Hi guys,
I hope I really explain this well. I'm fabricating a forge normally used by blacksmith for providing heat. It is also employed for providing heat for heat treatment like annealing, normalizing, etc. I'm working on the power; electric source.
I intend to use an electric blower to supply the air into the hearth (the place where the coal will be placed). This blower is to have regulating valves to control its speed.
I haven't seen anyone before and I haven't gotten good material on it. I wish to start the fabrication soonest. I'm also stocked with the type of metal to use.
please, any contribution or ideas will be appreciated and welcomed.

 

Blacksmith Forge qurestions

I'm not sure what you want to know so I'll ask some questions first.

How do you plan to start the forge, wood starter or natural gas burner?

Will there be a temperature controller with manual override or will air only be called for by the blacksmith when he/she wants it?

How big is this system?

What are you planning to use for insulation?

Will there be an adjacent oven for fully formed parts to undergo annealing and normalizing? If so will the exhaust or heat from the forge be used to heat the oven or will it be heated separately?

 

If you are looking to make a traditional hearth, the blower is a simple centrifugal type with speed control rather than regulating the air flow by means of a valve. The air is blown through a cast iron nozzle (correctly named the Tuyere) which is sometimes water cooled for heavy or production hearths. The structure is a simple mild steel construction with fire brick base.

I have an old book which describes the manufacture of a small hearth (from the 1930's I think) if you can message me your email I will scan the few pages and send on.

When I was apprenticed in the early 70's I did a brief course on forgework at apprentice school. It was very enjoyable.

 

Thanks Combustioneer.
I intend using coal as fuel for the forge. The forge will be started electrically using blower.
There would have been a temperature control with manual override but considering power efficiency, air will only be called for by the blacksmiths when he wants it.
The diameter of the hearth will be around 800mm (and can u prescribe the blower rating to be used in this case?)
A fire-brick is to be used for insulation and there is no adjacent oven.

 

Thanks ChrisW,
I will like to know more or interact with you further in case I get stocked in the fabrication or evaluation. Please, can I get your contact? thanks

 

Forge Details

Hi there,
I would be very greatful if you could pass on the detaisl for the forge, this conversation caught my eye. My brother is a trying to 'forge' a career (excuse the pun!!) as a blacksmith and this could be a great project for us.
Can I get the scanned pages??

Regards,
D