike ordinary glasses. Normal glasses will shatter in your eye if some thing hits them at high speed. To stop your fogging issue i recommend that you buy safety goggles with better ventilation.

  • Very well put together

  • Very nice. I have no experience at the moment, but an very curious. I love how the cats ar ejust following you around.

  • the round tube is a must for a forge its the only way to go...

  • Nice set up you have there, personally I prefer the big 2 chamber bellows.. but I also have a hand crack blower for my portable forge

  • Can u also use the blower you use in the charcoal making video from grainger in place of the hand crank blower?

  • nevermind. question answered. thanks for all the videos.

  • do you offer any summer camps for beginners? please reply, cuz my mom wants to no if im really devoted to it before i join your site

  • what would u suggest for a blast forge?

  • I was wondering if I could use a tire rim and layer the inside w/ a clay.

  • You can but the issue is that the fire is way too deep. You're going to have an issue with getting the steel down in the fire if you are doing twists and such

  • I'm building a forge out of a 30 gallon steel drum. The actual fire pot will be made of terra cotta bricks. should i expect to encounter any difficulties with this design?

  • As long as you morter in the bricks, no. The only concern I would have would be stability as the bricks will have a tendency to walk as you use the fire. Outside of that you should be good to go.

  • i don't want to mortar the bricks, because I'm afraid any air pockets will expand and pop. So, I figure, i can just put loose gravel around the outsides of the bricks, and the bottom of the barrel to protect the thin steel from the heat. I plan to clean it out every few years to reset the bricks, and remove the larger clinkers from the fire pot, which dont fall into the duck pot. BTW, I found all of the materials i need including the plumbing parts in my scrap pile.

  • Then by all means, step up to the plate....

  • Thanks for the no nonsense practical info. I notice a lot of fools who watch too many movies spreading a lot of useless information on this subject.

    You've helped me better develop my plans on how I'd like to get started.

  • Good, I'm glad you're getting something out of this!

  • 6:20 is hilarious. You're saying "ash" but it sounds like "ass". "All that ass is gonna fall down it to that elbow." ASSES AND ELBOWS! LOL!

  • cat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol thanks 4 help

  • haha i like the way u reply to the others comments hahahahhahhahahhhahahhahahahhh­haha!!!

  • Great video!

    A lot of people email me asking about how to get started in blacksmithing. so from now on I will just link them to this video! :)

  • Poop on that! Send them to the website and make them join up! :)

  • this stuffs pretty good man dont take offence but your voice/accent reminds me of Johnny Knoxville lol

  • He wishes he could be this cool!

  • true that hes half the bad ass you are man lol thanks for responding

  • An old car heater can make a good blower, but you need to be able to ajust the speed or you have no control. You also need a power source. The hand cranker mentioned here would be better, I think.

  • wow i love it!!

  • i have a metal fire pit out back we use during the winter. would that work cause i use it to melt lead to make bullets and stuff

  • Nope. Lead melts at 600F and the absolute bottom end for forging is 1300f. You have to have an air blast of some sort so the pit by itself wont cut it.

  • gotcha. i have one of those old fashion hand-air pumps. the one with the handles on the sides. so it looks like I'll be using my old hairdryer

  • Hey great video. My cousin used to forge swords would this be hot enough? always wanted to forge my own sword hopefully with his help at first.

  • Absolutely, though the issue is being able to harden and temper the blade, which you will need a much longer firepot for. As far as forging the blade, it can happen.

  • Thanks. I can't wait to see what he thinks. well i guess i'll start saving some money and talking to my parents about it. as for charcoal i have a couple friends who have fire pits so i should be set on that.

  • can i just use a hair dryer conted to some tubes or somthin

  • you have way to many cats lol

  • Are your cats mousers? Looks like there would be mice in a rural location. Actually, I'm envious; I hope my neighbors don't get too excited when I do this.

  • Oh man, let me tell you, there are bodies everywhere in the morning. Whats bad is hearing them -eat- one in the middle of the night...

  • whats the max temp it will get to?

  • Over 3000 degrees!

  • This was a great video. Very informative.

    +5 points for having lots of cats walking through the scenes.

  • YEA LOL there every where lol if this was in china there would be a BBQ not a forge lol

  • is that coal or charcoal in the opening scene?

  • That is a charcoal fire

  • *Bring Back Nova*

  • good work man!

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