Forge project

[julianf]

A longer stack (if possible) would give more draw.

I would imagine that it would take a long time for the flue to get hot, given that the hood can suck in so much cooler air from the surrounding area.

Sometimes, on a windy day, our log burner will suffer from down draft as its being lit. If that happens, i get a load of newspaper (which i dont generally use to light it) and load it up with that. It gives off enough heat, quickly enough, to heat the flue enough, such as it draws hard enough to counter the wind / down draft.

Im not sure how you could do this on the forge, but im mentioning in case you come up with anything!

 

[Maker]

Could you heat up the flue with a propane torch to get the draw going?

 

[MattF]

Im not sure how you could do this on the forge, but im mentioning in case you come up with anything!

Fitting rails/pins for siting a removable plate to the hood underneath the flue would be a simple option.

 

[vbottles]

I'd look at extending the sides to increase the draw. I have used forges like this and was never sure if CO was not being drawn up when the smoke dies down. It will stop the temptation to just stare at the fire.
I would also look at cutting slots out on the sides so you can easily heat a long bar in the middle. This should help in not having to make a huge fire to heat a bar up. Hope that all makes sense.
Andrew

 

[julianf]

What about, as I think matt was suggesting, just having some simple plates that hang from the hood?

Nothing more than sheets with 5mm etc holes at one end to hang on small studs on the hood.

You could then, very easily, make a selection of them and fit or not fit as needed. And then, if you, for some reason, wanted a custom one for a specific job, it would be no bother at all.

 

[julianf]

...basically like a curtain, rather than a door.

 

[KemppiFrog]

...basically like a curtain, rather than a door.

My thought too. I do my forging outside, as the first time it choked me out of the W/shop, using welsh coal the sulpher was awful, but got better when I upped the draft. No hood yet, though.

 

[julianthegypsy]

You can now get anthracite beans again as they use them for the new pellet type heaters. It's lovely stuff to work with and no 'orrible sulphur fumes!

 

[Bede]

This is great. I'd like to build a forge and have a crack at a bit of blacksmithing, if I ever get the time.

 

[Bsmith]

The smoke canopy in your pictures does appear to be a bit too high from the base but I have seen and used a good many forges and every one belched the smoke out from the canopy edges, especially when lighting with or adding new coal, never heard of a cure for the smoke. Doubt very much if a fan in the chimney will help any.

 

[stormin]

Can't you tee off some of the blowers draft to the tuyere do it assists with chimney draw?

 

[stormin]

Aren't you starting a fire with paper snd sticks to get the coke heated up first?

 

[julianthegypsy]

The smoke canopy in your pictures does appear to be a bit too high from the base but I have seen and used a good many forges and every one belched the smoke out from the canopy edges, especially when lighting with or adding new coal, never heard of a cure for the smoke. Doubt very much if a fan in the chimney will help any.

I've built two of my own, both under a good big hood with an 8" flue on top and have never had trouble with them smoking. You always get smoke when you start or add coal, as you say, but I've never had it filling the workshop. Unless it's a really damp day with the wind in the wrong direction, then the whole lot gets pushed back down again. That might be the trouble with yours, have a look at the top of your flue and look at putting something on top to handle the wind maybe. If this is the problem, a fan won't help at all, but a decent cowl would, and it would be cheaper.

 

[KemppiFrog]

Not for a forge, but some friends lived on a cliff top and were plagued by downdrafts in their open fire. As smoke was a problem for her due to being down on lung capacity, they asked me to think of something. Closed stove was not an option as they loved the open fire. The traditional chimney was square with vents in the side, so I converted it to a colt type cowl (Google it) and it solved the problem, without spoiling the look. Colts are usually five sided, but the idea works with four.
KF

 

[hareng]

It's not smoke that I'm haveing bother with it the sulphur type take your breath away fumes.

New coal or coke don't help and harder to light, hated it.
No one wanted to light the thing and not needed by the others, that is until an hour in to forging work then they would pop in and say I could use that. Once up and running chuck new coke around the outer, it will dry out and easier to light and retain heat. Keep the dust make a crucible out of it for working area but clean out the clinkers on next start up.
Looks very similar to one used for 11 years professionally just we had longer legs, deeper and gap to canopy about the same indoors. We used a large extractor in the wall drawing fumes away even the newly lit stuff giving off sulphur green flames and the like rarely a problem. As Julian said a change in wind direction will see blow back and think about the outer cowl later.

Last 4 years no extractor indoors at newer premises just a vent to outside. New coke/coal needed that helping hand to draw up in to canopy, it often filled the room all year round until burn at least once.

 

[Spark plug]

Ok I think ile give some of the ideas a go, when I get some more coke ile let it burn for a long wile and see how it goes.