848 THE farmers' handbook. 



bla6t is taken from a pipe connected with a blower. The blower may deliver 

 air to several forges, each beingequipped with a valve to regulate the flow. 

 Such forges are only used in the large machine shops. 



The portable fan-blast forges, an illustration of which is seen in Fig. 1 

 are very suitable for farm work. They are made in different sizes, but as the 

 farmer does not usually have to take in hand very heavy work, a medium 

 size will be satisfactory. At the same time a larger forge gives more room 

 for working, and metal can be heated more rapidly. It is doubtful whether 

 it is economy to purchase one of small size, when the outlay of a little 

 more money results in a much superior forge being obtained. 



Bellows forges are the kind generally used by blacksmiths. Like the blast 

 forges, they are made in different sizes. 



Probably the portable fan-blast forge is the most suitable for farmers' 

 purposes. The fan action produces a very even blast, and the forge has the 

 additional advantage that, being made of iron throughout, it can be exposed to 

 the weather without danger of serious deterioration. When bellows are used 

 the forge must always be housed in a proper shed, or the leather soon perishes. 



It is a convenience, especially to those who work on large areas, to have a 

 forge which can be moved easily from place to place. For instance, when 

 tanks are being excavated, or distant paddocks ploughed, it is an advantage to 

 have the forge on the spot. Unless it is portable it cannoteasily be moved about. 



The prices of fan-blast forges vary considerably. One with a hearth oi 

 about 22 or 24 inches square is a good size for most purposes, and costs 

 about £11.* 



Smithy. 



A good building is required to house the tools and protect the workman 

 from inclement weather. If the tools are not kept together in a definite 

 place they soon become scattered, especially when only occasionally used, 

 and are not at hand when required. Many odd jobs for the smithy accu- 

 mulate on the farm, and not being matters of urgency are, in the rush of work, 

 left over to a more convenient season. Wet days can be profitably filled in 

 doing work of this class, and necessarily some shelter must be provided as 

 a protection from the rain. Such a building should be located in a high 

 and dry spot, as dampness causes rusting of the tools. 



A suitable size is about 12 feet square and 8 or 9 feet high. The root 

 may be of iron or any other waterproof covering, and the sides of slabs. 

 An opening must be made in the roof to allow fumes to escape readily. 



Large numbers of tools of various descriptions accumulate in a shop after 

 a time, and racks should be made for these so that they can be kept in a 

 place where they can be found without difficulty. 



The Tools. 



The Anvil. — A solid anvil is required. A light one, or a heavy piece of 

 iron, such as is sometimes used, lacks solidity and gives too freely under 

 the hammer. The price charged for anvils is about £5 10s. per cwt.,* and one 

 weighing at least 2 cwt. is required. A second-hand anvil, quite suitable 

 for amateurs, can often be obtained cheaply from a local blacksmith. 



Vi^es. — A good strong vice is a necessity. Small vices are very well for 

 light work, but they are practically useless for much of the work a farmer 

 has to do. The ordinary blacksmith's vice, known as a "tail " vice, is 

 very good. These are generally cold by weight. One with a j-inch j .w, 



* These prices are subject to variation. 



