Mathew wrote...

> Many of the posts disclosing some sort of home-blacksmithing also tend to
> enlighten us that it's too noisy for most neighborhoods.
>
> Is this true? Are there some tips for someone contemplating pounding on 
> iron
> "within the city limits"?
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

   When I first started blacksmithing I lived where there were 5 other 
houses on my property line, one of which I actually shared a driveway with. 
I had a shop about 8ft X 5 ft and would pull my small forge out front of the 
shop into my driveway to work. Had an anvil mounted out there which I kept a 
feed tub over it when not being used. Nearest neighbor back door was maybe 
about 75 ft from the anvil. Have to admit to never even giving it any 
thought about me working on my own property or that it would cause trouble. 
Never had any complaints at all from anyone about my blacksmithing. I think 
my neighbors were much more worried about our dogs eating them! Actually did 
have to buy another house and move when one of the neirgbors chow dogs came 
in my yard and our pit dog who was tired out on its run at the time killed 
it then a few weeks later it tore up some kid pretty good that walked though 
the yard.Was kind of messy and we figured time to get rid of the dog or 
move...I moved..
  In my experance just about everybody likes blacksmiths esp. if you make 
some stuff  or do some work for them. I think some simple plant hangers 
given out might go a long way to getting you in good graces with your 
neighbors that you think might give you trouble. I won't talk to the use of 
propane forges as I consider them to be a power tool and have never owned 
one. But with coal forges if you manage your fire correctly you will have 
lots less smoke. It is the "Green' uncoked coal that smokes with the heavy 
yellow or white smoke.You often see this when you first start the fire but 
if you are careful to make sure to keep enough coke from your last fire to 
use to start the new one you will have lots less smoke.Coke is what you use 
to make your using fire, it is green coal that has been "cooked" next to the 
fire. Coke puts out lots of heat but not much smoke.

 I used to set up my forge at a local town craft event making knives and 
axes and selling the same as well as old tools. My spot was always popluar 
,with people lined up 3 deep watching me work and B.S., always had a good 
time. One year as I was lighting my forge this woman comes over who was set 
up across the street in this big white tent selling Artsy Fartsy photography 
prints and she wanted to know if this fire was going to make any smoke 
[!]...I told here a bit maybe and she expressed her concern about it getting 
in her tent. Hour or so later she came over and said that the smoke was 
really bad and could I do something about it. Now I had a small rivet forge 
and there wasn't much smoke at all and what it was was going up in the air, 
and she was clear across the street but I told her that the worst smoke was 
probably when I started the fire and should be ok now. End of the day she 
comes over and tells me real snotty like she didn't sell one thing and it 
was because of all the smoke!...Hmm I pointed out that I sold just under 
$2,000 and had people thick around my forge and  that the smoke didn't seem 
to bother them. I told her after having looked at her art work I don't think 
the problim  why she didn't sell any photographs  was the smoke being to 
thick but rather not thick enough as they could still be seen clearly! 
......Todd 

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