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Rock used for primitive forge ?
February 19, 2017
10:52 am
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arealperson
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February 19, 2017
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I'm wanting to build a primitive "old world" style forge.

I have access to lots of this kind of rock. (Please see the image), but I don't know what kind of rock it is, or if it is reasonable to use.

The rock...

What kind of rock is this? Is it ok for a forge?

Is it lime stone ? or some other other ? it is piled up along the river banks to prevent erosion and the park ranger said I could have some.

Question:

Can anyone tell what kind of rock it is ? And is it reasonable to use for building for a primitive old world style blacksmith forge.

Thanks,

February 20, 2017
9:10 am
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Morgan A. Kirk
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To me that does look like a type of limestone, yes.

However, I can't say I know much about how limestone reacts to heat. I know it's an ingredient of concrete, which breaks down at high heats, but since the heat of a coal forge is going up, there's not as much heat going into the rock, and it may stay relatively sturdy. Historically, the old blacksmiths probably used stone for their forge linings, but who know how often they had to rebuild them. 

In addition to the rock, you might also use clay as a way of holding it all together and filling in gaps/making the shape. I personally have used clay I've dug up from my back yard as a coal forge lining, and it has held up fine to the heat, though it does soak up water, and will need to be redone.

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March 25, 2017
8:24 pm
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wiregold
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It looks like metamorphic limestone (marble). It will degrade to quick-lime (CaO) around 1600F. This material can be used for lining riverbanks to mitigate acid rock drainage by raising the pH of the water.

 

Where is the river located?

April 16, 2017
9:12 am
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Lee Cordochorea
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A forge is just a hole in the ground. The masonry was to get the hole in the ground raised up to a comfortable working height. Line heavily with brick, clay, ash, or sand and you're good to go.

No matter where you go... there you are.

April 16, 2017
9:24 am
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Lee Cordochorea
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Have a peek at section 4.3 of this thesis: 

http://www.collectionscanada.g.....q25829.pdf

No matter where you go... there you are.

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