How to Build a Brick Forge

Building a brick forge is one of the oldest methods of starting a blacksmithing shop. It requires some masonry skill, and gives you the freedom of building a forge to your specific needs. Brick forges can handle high heat and are very versatile. They all have a foundation, a heating chamber and a chimney.

Things You'll Need

• High-quality bricks and mortar Rebar

Instructions

1. Clear a good deal of space for the foundation and chimney of the forge. Route the pipes and install your heating system under the forge heart.

2. Build your foundation layers around the heating system element, leaving enough space so you can access the heating system valves to inspect and repair them. A good foundation is also reinforced by rebar, so install rebar first, by drilling into the floor and securing it with concrete, then build the foundation around it.

3. Create a simple wood form that spans the foundation to build the base of the forge hearth. Then mason the form and stack your bricks for the hearth floor. Be careful to use your best masonry skills here. Creating a seamless, heat-resistant hearth is key to a good forge.

4. Build the walls of your hearth. You should consider using a form for the hearth, especially if you are building a large hearth area. Mason the hearth using the highest quality, most heat resistant bricks and mortar you can find. Seal the inside of the hearth with high-temperature mortar for easier maintenance and cleaning.

5. Install a simple flat form to create the ceiling of your hearth. Using a simple plywood box right inside the hearth walls is the easiest method. Layer your bricks right over the form and mason them into place, leaving just the hole for the chimney. The size of your chimney flu will reflect the size of your hearth. Seal the top of the hearth as you did the walls.

6. Create another wood form for the chimney, using plywood and wood glue. Build it right on top of the hearth form you used for the ceiling. Then carefully mason around the form to complete your chimney. You do not have to install a flu, but if you do, be sure it can handle the high heat of your hearth.

7. Mount your blacksmithing table to the forge using brick anchors and/or rebar hooks which you have masoned into your hearth foundation. The forge table should also be built on brick or a concrete.

Resources

• How to build a forge
• Blacksmithing resources