Grandfather's Forge

Good afternoon all, just thought I might share this here for the other Australians and those who simply like history.

The pictures here are of my grandfather's forge blower (dad's side) which my father remembers him owning and using since he was a kid. Unfortunately through family trouble my grandfather sold nearly all of his tools and forge gear, including a second one just like this, but he kept this one and the other day I got around to pulling it down, cleaning it out, re-greasing everything and altering the fan. Now it works great.

I have no idea how old it is as I have yet to research "Rapid Sydney" yet, but I can guess it is very old. The furnace part of the forge we still have as well, and cleaning it up is my next task. If all goes to plan it'll be as complete as it was when my father was young, and just as useable.
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Now that brings back memories.
The Company I did my trade with back in the mid '60's still had a complete Blacksmith shop complete with one of these forges, learnt my early tempering and metal treatment with it with help from the workshop foreman.........I always thought him a bit of a Dinosaur then, but in later years realized That I received the best all round grounding in the mechanical trade possible..........tried to pass it on in later life as a TAFE Teacher.

Well there you go muffet. Isn't it amazing how such a simple and easy thing to use can move so much air? I'd love to learn metal work and blacksmithing but I don't think I could do a full trade on it any time soon. I might just have to learn as I go. I have a slightly smaller one from my other grandfather as well would you believe it?

Funnily enough I am endeavouring to do a Blacksmith course next week, so really looking forward to it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nijalninja

I have no idea how old it is as I have yet to research "Rapid Sydney" yet, but I can guess it is very old.

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Here's a conversation elsewhere about these... australian forge - Solid Fuel Forges - I Forge Iron

Best of luck Gil.

I'll give that a read. Cheers b.a.r.

You can always use it for stocking the BBQ!:thup::thup:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gil Boyd

Funnily enough I am endeavouring to do a Blacksmith course next week, so really looking forward to it.

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So we expect to see you on "Forged in Fire" think thats the program on Sky, Blacksmiths/ Bladesmiths compete to make the best, knife, sword etc.

When I did a course in Bordon, the instructor was an ex RAF Armourer so let him off with the RAF bit, when I picked up a file and started he said "You've done this before" yep was my reply, a four year apprenticeship as a Fitter & Turner....... although I still had the do the course, I ended up giving him a few pointers and also helped in some of the re-wording in the hand out, what got me was the art of Scraping isn't taught anymore...... even for the Regulars.

Must admit since then I've often thought about the teaching route, like Muffer it would be nice to pass on a few forgotten skills.

Anyone need a poker :surrender:

Best two days of my life, beating hell out of metal and developing stuff I really need, highly recommended to everybody, I can say no more

I'd like to do a blacksmith course myself. I'm just coming to the end of a milling and turning course I managed to get my company to pay for, wonder if I could blag a blacksmith course, they can be quite accommodating on occasion.
I once made a ships nail on a mobile forge at Glastonbury festival, not impressive I know but it was enough for the bug to bite. Funnily enough, while my pals were getting wasted listening to the bands I pretty much never left the craft field, I did a limestone block sculpture course and a flint napping course with a great hairy chap dressed in animal skins 🙂 I made a spear head that I'm actually quite proud of.

It was without doubt the best course I have ever done in the time frame, learning about the right colour heat temperature to work in, all about metals and when they start to melt etc
As well as using every tool in the Blacksmiths shop, and finally understanding what those two holes in my anvil are for!!

Was that the poker gaining shape Gil.

Geoff,
Absolutely right mate. Beard has gone this morning great shave..........and here is the end result one of three I made with loads of twists in the handle and the shafts for the BBQ and fire