Iron Smelting Demonstration - the Wareham Forge

http://www.warehamforge.ca/ironsmelting Iron Smelting Demonstration by Darrell Markewitz of the Wareham Forge at Quad State 08 - Troy Ohio, September 28, 2008.

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  Education

[renegadescout]

What kind of ore did you use? And did you use anything for a flux?

[DarrellatWareham]

The ore was 'Virginia geothite'. This is a quite pure rock ore that runs in a thin layer under most of the Blue Ridge. The specific source was from just outside Williamsburg. It had weathered out of the mountains and been deposited by water where the ancient sea shore had been.

No flux is required with this type of bloomery furnace. Slag comes from rock in the ore and melted clay furnace wall.

[lordofgonzo]

Approximately what is the ratio of iron to charcoal? 2:1?

[DarrellatWareham]

Most typically we find we are using roughly 2 - 3 times the weight of charcoal to ore added in the overall smelt process. Figure you should have 75 - 100 kg charcoal on hand. The exact ratio of the individual charges changes over the sequence. We typically start at 1 ore to 4 charcoal, but finish up at 1 : 1. Sometimes we can push this to 3 kg ore with 2 kg charcoal near the end of the sequence.

[01sircharles]

what is the "vessel" , where you heat it , the furnace , made of?

[Ereinion3019]

nice video, really =)