Startup advice
Quote from SheetMetal_Bro95 on January 25, 2026, 5:44 pmHey all,
I'm starting a backyard forge and foundry and want to scale it to a full-blown shop where I can make steel and then make tools out of the steel I make. As far as wootz is concerned, for right now I'd love to get to where I can forge a set of hammers for personal use or as gifts.
I have some experience operating a small gas propane furnace and have done one time with ferrous successfully in a covered crucible (that badly needs the refractory repaired after my last *attempted melt). I'm coming in from a work background in sheet metal (deburr operator) and have a few ideas for what to have as far as obtaining some basic tools.
What I have:
Doyle Anvil
Harbor Freight Welding Table
6lb Collinsaxe Striker/Cutoff Sledge
3lb Collinsaxe Drilling Hammer
10kg Propane furnace - no satanite or fire brick, just Kaowool and rigidizer (has a small hot-spot starting to form near the inlet going away from the Venturi burner... shut it down after my last heat)
Fan-Blown Brake Drum Charcoal Forge [in process]
Lincoln Core 100 Flux Welder
Basic Flat Vise Grips
Pipe Vise
Chipping Hammer
Sand for nonferrous casting and fire emergencies
scrap ductile iron
fire extinguisher and other basic ppe (including face shield, FR pants/boots, and welding hood)
As far as angle grinders, in my experience Metabo is the best, am curious about other people's experience with Makita and am considering some suggestions for benchtop grinders.
I'm really limited in how hot I can get my melts with a basic propane furnace (Kaowool and rigidizer, but need a new or better refractory) so should my next investment be just refractory material and a good 100# LP tank? unsure about how to proceed.
I've messed with copper, brass and bronze in there so I've thought of replacing the kaowool entirely.
I just dont know how to proceed. I only have so much time and money to throw towards this and want my next buy to be really focused on developing my capabilities further.
Thanks!
Isaac
Hey all,
I'm starting a backyard forge and foundry and want to scale it to a full-blown shop where I can make steel and then make tools out of the steel I make. As far as wootz is concerned, for right now I'd love to get to where I can forge a set of hammers for personal use or as gifts.
I have some experience operating a small gas propane furnace and have done one time with ferrous successfully in a covered crucible (that badly needs the refractory repaired after my last *attempted melt). I'm coming in from a work background in sheet metal (deburr operator) and have a few ideas for what to have as far as obtaining some basic tools.
What I have:
Doyle Anvil
Harbor Freight Welding Table
6lb Collinsaxe Striker/Cutoff Sledge
3lb Collinsaxe Drilling Hammer
10kg Propane furnace - no satanite or fire brick, just Kaowool and rigidizer (has a small hot-spot starting to form near the inlet going away from the Venturi burner... shut it down after my last heat)
Fan-Blown Brake Drum Charcoal Forge [in process]
Lincoln Core 100 Flux Welder
Basic Flat Vise Grips
Pipe Vise
Chipping Hammer
Sand for nonferrous casting and fire emergencies
scrap ductile iron
fire extinguisher and other basic ppe (including face shield, FR pants/boots, and welding hood)
As far as angle grinders, in my experience Metabo is the best, am curious about other people's experience with Makita and am considering some suggestions for benchtop grinders.
I'm really limited in how hot I can get my melts with a basic propane furnace (Kaowool and rigidizer, but need a new or better refractory) so should my next investment be just refractory material and a good 100# LP tank? unsure about how to proceed.
I've messed with copper, brass and bronze in there so I've thought of replacing the kaowool entirely.
I just dont know how to proceed. I only have so much time and money to throw towards this and want my next buy to be really focused on developing my capabilities further.
Thanks!
Isaac