Found a forge

Tim C · January 18, 2010, 03:24:00 PM

Found a forge in an antique shop. It was a hand lever type and in good shape for $300.00. Don't know if it's a good price or not. I'm guessing you might be able to get it a bit cheaper. Sorry, couldn't take a picture.

LAR43 · January 18, 2010, 08:13:00 PM

Look around . . unless you're dead set on forging with coal you'd probably be better off with a gas forge. You can get a nothing fancy unit on E *** for less than that. Look up poor boy there.
Gas is a lot easier to control & will get less complaints from the neighbors if you live in suburbia.

Larry

Steve Nuckels · January 18, 2010, 10:18:00 PM

Good advise, unless you just must use coal!

Steve
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Potomac Forge
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IN GOD WE TRUST

Tim C · January 19, 2010, 07:59:00 AM

Thanks guys

Lin Rhea · January 19, 2010, 08:23:00 AM

Tim,
As the other guys are saying I use gas, but I keep a couple of nice coal forges too. I enjoy using coal. So, if that's what you like, then go for it. It's hard to say if the forge was worth it, but if it's in good shape, I would say it is. The last one I bought, I got at an auction for $66 dollars and it's the best I have seen. All I can say is I got a good deal. I tightened it up and painted it and it's worth a few hundred now. The one you bought, probably will be easy to load and unload, which can be a plus. It really depends on your situation. I do a lot of demos and coal works well for that in "old timey" stuff. You know. If I have to try to get something made quick, gas is the way I do it. Lin

chris amos · January 20, 2010, 01:20:00 AM

Hey Lin! I'm with Lin on this one, gas is the way to go for ease and control. If you get the 50 dollar knife shop book it shows a super simple and cheap ( like 50 bucks ) propane forge made from a couple of fire bricks and a torch. I have one like it that i've been using for years for small stuff and its great. You can make a 3 to 4 inch blade in it.

Tim C · January 20, 2010, 10:51:00 AM

Thanks guys. I didn't buy the forge, just saw it an thought it was a little pricey. Waiting on the $50 Knife Shop book to get started on my first project. More questions to come I'm sure.

oldtimerbow · January 21, 2010, 05:04:00 PM

I agree that the gas forge is much easier to control but it gives me a lot of pleasure to use the coal forge. The sights and smells all scream tradition for me.