Well, I think the best way to start would to make a hearth/forge because without a source of heat we won’t be making anything. After scratching my balding pate for while, this is what I have come up with.

A steel container, an old stainless steel sink with drainer would be ideal.

A short length of 1” ish bore steel pipe (but cast iron would be the best as it won’t burn). And a cast iron pipe coupling to fit on the end to protect it from the heat (you can omit this if you have cast iron pipe.)

A gate valve to control air flow. You don’t want red hot pieces of fuel flying about the room.

Some pieces of fire brick, any old scavenged bits out of an old rayburn or stove. It is only there to help protect the pipe from the heat.

A source of air i.e. compressor, leaf blower, bellows etc.

Sand.

Blocks or legs to stand it on.

On the draining board side of the sink bore a hole the size of the pipe, a couple of inches down from the top edge making sure it is central between the sides. Now place the pipe in the hole with the cast iron coupling on the fire side and the gate valve on the drainer side.

Mark the position of the gate valve on the drainer and bore a hole, post the top of the gate valve through the hole and clamp the pipe in position, put the sink on it legs, these should be bring the top of the “forge” up to hip/waist height but no higher.

Place the bricks around the end of the pipe, damp the sand a fill the sink, pat it down like you are making a sand castle. When you have finished having fun, scoop out a depression about 9” in diameter exposing the end of the pipe, and to a depth a couple of inches below it, this is for the fire to sit in. Connect up the air supply, and Bobs your uncle.

For fuel charcoal is probably the easiest, small pieces about 20mm in size, you could use coke too, I use coalite but I have to spend to much time smashing up into useable pieces.

So I am thinking about making charcoal.

I hope this hasn’t put you off trying out smithing, because next time we will start making something.

Have fun, Gordon.

This recipe was submitted by Ironworker