Rational Horse Shoeing and Wagon Making
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with rules, tables, recipes, etc., useful to
manufactures, blacksmiths, machinists,
well-drillers, engineers, liverymen,
horse-shoers, farmers, wagon-makers,
mechanics, amateurs and all others who have
occasion to perform the work for which this
book is primarily intended.
The forge can be made either a single or double, square or
round. The square is the best as it can be placed up against
the wall, and you will then have more room in front of it. The
round forge will take more room, if it is placed in the center of
the floor there will be no room of any amount on any side and
when the doors are open the wind will blow the fire, cinders
and smoke into the face of the smith. This is very
uncomfortable. The smokestack, if hung over the fire will
sometimes be in the way. Of course the hood can be made in
halves and one half swung to the side, but it will sometimes be
in the way anyhow, and it seldom has any suction to carry
away the smoke and cinders.
The anvil should not be too close to the forge, as is often the case in small country shops. Make it six feet from center
of fire to center of anvil. The anvil should not be placed on a butcher block with the tools on, but on a timber the same
size as the foot of the anvil. Set the timber down in the ground at least three feet. For heavy work the anvil should
stand low in order to be able to come down on it with both hammer and sledge with force. When the smith has his
hands closed the knuckles of his fingers should touch the face of the anvil and it will be the right height for all-around
blacksmithing.
COAL BOX
Close to the forge under the water tank or barrel should be a coal box 18 x 24 x 16 inches, this box to be dug down
in the ground and so placed that one end will protrude from under the barrel or tank far enough to let a shovel in.
This opening can be closed with a lid if the tools are liable to fall into it. In this box keep the coal wet. In figure I a
plan is given from which you can get an idea of a shop and how to place the tools and different articles needed.
On the right hand of the anvil should be a tool
bench or tool table 20 x 20, a little lower than the
anvil. Outside, on three sides and level with the
table, make a railing of 17inch iron, about I ~ inch
space between the table and railing, this makes
a handy place for tools and near by. Many
blacksmiths have no other place than the floor for
their tools, but there is no more sense in that
than it would be for a carpenter to throw his
tools down on the floor all around him. There
ought to be "a place for every tool and every tool
in its place."