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CHAPTER II EQUIPMENT THE equipment necessary for forging ornamental ironwork is nothing more than the ordinary forge-shop and tools. A few special tools will be needed in working out some of the exercises, but they can be made by hand with little expense. These will be taken up later on. The Forge.—One of the indispensable things in doing any kind of forging is a good forge. Its size depends on the kind of work to be done. For heavy work, a large forge or furnace is necessary; for doing light or medium work, and for working out the designs given in this book, a down-draft forge like those used in all manual-training schools is adequate. Fuel.—The fuel to be used for heating purposes is coal. This should be the best of soft coal and free from impurities if possible. Sulphur is one of the common impurities. It is difficult to get a welding heat in a fire that contains sulphur. Slate should also be avoided, as it causes clinkers and prevents proper heating of the iron. Coal should always be procured, if possible, direct from the mines, as coal which has been long in the yard in large cities is not so good. Good coal will be bright and clean in appearance, without dark 24 |
Hand Forging by Thomas F. Googerty