# Building a forge in the garage.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/building-a-forge-in-the-garage/779118>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [February 5, 2017, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/building-a-forge-in-the-garage/779118 "2017-02-05T23:01:29Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![drewder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/57b2e6/32.png) [@drewder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewder)\
**Post date:** [February 5, 2017, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/building-a-forge-in-the-garage/779118/1 "2017-02-05T23:01:29Z")

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So I finally managed to find an anvil so now I’m looking to build a forge and start bladesmithing. I have a detatched building which is on a cement floor and has metal walls with a garage door opening which I use as my shop. My question is how should I build the forge and ensure that I don’t burn down my shop?

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**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\
**Post date:** [February 5, 2017, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/building-a-forge-in-the-garage/779118/2 "2017-02-05T23:09:16Z")

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There are many good books on blacksmithing/bladesmithing. You probably need all the knowledge and details one of those would give about how to build a workable forge, and not random input from internet semi-strangers. 🙂

I spent a few years making knives and swords, but I took the 20th-century route. Smithing is very flashy and sweaty and GoT-impressive, but it’s kind of like mixing your own housepaints in an era when Kelly-Moore does it vastly better and cheaper.

Use modern steels and grind your blades. IMVHO. Put the money and effort into a good set of grinders and (important!) a heat-treating oven.

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**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\
**Post date:** [February 5, 2017, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/building-a-forge-in-the-garage/779118/3 "2017-02-05T23:31:53Z")

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You might join a more specialized forum to get additional input:  
[https://www.iforgeiron.com/](https://www.iforgeiron.com/)