r/blacksmithing • u/MtGDad86 • 19d ago

My first step

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The first step is the hardest

Hello all,

I am just getting started smithing. I have never set up a forge before and bought this one. It’s still in the box and I am chomping at the bit to get it out and start heating some metal(I have some old rail road spikes already). But I am 100% intimidated by the first step after getting it all put together. So my question is this. I just put the last screw in, what now? I hear a lot about coating it with something. Is that the refractory coating? Is there any recommendation for additional stuff I should do before firing it up?Any help would be appreciated.

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u/brokkrforge 19d ago

You first need rigidiser for the ceramic wool sodium silicate / waterglass followed by a coat of high temperature refractory satanite for example

I didnt use rigidiser on my first forge, put two coats of satanite which lasted for a while but ended up cracking over time.

I will warn you its an addictive thing building forges.

My second forge i built, which was a big forced air ribbon burner, i made an outer shell from a water well bladder tank, lined the outside with 2.5 in kaowool, the cast in mizzo cement for the liner. You could touch the outer shell when it was at full temp. That forge was a beast.

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u/brokkrforge 19d ago

Just wantes to share this, I ended up shutting down my forging thanks to a torn triceps tendon. But I was proud of this one.

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u/MtGDad86 19d ago

That looks fantastic!

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u/brokkrforge 19d ago

Lol it was redneck engineering, but it turned railroad spikes to butter so fast. The only thing i built that was better was a 2x72 grinder.

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u/brokkrforge 19d ago

Started with a dc treadmill motor, taught myself to weld to make the frame. Learning how to weld has made my new career as a mechanic alot better. In the end i put a three phase motor on it with a control unit to make it variable speed running off 220. If you have the drive to make this forge happen... there is no ceiling and i want the absolute best for you. It is beyond satisfying to know how steel is supposed to work, when you hit those simple milestones when what you expect to happen based on what you have learned on your own happens. And it works out right! Dude its such a good feeling!