| Author | Message | ||
| Blake Williams
|
I am still a beginer blacksmith but would like to aquire as much knowledge as fast as possable. Are there any good web sites that explain in detail how to mine ore and then refine it into iron? I think the untimate experience would be to mine ore, refine it and make something cool out of it. Not that im going to be doing that any time soon but would still like to try it some day. | ||
| Anonymous |
There is an organization called "The Society of Industrial Archaeology" that has a sub group of people that specializes in metal smelting. The subgroup is called "The Iron Masters" and we do smelting iron on a small scale into wrought iron. Look up "the Society on the webb for information. I do smelting in Canton Mississipopi, Dr. Jack Burgstressor does a fine job in Birmingham, alabama, and there is a group in Virginia assiciated with Society of Industrial Archaeology that does a fine job of smelting bloom iron. Look up "Sauder" on the webb with Virginia to get his webb site. bob heath HEATHIRON@aol.com | ||
| Lance Dolzhenko |
What is the price of pure iron, and it's special properties? Seems to be mostly hype on the sights I have looked at LanceOlga1@hotmail.com | ||
| Jeff Evarts (Riventree)
New member Username: Riventree Post Number: 1 Registered: 4-2010 |
I wanted to follow up on this. I, also, have been looking for a way to collect (rockhound style) various ores for smelting. It turns out that while there are plenty of places in the US that you can legally gather (no explosives or backhoes please) minerals, there are very few resources that will take you from "desired mineral" to "person/place to contact for permission to gather". You can see a little of my journey at my blog (see my profile). If you give up and just want rough ore, even THEN you are hard pressed to get it in more-than-a-kilo-and-less-than-a-ton quantities. (I've looked for malachite and cassiterite this way. I've had SOME luck getting magnetite- picked up 25kg this past Monday) | ||
| James Garvey (Jgcirclec) New member Username: Jgcirclec Post Number: 9 Registered: 1-2004 |
This is interesting, I had grant in early 80's to refine ore with 'beehive' style based on the African furnaces. I used pig iron ingots and charcoal; the goal was to forge sculpture directly from the wrought iron sponge. It was hardly a success...not. Wow, I know that tom Joyce has been to Africa several times to participate with active smiths there who have experience with small scale refining operations. I wonder if the effort can get going here? James Garvey, 212 531-1081 New York 10968 | ||
| Lee Sauder (Smeltgeek)
New member Username: Smeltgeek Post Number: 2 Registered: 7-2010 |
I just came across this one. Jeff- I had a lot of help finding mine sites from my state division of mines and minerals. Also talk to your local geologists and rockhounds. Good ol' poking around and chatting up folks will get you farther than looking on the computer. James- Bloomery smelting is pretty much how i've spent mt last 12 years. Lots of folks around that do it now. Look at http://iron.wlu.edu/ and www.leesauder.com and go to Don Fogg's bladesmith forum, and you'll find some info to help you get started. |
