OSINAF - Ghetto forge build-along

[dwardo]

Certainly looks easy when you know what you are doing as you obviously do. Amazing how little you need for a forge too.
The tongs are a work of art and I was wondering how the collar of the arrow head was done and that explains it.

Looking forward to a trade of crafts bud Would also like to see the forge in action when your up to speed. Are you still near me?

Ps will work for larger or bacon.

 

[Everything Mac]

Aye. Living in wirral now mate. Got a busy week ahead but should be able to spare a few days after Christmas / early new year. Will happily have you round for a play.

pretty chuffed with the tongs but tbh I'm glad I don't make them often. They take a lot to forge out. Making myself a rounding hammer though so that might make things easier.

I'll post a step by step of forging an arrow head later in the week.


Andy

 

[g4ghb]

I could be bribed with bacon and tea if that is of any help mate

 

[crosslandkelly]

Wow!! Great post. I like the KISS approach to the forge, "Keep it simple s'easy".

 

[RE8ELD0G]

How well do those brick hold up to that temp??
Would they be ok in a gas forge?

 

[Everything Mac]

I don't think they are a permanent solution by any means. They break down eventually. But they're only £1.34 each.

Youd want insulation bricks really mate. I only paid about £1.50 each for mine. It's just postage that kills it.

Try the aerated breeze blocks. They might work, they might not. I really don't know.

Cheers
andy

 

[Everything Mac]

Back in the forge for an hour or so today.

Bashed out a few more arrow heads trying to get better at it. The tongs are definitely earning their way as things are much easier now I've got them.

I put together a rounding hammer with a new handle last week which I used for the first time today and it is definitely a winner. The handle and faces need a bit more cleaning up but on the whole very happy with that!

As you can see I've also made a wee buckle for Dreadhead. Much smaller than I would usually make and tbh a right bugger. I think I might need another special set of tongs to hold the small round!
The buckle turned out pretty well though don't you think?


The arrow heads need to be 8.73mm wide at the most open part of the socket. They aren't perfect yet. Nearly there though.....

Cheers guys

Andy

 

[Dreadhead]

that buckle is looking tasty Andy cant wait to see more

 

[CheeseMonster]

Wow love the way you just got up and running so quickly. You obviously know what you're doing, how long have you been smithing for?

 

[Everything Mac]

Wow love the way you just got up and running so quickly. You obviously know what you're doing, how long have you been smithing for?

Ive been doing it for about 5-6 years now. Set up a forge back home and brought the smaller anvil up to the new house with me.
so that's why I've got all the tools and stuff set up already. Just needed a place to heat up the steel.

Working a two week rota offshore means I get a decent amount of time to play around too.

I could always put some pictures up of my tools?

Cheers

 

[dwardo]

Fine looking stuff mate, very nice.

How long does it take from lighting the forge to hot enough to beat metal?

 

[Everything Mac]

Not long at all mate. About 5 -10 minutes really.

 

[dwardo]

Not long at all mate. About 5 -10 minutes really.

Cool stuff thought it would take a lot longer. Those bodkins are looking the business. Going to be stunning when all polished and shiny )

 

[CheeseMonster]

Ive been doing it for about 5-6 years now. Set up a forge back home and brought the smaller anvil up to the new house with me.
so that's why I've got all the tools and stuff set up already. Just needed a place to heat up the steel.

Working a two week rota offshore means I get a decent amount of time to play around too.

I could always put some pictures up of my tools?

Cheers

Yes when you get a moment that would be v interesting to see. Thanks Not something I know much about and I would have thought you would have needed a much more complicated (read expensive!) setup to do this. Learning every day in this place!

 

[Everything Mac]

No worries. I'll get some pics done tomorrow.

 

[Everything Mac]

Busy day today. Haven't had time to take pictures. And it's too blooming cold out just now. Will do this tomorrow.
Cheers

 

[CheeseMonster]

It's all good, appreciate the effort mate.

 

[Richie'66]

Love the new ghetto forge mate. It just goes to show what can be done with very little and shows people that even though you've moved a few times recently you 'can' still do.
Big thumbs up from me.
I can see you re-vamping the whole set up in the near future but for now this will (have to ? ) do.


Have you thought about actually using a steel car wheel to keep the fire in ?

Anyway glad your keeping your hand in.
ATB

 

[Everything Mac]

Cheers Richie.
Yup, just goes to show you can get going quite quickly and easily.

Yeah, this one is definitely just to get me bashing metal. I'll hopefully get something a bit more substantial in a bit. If not the local scrappy has some oil drums so I might get medieval on one if those with an angle grinder and some cutting discs! I'll post it in here if / when I do.

Had hoped to get back at it today but its bloomin' raining! Grr botheration ..... :/


Cheers guys

 

[Everything Mac]

Morning chaps. Offshore again just now but keep an eye on this thread early in the new year. I've something more substantial planned and sketched out.

Cheers