Backyard Blacksmithing - Building a Budget Friendly Forge

Blacksmithing down on the ground works, but for those of us with a few more years behind us, it can be sort of a pain. Lets elevate the hole in the ground forge to standing height and add a better blower to the setup.

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Main shop Anvil provided by; Fontanini Anvil

Precut blanks for forging available from:
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My blacksmiths apron

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Some of my most used gear*
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Mailing address:
Black Bear Forge
P.O. Box 4
Beulah, CO 81023

Below you will find useful links that will help you in your journey as a blacksmith.

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Blacksmithing tools and supplies

Blacksmithing and related activities can be hazardous. These videos are not a substitute for competent professional instruction. Your safety is your sole responsibility. Always use appropriate safety equipment including eye and ear protection when working in the shop. Follow manufactures safety guidelines for the use of all equipment. In the event something shown in one of these videos seems unsafe, it is up to you to make the appropriate changes to protect yourself.t yourself.

[robsonsantosOSO]

My friend, I'm from Brazil and I still don't have much ability to fully understand the English language. However, the way you explain and demonstrate this subject makes me understand everything perfectly. Thank you very much for your videos and I hope everything goes well for your projects! Cheers!

[justadude]

Thank you for such brilliant explanation. I am a 23 year old norwegian, who just about 2 weeks ago started blacksmithing. I have made my first tong out of rebar, but I wil have to modify my forge a little, since it is based on the first model you showed us on the channel about 3 weeks ago. Now I want to build it up like you did in this video. You really inspire, so thank you and keep up the good work

[mattfinn]

Whether you know it or not, your content shows just how much can be achieved by a Can Do Attitude. I appreciate you and all the fruits of your labor, thank you so very much!

[dcmsr]

Albert Einstein said "If you can't explain it to a 6 yr old, you don't understand it yourself." Sir, I dare say you have a serious grasp of the subject at hand, and I might add you're not selfish with the knowledge. Thank you!!

[techristopher]

Yes, safety are a good thing. Used to have a pair with a metal fragment inbedded in the right lens alongside the temple that had broken off when I was hit by the fragment. Boss was always saying to throw it away and not display it. Company Safety brought new hires around to show what safety grasses are for.

[glencrandall]

That looks like something even a woodworker like me could do. I'll be back next week to find out. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.🙂🙂

[Bangalangs]

I missed watching this after church yesterday. Another excellent video sir.

Edit; I’m one of the guilty ones for advising against poured concrete or river rock forges in the previous video. Dirt is truly nature’s greatest insulator.

[TheIdeanator]

Ive got one of those blowers permanently installed in my ribbon burner forge! I have an automotive throttle body on it to tune it. I have put a rheostat on it before, but it doesnt sound happy that way.

[mountainwolf]

Good morning John hope all is well. When I got started I built a japanese fuigo used a steel pipe and used large sandstone and clay for the tuyere. Later I Upgraded to clay bricks and pearchased a 2 burner propane forge. All this is thanks to you and several other blacksmith/bladesmiths who have helped me become self taught and always learn something new every day. Thanks you all for sharing your wisdom godbless and be well.

[wesleymccravy]

Yes they work with a dimmer switch. Ran one for 4 years, you can also choke it with a piece of cardboard on the intake.

When my son was first born I had to be at home. My shop was 4 miles from home. I still had hook orders to fill. I dug a hole in the embankment in the front yard, took my first harbor freight anvil home, stuck a pipe in the ground, attached a hair dryer, lined it with expanded metal from the outside of an old air filter from a generator, maybe threw some sand and plaster of Paris on it. Idr…. Crude though. Half gallons of vodka and baby monitor beside me on my daughter’s outdoor tea party table, a few buckets of coal… never missed a beat.

[DOSE-RAD]

Just wanna say thanks man, I'm looking into getting into blacksmithing and this is the only channel that doesn't make me feel like a dummy for not having the right equipment and you don't look down on ppl who are just trying to have fun... keep up the good work bud your making ppl hopeful and happy

[justadood]

sir, i really have to thank you, i've had some blacksmithing tools laying around for years, they were from my great-grandfather, and just focusing on trying to get every together in order to start forging, has really helped me through my depression and anxiety, your videos are just great, keep it going

[noneyaonenoneyatwo]

I've had my eyes on using an electric corded leaf blower because it's adjustable. I love you're videos and I can't hardly wait to get myself setup

[pracowniaprojektowroznych]

Another well made video! I've started watching You few years ago, to get some more ideas. Now i could say that You inspired me to start a channel to also learn some blacksmithing to the people in Poland. I am at the beginning of the journey but I hope that some people can learn something from my video aswell. I also try to show other types of handicrafts or crafts on the channel. Best Wishes John, stay safe to be an inspiration :)

[DH-xwjp]

You could even drive a length of 1 inch square tube (or whatever size) into the stump as a socket to hold hardy tools when you need a fuller or cutter

[ryanjones]

Black locust is flourescent! It glows green under blacklight!

[terrystewart]

55 years ago, I was working construction driving a cut nail with a straight claw hammer. A chip flew off and hit me almost dead center in the right eye. I could actually see the red hot metal, flying toward my eye. Fortunately, the metal chip was so hot that it literally cauterized the eye as it entered. An operation to remove the chip and several weeks of recovery ensued. So while neither the hammer nor the nail exploded, one of them did shatter with explosive type force. Enough force to Pierce my eye with a shard about half the size of a wooden match head.

[bunyanforgings]

After 40 odd years of carpentry l still find it a bit windy (a carpenter will know what l mean). That's why l'm a big fan of nailers (air and cordless). Luckily, most of my forging hammers have big faces and the "hammered" look is a feature. Lol. A great video that helps make blacksmithing available to practically anyone. John is an inspiration. Cheers.

[jeffreyjones]

I like your hammer hitting explanation. The old gent that taught me said to strike the hammer in the same place every time and move the work to achieve what you are wanting to make. I always thought that was good advice for a beginner to help them build up "muscle memory". Looking forward to seeing your updated forge in action. Be safe.

[bryanhomann]

Another possibilit for an outside forge is a cut down 44 gall (Australia) drum. Iused this filled with clay from my dam, and an old vacuum cleaner that could be set up to blow. An old car heater fan and a 12V battery worked Ok too but not for welding. love your videos.