Blacksmith shop flooring options, dirt vs concrete vs brick vs wood

Рет қаралды 38,593

Күн бұрын

I had a question and my brick and dirt floor for the shop. So here is some explanation on my choice of floor materials and some pros and cons of different floor options for a blacksmith shop
Thank you for watching. Black Bear Forge is a small one person shop located in Southern Colorado.
If you would like to provide financial support to my KZfaq channel visit
www.paypal.me/BlackBearForge
Find my shop on line at:
www.blackbearforge.com
www.blackbearforge.etsy.com
/ blackbearforge
/ black-bear-forge-20986...
The following list provides just a few resources to help you find supplies and equipment for blacksmithing.
www.piehtoolco.com/
www.centaurforge.com/
www.blacksmithsdepot.com/
www.blacksmithbolt.com/
www.oldworldanvils.com/
www.abana.org/
www.mcmaster.com
Blacksmithing and related activities can be hazardous. These videos are not a substitute for competent professional instruction. Your safety is your sole responsibility. Always use appropriate safety equipment including eye and ear protection when working in the shop. Follow manufactures safety guidelines for the use of all equipment. In the event something shown in one of these videos seems unsafe, it is up to you to make the appropriate changes to protect yourself.

Пікірлер: 120

@joemajor6066 6 жыл бұрын

Hey id come lay some brick for ya next summer. The least i could do for all the free teachin. Thanks John.

@judweaver3635 8 ай бұрын

As with the Christmas ornament triangle, I notice a definite difference after quenching. The unquenched metal has higher tones. Those tones strike me as being more traditional or historic.

@idahobob173 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your video. As a side note, I worked in a very old machine shop in the mid-1970s which had a wood floor like you describe. It was 4 X 4s set on end in tar. The shop had been in service for more than 70 years and the floor was somewhat uneven, but I can confirm it was really quite comfortable to stand on, even without rubber mats. The real clincher was when we had to drop something heavy. It just went 'thud' and that was that. Please keep up the cool videos.

@Ironsatyr 2 жыл бұрын

there isnt anything better than the dirt, but...I take the clinkers, pulverized, and sprinkle across the floor lightly, on a regular basis, at the end of the day. Top it with the watering can, and then there is NO dust, ever, and the low spots are no more. crushes into the surface..never loose a dropped item, remains slightly cool if in a hot climate. Like brick, but not brick. So its still good to stand on

@ironcladranchandforge7292 Жыл бұрын

Yep, packed dirt is just fine and better for the body. I've worked for 40+ years on concrete floors and every joint in my body now hurts. I need knee and hip replacements.

@andrewjaye2981 3 жыл бұрын

I like that anvil stand design. I'm also intrigued by the wood brick floor option. Just watched Mr.Chickadee install one in his shop. I will not how ever be making all of my bricks by hand like he did.

@caroljohnson8817 6 жыл бұрын

I live in Bastrop County. And I’m just interested in Forging and welding in my older days now. My grandfather and father were welders and fabricators, and I did spend some time in the shop watching them. Now you are here with this craft and I see them in you.

@johannesjensen5435 4 жыл бұрын

where I learned blacksmithing there was a gravel floor, which I guess is a bit like the dirt floor. It was really really easy to lose a small piece of iron there...

@oljames1687 6 жыл бұрын

..I see what you are doing Mr. John. You are starting a series and where else to begin but from the Ground up!! Genius !! Don't try to rush to get back into the swing of things. Let that hand heal proper like...!

@kellypenrod2979 5 жыл бұрын

Here's an idea for you that I used in my welding shop, I bought 30ton of screenings chip's, and bought 5 100lb bags of magnesium chloride, rented a small trailer mounted cement mixer, and mixed chip's and mag and water to the consistency of 4in slump concrete, dumped and spread about 4in thick then rolled it with a sod roller to get a uniform level and compaction. the beauty of this is the mag chloride acts as a moisture sink which keeps the dust non existent, AND is easy on your feet, back, knees, as a dirt floor AND of course fire proof and easy to maintain. Hope your hand getting better, and THANK YOU for your channel, I'm starting to incorporate blacksmithing into my welding business a lot more now and the tips you give help a lot! Stay safe out there my brothers.

@rhodesianwojak2095 4 жыл бұрын

wood chips?

@russellayton6408 4 жыл бұрын

@@rhodesianwojak2095 I think it is rock spoils from a rock screening/sorting unit of some sort maybe.

@Zonkotron 2 жыл бұрын

Sorry to say that, but that sounds like a bad idea. Chloride ions are the number one promoter of rust and various other corrosion. Even though the floor is now "dust free" and unlike, say, hydrochloric acid etches, salts will not vaporize in any meaningful quantity. But id be still be seriously concerned. Any stuff sitting on it will rust. If you get that material on stuff, it will rust. And i you manage to do something that gets it airborne....dear goodness...oh no. Hard enough to keep a shop rust free with spring temperature changes.....salt needs not apply.

@SSSmithing 6 жыл бұрын

Very informative thank you for sharing!!

@colinwinters2747 6 жыл бұрын

Glad you decided to keep the vids coming. Great info, and get well soon!!!

@GorVala 3 жыл бұрын

Awsome video.. much appreciated for sharing and all the effort.

@colinrobertson843 6 жыл бұрын

so happy to see some more videos from you and so hope you get better soon mate thinking of you and love seeing your grate work shop and the input about the different floors in your shop so good to know all the best from Colin from down under

@Nightman2152 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing! I've been curious about your flooring since I started watching. I'm glad I found this video. I'm planning to use compacted crushed compacted limestone as my flooring.

@rosewood1 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks was thinking about floor for my Forge some really helpful thoughts I hadn't considered. All the best for your sore paw. Cheers

@ironhead65 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for answering my question! Great information and much appreciated!

@BlackBearForge 6 жыл бұрын

You are welcome, I am glad it answered your question

@allyblair 6 жыл бұрын

great video. very informative. so sorry about your hand. feel better soon. if i was close enough i would totally come lay brick just to talk with you in person.

@Dreyno 3 жыл бұрын

My father told me that one of their local blacksmiths when he was young had come to the west of Ireland from a county in the east. The blacksmith he apprenticed to there had come home to Ireland having spent years in the US. And he had floored his forge with timber. Presumably because it was what he was used to in the US because here forges were either dirt, paving flags (large flat stones), or concrete. Don’t know about brick. Maybe in some estate forges.

@johnroot8215 6 жыл бұрын

My little shop has pea gravel: it’s easy on the back and knees and cheap as I sieved it from the vegetable garden!

@BlackBearForge 6 жыл бұрын

Does it get difficult to move around on?

@dwayneburbridge3283 4 жыл бұрын

Building my workshop/smithy now. Thank you for the design ideas!

@leftymalonewertyu 6 жыл бұрын

I have a gravel floor in my home shop. I found a 3/4" minus road base with clay in it that packs very hard and does not move around.

@ScrewDriverxxx 6 жыл бұрын

Actually really glad to hear you say you like brick. I have just completed my little forge area and I managed to nab a few hundred brick pavers free from a neighbour. Just laid them out on a flat "dirt" floor and we have a very solid clay subsoil here (in UK London) so they're not going anywhere. One thing I did notice though is that the slight "give" in each of the brick pavers means that when I move the anvil around on its solid wood base, you can rock it and "drop" it on the floor until it is totally wobble free. Can't do that with solid concrete...

@BlackBearForge 6 жыл бұрын

The unevenness of brick also makes it easier on you back and legs. They force you to adapt a little differently everyplace you stand.

@dustyroads5753 4 жыл бұрын

We use a lot of.... I think it's called abc rock🤔.... It's the limestone dust and screenings from crushing orders of larger size rock (like road rock or etc) at the quarry. For buildings where equipment is parked, a substitute for concrete to set posts, etc it's awesome. Wet it down and compact and it even kinda sets up

@geneticdisorder1900 3 жыл бұрын

Stone dust is another name for that type of material. Works great under outside patios .

@jarodh1916 2 жыл бұрын

I'm currently working over a pallet, it will flash up but it goes out when you take away the heat as well

@andresmedina9967 6 жыл бұрын

No forging. But still very informative. Very nice. And hope you get better

@TufStockdogs 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks buddy mine is all concert but it is good to clean and it was here first. On talk to you later

@mercoid 5 жыл бұрын

You can attach a magnet to a short broom handle to pick up all your metal scraps from the dirt floor.

@CXonthefly 3 жыл бұрын

We have a metal taste on our end Bell and we have a disc 8 inch pipe and it is fairly stable not the best but it's not half-bad it's full of sand

@jakei8322 6 жыл бұрын

My smithy is a 10x12 shed with unfortunately a framed floor, to reduce fire hazard i skinned it in cement board so its a bit more durable and i just picked up 2 5 ton rv jacks that i plan on placing underneath where my anvil sits to minimize the bounce whenever i get the chance. So far its not terrible but then again i have never forged on another surface so i might just be used to crap lol.

@BlackBearForge 6 жыл бұрын

As long as the anvil is solid it should be OK. Of course the framed floor would make a power hammer completely out of reach.

@jackdawg4579 6 жыл бұрын

Forge where our club meets is half concrete, half crusher dust. We rake the crusher dust after each forge day, so no chance to form divots under foot. Still quite dusty. Does hide the scale much better though :) so less effort than sweeping the concrete.

@jeffreyquinn3820 6 жыл бұрын

Crusher dust is great stuff, asides from getting the pieces out of your sole grip. The ground is pretty swampy clay & prone to frost heaves where I live, so any piece of concrete less than 20cm/8" with heavy rebar will crumble in a few years. Crusher dust with brick on top holds up okay. I also fill fence post holes with crusher dust and tamp it down with the end of a heavy bar and check level after every shovelful or two. Time consuming as hell, but it's the only way to keep them from shifting and rotting. The clay sucks the moisture out of the crusher dust.

@stkyicky 3 жыл бұрын

I'm late to the show but, you need clay. Kitty litter. Ground and mixed with the dirt floor. Dampen, skreed flat, pound down. You can polish it. Great floor.

@simpleforging3339 6 жыл бұрын

great video and beauty sweater

@BlackBearForge 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks, I think I could live in this sweater if it didn't get dirty.

@jalanham1 6 жыл бұрын

I have that same sweater! My shop floor is dirt, i like cheap

@BlackBearForge 6 жыл бұрын

This sweater has become my favorite

@rrrsamsneadrrr 6 жыл бұрын

Bulah is a beautiful place but hot in June as I remember. We used to go there in June for several years to visit my mothers cousin back in the sixties.

@BlackBearForge 6 жыл бұрын

True, but not as hot as Pueblo

@rrrsamsneadrrr 6 жыл бұрын

That is where they lived in the winter

@fn45tacticalsuppressed11 3 жыл бұрын

Could you find slate stones in your area. Big somewhat flat stone makes a good floor.

@jonessaddle 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing. I live in Southern Colorado not too far from you. I have been looking into doing a Soil Cement floor in one of my dirt floor shops. Mylittlehomestead has a video on it, kind of interesting and cost effective. Thanks again

@BlackBearForge 6 жыл бұрын

Interesting option.

@boldrich7225 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent Presentation, Really like your setup, All Man. Like the smell of a Metal shop where a MAN can create all his dream projects. Men don't give up your dreams, Be a Man.

@richardstewart1955 6 жыл бұрын

I have seen one shop (The Ornamental Metal Museum ) that was trying used asphalt shingles. It made a comfortable surface to work on but was subject to fire and smell.

@BlackBearForge 6 жыл бұрын

Are they fastened down? Seems like the would move around and be a tripping hazard.

@richardstewart1955 6 жыл бұрын

Not fastened down. It is down south and in the heat of the summer traffic over it packed it down and it looked like an asphalt road but a softer surface.

@trollforge 6 жыл бұрын

I have been going back and fourth between sand and brick. We'll see if I get the new building up in '18...

@BlackBearForge 6 жыл бұрын

Sand sounds like it would be worse than dirt, but if it can be compacted it might work, I Like the brick pretty well.

@cgmcpherson33 6 жыл бұрын

Would u do a vid on ur coal forge smoke shelf an what not thanx thanx for all ur vids there great

@BlackBearForge 6 жыл бұрын

I need to replace my blower on that forge, but once I do that I will cover the forge and hood

@drason69 6 жыл бұрын

Treat a wood floor with a good mopping of a borax solution. Borax is a fire 'retardant', not a fire proofer, but could help to save your shop. Google it if you like, but treating canvas is what I heard it used for, to help.

@BlackBearForge 6 жыл бұрын

Great idea

@CXonthefly 5 жыл бұрын

A wood porch like with two by four isn't that bad it won't catch on fire unless you let the seal burn on it for a long time

@Logjam5 6 жыл бұрын

Nice sweater. Finished in brick would be nice.

@BlackBearForge 6 жыл бұрын

I keep hoping to find some more second hand brick someone wants hauled off

@vincentgolden5352 6 жыл бұрын

When you re-pour the pad for your power hammer put a footer below you slab that will make it much more solid don't need a supper thick floor need a good solid footer and your problems are solved.

@ironcladranchandforge7292 Жыл бұрын

Concrete floors suck!! I've worked 40+ years on concrete floors and now every joint in my body hurts. There's nothing wrong with packed dirt and it's easier on the body in the long run. Brick is fine, better than concrete I guess. Blacksmith shops are notoriously dirty places to begin with, especially if you use coal. Crush up your clinker and spread it on the dirt floor. After awhile it works into the dirt and helps to keep the dust down. In the past I've used 3/4 minus gravel mixed with clay (road pack) in my other Blacksmith shops. It worked fine.

@CXonthefly 3 жыл бұрын

That's my Dad's anvil and it's on a gravel floor I'm building my Anvil stand out of a pressure tank I'm going to cut one of the sides and put a flat and have it indented to wear I can drop punches and chisels on the on the table like essential Craftsman wooden best one yet

@paulorchard7960 4 жыл бұрын

I’v got some bricks you are welcome to, but being thousands of miles away I don’t expect you knocking on my door! They will come, good things happen to good people!

@BlackBearForge 4 жыл бұрын

That tends to make them less cost effective

@arborvitian 4 жыл бұрын

I dropped a 3x3x10mm machine tool key on my dirt floor... and after I made a new key, I decided to invest in a real floor. Now I'm try to figure out how to avoid setting my plastic floor on fire the next time I drop a piece of hot steel. Sigh.

@roywallace207 6 жыл бұрын

I think Peter Ross has a wood block type of floor in his home smithy. Get well soon!

@BlackBearForge 6 жыл бұрын

He does and he likes it quite well. Thanks

@davidgendron1953 6 жыл бұрын

What about well compacted gravel, 0-3/4 wetted and compacted, it would be relatively cheep, it would be sturdy, easier on the joints and back, could still dig a hole for tool placement or concrete pads for heavier tools.... Just a thought!!

@BlackBearForge 6 жыл бұрын

I have never worked on a gravel floor, it might work

@standaffern6595 6 жыл бұрын

A better option would be crushed quarry rock with fines, no sand. It packs tight doesn't move. But I didn't know about that option 20 years ago so I been suffering with a gravel floor in my shop ever since.

@arlenestanton9955 5 жыл бұрын

Stan Daffern what is finds?

@thijs199 3 жыл бұрын

I'm gonna dig out an oak tree stump as an anvil block

@dramspringfeald 2 жыл бұрын

The algorithm provides... Would you suggest someone making a new shop from scratch, Dirt Floor with rubber mats, and concrete/post islands for the heavy stuff?

@BlackBearForge 2 жыл бұрын

Dirt has some real advantages, unfortunately keeping the shop clean isn't one of them. Rubber mats stink if you drop something, but if you have concrete they are way better to work on. There are trade offs either way

@dramspringfeald 2 жыл бұрын

@@BlackBearForge Okay, thank you.

@bascostbudde7614 6 жыл бұрын

My country is essentially a river bed, there is clay everywhere. My guess, I haven't found sources yet, is that we always had floors supported by wooden posts hammered into the ground; then a layer of lintels, a wooden flooring, overlayed with bricks. A dirt floor would be unthinkable, your anvil sinks by the day.

@BlackBearForge 6 жыл бұрын

Our clay is dry and hard as a rock.

@glennfelpel9785 6 жыл бұрын

John, is the chain around the anvil just to hold it in position or is there more to it than just that. Good to see you up and about. How is the hand doing ???

@BlackBearForge 6 жыл бұрын

The chain is mostly to hold it stationary, but it is getting loose and needs a better solution. It also helps quite the anvil a bit. I plan on doing a video when I re secure it. I have an afternoon session with the hand surgeon, he thinks another three weeks.

@vinnystack5596 Жыл бұрын

How did you mess up your hand

@MetPhD 4 жыл бұрын

Has anyone ever had concrete pop on them? I've seen it before. Water stays in concrete and it never truly "dries"

@dogslobbergardens6606 3 жыл бұрын

The spot where I'm thinking of building my forge only has soil ranging from a foot deep to no soil at all - exposed bedrock. So I'm thinking of digging down to the bedrock and putting a wooden anvil stand directly on the solid rock. Then dirt with gravel and sand on top around the anvil stand for me to stand on. Does that make sense or am I missing something important? I don't see myself ever getting a power hammer or any massive tooling like that. Just a real basic set-up with maybe a 200# or so anvil (if I can even find one that big that I can afford).

@BlackBearForge 2 жыл бұрын

As long as its mounted solid that should work

@dogslobbergardens6606 2 жыл бұрын

@@BlackBearForge thanks! I thought so, but I have a tendency to over-think things and second-guess myself...

@paulsalb1686 6 жыл бұрын

Hey everyone send him a brick lol

@BlackBearForge 6 жыл бұрын

Boy would that get the post office to start wondering. Make sure you sign your name in the brick ;)

@dustyroads5753 4 жыл бұрын

I do have a huge pile from tearing down a 2 story+ chimney 🤔😂

@matthewmerrick4452 6 жыл бұрын

Is there a reason why you laid the brick in a herringbone pattern? I've noticed this on several Smith floors.

@BlackBearForge 6 жыл бұрын

No real reason. I suppose its just an effort to be less boring

@tkjazzer 5 жыл бұрын

What type of floor absorbs the most noise? Concrete seems like it would make the boise worse with the sound waves bouncing back at you

@BlackBearForge 5 жыл бұрын

I would say dirt or wood

@tkjazzer 5 жыл бұрын

Black Bear Forge did he put something between the blocks locust or just plane them so they fit perfectly

@dadams19111 4 жыл бұрын

what about asphalt

@caroljohnson8817 6 жыл бұрын

You have a brick from DHanis! Where do you live? Outside of San Antonio some place? I’d love to meet you. 😁😁

@BlackBearForge 6 жыл бұрын

We are in Colorado, the bricks were left over from a project at my parents house in Huston.

@Uncle_Bucks_Forge 6 жыл бұрын

You saw my leaf making video didn't you? I am going to fix that anvil down to the floor. I just have to decide on where...

@BlackBearForge 6 жыл бұрын

I don't think I've seen that and couldn't find it when I went to your channel. What is the title?

@Uncle_Bucks_Forge 6 жыл бұрын

#warpedchallenge4 the anvil was moving around bad.

@BlackBearForge 6 жыл бұрын

I see what you mean with the anvil. If you can anchor it to the floor you will be much happier.

@Uncle_Bucks_Forge 6 жыл бұрын

I have already fastened it to the stand after I drilled holes in the feet. I also bought the bolts to bolt it to the floor. Now I have to commit to a spot to fasten it down.

@clydebalcom8252 4 жыл бұрын

What about pavers, like for patios?

@BlackBearForge 4 жыл бұрын

They would work fine

@atomicwinter31 4 жыл бұрын

Hey, how expensive is a brick floor? I want to know because i'm currently building a small forge shack, so my fuels don't get wet and i can forge in any weather. I haven't done any actual buildings yet, because i haven't flattened the area, as i am only a single dude...

@BlackBearForge 4 жыл бұрын

I can't say for sure. I got lucky and found salvaged brick at no cost

@atomicwinter31 4 жыл бұрын

@@BlackBearForge lucky! Id also like to ask another question. My forge is going to be 2 small conjoined areas, each being a 7x6' room. One, the inside area, will have things such as tools, grinders, electricity, ect. The other will have the forges and the large buckets for fuel. What flooring should i put for either? If i did bricks, would i need to do anything or just dig a few inches down, place the bricks, and fill with sand like you do with pavers?

@axtra92 5 жыл бұрын

Dont you get water and moisture in the dirt?

@BlackBearForge 5 жыл бұрын

Only if your roof leaks. But even then a little dampness would just keep the dust down.

@charlesmay8251 6 жыл бұрын

my smithy has a gravel floor

@BlackBearForge 6 жыл бұрын

How do you like it?

@charlesmay8251 6 жыл бұрын

it was a 12 x 12 horse stable we built in the 90s.iwanted to brick it eventually but it is only 6ft high.so far its working out ok.

@sleepingbear7182 6 жыл бұрын

So did mine, actually it was crushed rock. Would never pack down and was badabout rolling under my feet. A couple of years ago, I racked the still loose gravel up and sptead topsoil down. Much better n my feet and knees.

@standaffern6595 6 жыл бұрын

My smithy, which is in the corner of my shop has been a unlevel 3" deep gravel floor. I hated it, hard to walk in my anvil keeps sinking and tipping.Inspired by this video and some others on this forum, I am in the process of putting in a concrete floor where the tools and equipment sits, and am making an attempt to put brick in the smithy area.

@fn45tacticalsuppressed11 3 жыл бұрын

To pour a flat level floor out of concrete you need a concrete mixing truck to deliver a wet mix load. Then get out the troweling tools with a skilled concrete man. They can get it level with the pole trowels.

@fn45tacticalsuppressed11 3 жыл бұрын

I would help you with your floor. But I’m familyed up in Oregon. So to far to drive, for community labor painting parties.